Two more initiates die, bringing toll to nine

The initiation death toll has risen to nine following the death of two initiates in East London on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Esona Mgidlalana, 18, was burnt to death when his initiation hut caught alight on Wednesday at around 4am in Amalinda. Liyema Libazi, 18, died in Mdantsane outside East London on Tuesday.

Buffalo City Metro traditional initiation forum chair Nkosi Stanley Makinana said it was concerning that in just 24 hours two initiates had died as the region had hardly registered any initiates’ deaths in previous years.

“It was reported that the initiate [Mgidlalana] was alone at the time of the incident. Traditional nurses in the neighbouring initiation lodge noticed that the hut was engulfed with fire and raced to rescue the initiate who was inside the hut, but it was too late. It is not yet clear as to what caused the fire,” said Makinana.

Co-operative governance and traditional affairs provincial spokesperson Mamnkeli Ngam said Libazi, who was legally circumcised, was asthmatic.

“The initiate was on asthmatic pump which he was using at the initiation school. According to information we received and preliminary investigations he had an asthma attack. But at this stage the cause of death is unknown and we are awaiting post-mortem results,” said Ngam.

Other initiates who lost their lives were Thembelihle Mapasa and Siphesihle Bobo, both 20, of Centane, Siphesihle Mlombeli, 17, of Maluti, Sinalo Tabata, 20, of Whittlesea, Tsepiso Nksoesa, 18, of Matatiele, Siyanda Mboxela, 19, Willowvale and Achumile Mngqetha, 20, of Mthatha.

EC House of Traditional Leaders chairperson Nkosi Mwelo Nonkonyana was dismayed at the increasing death toll.

“We want to have men that are worth the name and do not want any deaths. We want to have men that this country can be proud, of not corpses.”