275 initiations schools in Lim to start their ceremonies in June
THERE will be 275 initiation schools in Limpopo in June, after 302 applications were received by the department of cooperative governance, human settlement and traditional affairs before the cut off date in February.
THERE will be 275 initiation schools in Limpopo in June, after 302 applications were received by the department of cooperative governance, human settlement and traditional affairs before the cut off date in February.
There will be 19 initiation schools in Vhembe, 85 in Sekhukhune, 60 in Mopani, 42 in Capricorn and 69 in Waterberg.
Of the 311 applications received, 36 were rejected. as the surgeons did not have letters from the traditional authority in their areas.
Chief Solomon Dikgale, chairperson of the Limpopo House of Traditional Leaders, said the initiation schools were scheduled to commence on June 20 and end on July 18. He said these dates were aimed at ensuring that the initiations did not interfere with the school calendar.
He further said the 36 applications that were rejected had not had letters from the traditional authorities in their areas.
“They also failed an environmental assessment. Applications that came from traditional healers without the approval of the chief or headman were also declined. The approved legitimate initiation schools will be published in the local media, at municipal offices and traditional authority offices across the province,” he said.
“The house of traditional leaders in the province has conducted a workshop for all senior traditional leaders who qualify for initiation school permits. The purpose of the workshop was to prepare stakeholders and participants on precautionary measures to be followed for a smooth process during the initiation period. The workshop will go a long way in ensuring that Limpopo maintains a death-free initiation season,” Dikgale said.
“Last year 28 000 boys were circumcised. We call upon parents to verify the legitimacy of initiation schools with their respective traditional authorities before they send their children. There will be zero tolerance towards people who want to take chances by running initiation schools without permits. Any school that starts before June 20 will be regarded as illegal,” he said.
“We call upon all sectors of society to work with us to ensure that we prevent the unnecessary loss of lives,” Dikgale said.
