THE death of 17-year-old Odwa Gitywa of Mqanduli’s Lalini Village village has united the community in fighting botched circumcisions, which have rocked the Eastern Cape.
Hundreds of villagers in the area have vowed to fight the scourge vowing that and that they do not want to see any more initiates die in their community.
This message was clear at Odwa’s funeral. He was a Grade 7 Lalini Primary School pupil and. He died after attending an illegal circumcision school with his friends. His friends were rescued and rushed to hospital. Odwa was not as lucky, and died. He died in the bush, waiting to be rescued. The exact cause of death has not yet been established.
His uncle, Magqelemane Gobidolo, said Odwa’s the initiate’s death was the first in the village. “This has shocked us. Interestingly, the community came out harshly, vowing that they will monitor every initiation school to stop this from happening again,” said Gobidolo.
He said the death of an initiate in their community was a “disgrace”.
“Seeing someone die in the initiation school is bad and a disgrace, not only for the family but the entire community.” Villagers mourn for years if such an incident happened. We can’t afford not to pay attention in this custom,” he said.
Odwa was a sports enthusiast according to his family and looked after his parents’ livestock. Matutu Bomoyi, an elder in the village, said he was “the late Odwa was a village child.
“He was a typical village child who was curious to know more about traditions and customs. It’s just sad to lose him while undergoing this initiation custom.” said Bomoyi.
Maphasawula Mbalekwa said the community is united on the matter. “We will make sure for those going that we don’t have illegal initiation schools here and we will make sure that those who are going to the mountains that are known and are registered,” he said.
Death on the mountain unites Mqanduli village
Hundreds of villagers in the area have vowed to fight the scourge vowing that and that they do not want to see any more initiates die in their community.
This message was clear at Odwa’s funeral. He was a Grade 7 Lalini Primary School pupil and. He died after attending an illegal circumcision school with his friends. His friends were rescued and rushed to hospital. Odwa was not as lucky, and died. He died in the bush, waiting to be rescued. The exact cause of death has not yet been established.
His uncle, Magqelemane Gobidolo, said Odwa’s the initiate’s death was the first in the village. “This has shocked us. Interestingly, the community came out harshly, vowing that they will monitor every initiation school to stop this from happening again,” said Gobidolo.
He said the death of an initiate in their community was a “disgrace”.
“Seeing someone die in the initiation school is bad and a disgrace, not only for the family but the entire community.” Villagers mourn for years if such an incident happened. We can’t afford not to pay attention in this custom,” he said.
Odwa was a sports enthusiast according to his family and looked after his parents’ livestock. Matutu Bomoyi, an elder in the village, said he was “the late Odwa was a village child.
“He was a typical village child who was curious to know more about traditions and customs. It’s just sad to lose him while undergoing this initiation custom.” said Bomoyi.
Maphasawula Mbalekwa said the community is united on the matter. “We will make sure for those going that we don’t have illegal initiation schools here and we will make sure that those who are going to the mountains that are known and are registered,” he said.
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