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| South Africa urged to end silence on dangerous circumcision rituals | South Africa urged to end silence on dangerous circumcision rituals |
| (7 days later) | |
| Human rights activists in South Africa have demanded an end to the silence over dangerous cultural traditions after 42 boys died from botched circumcisions in a three-week period. | Human rights activists in South Africa have demanded an end to the silence over dangerous cultural traditions after 42 boys died from botched circumcisions in a three-week period. |
| Annually thousands of teenage boys from the Xhosa tribe embark on a secretive rite of passage in Eastern Cape province, spending up to a month in seclusion where they study, undergo circumcision by a traditional surgeon, and apply white clay to their bodies. | Annually thousands of teenage boys from the Xhosa tribe embark on a secretive rite of passage in Eastern Cape province, spending up to a month in seclusion where they study, undergo circumcision by a traditional surgeon, and apply white clay to their bodies. |
| While many initiation schools are officially sanctioned, others are unregulated and bogus surgeons are blamed every year for numerous deaths and injuries, including gangrene caused by unsterilised blades. | While many initiation schools are officially sanctioned, others are unregulated and bogus surgeons are blamed every year for numerous deaths and injuries, including gangrene caused by unsterilised blades. |
| This winter's reported death toll of 42, as of 11 July, is nearly double the total of 26 in the same period last year. Five initiates were so badly injured that they had to have their penises amputated and 300 were put in hospital, said the Mail & Guardian newspaper, describing the numbers as "unprecedented". | This winter's reported death toll of 42, as of 11 July, is nearly double the total of 26 in the same period last year. Five initiates were so badly injured that they had to have their penises amputated and 300 were put in hospital, said the Mail & Guardian newspaper, describing the numbers as "unprecedented". |
| The Sonke Gender Justice Network, a non-government organisation working to promote gender equality in Africa, described the figures as "shocking" and called for intervention. | The Sonke Gender Justice Network, a non-government organisation working to promote gender equality in Africa, described the figures as "shocking" and called for intervention. |
| Spokesman Mbuyiselo Botha and research fellow Nomonde Nyembe wrote in the Sowetan newspaper: "South Africa is now 18 years into democracy but the shame of young boys dying in Eastern Cape initiation schools continues unabated. | Spokesman Mbuyiselo Botha and research fellow Nomonde Nyembe wrote in the Sowetan newspaper: "South Africa is now 18 years into democracy but the shame of young boys dying in Eastern Cape initiation schools continues unabated. |
| "Why do we, as a caring, compassionate, democratic society, look the other way? Why do we allow certain cultural practices to rob young people of their future? | "Why do we, as a caring, compassionate, democratic society, look the other way? Why do we allow certain cultural practices to rob young people of their future? |
| "What it means to be a 'proper' man and the fact that it has been reduced to the practice of circumcision is detrimental not only to the young men who go through the process but to society as a whole." | "What it means to be a 'proper' man and the fact that it has been reduced to the practice of circumcision is detrimental not only to the young men who go through the process but to society as a whole." |
| Botha and Nyembe added: "Too often, not enough attention is paid when people's rights are trampled on with impunity. What message does the silence send to these young men who are expected to go through this route without any guarantee that they will come back alive?" | Botha and Nyembe added: "Too often, not enough attention is paid when people's rights are trampled on with impunity. What message does the silence send to these young men who are expected to go through this route without any guarantee that they will come back alive?" |
| The pair argued that traditional law should not be exempt from national laws enshrined in the constitution. "We are concerned there is not a universal outcry from all of us to these statistics. We wonder if this silence is a result of us fearing to be labelled as 'Eurocentric' or 'sell-outs' out there to please the white master." | The pair argued that traditional law should not be exempt from national laws enshrined in the constitution. "We are concerned there is not a universal outcry from all of us to these statistics. We wonder if this silence is a result of us fearing to be labelled as 'Eurocentric' or 'sell-outs' out there to please the white master." |
| Most deaths and injuries in the ritual have occurred in the Mpondoland region of Eastern Cape. The Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders insists it is taking the problem seriously and running a campaign for safety at initiation schools. | Most deaths and injuries in the ritual have occurred in the Mpondoland region of Eastern Cape. The Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders insists it is taking the problem seriously and running a campaign for safety at initiation schools. |
| Its chairman, Nkosi Ngangomhlaba Matanzima, told the Sowetan: "This is very worrying that the entire province will be engulfed with this disaster. Hence, we want more focus to be made on the prevention of the circumcision deaths." | Its chairman, Nkosi Ngangomhlaba Matanzima, told the Sowetan: "This is very worrying that the entire province will be engulfed with this disaster. Hence, we want more focus to be made on the prevention of the circumcision deaths." |
| Matanzima said a number of factors contributed to the rising death toll this season, including financial constraints. "This on its own created a problem and we therefore could not have the plans and campaigns we normally have." | Matanzima said a number of factors contributed to the rising death toll this season, including financial constraints. "This on its own created a problem and we therefore could not have the plans and campaigns we normally have." |
| He also blamed some traditional leaders and parents. "How can a traditional leader boast of being a custodian of custom and culture while doing nothing to protect the rite, which is one of the corner stones of our customs?" | He also blamed some traditional leaders and parents. "How can a traditional leader boast of being a custodian of custom and culture while doing nothing to protect the rite, which is one of the corner stones of our customs?" |
| Former president Nelson Mandela, a Xhosa, recalls in his autobiography that he was circumcised at the age of 16. "Without a word, he took my foreskin, pulled it forward, and then, in a single motion, brought down his assegai," he writes. "I felt as if fire was shooting through my veins; the pain was so intense that I buried my chin in my chest. | Former president Nelson Mandela, a Xhosa, recalls in his autobiography that he was circumcised at the age of 16. "Without a word, he took my foreskin, pulled it forward, and then, in a single motion, brought down his assegai," he writes. "I felt as if fire was shooting through my veins; the pain was so intense that I buried my chin in my chest. |
| "Many seconds seemed to pass before I remembered the cry, and then I recovered and called out, 'Ndiyindoda!' [I am a man!]" | "Many seconds seemed to pass before I remembered the cry, and then I recovered and called out, 'Ndiyindoda!' [I am a man!]" |
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