- A young man who fled an illegal initiation school in the Eastern Cape is now accused of dishonoring Xhosa traditions
- After escaping due to a stubborn wound in December, he now faces threats from the community and remains in hiding
- South Africans are divided—some criticizing him for disrespecting tradition, others praising his courage to prioritize his health
Meet Tebogo Mokwena, a passionate journalist with seven years of experience at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News. His work focuses on covering crucial social issues like health, corruption, education, unemployment, labor disputes, service delivery protests, and immigration in South Africa.
MDANTSANE, EASTERN CAPE — Imagine being just 19 years old and finding yourself in a life-or-death situation. That's exactly what happened to a teenager who fled an illegal initiation school in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, back in December 2024. Now, he’s living in fear of his life after receiving death threats from the community.
Why Did the Teenager Flee?
According to reports from SABC News, this brave 19-year-old initially decided to attend the initiation school because of peer pressure from a friend. However, things took a turn for the worse when he sustained a painful wound that simply wouldn’t heal. Fearing for his health, he made the tough decision to escape in the early hours of the morning while everyone was asleep. He sought medical attention at a nearby hospital. Despite his desperate circumstances, community members have since accused him of discrediting AmaXhosa culture. This young man now finds himself in hiding, unable to focus on his studies due to the constant fear of retaliation.
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Understanding Initiation Schools
Key Issues Surrounding Initiation Practices
- In July 2024, authorities in North West opened investigations into 17 illegal initiation schools following discoveries of irregularities.
- In November, initiates in the Eastern Cape voiced concerns about extortionists demanding protection fees, adding another layer of danger to an already risky process.
- The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa urged the government to implement a temporary 12-month ban on initiation schools to tackle the growing problem of illegal operations.
Voices of Support
Not everyone has condemned the teenager’s choice to flee. On Facebook, opinions are split, with some rallying behind him. Nakedi Masemola questioned:
“How can he disrespect an illegal initiation school? Where are the indunas of that village? In traditional villages, we don’t tolerate these unauthorized practices.”
Callvin Bllack Yep added:
“We should respect the decision this young man made. It’s his life, after all.”
Bongani Mgubela echoed similar sentiments:
“Who can blame him for leaving an illegal initiation school? His safety came first.”
Opposing Views
On the other side of the debate, some have expressed disapproval. Lukhanyo Deliwe stated:
“This isn’t the first time someone in Mdantsane has run to the hospital during initiation. Death threats haven’t been an issue for others before him. He needs to come clean about what really happened.”
Kamva Ndamase chimed in:
“I don’t understand why he started something he knew he wouldn’t be able to complete. Actions have consequences.”
Siah Akhontwirongo Joleeks remarked:
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“He left things unfinished, and now he’s being labeled a traitor. It’s complicated.”
A Unique Twist: Helicopter Rescue
In a completely different scenario, another group of initiates in the Eastern Cape got quite the memorable experience. In late December, they were airlifted out of their initiation school by helicopter. A wealthy family hired the chopper to transport two of their relatives, sparking criticism from fellow South Africans.
One social media user commented:
“The entire point of going to the mountain is to endure hardship. Walking barefoot back home is part of the tradition. Flying in a helicopter defeats the purpose.”
