Campaign to curb deaths at initiation schools in N West

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

The National Oversight Coordinating Committee and the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) will launch an awareness campaign about the provisions of the Customary Initiation Act (CIA) to prevent deaths at initiation schools in the North West. 

The campaign is set to launch on

Thursday, 21 August 2025, at the Bahurutshe ba ga Moiloa Traditional Council in Dinokana. 

The goal of the initiative is to raise awareness about the importance of safe and lawful cultural practices. This includes educating people about the rights of initiates, as well as the roles of traditional leaders, parents, and initiation school principals.

According to the PICC, the campaign follows the mushrooming of illegal initiation schools during the past winter initiation season, which led to over 100 initiates being rescued and the tragic death of six initiates. 

The campaign aims to achieve zero deaths during initiation seasons and eliminate unnecessary fatalities through strict enforcement of the CIA, fostering collaboration between government, traditional leaders and communities.

The event will be attended by the Chairperson of the National Initiation Oversight Committee (NIOC), Ikosi Vembi William Mahlangu; the North West PICC Chairperson, Kgosi Godfrey Gasebone; the Chairperson of the North West House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Kgosi Thari Maotwe, traditional leaders and representatives from government departments.

Gasebone has thrown his weight behind the campaign and stated that the emergence of illegal initiation schools, especially those run by opportunists seeking financial gain, will never be tolerated.

“We call upon all traditional school principals to work with local traditional authorities, the department and the PICC to ensure compliance and approval of hosting initiation schools. If we all comply, this will go a long way in safeguarding the lives of our young people,” Gasebone said. 

The CIA aims to protect, promote, and regulate initiation practices. It also establishes acceptable norms and standards, oversees initiation processes, and coordinates structures for this purpose. 

In addition, the CIA focuses on the protection of life, the prevention of injuries, and the safeguarding of people from all forms of abuse. 

It also addresses the governance aspects of initiation, protects the traditional practice, and ensures that initiation is conducted in accordance with constitutional and legal requirements.

“As per the Act, no person must be forced or coerced into attending initiation school. No person under the age of 16 may attend initiation, and a person between 16 and 18 years may only attend after obtaining written consent letter from parents,” the PICC said.  

It announced that principals of initiation schools have until 3 October 2025 to apply for permission to operate schools during the summer initiation season. 

In addition, traditional surgeons must be at least 40 years old, have undergone initiation more than 10 years ago, and must have served as a mentor to others for a minimum of five years. – SAnews.gov.za