The initiation death toll in the Eastern Cape has increased to 12 and with still some weeks to go before the season draws to a close, authorities are calling for parents to be more involved in their initiate sons’ welfare.
The four most recent deaths have been reported from King William’s Town, Mthatha, Lusikisiki and Ntsika Yethu in the Chris Hani district.
Health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said the initiate from Ginsberg in King William’s Town had died at Bhisho Hospital.
“He was dehydrated and had an asthma attack,” he explained, adding it was the first Buffalo City Metro initiation death reported this season.
Another young man died at Jara village in Intsika Yethu, the first death reported from the Chris Hani district.
“We are worried about what appears to be negligent behaviour in the bush. Parents need to be at the forefront to ensure the lives of their sons are protected. As it is now, parents have a low participation rate in efforts to ensure their sons’ welfare,” said Kupelo.
Cooperative governance and traditional affairs spokesman Mamnkeli Ngam commented on the most recent of the seven deaths from the OR Tambo district. “The death is that of an 18-year-old initiate from Makhumsheni, near kuKhambi, Mthatha, in the King Sabata Dalindyebo municipal area,” he said.
The Makhumseni death brings to three the number of initiates who have died in villages around Mthatha.
Both Kupelo and Ngam said the cause of this initiate’s death was not yet known.
However, assault is suspected in the death of Siyabonga Makangeni, 19, of Mabheleni village in Lusikisiki, said Kupelo and Ngam.
Some of the initiates who died this week had been due to graduate this weekend.
Cogta MEC Fikile Xasa, Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders chairman Nkosi Mweko Nonkonyana, Contralesa Youth Wing chairman Prince Ntsindiso Mdunyelwa and OR Tambo Traditional Initiation Forum chairman Nkosi Mkhanyiseli Dudumayo expressed shock at the sudden spike in initiation deaths.
A year ago 29 initiates died during the 2016 summer initiation season and nine traditional surgeons and nurses were arrested in the Eastern Cape.
Last year’s initiates died from dehydration, sepsis and assault. Despite the high number, this figure was down on the 2015 summer season, when 46 initiates lost their lives.
The Chris Hani district, which in 2015 recorded 19 deaths, reduced its toll to 12 last summer, but was the worst affected area. The other regions’ toll in 2016 were: Amathole (4); OR Tambo (4); Alfred Nzo (4); Joe Gqabi (3); Buffalo City Metro (1); and Nelson Mandela Bay Metro (1). — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
Call for parents to come to party as initiation death toll rises to 12
The four most recent deaths have been reported from King William’s Town, Mthatha, Lusikisiki and Ntsika Yethu in the Chris Hani district.
Health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said the initiate from Ginsberg in King William’s Town had died at Bhisho Hospital.
“He was dehydrated and had an asthma attack,” he explained, adding it was the first Buffalo City Metro initiation death reported this season.
Another young man died at Jara village in Intsika Yethu, the first death reported from the Chris Hani district.
“We are worried about what appears to be negligent behaviour in the bush. Parents need to be at the forefront to ensure the lives of their sons are protected. As it is now, parents have a low participation rate in efforts to ensure their sons’ welfare,” said Kupelo.
Cooperative governance and traditional affairs spokesman Mamnkeli Ngam commented on the most recent of the seven deaths from the OR Tambo district. “The death is that of an 18-year-old initiate from Makhumsheni, near kuKhambi, Mthatha, in the King Sabata Dalindyebo municipal area,” he said.
The Makhumseni death brings to three the number of initiates who have died in villages around Mthatha.
Both Kupelo and Ngam said the cause of this initiate’s death was not yet known.
However, assault is suspected in the death of Siyabonga Makangeni, 19, of Mabheleni village in Lusikisiki, said Kupelo and Ngam.
Some of the initiates who died this week had been due to graduate this weekend.
Cogta MEC Fikile Xasa, Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders chairman Nkosi Mweko Nonkonyana, Contralesa Youth Wing chairman Prince Ntsindiso Mdunyelwa and OR Tambo Traditional Initiation Forum chairman Nkosi Mkhanyiseli Dudumayo expressed shock at the sudden spike in initiation deaths.
A year ago 29 initiates died during the 2016 summer initiation season and nine traditional surgeons and nurses were arrested in the Eastern Cape.
Last year’s initiates died from dehydration, sepsis and assault. Despite the high number, this figure was down on the 2015 summer season, when 46 initiates lost their lives.
The Chris Hani district, which in 2015 recorded 19 deaths, reduced its toll to 12 last summer, but was the worst affected area. The other regions’ toll in 2016 were: Amathole (4); OR Tambo (4); Alfred Nzo (4); Joe Gqabi (3); Buffalo City Metro (1); and Nelson Mandela Bay Metro (1). — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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