By OBAKENG MAJE
3 November 2026 – The North West Provincial Initiation Coordination Committee (PICC) has strengthened preparations and enforcement measures to ensure a safe, lawful and incident-free 2026 Summer Initiation Season, with the protection of initiates’ lives, dignity and wellbeing remaining its highest priority. The preparations form part of the North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs’ commitment to ensuring that customary initiation practices are conducted in accordance with the law while preserving the cultural significance of this important custom.
The PICC has received and processed 249 applications, comprising 172 male and 77 female initiation schools. Following the assessment process, five applications were not approved due to insufficient documentation and failure to meet the prescribed requirements.
The Committee is at an advanced stage of finalising the gazetting and public announcement of permitted initiation schools for the season.
The Deputy Chairperson of the PICC, Andries Stemmer said the 2026 Summer Initiation Season will open this 6 November 2026, for non-school going prospective initiates, while the school going cohort would commence on Tuesday, 08 December 2026. Stemmer said the season is expected to conclude on 8 January 2027.
“Extensive preparations have been undertaken, including capacity-building programmes for initiation school principals, caregivers and practitioners, with emphasis on safeguarding initiates, compliance with the law and adherence to health and safety requirements.
“We have also strengthened collaboration with key stakeholders, including the South African Police Service (SAPS), National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and the Departments of Health and Social Development, to ensure a coordinated approach to monitoring, prevention and response to initiation related incidents,” he said.
Stemmer further said to strengthen compliance, a team of initiation school inspectors will be deployed to monitor schools throughout the season, identify illegal operations and enforce the relevant legislation. He added that additional inspectors will also be recruited to enhance field operations, monitoring and reporting.
“The Department of Health, together with supporting non-governmental organisations, will assist in monitoring the health and wellbeing of initiates. These interventions will complement the pre-initiation health screenings conducted before prospective initiates are admitted to schools.
“The SAPS has also prioritised initiation-related policing operations as part of its Safer Festive Season Plan. Police stations across the province will be sensitised on initiation-related offences, while Community Service Centres will remain operational 24 hours a day to ensure that incidents are reported and attended to promptly,” said Stemmer.
The Provincial Head of the SAPS Crime Prevention Unit, Brigadier Sebang Molate, said law enforcement agencies would remain vigilant throughout the season.
“Our police stations have been sensitised on initiation related matters to strengthen policing operations and improve response times. We will maintain these operations until the initiation season concludes and will act against individuals who endanger the lives of initiates or operate illegal schools.
“Community participation will also be critical in preventing illegal initiation practices. Community Policing Forums (CPFs) will work with law enforcement agencies and local communities to identify suspicious activities, promote awareness and encourage the reporting of illegal schools,” he said.
Provincial Chairperson of the CPFs, Robert Malungane, said district level mobilisation would be prioritised, particularly in identified hotspots such as Ngaka Modiri Molema and Dr Kenneth Kaunda districts.
“We will convene stakeholder meetings to mobilise communities against illegal initiation schools and ensure that parents, traditional leaders and community structures understand the dangers associated with unlawful practices. Protecting initiates is a collective responsibility, and communities must report any suspected illegal activities to the relevant authorities,” he said.
Stemmer said the PICC is also mindful of potential risks associated with extreme weather conditions linked to the El Niño phenomenon. He said permitted initiation schools have therefore been urged to put contingency measures in place to protect initiates against excessive heat, dehydration, heavy rainfall and other weather-related risks.
“The Provincial Disaster Management Centre will remain on standby to provide assistance where required. The North West Provincial Government reiterates that customary initiation must be conducted responsibly, lawfully and with the utmost respect for human life. Parents, guardians, traditional leaders and communities are urged to ensure that prospective initiates attend only permitted schools and that any unlawful activities are reported immediately.
“The province maintains a zero-tolerance approach towards illegal initiation schools, abuse and negligence. The collective objective remains clear: to preserve cultural practices while ensuring a safe, lawful and incident free 2026 Summer Initiation Season, with zero initiation related fatalities and injuries,” said Stemmer.
