National Men's Forum calls for stricter laws to regulate initiation schools
This comes after the death of 17 initiates in the Eastern Cape since the start of the summer initiation season.
A picture of young boys from the Xhosa tribe attending a traditional initiation school in Libode in the Eastern Cape province. Picture: AFP
CAPE TOWN - The National Men's Forum of South Africa is calling for stricter laws to regulate initiation schools.
This comes after the death of 17 initiates in the Eastern Cape since the start of the summer initiation season.
The Alfred Nzo and OR Tambo District Municipalities in the province have been identified as hotspots.
National Men's Forum Convener Mbulelo Dyasi said illegal initiation schools are the biggest contributors to the deaths.
"But we must also be mindful that some of these kids go to initiation schools already they are sick of STIs, some have chronic illnesses, and sometimes they are not allowed to use medication at initiation schools. So these are the things that we need to really revisit."
Dyasi added that parents must ensure their children go to legal initiation schools.
The forum said it does not support the call by the Congress of South African Traditional Leaders (CONTRALESA) to postpone initiation for two years while trying to find solutions to prevent the death of initiates.
"I don't think postponing initiation schools or seasons is going to assist. Here we need communities to take responsibility. Not everything is about government, not everything is about authorities. Sometimes communities must just go there physically and inspect initiation schools."