Local Committee Formed to Monitor Initiation Schools in North West

In response to recent tragedies and concerns over the safety of initiates, the Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in the North West has applauded the establishment of a local committee aimed at strengthening the monitoring of initiation schools ahead of the upcoming winter initiation term. This development comes after the unfortunate deaths of four initiates at a sham school operating within the Mahikeng Local Municipality jurisdiction during the summer season.

Led by the Executive Mayor, Councillor Tshepiso Mphehlo, the inaugural initiation school Lekgotla convened on Friday to tackle the issue of unscrupulous operators, drawing participation from over 50 principals of initiation schools and various stakeholders.

Pastor Lesiba Kgwele, Convenor of the MRM Provincial Interim Committee, expressed satisfaction at the consensus reached during the gathering, emphasizing the necessity of ensuring that initiation rites remain safe, healthy, and devoid of criminal activities or human rights abuses. He underscored the non-negotiable nature of compliance with the Custom Initiation Act, No. 2 of 2021, urging vigilance against those who exploit customary practices for personal gain.

Furthermore, Kgwele commended the committee’s commitment to addressing bullying within schools, particularly during initiation periods, and pledged the MRM’s collaboration with the Department of Basic Education to instill a culture of human rights in schools.

Executive Mayor Mphehlo highlighted the immediate objectives of the newly formed nine-member committee, including the establishment of cluster committees covering all wards, aiding in vetting processes, combating fraudulent practices, and intervening in troubled schools to curb bullying.

Andries Stemmer, Chairperson of the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC), lauded Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipality for setting an example in compliance with age requirements for school principals, urging other municipalities to follow suit.

On the health front, Keletso Leburu from the Health Department outlined plans for thorough screening, risk assessment, and regular check-ups for initiates to mitigate health risks associated with initiation rites.

Representatives from the South African Police Service (SAPS), Brigadiers Ditlhoriso Mashaba and Phenyo Otukile, reiterated a zero-tolerance approach towards non-compliance with the law and pledged to crack down on criminal activities such as abduction, extortion, and theft linked to initiation ceremonies.

As communities gear up for the winter initiation term, the formation of this local committee signals a concerted effort to safeguard the well-being of initiates and preserve the cultural significance of traditional initiation rites in the North West province.