41 young men die in South Africa from circumcision procedures during initiation ceremonies
Authorities arrested 41 people linked to unsafe initiation schools after at least 41 young men died during traditional circumcision rites, with Eastern Cape as a key hotspot.
- On Tuesday, South Africa's Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa said at least 41 young men died during this year's summer initiation in November and December.
- Negligence by initiation schools and parents, including unsafe advice like avoiding water, contributed to fatalities, while parents' payments fueled unregistered initiation schools, Hlabisa said.
- Eastern Cape province has emerged as a hotspot with 21 deaths, while only children aged 16 and above may be admitted with parental consent under registration requirement for initiation schools, yet illegal initiation schools continue to operate.
- Authorities arrested 41 people in relation to illegal initiation schools, including parents who supplied wrong ages, as police and authorities conducted probes into admission irregularities.
- The rite's annual practice across ethnic groups complicates regulatory responses as persistent unsafe practices and illegal initiation schools driven by payments challenge regulatory authorities and legislation.
14 Articles
14 Articles
At least 41 young men died as a result of circumcision procedures as part of traditional initiation activities in South Africa in November and December, authorities said today.
Tragic Toll: 41 Young Lives Lost in South Africa's Initiation Rites
In South Africa, 41 young men died from circumcision procedures during traditional initiation rites. These practices occur annually in various ethnic groups, but severe health risks persist. Despite regulations, illegal initiation schools continue to thrive, prompting calls for stricter enforcement and public awareness to ensure safer transitions into manhood.
41 young men die in South Africa from circumcision procedures during initiation ceremonies
Authorities report that at least 41 young men have died from circumcision procedures during traditional initiation activities in South Africa in November and December.
Traditional initiation is a rite of passage through which young men become men, practiced annually by various ethnic groups in Africa, including parts of South Africa.
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