The Limpopo initiation schools are scheduled to commence on the 19th June and end on the 20th July 2015. The closing date for submission of applications to conduct initiation schools for the year 2015 closed on the 13th March 2015. The House of Traditional leaders will conduct a workshop for all Senior Traditional Leaders who qualify for initiation schools 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 29 May 2015. MEC for CoGHSTA and Limpopo House of Traditional Leaders call upon parents to verify the legitimacy of initiation schools they intend to send their children with their respective Traditional Authorities.
There will be zero tolerance to people who want to take chances by running initiation schools without permits, with the following measures in place:
- 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 unauthorised 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 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.
- 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.
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 for 2015
For more information contact:
Chairperson of the Working Committee on Initiation Schools
Hosi Eric Chauke
Cell: 082 678 7573
