Ndabezitha Mahlangu leads successful initiation season
The Ingoma Task Team head praised parents for their trust as boys returned from initiation schools without incident.
Families celebrated as 68 Mrhetjha Royal House initiates, led by Ndabezitha Nsizwa Mahlangu, were safely reunited with their loved ones after their return from initiation schools on July 18. The successful completion of the season has been hailed as a moment of pride and relief, as this year’s theme noted, ‘Mabaye bephila, babuye bephila’ (‘They should leave alive and come back alive’).
Mahlangu thanks parents for trusting royal house
Mahlangu, who also serves as the head of the Ingoma Task Team, appointed by the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs under the leadership of MEC Speed Mashilo, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the parents for entrusting the royal house with their children. “Gratitude pours to the parents for trusting us with their kids and allowing us to raise their children with them,” he said.
He emphasised that his responsibility was not only to enforce compliance at initiation schools across the province but also within his own area.
“We didn’t encounter any challenges, and we thank everyone who participated in making this a success,” Mahlangu said, noting that all boys under Mrhetjha Royal House returned home safely.
Mahlangu sends condolences to grieving families
Mahlangu also congratulated other initiation schools that reported no deaths this season. At the same time, he extended sympathy to families elsewhere who tragically lost their children during initiation.
“Our condolences to the families who unfortunately couldn’t be reunited with their children,” he said, acknowledging the pain that some communities continue to endure.
The initiation journey for 89 initiates from SoGutjhe House in Phola has officially come to an end and all went well.
— WitbankNews (@WitbankN) July 16, 2026
Abaye baphila, babuye baphila!
Here's a glimpse of the unforgettable welcome celebration moments. #SoGutjheHouse #PholaInitiates #AbayeBaphilaBabuyeBaphila pic.twitter.com/Jp8rSRytwd
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