Mother mourns son’s death after initiation

At least 30 initiates died and close to 300
have been admitted to various hospitals across Eastern
Cape.(SABC)

Andisiwe Msindwana is the first Xhosa mother to speak publicly about the death of her son after he went to an initiation school.
Speaking on SAfm AM LIVE, Msindwana says they had an understanding with his son’s dad about taking Litha to an initiation school.
“We had an understanding with him; he initiated the whole thing that he will take Litha to the initiation. My brother volunteered to be on leave so that he can visit him there because the initiation will be done outside East London, he would be somewhere in the bush.”
Msindwana says at that stage Litha had just turned 18 in April 2009 and she had spoken to him about initiation schools.
“I would engage him on this matter. I would tell him that I am not up for this because of the dangers that are involved.”
She says after her son had left, she was cut off completely from talking to him. There was no contact and she had to rely on his brother to her how Litha was doing.
After few days that her son had left for initiation, Msindwana woke up to the bad news about his son’s health condition.
“Around six o’clock in the morning I had a bagging knock on my kitchen door. It was my brother letting me know that Litha is not well. I asked him what do you mean?”
In hope that her son was outside, Msindwana says: “I peeped outside because I thought he was outside. My brother said no, I took him to a nearest bush, where he will be taken care of. Just make porridge. I think he doesn't like the food he eats there.”
After waiting for a report from her brother about her son’s health condition, later on the day a family friend came and told her that Litha had passed on.
Msindwana has urged other women who are in a similar situation to speak out. Meanwhile, Eastern Cape police say they have arrested five suspects in connection with botched circumcisions since the winter initiation season started at the end of May.
At least 30 initiates died and close on 300 have been admitted to various hospitals across the province.
Provincial police spokesperson Sibongile Soci says the suspects were arrested in areas such as Lusisiki, Mqanduli and Mzamba.
She says they are facing charges such as unlawful circumcisions, attempted murder and assault. Soci has urged communities to report unregistered traditional surgeons and illegal initiation schools to the police. -Edited by Sthembiso Sithole.

Click below to listen to Andisiwe Msindwana who lost her son in initiations schools.

This article appeared at SABCNews online on Tuesday 9 July 2013 10:20