Fifty-two initiation schools legally registered in Gauteng this summer season

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The Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee(PICC) has revealed that a total of 52 initiation schools were legally registered throughout the Gauteng Province for this 2023 Summer Initiation Season.

While 38 of these schools are female Initiation Schools, 12 are registered as male Initiation schools.

Kiba Kekana, PICC spokesperson said in terms of provision of the Customary Initiation Act (CIA) of 2021, initiation must be hosted from December 14 to January 16.

“Initiation must be held during the relevant provincial school holidays and may not interfere or overlap with official school terms.

“Considering the above, the opening and closing of the summer Initiation season in Gauteng will follow school calendar – for example, schools close on December 13 and will be reopened on January 17,” he stated.

Kekana advised parents to be extra vigilant and proactive in verifying the legitimacy of the initiation schools they would be sending their children to.

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He added, “Schools operating without permits from the PICC are illegal and are in direct contradiction of the prescripts of the Customary Initiation Act, 2021. Punitive measures will apply in case of transgressions as per the Customary Initiation Act.”

The committee further called on the relevant departments, law enforcement agencies and traditional leaders to increase both preventative and consequence management efforts to end the unnecessary and preventative carnage of young men permanently.

“Every effort must therefore be made to ensure the safety of the initiates and to prevent any possible exposure to danger to initiates,” Kekana concluded.

Meanwhile, SABC News reported that the death toll during the summer initiation season in the Eastern Cape has surged to 28, as authorities confirm the loss of lives during the rite of passage.

The chairperson of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders, Mpumalanga Gwadiso, has expressed concern over the escalating death toll.

“We have done everything in preparation for the initiation season with our partners. We have gone to areas talking to parents, doing awareness even to be initiated in terms of advising them and making an emphasis that drinking of water is a solution to the healing of the body,” he reportedly said.