Initiates homecoming ceremony : PIC By Matalane Mokgatla Foundation
The Limpopo department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, joined by Limpopo Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee and Limpopo NPA, addressed the media on the 2023 Initiation Season State of Readiness.
This year the initiation school program will commence on the 16th of June, and is scheduled to end on the 15th of July.
(Coghsta) MEC Basikopo Makamu, said they’ll work with law enforcement agencies to prevent any unnecessary loss of young lives and also to ensure that the rights of these young boys and girls are not violated.
“We will spare no efforts in ensuring that the lives of initiates are protected. However, we want to appeal to parents to authenticate the legitimacy of initiation schools they intend to send their children to, with their respective Traditional Authorities,” MEC Basikopo Makamu said.
“There will be zero tolerance for people who want to take chances by running initiation schools without permits,” he added.
The number of initiation school applications recieved has declined to a total of 644 as compared to last year’s 680.
From this grand total 587 have been approved, 328 of which are male and 259 are female initiation schools.
The MEC urged and encouraged parents, traditional councils and the PICC to pay special attention in ensuring that the age limit and procedure is strictly adhered to.
“We unfortunately continue to be plagued by illegal schools in the province. This is an issue we take very seriously, and as such, our department continues to work closely with our SAPS colleagues to ensure that these are shut down as soon as they are reported,” he said.
The Limpopo Provincial Initiation Schools Act (6 of 1996) reads – No child under the age of 12 years must be admitted to an initiation school for initiation.
Successful Initiation Season
The Limpopo Government hailed last year’s initiation season as a resounding success.
The reopening of initiation schools two years after their halt during the Covid-19 pandemic attracted thousands of youngsters.
At least one death of a boy was reported. The initiation school shut down, and authorities suspended its caregivers following the death of a six-year-old boy.
Six-hundred-and-eighty initiation schools were approved, and just under 200 of those were for girls.