Initiation Schools must use modern instruments: Motlanthe:Saturday 24 August 2013. Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe says that it's important to remember that culture is dynamic.
(SABC) Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe has called for initiation schools to use of modern instruments to preserve life. He's been speaking at the National Men's Rally at the Johannesburg Stadium. The rally, with the theme, 'Not In My Name' is spearheaded by the South African National Aids Council (Sanac) men's sector, Brothers For Life and the Department of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities. It is aimed at mobilising South African men from all walks of life to stand up against gender-based violence.
Motlanthe who is the chairperson of Sanac says while initiation is part of some African cultures it's important to remember that culture is dynamic. Around 50 deaths have been reported during this year's initiation season in various provinces Meanwhile Figures show 313 boys and girls died while undergoing traditional initiation in the 5-year period from 2008 to 2012. Initiation schools claims 31 lives:Friday 11 July 2014. Deputy Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Obed Bapela.
(SABC) Deputy Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Obed Bapela, has called on all members of the community to report any illegal initiation schools to the police. This comes after the death of 31 boys in the country since the initiation activities started. Speaking on Morning Live, Bapela says although the number of deaths has gone down when compared to previous years, deaths in initiation schools remains a concern. Initiation schools contravening law face penalty:Thursday 26 June 2014. There is a sentence that can be imposed up to 10 years for a first time offender and 20 years for a repeat offender.
(SABC) The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has warned Initiation Schools that they could face criminal charges in accordance with the Children's Act. Section 12 of the Act stipulates that only boys over the age of 16 may be circumcised unless there is a religious or medical reason to do otherwise. The NPA's Nathi Mncube says they will prosecute those found contravening the law. "There is a sentence that can be imposed up to 10 years for a first time offender and 20 years for a repeat offender. "The message that we are really trying to get out there is to say that people must be aware of the law especially the traditional circumcisers, during this initiation season to take care of the kids, but must be aware that it's against the law to circumcise boys under the age of 16," says Mncube.
Mpumalanga Initiation schools that claimed 25 lives were illegal:Monday 20 May 2013. Inquest and a post mortem results show the cause of death being excessive bleeding and dehydration(SABC) The Mpumalanga provincial government says the initiation schools where 25 initiates have died so far, were illegal.
The provincial Health Department says those schools aren't known to the Ndebele monarch, King Mabhoko III, or the department itself. Health MEC Candith Mashego-Dlamini says this then suggests that none of those initiates were screened at the department facilities before initiation. The MEC says according to the inquest and a post mortem, the cause of the death is excessive bleeding and also dehydration. Mashego-Dlamini confirms that the department and the traditional leadership in the area have joined hands as they have done so previously, as they want those responsible for the unfortunate deaths to be held accountable. Nehawu’s call followed Mashego-Dlamini’s earlier comment that she couldn't intervene in a traditional matter as she is a woman.
Mpumalanga illegal initiation school owner arrested:Tuesday 8 July 2014. Police are on the verge of arresting 24 initiation school owners.
(SABC) A man believed to be the owner of an illegal initiation school has been arrested in Mpumalanga. It is understood a 6 year-old initiate died at the school. The school has since been closed. Boy disappears at Cape Town initiation school:Sunday 11 January 2015. The Basotho initiation culture is an important right of passage for young boys.
(SABC) A 19-year-old initiate has gone missing while undergoing circumcision at a school in Worcester in the Western Cape. His distraught family say they have been told Bantu Jobo ran away from the Basotho Initiation School a month ago. This weekend, 40 of his peers returned home from the mountain, but Jobo was nowhere to be seen. The Basotho initiation culture is an important right of passage for young boys. Joy and celebrations for some families as more than 40 initiates returned home this weekend. But there was a sombre mood in the Jobo household. The boy’s grandmother Nolusapho Makhunzi says, "Thanang told us straight, this is not a rumour. Jobo's father is Sotho while his mother is Xhosa. For a week the matter was not reported to authorities in fear of compromising the Basotho culture.
However, none of this has happened.