Boy runs away to join initiation school, family given list of items to secure his return

A family spent the weekend negotiating with traditional leaders for the release of a young boy from an initiation school.

The 17-year-old fled his home near Kwamhlanga in Mpumalanga at roughly 5pm on Friday evening, admitting himself without consent, placing the family at the mercy of the school.

Negotiations have since resolved tensions between the parties, and the boy has been allowed to stay at the initiation school.

Initiation school’s demands

After learning that the teenager — a Grade 10 pupil — had enrolled in the school, the family’s attempts to bring him back were met with a demand for R1 000, citing an alleged breach of initiation school protocol

The police visited the initiation school, but the rogue initiate hid from authorities, fearing he would be forced to return home.

A representative of the initiation school spoke to The Citizen on Monday and clarified that the family signed a consent form after an early round of negotiations.

The boy’s father is currently unavailable to resolve the matter due to work commitments in Johannesburg, leaving negotiations to the rogue initiate’s older brother.

The brother argued that the initiate had not undergone a medical or other necessary tests required before admission.

As negotiations evolved, the initiation school demanded 50kg of maize meal, two blankets, toiletries, Umqombothi ingredients, and R3 500 for the entire initiation process.

On Sunday, initiate’s brother was granted an audience with the area’s chiefs, where he presented some items on the list of demands.

The family was then issued with a receipt, which The Citizen has seen, stating that the money and some of the maize was still owed.

‘Cultural implications’

The initiate’s brother was unable to elaborate on his brother’s intentions, guessing that it may be due to peer pressure or personal conviction.

He explained to The Citizen the family’s several concerns, namely: the boy’s physical safety, the costs incurred, and the traditional repercussions.

“The family doesn’t traditionally practice initiation ceremonies, and his participation might have cultural implications for his future life,” said the initiate’s brother

“It’s alarming that some initiation schools are accepting initiates without involving their families. I think it’s crucial to focus on the potential risks and consequences of such actions, including physical harm, emotional trauma, and cultural conflicts.

“We need to ensure that these young boys are protected and that their rights are respected. Initiation schools should prioritise the boys’ safety and involve their families in the decision-making process,” he explained.

Initiation costs

The 17-year-old is likely to be away from home for roughly two months to complete the initiation, after which the family could incur more costs.

“The reasons the family has to pay the things mentioned are because, as he is there at the initiation school, there is no coming back without finishing the process,” said John.

“They likely feel these demands are necessary for the traditional initiation process and expect the family to cover these costs as part of the initiation ritual,” he added.

The initiation school’s representative stressed that the school was registered with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) and operated within the Customary Initiation Act.

Safety at initiation schools has been on Cogta’s agenda this year, with Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa launching an initiative to improve oversight at initiation schools.

“As Cogta, we stand firm in our resolve to work alongside traditional leaders to preserve our heritage while safeguarding the lives of initiates. Our shared goal is clear — zero deaths in the upcoming winter initiation season,” Hlabisa said in February.

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