ANC Statement on Initiation deaths

The African National Congress is deeply distressed by the news of yet more young lives that have been tragically cut short in their prime through botched circumcisions. Reports over the weekend have indicated that 30 young men have died and more than 300 hospitalised in the Eastern Cape following what was meant to be rites of passage and a time of jubilation and celebration as these young people make the transition from childhood to manhood in an age old custom that remains an entrenched and necessary part of our cultural fabric.

Authorities can no longer pay lip service to dealing with this disaster that afflicts our nation during the traditional initiation season. The ANC calls upon and appeals to traditional leadership, medical personnel, government and communities to work together to halt this senseless and unnecessary loss of life.

Amakhankatha who are mandated with the livelihood of these young men must be provided with basic medical training and accredited in order to identify early warning signs of imminent danger, families must jealously guard and protect these young men as they go into these most sacred of rituals. There has never been a greater urgency to act than now. Our nation cannot wither and be dealt with such a blow of losing the young who have so much to offer to their families and our nation as whole.

Statement issued by Jackson Mthembu, ANC national spokesperson, July 7 2013

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