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Winter initiation season opens with renewed focus on safety

Winter initiation season opens with renewed focus on safety The official opening of the 2026 Winter Initiation Season in the Eastern Cape has been accompanied by renewed calls for safe, responsible and dignified initiation practices, as government intensifies efforts to eliminate deaths, injuries and illegal initiation schools. According to a public notice issued by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), the initiation season officially opened for out-of-school boys on Monday, 8 June, while in-school initiates are scheduled to begin on Friday, 19 June 2026. “Parents, guardians, traditional leaders, and communities, are encouraged to ensure that all initiates undergo the necessary health pre-screening process before attending initiation schools,” the notice said. The department added that the Department of Health screening facilities opened on 8 June and will remain operational until 3 July 2026. The campaign is being rolled out under the theme of promoting a safe, responsible and dignified initiation season, with the message: “Mabaye Bephila, Babuye Bephila” (They must go alive and come back alive). Speaking during the recent Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs' 2026/27 Budget Vote in Cape Town, Deputy Minister Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe said government remains committed to protecting initiates and preserving the cultural significance of the customary practice. “Last year we made a commitment to raise awareness with the winter initiation season upon us, and to continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to raise awareness in our communities and minimise casualties during the initiation seasons,” Burns-Ncamashe said. He noted that Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committees (PICCs) have strengthened coordination efforts, particularly in hotspot provinces, to achieve the goal of zero casualties during initiation seasons. The Deputy Minister said the mobilisation campaign has also included the Majesties Forum, whose members have contributed proposals aimed at safeguarding the practice from individuals operating illegal initiation schools and undermining its cultural value. “The focus interventions continued in all provinces and in provinces that were considered hotspots. The Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committees (PICCs) increased their coordination to ensure that we establish a footprint that leads us to zero casualties. “The mobilisation also included the Majesties forum who also contributed proposals to ensure that this customary practice is protected against unscrupulous people who erode the importance and cultural value of this customary practice toward nation building and social cohesion,” the Deputy Minister said. Burns-Ncamashe further highlighted a national dialogue on customary initiation hosted by COGTA Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa in February 2026. The dialogue brought together traditional leaders and other stakeholders to develop a common strategy to reduce initiation deaths, prevent amputations and eradicate illegal initiation schools during customary initiation seasons. “The interventions by the Minister supported by the department and traditional leaders are contributing towards raising consciousness in administering safe initiation practices and also reduction of initiation deaths and amputations. Even if in some instances the reduction is low, it is a welcomed and encouraging sign of progress,” Burns-Ncamashe said. He commended traditional leaders, government departments, health professionals, and community stakeholders for prioritising the safety and wellbeing of initiates. “Our shared goal is clear: zero deaths, zero harm and a dignified experience for every initiate. This is not just the responsibility of one entity, but a collective obligation that must be championed through an all-of-government and all-of-society approach,” he said. As the 2026 winter initiation season gets underway, authorities have called on communities to remain vigilant and support efforts to ensure that customary initiation remains a respected cultural practice that upholds the dignity, health and safety of all initiates. “Let us ensure that 'Mabaye Bephila, Babuye Bephila'. This should not be a slogan to appease, but a reality,” Burns-Ncamashe said. – SAnews.gov.za GabiK Mon, 06/08/2026 - 13:26 0