POLOKWANE – The Department of Traditional Affairs has declined close to 70 applications for initiation school programmes this season, following an open application period in November.

The rejections were primarily due to the premises failing to meet the health and safety standards set by the department and cultural representatives of the province.

MEC Basikopo Makamu announced this during a media briefing at his office in the central business district, just days before the rite of passage to manhood or womanhood began for several African groups.

Despite the rejections, about 630 approved schools are running from June 13 to July 14.

Unfortunately, three deaths have already been reported in the Mopani district from two initiation schools during the second week of the programme. The causes of these deaths are under investigation.

To assist parents and applicants in making informed decisions, the department released a document listing the approved schools.

During the briefing, Makamu highlighted prior workshops, including one held at Jack Botes Hall in May, which involved traditional surgeons, caretakers, the police service, and the health department.

These workshops aimed to launch collaborative efforts to prevent fatalities and the emergence of bogus schools, even at the last minute.

Traditionalist Ledile Motshewa from Moletjie Ga-Chokwe near Seshego described those behind fake initiation schools as akin to human traffickers engaged in organised crime.

“People who organise bogus initiation schools are actually operating like human traffickers. In that context, this is organised crime,” Motshewa told BONUS.

“As we were planning towards this season, they also planned to execute. In other words, this is organised crime to the extent that they want to use tradition to make a lot of money.”

The department’s strict measures and collaborative efforts aim to safeguard the cultural rites and ensure the safety of the initiates.