Alfred Nzo District reports first initiate death
Mbizana, Nyaka AA in the Mzize village family is distraught following the passing of their son, 16-year-old Minentle Mzize, who died earlier this week during the initiation process.
The deceased’s aunt, Vuyokazi Mahlathini says Mzize started becoming sick on the 24th of November 2021 then he was taken to a local traditional healer by the person who was tending to him in the initiation school,
“It was there that he started showing signs of recovery but three days later, the signs of illness began creeping upon him again, and started losing his strength and until he passed on Wednesday, this week,” said Mahlathini.
Mzize village chief, Sibongile Elizabeth Mzize, says the tragedy shocked them because they were unaware that the boy had gone to the initiation school to even begin with, and had not received any medical examination.
Mzize’s death brings the province’s initiates death toll to a total of seven deaths and is the first death to be reported in the Alfred Nzo District since the beginning of the Summer 20/21 initiation campaign, under the theme “Mabaye bephila, babuye bephila.”
