41 young men d!e in South Africa after circumcision initiation

At least 41 young men have died following circumcision procedures linked to traditional initiation activities in South Africa during November and December, authorities have confirmed. Traditional initiation is a long-standing rite of passage into manhood practiced by several ethnic groups, including the Xhosa, Ndebele, Sotho and Venda communities. During the process, initiates are typically secluded at initiation schools where they receive cultural instruction, with circumcision forming a central part of the ritual. Despite existing laws requiring initiation schools to be registered and monitored, illegal and unregulated schools continue to operate. Authorities say many of the reported deaths occurred at such facilities, though some registered schools were also implicated. Parents are required to pay fees for admission, which officials say has encouraged the rise of unregistered centres. Initiation seasons usually coincide with school holidays, particularly in winter (JuneJuly) and summer (NovemberDecember). South Africas Minister of Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, told local broadcasters that negligence by initiation schools and parents contributed to the deaths. He noted that unsafe practices, including advice discouraging initiates from drinking water, remain common. There is negligence in terms of meeting health standards in some of the initiation schools, Hlabisa said. If you take your child to an initiation school and do not monitor what is happening, you are placing that child at risk. The Eastern Cape has been identified as a major hotspot, accounting for 21 deaths so far. Authorities also confirmed that 41 people have been arrested in connection with illegal initiation schools, including some parents accused of falsifying their childrens ages. Under South African law, only boys aged 16 and above may attend initiation schools, and only with parental consent. While traditional initiation remains culturally significant and is often followed by celebratory homecomings, government officials continue to urge stricter adherence to health standards to prevent further loss of life.The post 41 young men d!e in South Africa after circumcision initiation appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.