As winter approaches, many young men are looking forward to going to the mountains for their initiation into manhood. However, several before them have lost their lives pursiuing this rite of passage.
Most of these deaths occur in the Eastern Cape. According to reports, 700 initiates have died in the past decade. This includes the 34 fatalities that were reported in the province last year. In addition, more than 119 were admitted to the hospital due to complications.
While the custom has been practised for decades, thousands of young boys have lost their lives in their pursuit to become “men”. Many went willingly, and others were pressurised by their peers in fear of being called “boys”.
Five years ago, the National Assembly approved The Customary Initiation Bill, which regulates initiation…
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Sunday Independent (Digital) - 1 Issue, 2023-04-23