The North West Department of Traditional Affairs has conveyed well wishes to hundreds of initiates, traditional surgeons, caregivers, traditional leaders, parents, and all stakeholders for a safe and successful winter initiation season.
The initiation season commenced on Friday and is expected to conclude on 17 July at all registered and accredited centres across the province.
The Department’s MEC, Oageng Molapisi, has urged all initiates, particularly non-school-going initiates who will be travelling from various areas to initiation schools, to prioritise safety and strictly adhere to all lawful and cultural processes throughout the initiation period.
“As the winter initiation commences, we wish all initiates safe travels and a successful journey through this important and sacred cultural rite of passage.
Initiation remains one of the most respected traditions within our communities and must always be conducted with the highest level of responsibility, care, and respect for human life,” said Molapisi.
The MEC further emphasised the importance of compliance with all legislative and health prescripts governing initiation schools, including proper registration, medical screening, continuous monitoring, and cooperation with law enforcement agencies and healthcare practitioners.
“We call upon traditional leaders, principals of initiation schools, parents, and guardians to ensure that only legally recognised initiation schools operate during this period.
The safety, health, and wellbeing of initiates must remain our collective responsibility and priority,” added Molapisi.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) has divided the season into two groups, with non-school-going initiates commencing initiation activities on Friday, while school-going initiates will begin in the next two weeks.
The committee has also approved a total of 92 male initiation schools and 29 female initiation schools across the province for participation in the 2026 winter initiation season, following the processing and verification of applications.
“PICC, working with the Department, traditional leadership structures, law enforcement agencies, and the Department of Health, has undertaken to monitor initiation schools throughout the season to ensure compliance and enable immediate intervention where necessary,” explained PICC Deputy Chairperson Andries Stemmer.
Stemmer encouraged parents and guardians to verify the legitimacy of the schools before allowing initiates to attend and to report any illegal initiation activities to the relevant authorities.
He also warned that the continuation of poor behavioural practices undermines the integrity of the practice and its significance in society.
