Limpopo looking forward to incident free initiation season

Co-operative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs MEC Clifford Motsepe said all traditional surgeons with permit holders would have to adhere to the entire initiation school prescripts.

"We encourage parents to verify the legitimacy of initiation schools they intend sending their children to with their respective Traditional Authorities," Motsepe said.

The department appreciates the cooperation of Traditional Leaders for their support in ensuring that Limpopo is ready to host initiates and to have death free initiation season.

"All these efforts are to ensure that the epochal practice achieves the intended cultural objectives - without anyone giving it a bad name," he said.

The provincial government approved 142 permits for initiation schools which have since commenced last Friday, June 14. Initiation schools in the province will close on July 13.

"Although the turnout is still low due to the fact that academic schools have not yet closed; the department heartily thanks all parents and guardians for, sending initiates to the schools only when the academic school programme has closed," he said.

Motsepe said the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders has dispatched a team to investigate allegations of illegal schools opened in Capricorn, Waterberg, Sekhukhune and Mopani Districts.

According to the MEC, the Working Committee on Initiation Schools meets on a weekly basis to consider reports compiled by the front line staff from various initiation school sites.

The front line staff comprises his Department, Health and South African Police Service (SAPS), respectively.

"Their role is to monitor these initiation schools to ensure an incident free season. Currently there is no incident reported," he said.

The department strongly requests communities, particularly parents or guardians to send their children to the approved initiation schools in the five districts of the Limpopo Province.

To check the approved or legitimate name list of the initiation schools, people are encouraged to use the departmental call centre on 0800 687 432.