Epileptic Teen Has Died at a Limpopo Initiation School

(The Post News)– The winter initiation season in Limpopo has tragically recorded its first fatality. Raymond Sekele, a 19-year-old initiate, died after suffering an epileptic attack last week and being admitted to Philadelphia Hospital in the Sekhukhune District.

It’s understood that Raymond was receiving medical treatment for epilepsy even during his time at the initiation school. His sudden health complication led to him being rushed to the hospital, where he sadly passed away.

Amos Phago, spokesperson for the Limpopo Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), expressed the department’s profound sadness and ongoing commitment to preventing such tragedies. “One death is one too many,” Phago stated. According to Phago, they have implemented the necessary procedures to guarantee that no lives are lost, working closely with the National Prosecuting Authority, the South African Police Service, and the Department of Health and Education. Phago also noted that this tragedy, however, serves as a reminder that they must put in much more effort to prevent deaths during initiation season.

This heartbreaking incident underscores the critical need for constant vigilance and robust health protocols within these revered cultural institutions. In an effort to prevent further fatalities and ensure the safety of initiates, COGTA recently implemented a new process of vetting traditional surgeons across the province. This initiative included a compulsory workshop in Polokwane for traditional leaders, surgeons, and government officials, held just before the current initiation season began.

While cultural traditions are deeply valued, the well-being and safety of every initiate must always be paramount. Raymond Sekele’s death serves as a somber reminder of the vulnerabilities some young men face and the collective responsibility to protect them. The department’s resolve to achieve zero deaths in initiation schools remains unwavering, even as they confront the painful reality of this first loss.

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Nomfundo Ngwenya

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