Nearly 40 boys have lost their lives after participating in a mass circumcision event in South Africa, which has been a subject of criticism for a long time.
Every summer, the Ulwaluko ritual occurs in South Africa and has been linked to numerous fatalities annually. Following the 2025 season, reports indicated that at least 39 boys died, and many others were left with injuries.
This traditional ceremony is intended to represent a transition from ‘boyhood’ to ‘manhood’ within the community. However, it remains contentious due to its high mortality rate, often attributed to inadequate health practices.
Government officials point out that a significant risk associated with Ulwaluko is the presence of illegal initiation schools.
Critics claim these schools jeopardize the lives of initiates by allegedly employing individuals who lack proper training, leading to circumcision complications and neglecting crucial safety protocols.
In 2023, Athol Trollip, the Eastern Cape provincial chairperson of ActionSA, a local political party, condemned these unlawful schools.
He stated: “It is common knowledge that the bulk of the deaths occur because of illegal initiation schools run by opportunistic, inexperienced, unqualified and unsupervised individuals who are responsible for the actual circumcision, post procedural care and overall parental/familial oversight.”
Trollip further commented, “ActionSA urges the government of the Eastern Cape to do everything that is required to stop the unnecessary loss of lives during initiation season. The government must reconsider how initiation schools are registered and supervised.”
The rituals, which have been conducted for centuries, take place in secluded huts built specifically for this purpose, with only tribal elders and young initiates allowed access.
Looking ahead to this year’s ceremony, Velenkosini Hlabisa, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, committed to decreasing the number of fatalities despite previous challenges.
He remarked, “All initiation schools are accountable and any school that contravenes the law and endangers lives then the law is unequivocal and they will be closed down at once.
“We cannot accept any more deaths and owe it to these young men and their families to ensure their journey into adulthood is safe, dignified and respected, and of course safe.”
According to the South African government, in 2024, 94 boys died and an additional 11 individuals underwent amputations due to hazardous initiation procedures.
In the past five years, the total number of boys believed to have died stands at 361.
While young boys have a choice to participate, societal pressures to join the ceremony are overwhelming, as refusal could lead to social exclusion and potential aggression.
Boys who opt out are labeled Inkwenkwe or ‘boy’, preventing them from engaging in activities associated with those deemed ‘men’ who completed the ceremony.
The government has committed to reducing the number of illegal schools targeting teenagers by half from 429 by the year 2029.