Latest news with #HumanSettlementsandTraditionalAffairs
The Citizen
08-07-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Winter initiation tragedy: Limpopo teen dies at registered school
Limpopo MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs Basikopo Makamu has expressed sadness following the death of a 19-year-old initiate during the 2025 winter initiation season. Polokwane Review reports the deceased, Raymond Sekele, died at Philadelphia Hospital on Sunday after being admitted with health complications from an initiation school in Dennilton Uitspanning B (Magakadimeng) in the Sekhukhune District. The MEC's spokesperson, Amos Phago, says Sekele's caregiver confirmed he had a history of epilepsy and was receiving medical treatment for the condition at the time of his admission to the legal initiation school. Phago also confirmed the school is registered under the permit of Kgoshigadi Mathebe Morongwe Cathrine. 'Sekele reportedly suffered an epileptic episode on July 2, during which he collapsed. He was treated at the school and later resumed normal activities after appearing to recover,' a statement reads. Makamu says he was informed the initiate failed to wake up with the others on Sunday. 'As he was known to sleep longer than most, it wasn't considered unusual at first. But around 08:00, his caregiver found him unresponsive and struggling to breathe. The school's assigned doctor and the initiate's guardian were immediately informed, and he was rushed to hospital for further treatment. Sadly, the family was later notified of his passing,' Phago explains. Makamu adds that while government has implemented several measures to prevent fatalities during initiation, 'one death is one too many'. 'This tragic incident reminds us that more must be done to ensure the safety and well-being of all initiates,' he says. What are initiation schools? Initiation schools are traditional rites of passage that mark the transition from boyhood to manhood in many African cultures. Held in secluded areas such as the bush or mountains, these schools guide young males through a transformative period where they are prepared for adult responsibilities. The process often includes cultural teachings, moral instruction and, in some cases, physical rites such as circumcision. The duration and practices vary by culture, with initiation periods ranging from several weeks to a few months. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
08-07-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Initiate (19) with epilepsy dies after collapse at Limpopo school
LIMPOPO – The Limpopo MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Basikopo Makamu has expressed his sadness following the death of a 19-year-old initiate during the 2025 winter initiation season. The deceased, Raymond Sekele, passed away at the Philadelphia Hospital on Sunday (July 6) where he was admitted after experiencing health complications at an initiation school in Dennilton Uitspanning B (Magakadimeng) in the Sekhukhune District. You might also want to read: Parental consent in question ahead of Limpopo's 2025 initiation season The MEC's spokesperson, Amos Phago, said Sekele's caregiver confirmed that he had a history of epilepsy and was receiving medical treatment for the condition at the time of his admission to the legal initiation school. Phago also confirmed that the school is registered under the permit of Kgoshigadi Mathebe Morongwe Cathrine. 'Sekele reportedly suffered an epileptic episode on July 2, during which he collapsed. He was treated at the school and later resumed normal activities after appearing to recover,' a statement read. Makamu said he was informed that the initiate failed to wake up with the others on Sunday. 'As he was known to sleep longer than most, it wasn't considered unusual at first. But around 08:00, his caregiver found him unresponsive and struggling to breathe. The school's assigned doctor and the initiate's guardian were immediately informed, and he was rushed to hospital for further treatment. Sadly, the family was later notified of his passing,' Phago said. Makamu added that while government has implemented several measures to prevent fatalities during initiation, 'one death is one too many'. 'This tragic incident reminds us that more must be done to ensure the safety and well-being of all initiates,' he said. What are initiation schools? Initiation schools are traditional rites of passage that mark the transition from boyhood to manhood in many African cultures. Held in secluded areas such as the bush or mountains, these schools guide young males through a transformative period where they are prepared for adult responsibilities. The process often includes cultural teachings, moral instruction, and, in some cases, physical rites such as circumcision. The duration and practices vary by culture, with initiation periods ranging from several weeks to a few months. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
25-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Carolina plays host to investment summit to boost local economy
EMANZANA – In a landmark move to stimulate economic development and improve infrastructure, the Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality (CALLM) hosted its inaugural Investment Summit on Wednesday, June 19, at the Badplaas Forever Resort. The summit drew a diverse range of stakeholders, including potential investors and government departments such as the Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta), the Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (DEDET), the South African Local Government Association (Salga), and the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA). Representatives from various small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) also participated. With a focus on forging stronger public-private partnerships, the event served as a platform for robust dialogue on building a resilient local economy, unlocking job opportunities, and driving sustainable development in the region. Read the complete article in Highvelder. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
05-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Tzaneen's Talana hostel upgrade to bring 146 homes
TZANEEN – The Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA) has announced the construction of 146 Community Residential Units (CRUs) at Talana Hostel in Tzaneen as part of its R2.57 billion Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and budget. Speaking during the presentation, CoGHSTA MEC Basikopo Makamu confirmed that the project is set to begin in the second quarter of 2025, with the procurement process for a contractor already underway. 'To keep up with growing housing demands due to migration, we are prioritising the construction of CRUs in areas like Talana under the Greater Tzaneen Municipality,' Makamu said. He also highlighted efforts to address critical infrastructure challenges, noting that CoGHSTA will assist water service authorities in upgrading sewer systems posing health risks in areas such as Dan village in Tzaneen. He reported that while the sewer line in Makotse village has been completed, engineering designs for Dan village are in progress following a detailed site assessment. Makamu reaffirmed the department's commitment to reducing informal settlements, including targeted intervention in the Maruleng Municipality. He further outlined progress on various projects in the Mopani District, including the Ha-Mawasha Sewer Bulk Line, Giyani Extension F and H Bulk Water Pipelines, and the Siyandhani Bulk Sewer Pipeline. Makamu said he recently visited the Giyani Section F and Masakaneng bulk water and sewage projects. He praised the progress, especially in Giyani Section F, where the project is complete and ready for municipal allocation of residential sites. The development has already created 21 job opportunities and is expected to benefit 365 households, he said. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
