Applications for initiation schools open in Limpopo

Monday, February 10, 2014

Pretoria - The Limpopo Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has urged traditional surgeons to submit their applications to conduct initiation schools before Friday, 28 February.

Departmental spokesperson Motupa Selomo said initiation schools in Limpopo will commence from 20 June to 18 July this year.

According to Selomo, after the February 28 closing date, the House of Traditional Leaders will conduct a workshop for all senior traditional leaders who qualify for initiation school permits.

The purpose of the workshop is to brief and prepare the initiation schools stakeholders on precautionary measures to be followed in order to have a smooth process during the initiation period.

The workshop is scheduled for 18 March 2014 at a venue yet to be announced.

“We also call upon parents to verify the legitimacy of initiation schools they intend to send their children to with their respective traditional authorities.

“There will be zero tolerance for people who want to take chances by running initiation schools without permits,” he said.

Required documents to accompany applications include:

  • A letter from the traditional council of the area at which the initiation schools will take place, supporting the application;
  • A certificate of fitness of the traditional surgeon issued by a medical doctor;
  • An environmental report compiled by an environmental practitioner for the area at which the initiation school will take place;
  • A copy of proclamation and/or title deed confirming authority and/or jurisdiction over the area at which the initiation school is to be conducted; and
  • An undertaking signed by a senior traditional leader regarding acceptance of accountability for the initiation school.

Selomo said no person shall hold an initiation school without a valid permit issued to him/her in terms of Section 2 (1) of the Northern Province Circumcision Schools Act No. 6 of 1996.

No traditional surgeon or any other person is allowed to perform rituals in an initiation school without a certificate of fitness issued for that purpose by a registered medical practitioner authorised by the Premier or authorised officer to do so in terms of Section 3 (1) of Initiation Schools Regulations of 2003.

No traditional nurse or any other person is allowed to look after initiates in an initiation school without a certificate of attendance of training referred to in regulation 5, provided that the prohibition shall become effective on the day immediately after the conclusion of the training concerned in terms on Section 4(1) of Initiation Schools Regulations of 2003.

Initiates below the age of 12 cannot be admitted to an initiation school in terms of Section 7(1) of Initiation Schools Regulations of 2003.

No initiate shall be admitted to an initiation school more than five days after the commencement of the school in terms of Section 7(3) of Initiation Schools Regulations of 2003.

No one is allowed to abduct another for the purpose of taking the abducted person to an initiation school in terms of Section 9(1) of Initiation Schools Regulations of 2003.

“In an effort to prevent the unnecessary loss of lives, we request parents to send their children to the initiation schools that will be approved after 28 February,” Selomo said. - SAnews.gov.za