Initiation circumcisions claim at least 41 lives in South Africa

Over 41 young men have died due to circumcision procedures carried out during initiation ceremonies in South Africa in November and December, Associated Press reported on December 30th.

Traditional initiation is viewed as a rite of passage into manhood, despite resulting in fatalities every year. During the initiation period, young men are secluded at initiation schools to learn cultural values and responsibilities associated with adulthood.

Despite the risks, traditional initiation remains widely practised across many African communities, including South Africa’s Xhosa, Ndebele, Sotho and Venda groups.

The deaths in South Africa come amid broader regional efforts to address harmful traditional practices. In early December, three women in Gambia were charged over the death of a one-month-old girl who died after undergoing female genital mutilation (FGM), also referred to as female circumcision.

South African law requires initiation schools to be registered with the authorities. However, illegal initiation schools, where many of the deaths are reported, continue to operate. Parents pay fees for their children’s admission to initiation school, which creates a financial incentive for some to start unregistered schools.

The initiation period usually coincides with school holidays in winter (June-July) and summer (November-December). Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa told local media that 41 initiates died during the summer initiation. Eastern Cape province has been identified as the most affected province, with 21 deaths reported so far.

Hlabisa blamed both initiation schools, including registered ones, and parents for failing to follow safety standards and medical advice. He said some initiates are given unproven advice, including being told to avoid drinking water to speed up healing.

In a statement, Hlabisa explained that, “there is negligence in terms of meeting health standards in some of the initiation schools. If you take your child to an initiation school, you never make a follow-up, you do not monitor, you do not go there to see whether the child does drink water, you are placing your child at risk.”

Authorities arrested 41 people connected to illegal initiation schools, including parents who falsified their children’s ages to secure admission, according to Hlabisa. South African law permits attendance at initiation schools only for children aged 16 and older, subject to parental consent.

In light of these deaths, authorities are facing mounting pressure to act.

AP, Maghrebi.org