Koma is slowly and surely losing the dignity it used to have. In the past koma (initiation school) was respected and women were not supposed to see the initiates.

Koma is slowly and surely losing the dignity it used to have. In the past koma (initiation school) was respected and women were not supposed to see the initiates.

It was rare for an initiate to die but these days there are deaths and some boys are released before time.

Some are taken to hospital in full view of women and those who have not been to koma school.

The joy of graduating is different now. The joy of being called a man after undergoing the ritual is gone because boys as young as nine are taken to koma schools.

This happens because of greed. People are using koma as some sort of get-rich-quick business.

These schools are getting more negligent every year and many innocent lives are lost.

Though there will never be a debate on whether koma should be abolished, something should be done.

The government should control these schools.

And parents must beware of sending their children to fly-by-night schools.

Sending your child to an uncertified koma school is like throwing your boy into the river and expecting him not to get wet.

Moses Mothogoane, Jane Furse