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Traditional circumcisions take place over the June and December holidays, in order to accommodate school-going boys. Pic: Simphiwe Nkwali.

 We fear that more lives may be lost as the initiation season continues, but pray for divine prevention 

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Already the 2012 winter season has surpassed the death toll during the same period last year when 26 initiates had died. Since Tuesday, the number has increased by 14 from 20 to 34.

The death toll keeps rising despite various strategies and campaigns by the government, Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders (ECHTL), local traditional leaders and traditional circumcision practitioners. The departments of health and traditional affairs have been at the forefront of campaigns.

ECHTL chairman Nkosi Ngangomhlaba Matanzima said the increase was worrying.

“While Pondoland remains problematic and still has the highest number of deaths and injuries, the fatilities have spread to other places as like Matatiele, Willowvale, Ugie and Butterworth,” said Matanzima.

“This is very worrying that the entire province will be engulfed with this disaster. Hence, we wants more focus to be made on the prevention of the circumcision deaths.”

Matanzima said that concerned that 34 young lives were lost in barely three weeks.

“We fear that more lives may be lost as the season continue, but pray for divine prevention.”

Matanzima said a number of factors contributed to the “disaster” this winter season. These included financial constraints.

He said they were operating with a budget of about R700,000 for both the summer and winter initiation seasons.

Previously, Matanzima said, they had a budget of close to R4-million.

“This on its own created a problem and we therefore could not have the plans and campaigns we normally have,” said Matanzima.

He also said some traditional leaders and parents have not played their part in curbing deaths.

“How can a traditional leader boast of being a custodian of custom and culture while doing nothing to protect the rite which is one of the corner stones of our customs?” said Matanzima.

The health department has allocated 30 vehicles to traditional leaders to visit initiation schools.

The South African Communist Party (SACP) in the province joined the chorus of organisations concerned by the rising deaths of initiates in Eastern Cape initiation schools .

“This challenge warrants all people of our province to unite and fight against malpractice of this old custom and those who are now turning our custom into a narrow business for their selfish interests. We cannot allow anyone to commodify our custom and objectify vulnerable young people in the process,” said SACP provincial spokesman Siyabonga Mdodi earlier this week.

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Fri May 24 12:27:24 SAST 2013 ::

Jul 6, 2012

Knan

Mapona Vol.3 @ Sowetan, i knew it friday doesnt just pass without mapona feature / modango

O ba bona feela ba tshaba metsi, CROCODILES ke tseo. kwaaaaaaakwaaaaaaakwaaaaak...
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Jul 6, 2012

Papage

They must call in Limpopo teachers to come show them how is done, No death in Limpopo
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Jul 6, 2012

JB$

I'm sure go nkga marago mo
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Jul 6, 2012

BaleliM

When they decide to go to clinics that are free of charge, then the death rate will be zero rather than breaking previous records.
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Jul 6, 2012

Tango

It looks like it is safer to do it in Limpopo than in EC .Thanks GOD i don't have to go to the mountain to become a man.
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Jul 6, 2012

Tsar-Rasputin

I never been to initiation school, mara JB le Knan lebolela mpya
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Jul 6, 2012

Joose

Batho ba EC ba palelwa ke koma. Each time there are initiations, schools from EC are always on the news with death cases. If it leads to these then they must stop them from doin it or else refer their iniates to schools in Limpopo.
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Jul 6, 2012

DJWinner

I still mantain my point that people must go and do this thing in the hospital. We understand that it is a culture, but when people are dying it is not fun anymore.
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Jul 6, 2012

zoned3

these parents must file lawsuits against these so called "schools" and bring the government as well and the local king, watch how quickly they will wake up from there slubber
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Jul 6, 2012

bizoro

I must be proud of my Manhood coz i passed thru this passage to be this man i am today, the only problem with the EC is the phondoland ( the people who ran down from zululand during Shakas madness), Mpondo's were not doing this b4 so they are not well trained and goverment failed to transport them to othe areas where it is properly done.

As for Limpompo, there is no circumsision there only young boys taken to the mountain to sing all day & night so who can die from singing. (all of these people - sothos & hlubis included).

As for zulus they must relax & shut up or simply scratch their poloneck ( ijwabi- sies ababafazi bakazuma banyamezele u rhwexwa lijwabi).
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