Summer initiation death toll rises to 41 countrywide

As the summer initiation season draws to a close in South Africa, it has once again been marred by tragic deaths.

The total number of initiates who have lost their lives during this season now stands at 41 nationwide. The Eastern Cape has recorded the highest number of deaths at 22, followed by the Free State with 15, Gauteng with three, and one death reported in the Western Cape.

More than 31,000 initiates have undergone, or are still undergoing, the traditional rite of passage to manhood during the current summer season.

Meanwhile, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) spokesperson Pearl Maseko-Binqosesaid the government is planning to introduce stricter regulations for future initiation seasons. She said these measures will include compulsory training and registration of traditional surgeons, as well as stricter enforcement of parental accountability from the Winter 2026 initiation season.

Maseko-Binqose added that parents will be required to sign legal consent forms confirming that initiates are at least 16 years old and that any false declarations will be treated as a criminal offence.