The North West Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) has welcomed the 2026 Initiation School Registration. The registration ran from the 2nd of February to the 10th of April, with compliance permits expected to be issued on the 12th of May before the schools commence on the 15th of May.
PICC Deputy Chairperson, Andries Stemmer, says they used the registration period to conduct oversight visits at the schools.
“We were able to uncover new challenges that were raised by the school principals. This gave us an opportunity to discuss measures of collaboration aimed at ramping up safety, prohibiting the operation of illegal initiation schools, as well as the forced enrolment of initiates at the schools,” said Stemmer during an interview on the North West COGTA Podcast.
He added that a total of 7 cases were opened against lawful initiation schools who were non-compliant, while others were against 4 illegal customary schools. Moreover, he indicated that some programmes aimed at addressing behavioural concerns of initiates will also be undertaken. This follows complaints received from parents and some community members, flagging dangerous practices, drug use and bullying by some initiates upon the conclusion of this cultural rite of passage.
Stemmer warned that the continuation of poor behavioural practices undermines the integrity of culture and its significance in society. He sought to encourage communities to continue reporting illegal initiation schools across the province, adding that fatalities and injuries should not be normalised. Some of the issues the PICC aims to address during the Winter Initiation Season include kidnappings and young boys who take themselves to traditional schools without their guardians’ or parents’ permission.
Stemmer says this impacts the trust and confidence of parents in traditional practices and heightens safety concerns. The Deputy Chairperson concluded by making a clarion call to all stakeholders to collaborate in ensuring an incident-free initiation period.
