Africaparent Logo
Africaparent Logo
EnglishSwahili
  • COVID-19
  • Becoming a Mama
  • Ages & Stages
  • Parenting
  • Health
  • Feeding & Nutrition

21 Boys Have Been Confirmed Dead During An Initiation Ceremony In Eastern Cape

3 min read
21 Boys Have Been Confirmed Dead During An Initiation Ceremony In Eastern Cape21 Boys Have Been Confirmed Dead During An Initiation Ceremony In Eastern Cape

21 boys have been confirmed dead in an Initiation Ceremony held in Eastern Cape, South Africa. A spokesperson has announced that schools, where this happened, will be shut down.

Mvusiwekhaya Sicwetsha, the premier’s spokesperson, recently confirmed that 21 boys died during an initiation ceremony in Eastern cape. Allegedly, the boys died from dehydration and other health complications from the circumcision ritual.

21 boys died during an initiation ceremony in Eastern Cape

circumcision ritual in South africa

Image: ABC

The Xhosa Ethnic Group, most of whom live in Eastern Cape province are one of the ethnic groups that still practice the ritual of circumcision. It is part of a traditional ceremony to welcome boys into manhood. The practice got the attention of the government and media in the 90s due to the resulting deaths. Since then over 6,000 boys have found themselves in the hospital, while more than 3,000 have died and some 76 boys have had to have their manhoods cut because of complications.

initiation ceremony in eastern cape

In this current case, the CRL Rights Commission has announced that all schools in the Eastern Cape where initiates died this season would be closed for a year. According to the commission’s chairman, Professor David Mosoma, these deaths are clearly a violation of the sanctity of human life.

Also, they would be working with several organs of state, including the NPA and the police, to ensure it never happens again.

How have the deaths affected belief in the initiation ritual?

21 boys dead from initiation ceremony in Eastern Cape

Image by Schalk van Zuydam

A 2015 children’s bill stipulates that no child should undergo circumcision against their will. Despite these deaths, it hasn’t discouraged boys between 15 to 25 years from presenting themselves for the ritual whenever the time comes. That’s how significant the initiation is, with some calling it ‘the greatest day in every boy’s life.’ Traditionally speaking, the ritual involves a number of stages that are as difficult as they are complex, each stage with its own strict rules and regulations. Afterwards, the boys who make it through are granted certain privileges like getting more knowledge, respect, and the rights to get married. Unfortunately, those 21 dead boys didn’t live to enjoy the so-called respect.

According to EWN, the province’s premier visited the initiation schools in the area, alongside some government officials and traditional leaders. Minister Zweli Mkhize said most of the boys had died from dehydration. “This is due to the belief that initiates should not get water. So, before and after the ceremony they don’t get water. This leads to mental confusion, electrolyte imbalance and renal failure.”

The minister recommended that initiations should hold only during winter periods. He argues that “In the same area, no deaths are recorded in winter every year.”

Read also: Stop telling your sons these 10 things: raising boys the right way

News 24

 

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Lydia Ume

  • Home
  • /
  • Real Stories
  • /
  • 21 Boys Have Been Confirmed Dead During An Initiation Ceremony In Eastern Cape
Share:
  • Hanover Park Shooting: Mum Dies Using Herself As Shield To Protect Children

    Hanover Park Shooting: Mum Dies Using Herself As Shield To Protect Children

  • Great News! The First Smartphone to be completely made in  Africa has been produced in Rwanda

    Great News! The First Smartphone to be completely made in Africa has been produced in Rwanda

  • This Cameroonian Man Is The First African To Survive The Corona virus In China

    This Cameroonian Man Is The First African To Survive The Corona virus In China

  • A Polygamous Father Of 41 Locked Up His Sister For Two Years For Wanting To Return Her Ex-Husband

    A Polygamous Father Of 41 Locked Up His Sister For Two Years For Wanting To Return Her Ex-Husband

  • Hanover Park Shooting: Mum Dies Using Herself As Shield To Protect Children

    Hanover Park Shooting: Mum Dies Using Herself As Shield To Protect Children

  • Great News! The First Smartphone to be completely made in  Africa has been produced in Rwanda

    Great News! The First Smartphone to be completely made in Africa has been produced in Rwanda

  • This Cameroonian Man Is The First African To Survive The Corona virus In China

    This Cameroonian Man Is The First African To Survive The Corona virus In China

  • A Polygamous Father Of 41 Locked Up His Sister For Two Years For Wanting To Return Her Ex-Husband

    A Polygamous Father Of 41 Locked Up His Sister For Two Years For Wanting To Return Her Ex-Husband

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Becoming a Mama
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Kids
  • Parenting
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
    • Parent's Guide
  • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Weaning
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright Africaparent.com 2023 Tickled Media Pte Ltd. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it