COGTA's Hlabisa wants 'zero deaths' during winter initiation season

JOHANNESBURG - Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa said that extra care is needed to prevent the deaths of initiates as the winter customary initiation season picks up.

Government and traditional leaders are ramping up efforts in 2025, after a deadly 2024 season when close to 100 initiates died.

Challenges during the season include deaths and injuries at registered and bogus initiation schools in hotspots in the Eastern Cape and other provinces.

Hlabisa launched the latest awareness campaign in the Free State at the weekend, where he called for zero deaths this winter.

"We are fortunate that King Mabhena, who is the chair of the South African Majesties Forum, is part of the launch, which is a demonstration that all traditional institutions are behind this culture, and we want zero deaths. We need everyone’s cooperation."