Traditional leaders suspend initiation season

This comes after the house of traditional leaders suspended the winter initiation season.

The chairperson of HTL, Chief Malesela Dikgale said that the suspension of the initiation schools follows the extension of the declaration of the state of disaster in mid-March 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases believing that the third wave will likely hit around May-June.

“HTL decided to suspend the initiation till further notice. The decision is informed by the threat of the speed of spread of the coronavirus pandemic and to save lives of the initiates,” said Chief Dikgale.

He said that all initiation schools in the province should remain suspended until it is safe for all to can participate in this important passage for young men and women to become responsible adults in society.

Also read: Initiation rites remain suspended

“We are calling all senior traditional leaders to work hand in hand with government in ensuring that all stakeholders adhere to the call that all initiation schools should not be launched in their communities during the winter initiation season. We will keep assessing the environment, checking the risks related to Covid- 19 and guided by the National Command Council and all other key stakeholders,” said Dikgale.

He assured the public that the house of traditional leaders is working with the relevant stakeholders, Department of Health, and the police in preparation for the next initiation school season.

“I can confirm that as traditional leaders in this province, we are ready to sit down with all the relevant stakeholders to address issues relating to initiation and practices. The house is calling all stakeholders, especially traditional leaders to prioritize the health of the initiates,” he said.

He warned that failure to adhere to the rules and regulations will lead to prosecution.