Some of the initiates who graduated from Modike van Rooi Initiation school at Moleketla Village.
Three initiates died while undergoing a rite of passage into manhood during the 2023 Initiation School Season in the province.
MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Mr Basikopo Makamu revealed during the official closing of the 2023 Limpopo Initiation Season at Ha-Mashamba last weekend.
Despite the decrease in the number of deaths of initiates between 2022 and this year from four to three deaths, MEC Makamu said that while the improvement is recognised, but the loss of one life is one too many.
“Our hearts break at these numbers. As we mourn, we want to remind parents of initiates to adhere to the law that governs initiation schools. In two cases this year, children passed away due to parents forgetting to provide vital information and medication for the medical conditions of their children,” said Makamu.
Makamu commended the collaborative efforts of the police and the National Prosecuting Authority in assisting COGHSTA to clamp down on illegal initiation schools.
“Compared to the 2022 initiation season, where efforts to close the 27 illegal initiation schools were in vain, work from COGHSTA, the NPA, police and community members resulted in the successful closure of four schools out of 44, with cases now open on 14 of these,”
“We want to extend a word of gratitude to the commitment shown by our law enforcement authorities to make sure we collaboratively push back against these illegal schools that put our children and culture at risk,” said MEC Makamu.
Limpopo hosted a total of 587 legal male and female initiation schools, 93 less than the 680 schools of the year 2022. With the decrease of the initiation schools, the province equally witnessed a decrease of the total initiates from 79 529 last year to 68 329 this year.
“The sustained dedication our people show to this traditional rite of passage that has been practiced in our continent for centuries continues to fuel our efforts to ensure that it not only is kept alive for them, but that it is done safely within the confines of the law,” added MEC Makamu.
Makamu further extended a word of gratitude to the Department of Health, the Provincial Initiation Coordination Committee, the South African Police Services and National Prosecuting Authority for having worked together with the department to ensure the over 60 000 initiates make it back home safely.
MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Mr Basikopo Makamu initiates and other stakeholders during official closing of the 2023 Limpopo Initiation Season at Ha-Mashamba last weekend.
Masilo Sickzo Mashala counting money received by Manthekge Shaun Mashala from relatives for enduring traditional rite of passage to manhood at Leokwe village.