There were three deaths reported as over 68 326 boys and girls graduated after the Limpopo initiation period came to an end.

The Province hosted a total of 587 legal male and female initiation schools. 93 less than the 680 schools of the year 2022. The province equally witnessed a decrease in the total initiates from 79 529 last year to 68 329 this year.

Most of the initiation schools in Limpopo ended the initiation period this past weekend. Unfortunately, a 44-year-old male initiate died in the Thohoyandou area. One initiate died in Tafelkop in the Sekhukhune area and the other at Zebediela in the Capricorn district.

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Some initiates were welcomed back by MEC for COGHSTA Basikopo Makamu at Ha-Mashamba village, outside Louis Trichardt on Saturday. Despite the decrease in the number of deaths of initiates between 2022 and this year from four to three deaths, MEC Makamu says while the improvement is recognized, the loss of one life is one too many.

“Our hearts break at these numbers. As we mourn, we want to remind parents of initiates to adhere to the law that governs schools,” said MEC Makamu

“In two cases this year, children passed away due to parents forgetting to provide vital information and medication for the medical conditions of their children,” he revealed.

Compared to the 2022 initiation season there was the closure of four schools out of 44. Cases have now been opened on 14 of these.

INITIATION PERIOD COMES TO AN END

“The sustained dedication our people show to this traditional rite of passage. That has been practised in our continent for centuries continues to fuel our efforts to ensure that it not only is kept alive for them. But that it is done safely within the confines of the law.”