THE closure of seven illegal initiation schools on Wednesday, 5 July, has made the local chief a happy man.
Chief Ishmael Mahlangu Kaule of the Ndzundza Mdalanyana Traditional Council in Atteridgeville, Tshwane, wants illegal initiation schools that refuse to comply to be closed.
Mahlangu Kaule advised people who want to start an initiation school to consult with him first, as there are structures in place created by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi.
The chief said that people should apply three months in advance before opening a school.
"I have distanced myself since I realised that some people were working illegally, and seven illegal initiation schools have been closed," he said.
The chief said that people who are allowed to open an initiation school must be over 40 years old.
"We want to preserve our culture so that it does not die," he said.
The chief said he was also not happy about initiation schools that operate during school time.
"I was shocked to find out that children were being initiated in the bushes while other kids were in school," he said.
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The chief said they will conduct an awareness campaign in 2024 to inform people in Atteridgeville about the initiation school and its good and bad points.
Thokozani Mlambo (27) said: "It's good that illegal initiation schools are closed because people can die if the necessary precautions are not followed."
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs spokesman, Legadima Leso said the department is working with a number of role-players and partners, including communities, to ensure initiates use only registered schools.
"We are also working closely with law enforcement to put an end to these illegal schools. However, it is evident that although we are working hard to eradicate these fake schools, a number of them are still mushrooming in some areas," he said.
Leso urged communities to work with them to ensure the safety of the initiates by stopping these unregistered initiation schools.
