By Thembi Siaga and Bernard Chiguvare

“Instead of celebrating the return of my two boys from initiation school like other parents, I have to prepare for a funeral for one of them, which doubles the pain for me.” These were the words expressed by local poet Sheila Mathevula from Bungeni village after her 16-year-old son, Pfano Khomola, passed away on Sunday, 7 July.

Pfano, a Grade 10 learner at Hluvuka High School, reportedly died six days before the scheduled closing of the Bungeni Initiation School. The school is one of the 631 initiation schools in the province authorised to carry out initiation rituals, and about 900 initiates attended it this year. His untimely death forced the initiation school, originally set to close on Friday, 12 July, to end its sessions prematurely on Monday, 8 July.

The young boy had been admitted to Bungeni Initiation School on Thursday, 20 June. Reports indicate that he had complained of feeling unwell, prompting caretakers to take him to a doctor in Majosi village for a checkup.

His mother, Mathevula, said that she had received a phone call from the initiation caretakers while she was at work. “They needed my permission to take him to the doctor as he was starting to vomit. By the time I arrived at the doctor, he had already passed away,” she said.

Mathevula described her son as a multi-talented, well-groomed, and disciplined child. She said that she was uncertain how she would manage to cope with the loss. “I was prepared to welcome back my boys, but now I am left grieving,” she said.

This tragedy, which occurred during cultural rituals meant to mark a passage into adulthood, has deeply saddened the community of Bungeni. Hosi Given Bungeni said the deceased had been given some medication and declared to be in good condition.

“Later in the day, he again complained of the same illness. The traditional surgeon drove him back to the same doctor, who re-examined him and later certified him dead. I made agreements with the family that I will work closely with them preparing for the funeral of their loved one,” said Bungeni.

Vhembe SAPS spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi confirmed the incident. “Police in Vuwani registered an inquest after initiate Pfano Khomolo died,” said Dathi.

Limpopo Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA) MEC Basikopo Makamu said the death of one child was one too many. Makamu expressed his condolences to the bereaved Khomolo family. “We did not expect a death as our Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee, led by Hosi Shitlhangoma Chauke, had worked hard for zero death tolerance at our initiation schools around the province,” said MEC Makamu.

When asked about measures in place to ensure the safety of initiates, the department said it had conducted two workshops on June 3 and 4 with senior traditional leaders and traditional surgeons.

Pfano was laid to rest at Majirija Xitaci Graveyard on Saturday, 13 July.