The MK Party has expressed its deep sorrow over the tragic deaths of young boys in the Eastern Cape who have lost their lives during the current traditional initiation season, a time that should be sacred for cultural rites of passage.
The call for action follows the grim confirmation of 27 fatalities reported across the province, prompting a response from various government officials, including Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa.
As the summer initiation season commenced, early reports indicated a troubling number of incidents, including botched initiation procedures.
In light of this, the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs began an urgent oversight visit to address the crisis.
Hlabisa convened an emergency meeting in Butterworth last week, asserting that it is “time to be radical” in addressing the situation, which has left families devastated.
“For those who are doing it right we welcome this, but for those who are doing it badly, there should be criminal cases,” Hlabisa remarked, underscoring the need for accountability in the face of such tragedies.
His comments echo the growing national concern as South Africa grapples with the alarming toll these practices have taken on its youth.
In recent statements, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane reported the grief-stricken families mourning children who left home with high hopes yet tragically never returned, victims of unsafe and unregulated initiation ceremonies.
“These tragedies are not just heartbreaking; they are a glaring indictment of the failure of governance and cultural leadership,” remarked MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela.
He urged the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to collaborate with credible traditional leaders to bring regulation to the initiation schools.
Among the measures being proposed by Ndhlela are the accreditation of practitioners and schools — creating a national registry to ensure only qualified individuals run these traditional rites.
He suggested implementing community oversight committees, asserting that local traditional councils should work in concert with municipalities to monitor initiation activities effectively.
Furthermore, he called for strict penalties against illegal initiation schools, demanding that the government impose harsh sanctions on those operating without proper authorisation.
Ndhlela firmly stated: “We reject the notion that culture and safety are mutually exclusive. The deaths of our children in these circumstances dishonour the very traditions we seek to uphold.”
As the MK Party said it remained committed to advocating for swift and effective measures to safeguard the dignity of this sacred rite of passage, ensuring that traditions are preserved in a safe and responsible manner.
The Star