No untoward occurrences at any initiation school have been reported so far, and all seems to be under control.

The president of the Congress of Traditional Leaders SA and the leader of the provincial House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders, Kgoshi Mathupha Mokoena, said Bushbuckridge is known for either deaths or other harmful incidences occurring during the area’s initiation schools.

He said despite the extreme cold in the area, the owners of the schools are following all precautions to keep the initiates safe and healthy.

“We hardly have any deaths in the Bushbuckridge region at our initiation schools, as we always make sure we follow the rules and protect our initiates. We employ people who know and understand our culture and adhere to the laws. We also make sure that we give permission to people who have good experience of practising the ingoma. We even ensure that those on medication take it regularly,” Mokoena said.

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He also said no negligence will be tolerated at the initiation schools, and they will deal decisively with any illegal school.

“Anyone who has an initiation school illegally will be dealt with. We will not tolerate any irregularities at the schools, because we are aiming to have a death-free environment. We have advised the school owners to make sure that their students are healthy, and if they are taking medication, they must make sure they take it accordingly. Those who need doctors’ attention must be allowed it. Parents must also make sure that their kids are fit to be in the mountain and declare if they are taking any chronic medication.”

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Mokoena also warned the school owners and members of the public not to force any child into the initiation school, and that the school owner are responsible to make sure they do not accept any kids who have been brought to them by force.

He said an agreement with the initiation school owners had been reached that all initiates needed to return home during the first week of August to allow the learners to return to school. Mokoena called on community members to take care during the celebrations afterwards, and not to drink and drive, causing unnecessary accidents.

“I am calling on everyone to look after themselves and their families. We engaged the police to be visible in all areas where celebrations are held, to ensure that people are safe and those who are breaking the law can be dealt with,” he said.

It is expected that more than 10 000 people will descend on the area to celebrate ingoma.