This was revealed on Saturday (31/5) by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa at the launch of the Safe Customary Initiation Awareness Campaign in the Premier’s Auditorium in the OR Tambo Building, Bloemfontein. 

Speaking about the 2025 winter initiation season and beyond, he said 94 deaths related to customary initiation were recorded in 2024. The Free State accounted for 26 fatalities, while the Eastern Cape reported 43. “These were young men who were healthy, and some were breadwinners in their homes.” 

At these initiation seasons, 33 deaths were recorded in the winter and 68 in the summer, indicating an upward trend of fatalities during warmer months. He said that while illegal initiation schools remain a significant concern, legal schools are also failing to uphold adequate safety standards.

Royalty attended the launch of the 2025 Safer initiation campaign launched in Bloemfontein. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi

“Of these deaths 64 occurred in legal initiation schools, while 30 took place in illegal schools.”  

Hlabisa also reported eleven amputations linked to initiation practices in 2024, with five in the Eastern Cape, four in the Free State, and one each in the Northern and Western Cape. Six of these amputations occurred in illegal schools, while five were in legal schools. Seven of the eleven amputations took place during winter, and four during summer.

Primary causes of fatalities and injuries 

• Unregistered schools: Many operated without healthcare support.
• Unqualified practitioners: Violations of the Customary Initiation Act.
• Neglect of basic needs: Lack of clean water, sanitation, and food.
• Medical issues: Untreated infections, dehydration, excessive bleeding, and failure to accommodate chronic medication.
• Abuse: Reports of excessive beatings and physical punishment.

One alarming incident involved eight boys found initiating others, while the kidnapping of initiates was also reported in some schools. Hlabisa appealed for cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure a safe initiation process.

“We want to appeal to all traditional leaders and families sending their sons to initiation schools: If we can avoid all that I have read about, we can achieve our goal of zero deaths,” he said.

The government, in collaboration with other departments such as health and education, as well as law enforcement agencies, is ramping up efforts to ensure the safety of initiates. Initiation schools and practitioners will be required to comply with regulations, and non-compliance will result in closure and arrests. Regular inspections and medical check-ups will also be conducted.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg