No initiation schools in Limpopo this year
It will be for the first time that this traditional practice is cancelled in a calendar year.
BURGERSFORT – There will not be any initiation schools in Limpopo this year due to Covid-19 coronavirus.
It will be for the first time that this traditional practice is cancelled in a calendar year.
The Limpopo cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs MEC, Basikopo Makamu, has suspended all initiation schools for the rest of the year.
This is part of continued efforts to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
Makamu said many people gather at initiation schools and this will spread the infection.
“Last year we had almost 50 000 initiates. There will be more people in one initiation school. That is why we are cancelling the 2020 season. So, anybody who would want to establish any initiation schools, we are going to make sure that that person gets arrested,” said Makamu.
The department said it will meet with the traditional leaders all over the province to spread the message.
Chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders in Limpopo, Chief Malesela Dikgale, has welcomed the decision, saying the situation is dire and calls for decisive leadership.
