By OBAKENG MAJE
18 August 2025- The National Oversight Coordinating Committee and the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) will roll out an awareness campaign on the provision of the Customary Initiation Act (CIA) on 21 August 2025 at Bahurutshe Baga Moiloa Traditional Council in Dinokana village, near Lehurutshe.
The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi spokesperson, Lerato Gambu said the campaign is aimed at raising awareness about the importance of safe, lawful cultural practice, including the right of initiates, the role of traditional leaders, parents and initiation schools’ principals.
Gambu said the campaign follows the mushrooming of illegal initiation schools during the past winter initiation season, which led to over 100 initiates being rescued and tragic death of six initiates.
“The campaign is also targeted at attaining zero deaths during initiation seasons as well as eradicating unnecessary fatalities through strict enforcement of the CIA and by fostering collaboration between government, traditional leaders and communities.
“The event will be attended by the Chairperson of NIOC, Ikosi Vembi William Mahlangu, North West PICC Chairperson, Kgosi Godfrey Gasebone, Chairperson of the North West House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Kgosi Thari Maotwe, traditional leaders and representatives from government departments,” he said.
Gambu further said Gasebone has thrown his weight behind the campaign and said the emergence of illegal initiation schools, especially by chance takers who are chasing money, will never be tolerated.
Gambu added that the Customary Initiation Act aims to protect, promote and regulate initiation.
“It provides for acceptable norms and standards; initiation oversight and coordinating structures; protection of life, prevention of injuries and all forms of abuse against initiates, address the governance aspects of initiation, protect the customary practice of initiation and ensure that it is practiced within the constitutional and other legal prescripts.
“As per the Act, no person must be forced or coerced into attending the initiation school, no person under the age of 16 may attend the initiation, a person between 16 and 18 years of age may only attend after obtaining a written consent letter from parents,” he said.
Gasebone said that they call upon on all traditional school principals to work with local traditional authorities, the department and the PICC to ensure compliance and approval of hosting the initiation school.
“If we all comply, this will go a long way in safeguarding the lives of our young people,” he said.
Meanwhile, initiation school principals have until 3 October 2025, to apply to operate schools during summer initiation season. The traditional surgeon must also be 40 years-old and above, must have undergone initiation over 10 years ago, must have been mentored as a surgeon for a period of five years.
The Guardian 