The awareness campaign for summer initiation school season, moved to Kroonstad, Moqhaka Local Municipality, Fezile Dabi District Municipality yesterday. The campaign was joined by the National Initiation Oversight Committee (NIOC) led by the chairperson, Inkosi VW Mahlangu.
Inkosi VW Mahlangu, highlighted the challenges facing initiation practices, citing the root causes of traditional malpractice that discredit cultural values. He shared the occurrences that led to the introduction of CIA and the establishment of the National Initiation Oversight Committee (NIOC) thereof.
NIOC is a South African body established to regulate and oversee customary initiation practices. Its functions include promoting compliance with the Customary Initiation Act, guiding the implementation of the act, and making recommendations to close or deregister non-compliant initiation schools.
The Customary Initiation Act (CIA), recognises that, initiation is a deeply rooted cultural practice in South Africa, representing a significant rite of passage signalling a transition to adulthood. The main purpose of the Act is to protect lives and prevent all forms of abuse that initiates may be subjected to because of unacceptable initiation practices.
The primary objective of this campaign is to promote awareness, education, and compliance with the Customary Initiation Act, which was officially enacted into law in 2021.
