MPUMALANGA — Thousands of boys across Mpumalanga have begun attending initiation schools this winter as the provincial initiation season officially gets underway.
The provincial initiation programme officially commenced on 15 May 2026, with government and traditional leaders intensifying monitoring efforts to ensure safety and compliance at registered initiation schools.
The practice is regarded by many communities as an important cultural tradition marking the transition from boyhood to manhood.
Kgoshi Speedy Katisho Mashilo, the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Human Settlements, Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA), said government officials had already begun visiting initiation schools across the Nkangala District to verify their legitimacy and monitor compliance with regulations.
“Today is a very exciting day full of emotions as boys head to the mountain to engage in their cultural practices. As someone authorised to oversee the initiation school process, I can confirm that we have around 921 legally registered initiation schools in Nkangala District,” Mashilo said.
He said inspections would continue across Mpumalanga to identify and shut down illegal initiation schools.
“We will also visit other areas in Mpumalanga to determine the total number of initiation schools so we can address any that are not legitimate,” he said.
“We know there will be those who try to take advantage. Therefore, the government is working closely with traditional leaders, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) doctors, the Ingoma Forum and the SAPS to ensure a safe initiation school programme with no fatalities,” he said.
Mashilo said authorities were committed to enforcing health and safety protocols to prevent injuries and deaths during the initiation season.
“We will take firm action against illegal initiation schools if we find them. We want to change the mindset that says initiation schools are useless and turn our children into unruly individuals. We need to address such behaviour because it is part of our culture, and we must preserve it with dignity,” he said.
Medical practitioner Dr Vusi Masombuka urged parents to disclose initiates’ medical conditions to traditional leaders and ensure children continue taking prescribed medication while at initiation schools.
“This is the most difficult time for both parents and children, even though we are all excited that our boys are entering a new phase of becoming men,” Masombuka said.
“I urge parents to share any information about their children’s health so that there are no initiates who will go without their necessary medication.”
He warned that no initiate should be denied access to prescribed medication during the initiation process.
“Even though this period is going to be a very challenging one with hiccups, parents can’t shy away from the fact that they are happy for their sons to embark on this journey,” he said.
Father of initiate Lucas Mahlangu (43) said he was proud to see his 18-year-old son, Sibusiso Mahlangu, take part in the cultural tradition.
“I’m happy that my son is going to perform his culture with dignity. I pray that he comes back as a better person with respect and cultural values,” Mahlangu said.
“I know this is not going to be an easy ride; however, I have assured him that I’m going to be with him every step of the way, together with other initiates. As parents, we have to support our children in order to create a better society of future leaders.”
Mashilo said his initiation school alone had approximately 800 initiates this season.
Initiates are expected to return home on 31 July 2026 following the winter initiation season.
