Teachers, Royals and Parents Put Boys First: Life Orientation to Teach Initiation Safety

A new partnership between Walter Sisulu University and the Nyandeni Great Place is putting safety into the classroom. From 2025 to 2027, Life Orientation will teach clear, practical lessons to help boys stay safe during traditional male circumcision—with a simple goal: no more preventable deaths or injuries.

Their Story

For many families, initiation is a proud step toward manhood. But research by WSU and local chiefs found that between 1995 and 2024, the Eastern Cape recorded over 1,260 deaths and 614 penile amputations linked to initiation seasons. Causes include underage circumcision, illegal surgeons, dehydration, and a lack of guidance at home.

“The initiative was born out of pain witnessed first-hand by King Ndamase Ndamase when called to see amputations and deaths in 2009,” said Prof Mbuyiselo Douglas from WSU. “Now, we want teachers to empower learners so that no boy dies because of lack of knowledge.”

The Event/Occasion

Launched as Sibuyisela Umdlanga Komkhulu, the project brings a Schoolboy Syllabus into Life Orientation. Teachers are being trained to cover:

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• basic circumcision health and hygiene,
• warning signs and when to seek help,
• roles of iingcibi (traditional surgeons) and amakhankatha (traditional nurses), and
• the need for medical clearance before any child enters an initiation school.

The syllabus will roll out in 22 schools across the Nyandeni District from 2025 to 2027, aligning with WSU Vision 2030 on social impact and community partnerships.

Community Reactions

His Majesty King Ndamase Ndamase welcomed the move:

“We have long tried to solve the problems around our tradition. I am glad teachers are involved. This is the start, and I hope it will reach other places until we have solved the problems surrounding our tradition.”

From the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders, Vuyo Stofile highlighted the scale:

“In some seasons we have over 56,000 initiates but only 26 monitoring teams. OR Tambo region always leads in deaths and amputations. Zero deaths by 2027 is overdue.”

Chief Ndumiso Lutuka called for open talk at home and in school:

“If our tradition killed, none of us would be here today. The problem is unnecessary. This project starts with the boys themselves— they will grow with this knowledge and protect themselves.”