The traditional initiation season in Limpopo is coming to an end and initiates have started returning home. The provincial government approved more than 600 initiation schools for the winter season and more than 25,000 male initiates from the across the province took part of the ritual.

Nearly 600 male initiates graduated from one of the initiation schools at Tjiane Village in Ga-Mphahlele, outside Lebowakgomo.

Initiation for boys is also a practice in other African cultures, which marks a rite of passage to adulthood.

Some initiates, who have gone through the rite of passage, including a 59-year-old man, expressed his happiness about the experience.

“I’m glad I have responded to my elders call, which I ignored for a long time. I’m so happy. I think I made peace with my ancestors. I’ve been running away from this calling of theirs for a time, but now, they have claimed me; they claimed their rights; they claim their children. I’m glad that today I’m going home. I attended initiation school two years ago, but I wasn’t able to complete it because I couldn’t attend bogwera. I came back this year to complete bogwera,” says the 59-year-old.

Some traditional leaders are pleased with the successful initiation season without challenges.

“We are all jubilating following a successful initiation season. We made it through thanks to the support of parents, caretakers and everyone. Now, 588 initiates, along with an additional 10 who came for bogwera, are graduating,” says one of the traditional leaders.

Parents and caregivers also expressed excitement with ululations and dances, as their children returned home safely.

“Initiation is part of our culture; hence, you can see that the graduates are wearing traditional attire to embrace our culture. It’s exciting that all the initiates have returned home safely, as we had heard reports of initiates losing their lives at initiation schools. We are grateful for all the support from the public and the government,” says one of the parents.

Traditional surgeon, Manwadu Dzivhuluwani, was also pleased that all 300 initiates returned home.

“It’s been 10 years since I’ve started practicing as a traditional surgeon. We are carrying over from our forefathers. Initiation school is not about money, but our rituals as black people. It’s another way to talk to our ancestors, to teach the young boys how to respect the elders, women and everyone around them.”

At least two deaths were reported during this year initiation season, according to Limpopo’s Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Basikopo Makamu.

“We did have two incidents, which is very much disappointing and not acceptable, but all in all – because we even said in the beginning that one death is too many – we have lost two of our children and condolences to the families. I am happy. We have seen our traditional surgeons, they are experienced and they are so much willing to support the children. I’m more than happy and say let’s meet as we prepare for next year,” says Makamu.

People who came to witness the initiation graduation ceremonies were excited to see their cultural practices still being preserved.

Congratulations our initiates 🎉 for successfully completing the passage to manhood. As a province we registered 25 000 initiates, from 350 male initiation schools and 150 Female initiation schools. Out of this number we regret the two valuable lives that were lost Condolences pic.twitter.com/empKzk3eyL

— Dr Phophi Ramathuba (@PhophiRamathuba) July 19, 2025