The high price of tradition: Reflecting on another deadly initiation season in the Eastern Cape

Image for illustration purposes. Xhosa Initiates near Qunu. Picture: Brent Stirton / Getty Images.

The 2025 summer initiation season has concluded, leaving a trail of tragedy. National statistics released by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) have confirmed that 50 initiates lost their lives across the country during this sacred rite of passage. This season, which saw more than 85 000 initiates participate, has been marked by significant challenges, particularly regarding the prevalence of illegal initiation schools and unsafe practices.

While 99% of the 25 279 initiation schools operating this season were legal, they were responsible for 36 of the 50 reported deaths. The remaining 14 deaths occurred at the 151 identified illegal schools. The Eastern Cape also recorded the highest number of fatalities with 24 deaths, followed by the Free State with 17, Gauteng and North West with four, and one death in the Western Cape caused by an asthmatic attack.

[paywall]

KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Northern Cape recorded zero initiation casualties during the season. Zwelini Mkhize, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Cogta, questioned how it was possible for so many deaths to occur in legal schools. “What is it that we are failing to do?” asked Mkhize.

Acting Chief Director of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders, Vuyo Stofile, said the reason is that parents intervene in customary practices. He said thatInkhankatha, who are traditional masses that oversee initiates, aren’t in full control.

[/paywall]