Pretoria - Limpopo is on track with the preparations for this year’s initiation schools programme, the provincial Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs announced on Monday.
Departmental spokesperson Motupa Selomo said the initiation schools are scheduled to commence on June 20 until July 18.
Selomo said the scheduled dates are aimed at ensuring that the custom does not interfere with the academic calendar.
“This year, the department has received 311 applications to conduct initiation schools across the province. Of this figure, 275 applications have been approved and 36 applications were declined.
“We have since issued the 275 approved permits to the respective traditional authorities,” said Selomo.
The breakdown of the approved initiation schools per district is as follows:
- Vhembe - 19
- Sekhukhune - 85
- Mopani - 60
- Capricorn - 43
- Waterberg - 59
The approved legitimate initiation schools will be published in local media, municipal offices and traditional authority offices across the province.
The House of Traditional Leaders in the province has recently conducted a workshop for all senior traditional leaders, who qualify for initiation school permits.
The purpose of the workshop was to brief and prepare the initiation schools stakeholders and participants on precautionary measures to be followed in order to have a smooth process during the initiation period.
Selomo said the workshop will go a long way in ensuring that Limpopo maintains a death free initiation season.
“We call upon parents to verify the legitimacy of initiation schools with their respective Traditional Authorities before they send their children,” he said.
According to Selomo, there will be zero tolerance towards people who want to take chances by running initiation schools without permits.
“The department would like to put it on record that any school that starts before the starting date of the June 20 will be regarded as illegal.
“We call upon all sectors of society to work with us to ensure that we prevent the unnecessary loss of lives,” he said.
In terms of Sections 2 (1) of the Northern Province Circumcision Schools Act No. 6 of 1996 no person shall hold an initiation school without a valid permit issued to him/her.
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 authorized by the Premier or authorised officer to do so in terms of Section 3 (1) of Initiation Schools Regulations of 2003.
No person below the age of twelve can 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 person 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. - SAnews.gov.za
