Winter initiation season: Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Deputy Minister Prince Burns-Ncamashe is calling for safer customary initiation practices during this winter season.
Last week, Burns-Ncamashe conducted a three-day oversight visit to initiation schools to check compliance with national safety regulations.
The visits took place across the Nelson Mandela Bay metro, Buffalo City metro, and the Amathole District, ahead of the official start of the initiation season, which runs from June to July.
Winter initiation season
The theme for this year’s initiation season campaign is “mabaye bephila, babuye bephila” — meaning “let them go alive and return alive”, highlighting the importance of safety and accountability throughout the initiation process.
The oversight visit comes as COGTA works to ensure that all initiation schools comply with the customary initiation act, which upholds dignity, health, and life while preserving cultural heritage.
During his visit, Burns-Ncamashe met with traditional leaders, municipal officials, healthcare practitioners, and law enforcement in a joint effort to ensure safe practices.
Key focus areas include the verification of registered schools, training for traditional surgeons and caregivers, availability of emergency services, and strict adherence to health and safety standards.
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