Over 1 000 initiates welcomed back as Limpopo initiation season ends
Over 1 000 initiates returned safely as Limpopo's initiation season ended, though three deaths were recorded in illegal schools.
LIMPOPO – Families and community leaders gathered at the Xigalo Traditional Council on Saturday to celebrate the safe return and successful rite of passage of 1 077 initiation graduates from Xigalo village.
The cultural practice, which marks the transition of young boys into manhood, was celebrated by local and provincial leaders who praised the successful completion of the initiation season.
41 000 initiates through legal schools
MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA), Basikopo Makamu, said all 771 approved initiation schools in the province successfully completed the season.
“Like we said during the preparations, as a province we were ready. More than 41 000 initiates went through legal initiation schools. Unfortunately, there were also 53 illegal initiation schools involving about 916 initiates,” he said.
He said the province had managed the season successfully and highlighted the importance of initiation as a cultural practice.
3 deaths recorded
Makamu expressed condolences to the families of the three boys who died during the initiation season – two in Sekhukhune and one in the Mopani region.
“We are not going to look at this as just a number. We will conduct intensive investigations so that we can improve the 2027 initiation season. One life is too many. We cannot afford to lose our boys because initiation schools are meant to help us pass on our traditions,” he said.
He thanked senior traditional leaders, parents, communities and Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba for their support, saying preparations were already looking ahead to the 2027 initiation season.
No casualties in Vhembe
Collins Chabane Mayor Gezane Shadrack Maluleke congratulated everyone involved in ensuring the smooth running of initiation schools in the municipality.
“Our initiation school went extremely well. In the Vhembe district, we have never had casualties, and we would like to thank our traditional leaders, traditional surgeons and all stakeholders who contributed to an excellent initiation season,” he concluded.
