Parliament Condemns Death of 21 Boys at Eastern Cape Initiation School

The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) has called for an investigation into the deaths of 21 boys at an initiation school in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. (Some reports put the figure at 22.)

According to media reports, the boys died due to dehydration.

The committee condemned the death of these boys as it was a tragedy that could have been averted. The boys became dehydrated because of water restrictions applied to initiates on cultural grounds.

“This could have been avoided if traditional practices such as water restrictions to initiates before and after the initiation can be reviewed from time to time to ensure that if they threaten the lives of the initiates in the fast changing weather conditions, they are discontinued,” said committee Chairperson Faith Muthambi.

The committee has also called on the National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL) to investigate the death of the initiates.

It further urged the NHTL to come up with new solutions on how to continue with the tradition of initiation in the changing climatic and weather conditions, to ensure that not a single life is lost in the future.

“The heart breaking deaths happen at a time when families are preparing to be together for the festive season. We are extending our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of these boys,” Muthambi said.

She added that the committee will invite the leadership of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA) to come to Parliament in the new year with a purpose of finding solutions to the problems of the tradition of initiation.

In the meantime the CRL Rights Commission – which protects cultural and traditional communities – has suspended initiation schools and practises for a year while the deaths of the 22 boys is under investigation. Explaining the value of initiation, particularly in the learning of uBuntu, the CRL added: “The Commission has observed with dismay that in given instances the cultural practice of initiation robs families and communities of young people who either die or suffer genital amputation. The deaths of around 22 initiates are clearly a violation of the sanctity of the human life.

“The true and authentic traditional practice of initiation must be measured and judged by its ability to care and preserve the lives of the young initiates. The deaths and amputations suffered by these young men can never be tolerated, especially considering the fact that during the same period last year about 17 boys had lost their lives.”

– SAnews.gov.za and CRL Rights Commission

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