By Lebone Rodah Mosima
Thirty-five initiates have died during the 2026 winter customary initiation season, while 75 others have been admitted to hospital, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) said.
Preliminary reports submitted by Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committees showed that the deaths and other incidents had been recorded by Sunday, 12 July.
Authorities had also recorded 12 abductions, three assault cases and one injury, while 180 initiates had been rescued.
Cogta said 58 illegal initiation schools had been opened during the season, of which 42 had since been closed.
Law enforcement agencies had opened 150 criminal cases linked to the initiation season, resulting in 40 arrests.
“These figures are deeply concerning and serve as a stark reminder that much more must be done collectively to eliminate preventable deaths, injuries and criminal activities associated with customary initiation,” Cogta minister Velenkosini Hlabisa said.
Hlabisa offered his condolences to families whose sons had died and wished those who were injured or remained in hospital a full and speedy recovery.
Customary initiation is a traditional rite of passage marking the transition to adulthood, but the practice has repeatedly been marred by deaths, serious injuries, abductions and abuse, particularly at illegal schools and those operated by unauthorised practitioners.
Hlabisa said the protection of initiates could not be left to the government alone.
“Success depends on stronger collaboration between families, traditional leaders, communities, law enforcement agencies, healthcare professionals, municipalities, educators and all stakeholders entrusted with safeguarding this sacred cultural practice.”
He said parents and guardians had a responsibility to ensure their children attended only legally registered initiation schools and to verify that the traditional surgeon and traditional nurse involved were authorised under the law.
Parents should also remain involved throughout the initiation process and report suspected illegal activity to the authorities, he said.
“Parental neglect and the failure to verify the legitimacy of initiation schools place young lives at unnecessary risk.”
Illegal initiation schools
Hlabisa condemned the continued operation of illegal initiation schools, saying they undermined the integrity of the customary practice and were responsible for many of the deaths, injuries, kidnappings and abuses reported each year.
“Individuals who establish, facilitate or participate in illegal initiation schools must understand that they are committing criminal offences and will face the full might of the law.”
The Customary Initiation Act, 2021 provides the legal framework governing customary initiation and is intended to protect initiates while preserving the cultural integrity of the practice.
The legislation requires initiation schools to be registered, establishes provincial coordinating committees and provides for inspections, oversight and enforcement action against people who contravene its provisions.
Hlabisa commended traditional leaders, police, provincial departments, municipalities, emergency medical services, and community organisations involved in inspections, monitoring, public-awareness campaigns and enforcement operations.
He said their coordinated work had contributed to the closure of illegal schools, the rescue of initiates and the arrest of alleged offenders.
“Respect for tradition must go hand in hand with respect for the law and every initiate’s constitutional rights to life, dignity and safety,” Hlabisa said.
“Government remains committed to working with traditional leaders, families, communities and all stakeholders to achieve zero deaths, zero injuries and zero illegal initiation schools. Every initiate deserves to return home safely and with their dignity intact. This requires all of us to play our part.”
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