Latest news with #initiation
The Herald
11 hours ago
- The Herald
‘No life should be lost': Limpopo premier applauds safe rites for thousands and mourns two lost initiates
Limpopo premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has commended the province's traditional leadership and stakeholders for the smooth running of the 2025 initiation season, which officially concluded this week. The department said more than 25,000 boys and girls successfully underwent initiation rites at over 500 registered schools across the province. Ramathuba expressed gratitude to the provincial initiation co-ordinating committee, senior traditional leaders and all relevant stakeholders. 'This year, under the guidance of the Customary Initiation Act, 2021 (Act No. 2 of 2021), the Limpopo provincial government, working hand-in-hand with traditional leadership structures, successfully facilitated the safe initiation of more than 25,000 initiates across the province,' said Ramathuba. According to the premier, the 2025 season saw the operation of 500 registered initiation schools with 350 male and 150 female, which adhered to strict regulations and safety measures. While a few illegal schools were identified, Ramathuba said swift interventions by law enforcement agencies and traditional authorities prevented further harm. Ramathuba also acknowledged that the season was marred by the deaths of two initiates. 'We mourn the loss of two young lives and extend our deepest condolences to their families. One death is one too many. As government, together with our traditional leaders, we remain resolute in our mission to ensure that no life is lost during initiation,' said Ramathuba. The first incident involved a 19-year-old initiate from Sekhukhune who died after experiencing severe complications and being admitted to hospital. In the second, a 12-year-old boy from Maake village outside Tzaneen, succumbed to injuries sustained during a fire that broke out at an initiation camp in the Mopani district. He was one of seven victims affected by the blaze.
The Herald
6 days ago
- The Herald
Three men accused of forced initiation in Limpopo granted bail
Three men accused of abducting and assaulting three community members during a forced initiation ordeal in Mankweng in Limpopo have been granted bail of R2,000 each. Manyama Daniel Molepo, 34, of Ga-Molepo, Ngate Jan Maake, 45, of Ga-Mothapo and Jacky Leshoka Maloka, 37, of Ga- Molepo appeared in the Mankweng magistrate's court on two counts of kidnapping, three counts of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and two counts of contravening the Limpopo Initiation School Act. They were granted bail on the condition that they not contact the complainants or go to their place of residence in Ga-Mamacha village until the matter is finalised. It is alleged that the accused forcefully took a victim from his home, assaulting him with sticks and booted feet, to a mountain where they wanted him to be initiated. Limpopo National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said the second complainant, aged 72, was assaulted with similar instruments, resulting in a broken arm, and he was forcefully taken to the bushes where he was circumcised without his consent. 'The third victim, 40, was assaulted repeatedly by multiple assailants with sjamboks and sticks, resulting in injury. After the incidents, the matter was reported to the police and the accused were arrested on Monday,' she said. The case has been postponed to September 18 for further investigation. TimesLIVE
The Herald
15-07-2025
- The Herald
Contralesa livid after 21 botched circumcisions in Limpopo
Contralesa president chief Mathupa Mokoena said the initiation school sector is inundated with bogus operators who put the lives of young initiates in grave danger. Mokoena said while he could not divulge the nature of the challenges encountered at the affected schools, he insisted that precautionary measures be regularly followed. 'The initiation school is a sacred place that has its own secrets,' he said. 'It will be uncultured for me to get into the goings-on of what transpired there. However, I must emphasise that health and safety measures cannot be overlooked. We are calling on traditional leaders and operators of initiation schools to obey the legislation governing these institutions.' A resident of Mapela bemoaned the escalating number of dubious initiation schools in the area. Nkholo Lamalo said initiation schools have been turned into moneymaking schemes. 'This rite of passage is dangerous because safety measures are not obeyed,' he said. 'I went there in the 1980s when I was still young, when health procedures were frequently overlooked. When I took my two nephews to the same school two years ago, the same health hazard and questionable procedures continued. Initiation schools are just another form of business.' SowetanLIVE
The Herald
11-07-2025
- Health
- The Herald
Mother of boy who died in initiation school fire didn't know he was there
Matsebatlela said her son was initially admitted to Letaba hospital, but due to the severity of his wounds, he was taken to a private facility in Tzaneen. He was later transferred to Barberton hospital where he died on Tuesday. 'While I was doing all the runaround alone, seeking medical attention for my son, the department [of co-operative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta)] was nowhere to be found. Even after the incident, there is still no communication from relevant authorities, let alone psychosocial support,' she said. Matsebatlela said 'the principal of the initiation school never bothered to contact me, and to this day, he never said anything'. Limpopo Cogta spokesperson Amos Phago said: 'The initiation school was legal. If that was not the case, the department wouldn't be running around trying to intervene.' Another initiate, Raymond Sekele, 19, died at Philadelphia hospital in the Sekhukhune district on Sunday. It is understood that Sekele was receiving medical treatment for epilepsy during his admission at an initiation school in Dennilton, outside Groblersdal. Limpopo premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba said it was heartbreaking that such promising young lives had been cut short. 'It is our collective responsibility to ensure that all initiates attending these schools are protected and safe. We call upon all individuals entrusted with the oversight of these young men to exercise utmost vigilance,' she said. Meanwhile, Cogta MEC Basikopo Makamu said the department has urged all traditional leaders and school operators to enforce safety regulations diligently to prevent similar tragedies. SowetanLIVE
The Herald
08-07-2025
- The Herald
Free State records two deaths, rescues 21 from illegal initiation school
Two deaths have been recorded in the Free State since the start of the winter initiation season, while a joint effort by the community, the Provincial Initiation Co-ordinating Committee (PICC) and the police has led to the rescue of 21 initiates from an illegal initiation school in Theunissen. One death was recorded in Botshabelo and another in Bethulie. Police are investigating the cases. The Free State co-operative governance and traditional affairs department (Cogta) confirmed the illegal initiation school has been closed and the initiates reunited with their families. 'One of the initiates has been taken to hospital for medical attention,' it said. 'In Bethulie, two male initiates received medical attention after they were found with swollen feet. The cause of their condition is still being investigated. In Vrede, Thabo Mofutsanyana district, two cases of missing initiates were reported to the police. The initiates are aged 15 and 27,' said Cogta spokesperson Zimasa Mbewu. Six criminal cases have been opened with law enforcement agencies in the province.
