Thembelihle Mapasa and Siphesihle Bobo, both 20, have become the first casualties of the summer initiation season.
The two died on Thursday and Friday of suspected dehydration. The deaths have shocked traditional leaders as Centane had not recorded initiate deaths in recent years.
The two reportedly went through the processes of getting their parents’ permission and being medically checked before they were circumcised on November 6 and 9 respectively.
The summer initiation season was officially launched in King William’s Town last Friday, with stakeholders including traditional leaders, government, NGOs, police, committing for zero deaths.
However, 130km away, one of the initiates was dying at Theko Fihla village in Centane.
AmaXhosa King Mpendulo Sigcawu and Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders chair Nkosi Mwelo Nonkonyana expressed shock and called for action to be taken against those who might be found responsible for Bobo and Mapasa’s deaths.
“I am really shocked. We cannot be speaking of deaths so early as the initiation season starts.
“It’s really shocking, especially that the deaths happened in Centane, the area that hardly have deaths or never ever had deaths,” said Sigcawu.
“We wanted no deaths anywhere in the country.
“The custom of ulwaluko does not kill, but nurtures future leaders.”
Nonkonyana said authorities were still verifying if the initiation school was legal, as had been claimed.
“As traditional leaders and provincial initiation task team we are ashamed, disgraced, disappointed and shocked,” Nonkonyana said.
“We aimed for zero deaths, only to be disappointed right on the first day of launching the season.
“We pray for no more deaths,” he said.
Sigcawu and Nonkonyana said for many years it had been drummed into communities that initiates should be given sufficient of water, especially in summer.
Provincial health medical services acting deputy director-general Dr Litha Matiwane said dehydration, septicaemia and assault were the major contributing factors of deaths of initiates in the Eastern Cape province.
“If indeed these initiates were denied water, someone must account and be dealt with by the law.
“Water is so essential,” Matiwane said.
Both the king and Nonkonyana said traditional leaders in Centane must answer for the deaths and present a clear explanation as to why initiates died on their watch...