Minister warns violators face immediate closure as winter season begins with new safety protocols.
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa – Government has launched a zero-death campaign for the 2025 winter initiation season following last year’s tragic deaths of 94 young initiates and 11 amputations.
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa officially launched the winter customary initiation season on Saturday in Bloemfontein. The campaign operates under the theme “Mabaye Bephila, Babuye Bephila” – meaning “let them go alive, let them return alive” in local languages.
“Any school that contravenes the law, disregards safety regulations or endangers lives will be closed without hesitation. The law is unequivocal and applies to all,” Hlabisa said at the weekend launch.
The 2024 season saw 94 fatalities and 11 amputations, with the Eastern Cape and Free State provinces recording the highest numbers. Government statistics show hundreds of male Xhosa initiates have died from complications since 1995, with thousands suffering permanent injuries including amputations.
Traditional initiation marks the transition to adulthood and remains deeply embedded in South African cultural identity. Male initiation among the Xhosa people involves circumcision and seclusion in specially constructed lodges, where young men learn survival skills and social responsibilities from elders.
The government strengthened oversight through the Customary Initiation Act of 2021, which demands registration of initiation schools and traditional surgeons. The Act requires written consent from parents for minors and forbids initiation for children under 16. It restricts initiation seasons to school holidays.
Strategic measures for 2025 include mandatory registration and verification of initiation schools, comprehensive medical screening for all initiates, thorough training and vetting of traditional surgeons and caregivers, establishment of monitoring units and emergency response services, and strict enforcement of health protocols to reduce risks such as dehydration and hypothermia.
The Department of Health will provide clinical support and conduct medical assessments. The Department of Basic Education will monitor student participation. The South African Police Service will shut down illegal initiation schools while the National Prosecuting Authority takes legal action against violations.
However, the regulations face criticism from traditional practitioners and scholars of customary law. Recent directives require all individuals overseeing initiates to undergo criminal record screening at police stations. Some traditional surgeons argue this shows government misunderstanding of how initiation schools function.
Anthony Diala, a scholar of African customary law, argues the tension reflects deeper conflicts between indigenous and colonial legal systems. “Indigenous laws cherish communal welfare. Common laws prioritise individual wellbeing,” he explains. European colonial judges previously refused to enforce customs they considered contrary to Western notions of justice.
Free State ranks second in initiation school deaths nationally, prompting provincial authorities to warn against illegal operations. MEC for Cooperative Governance Saki Mokoena said violators face arrest and prosecution.
The debate reveals South Africa’s ongoing struggle to balance cultural preservation with public health protection. While critics argue state regulation imposes Western values on African customs, supporters emphasise the government’s obligation to protect young lives.
Traditional leaders have joined the safety campaign. King Mabhena, chair of the South African Majesties Forum, participated in the launch, demonstrating institutional support for safer practices while maintaining cultural authenticity.
The winter initiation season typically runs during school holidays to comply with education requirements. Government departments will coordinate closely to monitor compliance and respond to emergencies throughout the period.
