It says it has embarked on training over 400 traditional surgeons and assistants across the province. This rite of passage in Xhosa culture has over the years been marred by deaths. The department’s Zolile Williams says the tradition is a vital rite of passasge.

“We would want to see a proper traditional circumcision that brings pride to the tradition and we believe that working together with traditional leaders we because we were together in all these programs. we are collaboration to ensure that the tradition is successful in the Eastern Cape, we are pushing hard for zero deaths,” he said.

–SABC–