Unsafe Circumcision Rituals Kill 41 Young Men
At least 41 young men in South Africa tragically died after undergoing traditional circumcision as part of initiation ceremonies marking their passage into manhood, which took place between November and December 2025.
These rites are a long-standing cultural tradition during the summer initiation season, observed by several ethnic groups, including the Xhosa, Ndebele, Sotho, and Venda. During the ritual, boys are temporarily separated from their communities and sent to initiation schools, where they are taught cultural values, responsibilities, and the customs expected of adult men.
Despite government rules requiring all initiation schools to be registered, deaths linked to these rituals occur almost every year, often due to unsafe practices at illegal or unregulated schools. Velenkosini Hlabisa, South Africa’s Minister of Traditional Affairs, said that the 41 deaths this year were caused by negligence from some initiation schools—including some that are registered—as well as parents who ignored safety guidelines and medical advice. Hlabisa also pointed out harmful myths, such as telling boys not to drink water to help their wounds heal faster, which has no scientific basis and can be extremely dangerous.
The Eastern Cape was identified as the area with the most deaths, with 21 of the total reported there. Authorities have arrested 41 people connected to illegal initiation schools, including parents who provided false ages to allow younger boys to participate. South African law allows only boys aged 16 and above, with parental consent, to join initiation schools.
After completing the rites, the boys are celebrated and welcomed back into their families through festive ceremonies. While circumcision is an important cultural milestone in South Africa, these incidents highlight the risks when safety rules are ignored. The government continues to stress that proper medical supervision, adherence to the law, and safe practices are essential to protect the lives of boys participating in these traditional ceremonies.