SANAC Civil Society Forum (CSF) Chair Appeals for Safe Initiation Season and Zero Loss of Life
- Mr. Solly Nkudu, Chairperson SANAC Civil Society Forum (CSF)
As winter settles across South Africa, many communities begin one of the most important and sacred cultural rites of passage, the initiation season. This period is particularly significant in the Eastern Cape and other parts of the country where customary initiation remains a deeply respected tradition that marks the transition from boyhood to manhood.
On behalf of the SANAC Civil Society Forum, I extend my best wishes to all initiates embarking on this important journey. May they travel safely, learn valuable life lessons, and return home healthy, strong, and empowered.
Customary initiation is an integral part of our cultural heritage and identity. It teaches discipline, responsibility, respect, and community values. However, while we honour and preserve this sacred tradition, we must also reaffirm our collective commitment to protecting the lives, health, and dignity of every initiate.
No family should lose a child during a cultural practice intended to prepare young people for adulthood. Every death, injury, or act of negligence associated with initiation is preventable and undermines the very values that this tradition seeks to uphold.
The 2026 Winter Initiation Season has opened under the theme “Mabaye Bephila, Babuye Bephila,” meaning “They must go alive and come back alive.” This message must guide the actions of every stakeholder involved in the initiation process.
I therefore urge all initiates, parents, traditional leaders, traditional healers, caregivers, initiation school principals, community members, health practitioners, and government authorities to prioritise safety and ensure strict adherence to all lawful and cultural requirements throughout the initiation period.
The Customary Initiation Act (Act 2 of 2021) provides a framework to safeguard initiates while preserving cultural traditions. Compliance with the Act is not optional. All initiation schools must be properly registered and monitored, initiates must undergo medical screening before admission, and continuous health oversight must be maintained throughout the season.
I call upon traditional leaders and communities to ensure that only legally recognised initiation schools are allowed to operate. Illegal schools continue to pose a serious threat to the wellbeing of initiates and must be reported to the relevant authorities immediately. Government, traditional leadership structures, law enforcement agencies, healthcare professionals, parents, and communities must work together to achieve a zero-death initiation season.
Key Safety Priorities
- Parental Responsibility: Parents and guardians must actively participate in the initiation process by ensuring that their children attend only registered and recognised initiation schools, undergo the necessary medical screening, and understand their rights and responsibilities.
- Compliance with the Law: The Customary Initiation Act requires adherence to prescribed standards, including parental consent for initiates between the ages of 16 and 18 years and the prohibition of forced participation.
- Community Vigilance: Communities should remain alert and report any illegal initiation schools, abuse, neglect, or unsafe practices to the relevant authorities without delay.
- Collective Accountability: The safety and wellbeing of initiates is a shared responsibility. Success will depend on strong collaboration between government departments, traditional leadership structures, civil society organisations, families, and communities.
As we embark on this year’s initiation season, let us remember that cultural preservation and the protection of human life must go hand in hand. Together, we can ensure that this sacred rite of passage continues to instil pride, identity, and dignity while safeguarding the lives of those entrusted to our care.
To all initiates, I wish you a safe journey, a meaningful experience, and a successful return to your families and communities.
May you go safely and return safely.