Forum of experts hopes to end deaths as Ndebele initiation season starts
31 initiates died during 2013 ritual
Thousands of youth in the former KwaNdebele homeland have begun their two-month seclusion to undergo ingoma (initiation)‚ a sacred rite of passage that has in recent years been marred by fatalities.
Concerned parents have pinned their hopes for the wellbeing and safe return of their children on the intervention of a group called the Ingoma Forum‚ a group of medical doctors and health practitioners who themselves have gone through the rite of passage.
The deaths in the last initiation season of 2013‚ which sent shockwaves around the country‚ occurred in the Nkangala district villages of Siyabuswa‚ KwaMhlanga‚ Verena‚ Kwaggafontein‚ Middelburg‚ Bethal and Evander.
Thirty-one youngsters perished due to negligence and botched circumcisions.
Most deaths were related to preventable complications‚ such as excessive bleeding and exposure to extremely cold conditions.
Mpumalanga department of health’s Musa Thugwana‚ who also chairs the Ingoma Forum‚ said the key to intervention was to ensure that every initiate goes for medical assessment prior to the initiation and that parents have consented and filled out forms to state any medical conditions that their children may have.
Thugwana said it was important that those who had health conditions continue to receive their medication while in the mountains and that all are monitored for any signs of health complications.
“Our intervention means we inspect the kraals for any signs of trouble‚ working together with parents and traditional leaders. The fact that we are also graduates of these initiation schools helps in that the sanctity and dignity of the ritual is preserved‚” Thugwana said.
He said the forum was born in 2009 and that initiation-related deaths have decreased from 30% in 2009 to about 2% in 2013, despite the 31 deaths that year. Thugwana admitted the deaths occurred under their watch but said the situation could have been worse if it were not for their intervention.
“As I said‚ the element of negligence is a problem and we could not get to some of the victims in time to save them.
“Some had already died when we arrived‚” he said.
Sana Mahlangu‚ of Matjhirini village near Siyabuswa‚ whose 16-year-old son is among the initiates‚ said it was important that families work with the forum if they wanted their children to return alive.
He said no parent wants to lose a child in the name of tradition.
“We know where the problem is and we have been offered a workable solution to save our tradition. Let us work with them‚” Mahlangu said.
He said at first he was against the forum but when its role was explained‚ he agreed to it.
“We went through the passage and we know how easy it is to die there. You find someone with epilepsy. When they have a fit‚ they are assaulted‚ instead of being given medical attention. That must end.”
Prince Madolo Mahlangu of Ndzundza-Mabhoko Traditional Council said he appreciated the intervention of the Ingoma Forum. He said some people were initially suspicious of the forum but changed their attitude once they realised the importance of the initiative.
We went through the passage and we know how easy it is to die there