Killing our young boys

It only takes a cursory observation to see we are gearing ourselves up for that favourite part of the year in Komani the festive season.

The increased traffic in the town and the hustle and bustle you see everywhere is ushering in the fun times.

This is the time many families hold special events that bring people together.

I have already been invited to three homecoming ceremonies of boys from the bush, and with the way things are these days it is truly something worth celebrating.

The ones who do come home safe and sound highlight the everpresent crises we have with the whole tradition of ukwaluka .

One death from a beautiful tradition that carries such significance to those who practise it is one death too many.

No one should die from such a minor procedure, but here we are.

In November, before the start of the circumcision season, a huge prayer meeting was held at Mlungisi Stadium, where many religious leaders gathered to pray for the safe return of all initiates from the bush.

Weeks later, there are reports that about five initiates have already died due to dehydration and another from not taking his treatment for a chronic illness.

Let me repeat due to dehydration.

Who doesn t know that not drinking any water during circumcision is a definite no-no?

How does it still happen when it is preached on every platform that initiates should be kept hydrated, especially during the summer heat?

Surely this is not just negligence but an act of criminality and it should be treated as such. Whoever was looking after the initiates should be charged with involuntary manslaughter or culpable homicide.

One shudders to think how many other families will be grieving for a lost son instead of celebrating his rite of passage to manhood by the end of the initiation season.

This carnage has to stop.

I doubt that prayer meetings will do any good, but I do understand that authorities have to be seen to be doing something and explore all avenues to get the message across.

But every year we hear the same sad stories and every year the authorities launch awareness campaigns to educate people about the correct methods they should use to look after the initiates in their care.

Have we ever had a zero death circumcision season?

Is that such an impossibility or have we got so used to deaths during this time that we are no longer outraged that such young men are needlessly sacrificed?

Have I dampened your festive mood and made those with boys in the bush apprehensive?

I hope I have these needless deaths have to be stopped.