Or get circumcised under other nations that don't have this problem. i.e BaSotho
Actually they have their own set of problems. I lost a friend eSothwini <-- Xhosarisation. Its not a tribal issue, it's a people issues. It's just more prevalent kwa Xhosa because there are so many of our boys that die and initiation is mistaken as only a Xhosa thing.
misuse
Except for the case where it seems like initiates die due to irresponsibility, i think that the westernization got us believing that death should not be an expectation when it comes to African initiation schools. makes it look like all death that occur through this custom proves the ridiculousness of the custom.
With the bit that i understand, death is part of the risk. There are other complicated reasons why that is the case. But then again i've never been to any of them so i cannot explain the mysticism (if im using this word correctly) involved. I think, that we look at life and death with the western/christian view is the reason why the death all death at these school is misunderstood.
thats just my opinion. im not an expect, knowledgable or "qualified" to speak on this with certainty but this is part of what i've learnt so far.