Download the Pondoland Times app for breaking Eastern Cape news, community updates, jobs, and important stories from around you.
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, officially launched the 2025 winter customary initiation season in Bloemfontein, emphasizing a nationwide goal of zero deaths among initiates. This initiative follows a tragic 2024 season that saw 94 fatalities and 11 amputations, with the Eastern Cape and Free State provinces recording the highest numbers.
Under the theme “Mabaye Bephila, Babuye Bephila” (“Those who go alive must return alive”), the campaign underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and dignity of all initiates. Minister Hlabisa warned that legal registration does not exempt initiation schools from accountability, stating, “Any school that contravenes the law, disregards safety regulations or endangers lives will be closed without hesitation.”
Key measures announced include:
- Mandatory registration and verification of initiation schools.
- Comprehensive medical screening for all initiates.
- Thorough training and vetting of traditional surgeons and caregivers.
- Establishment of monitoring units and emergency response services.
- Strict enforcement of health protocols to reduce risks such as dehydration and hypothermia.
The Department of Health will provide clinical support and conduct medical assessments, while the Department of Basic Education will monitor student participation and assist with family engagement. The South African Police Service (SAPS) will enforce compliance by shutting down illegal initiation schools, and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will take legal action where violations occur.
Minister Hlabisa also called on parents, traditional leaders, and community members to stay vigilant and report any signs of abuse, misconduct, or non-compliance. He emphasized that the safety of initiates is a collective responsibility, stating, “Parents and families hold the key to ensuring their sons’ safety.”
The government aims to transform the initiation process into a safe, dignified, and culturally respectful tradition, ensuring that no family endures the pain of losing a child during this rite of passage.
