At least 43 boys have lost their lives this year in South Africa during traditional circumcision ceremonies, while dozens more suffered serious injuries and amputations, highlighting once again the dark side of a centuries-old custom.
The ceremonies, known as “Ulgwaluko,” take place twice a year in special “initiation schools” and are, for many communities, one of the most important “milestones” marking the transition from adolescence to manhood. According to the Daily Mail, the boys are separated from their families, covered in white clay, and live in isolation for about three weeks, learning the history and traditions of their tribe, as well as everything considered necessary for their transition to adulthood.
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A central part of the process is circumcision, which must normally be performed by experienced and properly trained traditional surgeons. However, many of the tragedies occur in illegal initiation schools, where the procedures are performed by untrained individuals under unsanitary conditions.
In some cases, old spears, scissors, or razor blades, and there have been reported cases where the same blade was used on more than one boy, causing widespread infections.
Hundreds of deaths in just a few years
The numbers reflect the magnitude of the problem in the most tragic way. In 2024, a total of 93 boys lost their lives during the summer and winter initiation seasons, while 11 cases of genital mutilation were recorded. A report commissioned by the South African government documented 322 deaths of young boys from 2021 to 2024, as well as thousands of hospitalizations and severe mutilations.
The leading causes of death are gangrene, sepsis, and severe dehydration. In many cases, the wounds are bandaged too tightly, cutting off blood circulation. Within a few hours, tissue necrosis can set in, making amputation necessary.
At the same time, after the procedure, some adolescents limit their water intake, as there is a widespread belief that urination can worsen the wound. This practice has led to cases of severe dehydration and death.
Abductions of even 10-year-old children
Even more alarming are reports of illegal groups kidnapping boys and forcibly taking them to makeshift initiation schools. Although the law prohibits the participation of children under the age of 16, there are reports of procedures being performed even on 10-year-old boys. In many cases, families are then forced to pay money in order to have their children returned to them.
A typical example is the case of a mother, An Kumalo, whose 16-year-old son was abducted along with 22 other boys and taken to an illegal initiation school about 30 kilometers away. As she reported, she was asked to pay 1,000 rands to get her son back, and when the police located the school, the children had been beaten and abused.
In another case, 13-year-old Siyamthanda from the province of Bumalanga died during an initiation ceremony, with his family claiming that he had been abducted against his will.
“Respect for tradition also means respect for life”
Following the 43 deaths during this year’s winter season, South Africa’s Minister of Traditional Affairs, Velankosini Khlabisa, described the figures as “deeply concerning.” As he emphasized, the deaths serve as a “harsh reminder” that much greater effort is needed to eliminate preventable deaths, injuries, and criminal activities surrounding initiation rituals.
At the same time, he condemned the operation of illegal schools, stressing that those who organize them or participate in their operation are committing criminal offenses. “Respect for tradition must go hand in hand with respect for the law and with the constitutional right of every initiate to life, dignity, and safety,” he said.
Authorities now have the power to shut down illegal schools and arrest those responsible. To date, at least 42 such facilities have been shut down, 40 arrests have been made, and approximately 180 boys have been rescued.
The Pressure of Tradition
Despite the risks, the ceremony continues to hold immense social significance in many communities across South Africa, according to the British newspaper’s report. Young men who do not undergo the process may be excluded from tribal gatherings, social activities, and even the possibility of being considered marriageable. Social pressure is so strong that those who refuse to participate are labeled “inkwengue,” meaning “boys”—a term considered a serious insult after a certain age.
Nineteen-year-old Scotty Dauka had stated that he was afraid to participate, having previously seen a television report on mutilations. However, as he explained, he wanted to follow the same path as the other boys in his community and be treated as a man by his elders. “It was very painful. I got sick, but they took care of me and I survived,” he had said.
Source: Proto Thema
