The Limpopo government says it has taken steps to ensure that this year’s initiation season is successful.

It is set to run from the 23rd of this month until July 21.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) MEC Basikopo Makamu addressed more than 600 traditional surgeons, caregivers and school principals attending an induction workshop for the initiation season.

“Our plans for 2025 initiation season are well on track. A total of 529 applications were approved in the Modjadji traditional council.

Ten male applications were rejected because of the Modjadji royal house under her majesty, Queen Masalanabo Modjadji VII who issued a letter to the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) to suspend all initiation schools in their jurisdiction.

We take pride in being the leading light and a good example of running incident free and successful initiation schools.”

Meanwhile, the OR Tambo Initiation Forum in the Eastern Cape earlier also said it’s ready for the winter initiation season.

During last year’s winter initiation season, 14 initiates died in the province, while 28 deaths were recorded during the summer season.

The OR Tambo District usually accounts for most of the fatalities, with illegal circumcision also contributing to the deaths.