After the long awaited return of initiates by their families, jubilation came on Saturday, 6 July as the young boys returned from the initiation schools.

Chief Malesela Dikgale, spokesperson of the House of Traditional Leaders told Letaba Herald that despite the deaths that occurred about three weeks ago, there was a good number of initiates that returned home.

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“Unfortunately, what we realised when we were rounding up on the initiation schools is that some of the leaders take in children younger than the age of 12 which is not permitted,” he stated.

When asked how people can be made aware of which initiation schools are registered, he exclaimed that letters are sent out to Chief’s around the villages, which is then passed down to community members.

Read: Limpopo initiation school conflict continues

“The problem is, sometimes people have no interest in reading or do not understand what they are reading. What we ask from this, is that people should ask when they are uncertain as this will help us and them in ensuring the safety of these kids throughout the process, leading up to their return home,” Chief Dikgale concluded.

Although joy and excitement, was the common language amongst community members on Saturday, some took to raising their concerns regarding initiation schools, regardless of whether or not they are legal.

“The problem is, these kids think they know better. Some of them just run away from home during this season. And on their return, they will tell you that they are not allowed to speak of their experience, yet they come back and start dodging school,” said a community member who spoke to Herald in anonymity.