POLOKWANE – The constitution on initiation schools dilutes the dignity of the practice as there are no prescripts in terms of initiatives leaving the school prior to the last day of initiation.
This is the view of former chairperson of the Limpopo House of Traditional Leaders Kgoshi Letsiri Phaahla, who along with other practitioners expressed dismay at the return of initiates from the mountains ahead of the prescribed time.
A man from Seshego, in his mid-twenties, recently went missing from his home only to be found at an initiation school in Moletjie.
It is not clear how he ended up at the school, but the man’s parents had apparently negotiated for him to be released. One of the convenors of the school, Letladi Moloto, declined the opportunity to comment, saying BONUS should attend the welcoming ceremony on Saturday to ask all questions there.
You might also want to read: Limpopo initiation school season well underway
In another area, a school that operated illegally was recently closed down by the police and all initiates were sent home.
According to section 9(1) of the Initiation School Regulations of 2003, no person may abduct another for the purpose of taking them to an initiation school. These regulations also prohibit hosting an initiation school without a valid permit.
In cases where these laws are contravened, Phaahla says the constitution does not accommodate for the “well-known procedure that once a person is at the initiation school, they only leave on the last day of initiation, regardless of how they got there”.
“How was someone forced to be there in the first place? It is unfortunate that there are people who contravene laws even when a governing committee led by traditional leaders, the NPA and police are involved. But, there are certain rituals that are performed to welcome initiates, and a similar ritual is performed once they leave. Although we are governed by the constitution, there should be prescripts that determine initiates stay until the end of the initiation process.”
According to Phaahla, initiates should not be allowed to return home without having undergone the required rituals, “even if they came against their will or without the consent from their guardians or parents. I can guarantee you, that boy will face a terrible omen.”
He said the fact that there are no clear prescripts in this regard degrades the standard set for initiation practices. “Why could they not negotiate for something better in both instances to protect all involved? They could have taken the students to a registered school, instead of taking the innocent initiates back home,” he added.
During the official opening of the initiation season on June 15, Traditional Affairs MEC Basikopo Makamu announced that the 2023 season runs from June 16 to July 15. Welcome celebrations are expected too.
Makamu said the cultural practice gives him a sense of pride.
“The provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee by Hosi Mudavula Chauke and Kgosi Boleu Rammupudu has a role to scrutinise practices, adjudicate applications and advise the premier accordingly,” he remarked.
All attempted phone calls to get comment from the committee, went unanswered.
