Latest news with #BasikopoMakamu
The Citizen
2 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Initiation season 2025: Limpopo approves 530 schools
Quick read Acting Premier Basikopo Makamu and Health MEC Dieketseng Mashego confirmed Limpopo's readiness for the 2025 initiation school season. The season will run from June 23 to July 21 under the theme 'They must go alive and come back alive.' A total of 569 applications were received; 530 were approved – 322 for males and 208 for females. Rejected applications came from Mopani (20), Capricorn (6), Sekhukhune (7), and Waterberg (1), mostly due to land and documentation issues. Only recognised Makgoshi may host initiation schools, and all schools must comply with the Limpopo Initiation School Act. The Act sets the minimum age at 12, sparking debate among attendees who argued for younger initiates. Full story below. Full story POLOKWANE – Acting Premier Basikopo Makamu, alongside Health MEC Dieketseng Mashego and the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) executive, held a media briefing last Wednesday to announce Limpopo's readiness for the 2025 Initiation School Season. This year's season will run from June 23 to 21 July under the guiding theme, 'A ba ye ba phela, ba boye ba phela', which translates to 'They must go alive and come back alive'. Later in the day, the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta) hosted a pre-initiation school workshop at the Jack Botes Hall. The workshop aimed to clarify the responsibilities of permit holders, senior traditional leaders, traditional surgeons, and caregivers during the 2025 season. PICC chairperson Hosi Chauke and deputy chairperson Kgosi Rammupudu reported that 569 applications were received for both winter and summer initiation schools. Of these, 530 were approved – 322 for male initiates and 208 for female initiates. Makamu stressed that only officially recognised Makgoshi from Limpopo districts would be permitted to host initiation schools. Rejected applications included Mopani (20), Capricorn (6), Sekhukhune (7) and Waterberg (1) and the reasons for rejection ranged from land jurisdiction issues to missing required documentation. According to the Limpopo Initiation School Act, no child under the age of 12 is allowed to be admitted for initiation. This regulation sparked lively debate among those present. Some caregivers advocated for younger initiates, citing faster healing, while others questioned the age restriction in traditional circumcision when no such requirement exists in western medical circumcision. In response, Rammupudu urged attendees to respect the law, despite differing opinions. 'We hear your concerns. But we must remember, we did not create this law, the government did. We promise to engage with government on potential age amendments, but for now, let us abide by the law to avoid imprisonment.' Health MEC Dieketseng Mashego confirmed that her department would collaborate closely with the police and traditional surgeons to prevent complications. 'We will deploy doctors and nurses to safeguard the initiates. Importantly, we'll send medical personnel who have previously undergone initiation, to respect cultural protocols.' The PICC, in partnership with the police, Education, Health, and the National Prosecuting Authority committed to ongoing monitoring of all legal initiation schools to ensure strict compliance and the safety of all initiates. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
05-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Tzaneen's Talana hostel upgrade to bring 146 homes
TZANEEN – The Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA) has announced the construction of 146 Community Residential Units (CRUs) at Talana Hostel in Tzaneen as part of its R2.57 billion Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and budget. Speaking during the presentation, CoGHSTA MEC Basikopo Makamu confirmed that the project is set to begin in the second quarter of 2025, with the procurement process for a contractor already underway. 'To keep up with growing housing demands due to migration, we are prioritising the construction of CRUs in areas like Talana under the Greater Tzaneen Municipality,' Makamu said. He also highlighted efforts to address critical infrastructure challenges, noting that CoGHSTA will assist water service authorities in upgrading sewer systems posing health risks in areas such as Dan village in Tzaneen. He reported that while the sewer line in Makotse village has been completed, engineering designs for Dan village are in progress following a detailed site assessment. Makamu reaffirmed the department's commitment to reducing informal settlements, including targeted intervention in the Maruleng Municipality. He further outlined progress on various projects in the Mopani District, including the Ha-Mawasha Sewer Bulk Line, Giyani Extension F and H Bulk Water Pipelines, and the Siyandhani Bulk Sewer Pipeline. Makamu said he recently visited the Giyani Section F and Masakaneng bulk water and sewage projects. He praised the progress, especially in Giyani Section F, where the project is complete and ready for municipal allocation of residential sites. The development has already created 21 job opportunities and is expected to benefit 365 households, he said. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
