The Free State and Eastern Cape provinces have recorded the highest number of initiates’ fatalities during the 2025 summer initiation season.
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Mr Velenkosini Hlabisa, has this week convened a high-level engagement to receive updates on initiates’ deaths recorded during the 2025 summer initiation season and to assess the Eastern Cape and Free State Provincial Monitoring Plans currently being implemented until the end of January 2026.
The meeting brought together Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Premiers and MECs, the SALGA President, senior government officials, traditional leaders, and representatives of the National Initiation Oversight Committee (NIOC) and Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committees (PICCs). This followed the 23 December 2025 engagement with District Development Model (DDM) Champions and key stakeholders to address the continued loss of lives during initiation seasons.
Regrettably, a total of 48 initiates have lost their lives nationwide, with the Eastern Cape and Free State recording the highest number of fatalities.
The Eastern Cape reported a high volume of late pre-screenings, particularly in Amathole, Buffalo City, Chris Hani and OR Tambo District Municipalities, with Nyandeni Local Municipality identified as a key area of concern. All identified districts will continue intensified monitoring until the end of January 2026, with provincial departments and municipalities providing additional resources. Rescue interventions will be implemented where illegal initiation schools are detected, and the Provincial Initiation Forum has committed to closing such schools and accommodating rescued initiates at designated rescue centres.
In the Free State, provincial monitoring will continue until 11 January 2026, focusing on both graduation ceremonies and initiation schools still in operation, with particular attention on identified hotspot areas. The province raised emerging challenges related to cross-border initiation school principals operating along the Lesotho border who evade accountability, as well as incidents of stock theft linked to graduation ceremonies. These matters are under investigation, with arrests already effected.
Both provinces presented monitoring and intervention plans that include intensified inspections, strengthened coordination between traditional leadership, health services, SAPS, municipalities and community structures, decisive action against illegal initiation schools, and ongoing public awareness campaigns promoting safe and lawful customary initiation.
The meeting emphasised that the success of the initiation process depends on coordinated action by all stakeholders, beginning with families and elders, who play a primary role in safeguarding initiates. Traditional leaders and government were recognised as critical partners in ensuring effective protection systems.
Looking ahead to the remaining days of the summer initiation season, Minister Hlabisa called for heightened vigilance and intensified monitoring in hotspot areas, with the clear objective of preventing any further loss of life.
