42 boys perish - but silence
THE figures of young boys dying at initiation schools are shocking. The death toll, as at July 11, was 42, in just three weeks.
AT RISK: Young boys at an initiation school. PHOTO: YANDISA MONAKALIThe horror of initiation schools
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According to reports, this is nearly double last years' figure of 26.
South Africa is now 18 years into democracy but the shame of young boys dying in Eastern Cape initiation schools continues unabated.
Why do we, as a caring, compassionate, democratic society, look the other way? Why do we allow certain cultural practices to rob young people of their future?
We are reminded of the work of gender activist and author Dr Gary Barker, whose comments in his book Dying to be Men describes the debilitating association of notions of manhood, issues of violence and HIV - that some young people will die for in their quest to become so-called "proper" or "real" men.
What it means to be a "proper" man and the fact that it has been reduced to the practice of circumcision is detrimental not only to the young men who go through the process but to society as a whole.
A society where manhood is ascribed only to individuals who have gone to initiation school is one that does not value men as whole beings with other aspects to their humanity. However, this does not affirm the notion that you can still be a man without being subjected to inhumane treatment.
Too often, not enough attention is paid when people's rights are trampled on with impunity. What message does the silence send to these young men who are expected to go through this route without any guarantee that they will come back alive?
It is our view that any other traditional law is subjected to our supreme law, the Constitution.
There are those who would argue that constitutional protection of culture gives them carte blanche to engage in practices that are not only harmful but may, in fact, lead to death. This is not so. Cultural and religious practices are protected to the extent that they are consistent with other rights in the Constitution (sections 15(3)(b) and 31(2)).
We are concerned that there is not a universal outcry from all of us to these statistics.
We wonder if this silence is a result of us fearing to be labelled as "Eurocentric" or "sell-outs" out there to please the white master.
The Children's Act prohibits the circumcision of young men and joins a number of other provincial acts that regulate male circumcision in Free State, Limpopo and Eastern Cape.
Parents themselves are under an obligation to consent to the circumcision before it occurs.
There is a need for active citizenry in if we are to stop practices that not only harm but endanger people's lives.
We must hold our government to account and using the law to do so is our constitutional mandate. Doing otherwise would be betraying those who died for us to have those freedoms.
- Botha and Nyembe are the government and media relations manager, and research fellow, respectively, at Sonke Gender Justice Network
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maneater
i am not shocked at the number, i am shocked that we are still at 42. because with babies as young as those in the picture going out in this cold? we are indeed very lucky it is still 42.Report Abuse
januswanus
Do it as a cultural practice at age 18 upwards than a business enterprising for profit at age of 6. Taking a 9yeat old there is abuse.Report Abuse
RobinH
WTF? It was never as bad as this, surely. What is this. And here we thought all sorts of regulatory initiatives had been put in place.Report Abuse
Mellow
A society where manhood is ascribed only to individuals who have gone to initiation school is one that does not value men as whole beings with other aspects to their humanity...........................................................................................................................
So true, I'll never understand how going through torture turns one into a real man. Its child abuse and everyone must come together and put a stop to this its unlawful and cruel. They only make noise when there are couple of safe returns but they keep mum whn innocent kids die sis disgusting culture or no culture no amount of torture will ever turn one into a real man. This is enough to fck up any childs mind for a lifetime and turning them into monsters
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Headlesschick
matsatsi a gona go bolla tshelete-are you sure that those todlers are in the initiation school?surely they have brought their nestum and diapers/pampers le baby oil;you are rite Maneater we are very lucky.Report Abuse
idiothater2
The problem is everyone thinks they can do the Circumcision,Look at where deaths are taking place(Eastern cape & free state). In the limpopo & Mpumalanga there are families who have done (and are known to do ) circumcision for Decates. In the free state & eastern cape, someone just wakes up and think they can get beer money by opening an Initiation school, that is why they are killing people.Report Abuse
KeRataBasadi
Only a sick disgusting society would allow this type of foolishness then call it culture, these schools have been going Madikizela on young boys for a while and nothing is said or done. nc nc ncReport Abuse
Mzabalazo
In all fairness why can't mordening such outdated practice if we cannot get rid of. Why do we have to take an African person's life so cheap. there are so many practices that are threatening the people 's rights that we have done away with. I.t should against the law to force /take person under the age of 18 to such torture , this should classified under child abuse. Let people choose or not choose to be taken to such places that have not added any value to our lives.Report Abuse
Mopedi_Thwiii
The uncircumcised must shut up.... I don't expect a virgin to tell me about sexBut Eastern Cape is doing every thing wrong.... How many died in Limpopo? Zero,
Why?
Because we know how to do it right......
My child will go when he is older than the kids I see on the pic..... This kids are not men, they are let down by the parents who put them through this at an early age...... STUPID PARENTS
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Sunshine_
I Feel bad for this boys, luk at the last one in the que, u can count the ribs :-(Report Abuse
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