By Anita Dangazele
- Traditional surgeons and nurses are being trained on wound care, hydration, and when to send initiates to hospital to prevent deaths.
- At least 39 initiates died in the last two initiation seasons, sparking urgent calls for reform and government intervention.
After another deadly initiation season, the Eastern Cape government is now training traditional surgeons and nurses to stop young boys from dying during circumcision.
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs this week hosted training sessions in the Alfred Ndzo and OR Tambo districts.
The sessions are teaching Iingcibi (traditional surgeons) and Amakhankatha (traditional nurses) how to care for wounds, spot serious complications, and refer initiates to hospitals when needed.
The programme also focuses on keeping the initiation process safe, legal and culturally respectful.
The department said it wants to “strengthen knowledge of health protocols” and protect initiates as they prepare for the summer 2025 season.
Medical professionals are involved in the training for the first time.
Dr Mthandeni Tebelele, a men’s health advocate and one of the trainers, said medical staff are usually only called when it’s too late.
“We’re normally brought in when young boys have already lost their manhood. Now we’re part of the process from the beginning,” he said.
Tebelele said the training includes warnings about dehydration, which is one of the main causes of death.
“Boys lose blood during circumcision, so drinking water is vital. We also emphasise sterilising the tools to prevent infections spreading,” he said.
The initiative comes after 28 boys died during the 2024 summer season and another 11 died in winter 2025.
Some people have even called for traditional circumcision to be paused until it can be made safer.
On Friday, the department will host a men’s imbizo at Lusikisiki College, one of the areas with the highest death rates.
The sessions are running under the slogan: “Mabaye bephila babuye bephila”, meaning “They must go in alive and come out alive”.
Pictured above: Dr Mthandeni Tebelele speaking at the training session in the OR Tambo District on Thursday.
Image source: EC Cogta
