Initiate death toll down, but concerns remain

[caption id="attachment_41178" align="alignright" width="405"] SEASONAL SCENE: Initiates in the bush Picture: VELI NHLAPO[/caption]

THE number of initiation deaths in Eastern Pondoland has decreased so far compared to last winter.

But 10 deaths in Western Pondoland are causing concern.

At the farewell ceremony of 120 initiates who had been rescued in Lusikisiki, Mount Ayliff and Libode, Community Development Foundation of SA (Codefsa) executive director Nkululeko Nxesi said the community was responding positively.

"But the death toll is still too high. Initiates are now dying in areas outside Pondoland. Before, Pondoland was the main area where initiates died," Nxesi said.

In contrast, only four initiates died in Mbizana, Flagstaff and Lusikisiki. "In the 2013 winter season, four initiates died in Mbizana alone," Nxesi said.

Nxesi said 209 young men had been rescued from illegal initiation schools in the three towns. A further 12 were rescued around Mount Ayliff and 16 in Nyandeni.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs spokesman Mamnkeli Ngam said while the death toll had gone down in Pondoland, there was concern about the increase in other areas. "While we still have to reconcile numbers, it looks as if we are winning part of the battle. We are dealing with a moving target but we hope to conquer," said Ngam.

Nxesi and Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders chief executive Zingisa Bokwe said they had noticed that some initiates were released from initiation schools before they had fully healed.

Some then suffered complications at home and had to be sent to hospital, or in some cases died.

Nxesi said medical staff at rescue centres would discharge initiates only when they were 100% healed and healthy.

Eastern Pondoland spokesman Nkosi Mandilive Cinani said the lower death toll "means communities understand the essence of traditional initiation and circumcision as a component of custom. But we still face the problem of traditional leaders who lurk behind fraudulent activities.

"We are happy there are no penile amputations," Cinani said.

A Western Pondoland spokesman said the 10 deaths, the most in the province, were of great concern. "Even one is too many." - Lulamile Feni