{
  "id": 28235,
  "title": "Initiation Season: Traditional Nurses On The Frontline In The Eastern Cape",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/07/29/initiation-season-traditional-nurses-on-the-frontline-in-the-eastern",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-07-29T06:14:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Health-e News",
    "slug": "health-e-news",
    "url": "https://health-e.org.za/2026/07/29/initations-traditional-nurses-on-the-frontline/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "For five weeks this winter, freelance reporter Tembile Sgqolana witnessed firsthand the critical role of traditional nurses, known as amakhankatha, in the Eastern Cape's initiation schools. During this intense period, these skilled men bore the primary responsibility for the well-being of young initiates who undergo a rite of passage. Sgqolana's observations focused on one such school in Komani, where the amakhankatha meticulously monitored wounds, prepared meals, and ensured the health and safety of the young men.\n\nAccording to data released by the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Rights Commission, 43 initiates tragically lost their lives during this year's winter initiation season across multiple provinces, while 75 required hospitalization and 180 were rescued from illegal initiation schools. Of the 14 fatalities in the Eastern Cape, the commission reported that over a hundred criminal cases were opened and at least forty arrests were made at these clandestine schools.\n\nIn response to these alarming statistics, the provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs announced training sessions for traditional surgeons and nurses in the OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo districts. These sessions aim to address skill gaps and enhance the capabilities of the amakhankatha, who play a pivotal role in safeguarding the health and well-being of the initiates.\n\nAt the Komani initiation school, the daily tasks of the traditional nurses were central to the boys' care. They closely monitored wounds, prepared nourishing meals, and vigilantly watched for any health issues. During the crucial first eight days following circumcision, known as ifuku, the amakhankatha remained in constant attendance with the initiates in their huts, ensuring their wounds healed properly. After this initial period, the initiates were allowed to visit others, but still remained under the watchful eye of the amakhankatha.\n\nTraditional nurse Anele Tatiya explained that the Eastern Cape Department of Health provides training for these nurses before the initiation season, focusing on hygiene, diet, and overall well-being. However, Chief Gwazinamba Matanzima, deputy chairperson of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders, noted that the clinical training provided by the department falls short of the amakhankatha's broader responsibilities. He emphasized that traditional nurses must also serve as counsellors, teachers, and parental figures to the initiates, guiding them on matters of life, character, and discipline.\n\nDespite these expectations, instances have been reported of traditional nurses consuming alcohol while on duty, and parents bringing alcohol for them. When parents are absent for extended periods, the responsibility for the initiates falls heavily on the shoulders of the traditional nurses. In some cases, older initiates assist in caring for younger boys, highlighting the critical yet challenging nature of this role.\n\nSouth Africa's Customary Initiation Act regulates the initiation process, aiming to protect initiates and prevent unsafe and illegal practices. However, the implementation and day-to-day management of these regulations largely rely on the amakhankatha. The poor wound care, dehydration, malnutrition, and lack of supervision observed during initiation seasons have been linked to many of the complications and deaths reported during this period. Chief Matanzima stressed that the role of traditional nurses extends beyond merely ensuring initiates survive the initiation process. He emphasized that the ultimate goal of ulwaluko, the initiation ritual, is to produce men of character, discipline, and responsibility. He stressed that these values are not taught but are instead caught, and boys learn them from the example set by the men who oversee their initiation.",
  "summary": "Health-e News Initiation Season: Traditional Nurses On The Frontline In The Eastern Cape For five weeks this winter, Health-e News freelance contributor Tembile Sgqolana regularly visited an initiation school in Komani, Eastern Cape, where his son was undergoing initiation. He saw first-hand how much responsibility falls on the amakhankatha, or traditional nurses, who care for initiates around…",
  "key_points": [
    "Traditional nurses, amakhankatha, crucial during Eastern Cape initiation season.",
    "43 initiates died, 180 rescued, 75 hospitalized in winter 2023.",
    "Training sessions planned for amakhankatha to improve health care."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}