POLOKWANE – As the 2026 initiation season approaches, government says it will take firm and coordinated action to protect young lives while preserving the sacred cultural practice of initiation.

The message follows a meeting of the National Initiation Oversight Committee and the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) in Polokwane on May 15, where leaders delivered a strong message of zero tolerance towards negligence, abuse and illegal initiation schools.

Deputy minister calls for stronger cooperation

The gathering brought together government officials, traditional leaders and community stakeholders under a shared goal of ensuring that all initiates return home safely.

Deputy Minister of Traditional Affairs, Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe, called for stronger cooperation between government, traditional authorities and communities to improve safety during the initiation season.

Traditional leaders raise concerns over approvals

Government reiterated that illegal initiation schools and unsafe practices would not be tolerated.

However, concerns were raised by some traditional leaders from areas around Giyani and Tzaneen, who claimed that certain initiation schools had been approved without proper consultation.

The Association of Traditional Leaders (ATL) accused MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Basikopo Makamu, of approving initiation schools in villages under the Dzumeri and Khakhala traditional authorities without the knowledge or approval of local traditional leaders.

According to the ATL, traditional councils were shocked to discover that schools had reportedly been approved in their communities despite no applications or recommendations being submitted by them.

ATL representative Filipi Baloyi said traditional leaders should play a central role in decisions involving initiation schools.

“As ATL, we support our members and collectively condemn the approval of these initiation schools. We are calling on government to reverse the decision to grant permission for them to operate,” he said.

Department: ‘MEC does not approve initiation schools’

However, department spokesperson Tsakani Baloyi responded by saying the MEC does not directly approve initiation schools, explaining that such matters fall under the authority of the PICC, which operates independently.

“The ATL is aware that issues of initiation do not fall within the absolute mandate of the MEC,” she said.

Further engagements to come

MEC spokesperson Amos Phago said further engagements on readiness for the initiation season would take place in the coming weeks.

“The MEC is currently not in the country. We will conduct a session with all the bodies involved and communication regarding the dates will be shared,” he said.