KWAMHLANGA – A total of 716 initiates returned home safely after completing the initiation programme at Kgoshi Mashilo Initiation School on Sunday, 28 June 2026.
Community leaders celebrated the successful completion of the programme, with no fatalities or injuries reported.
Kgoshi Speedy Mashilo, who also serves as the Mpumalanga MEC for Human Settlements, Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), said he was pleased that all 716 initiates had returned home healthy and safe. "Twenty-four schools are closed because they are illegally operating and we cannot accept them. We've got over 921 initiation schools that are legally operating in Mpumalanga," he said.
"We are urging people to stop opening illegal initiation schools because they are very dangerous. All initiation schools must be registered and known by traditional leaders so that if anything happens, the initiates are protected." Through COGHSTA, the provincial government is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the initiation season, including the registration and monitoring of initiation schools, promoting compliance with legislation and safety standards, working with traditional leaders and law enforcement, and helping prevent illegal initiation schools to safeguard initiates.
One of the oldest graduates, 43-year-old Dumisani Mahlangu, said he was grateful to have completed the initiation process.
"I'm very happy that finally I've managed to go and perform my culture. All I want to say is that there's no one who will force you to go to initiation school if you are not ready. It takes time. A person must open their heart and be willing. I'm very glad that today I've managed to perform my culture with dignity and pride."
Mahlangu encouraged others to attend initiation school when they feel ready and to preserve their culture.
Speaking to a young graduate, 11-year-old Lebohang Letšholo from Nkangala Dark City, said the experience was challenging, but elders guided them throughout the process.
"It was a new environment for us young ones, but we survived because our elders taught us every step of the way. I'm proud to be a graduate today. I'm going home with respect for my parents and my elders. I'm still young at eleven, so I'm going back to school to focus on my studies."
Letšholo said he was grateful for the care, support and guidance he received during the initiation programme.
Speaking to Highveld Chronicle, Patrick Masanabo, whose son was among the graduates, said he visited the initiation school almost every day throughout the programme.
"I'm confident that everything we taught my son, together with what he learnt during initiation, will stay with him. I pray that he returns to school with the same respect and dedication he had before."
Kgoshi Mashilo urged the graduates to return to school to complete their studies or go back to work if they were employed.
"They must preserve their culture at all times and always show respect. Being initiated does not mean they should treat other people differently. They are now expected to understand and respect everyone with dignity."
