Youth deaths as a result of initiations The committee requested information from the province on the high number of youth deaths as a result of initiation. The department indicated that it was a major problem in the province, and their involvement came when the youths were admitted to hospitals. The department does not have an active strategy to deal with this issue. However, it has been in consultation with the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs to address this issue. This problem also required greater involvement and greater responsibility of the traditional leaders and that is an ongoing process. Key observations