By Anita Dangazele
- At least 23 initiates and seven traditional nurses have died during the Eastern Cape summer initiation season.
- Deaths include dehydration, illness, lightning strikes, violence, drowning and a hut fire.
Eastern Cape officials say they are concerned about the rising number of deaths during the summer initiation season.
The deaths include at least seven traditional nurses, known as amakhankatha, who died in separate incidents.
Some were struck by lightning. One was stabbed. Another died by suicide. One died in a hut fire.
Nkosi Gwazinamba Matanzima, chair of the Eastern Cape Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee, said the number of deaths is worrying.
He said most initiates died from dehydration, septicemia, suicide and drowning. He also said two initiates were beaten to death.
Matanzima said it was also concerning that so many traditional nurses had died, including three who were struck by lightning.
He said traditional leaders, government departments, police and non profit organisations are working together to prevent more deaths.
Monitoring teams are still visiting initiation schools across the province. They are expected to stay on the ground until the season officially ends on 15 January.
In contrast, the Amahlubi clan in KwaBhaca reported no deaths during the summer initiation season.
The clan marked the end of the season with a traditional celebration known as umgidi over the weekend.
Across the province, 23 initiates have died since the 2025 summer initiation season began.
About 40,000 boys went through initiation this summer. Many are expected to complete the process this weekend as the 2026 school year begins.
Last year, 34 initiates died during the same period.
Matanzima urged communities to work closely with authorities to prevent more deaths among initiates and traditional nurses.
Pictured above: Amahlubi boys during a traditional umgidi celebration.
Image source: Supplied
