Latest news with #Makamu
The Citizen
12-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
No deaths goal set for Limpopo initiation season
Makamu urges leaders to preserve cultural initiation values while ensuring initiates' safety through strict adherence to the law. Initiates parading in July 2022 during their arrival from the initiation school. Picture: Sibongumenzi Sibiya Limpopo MEC for cooperative governance, human settlement and traditional affairs Basikopo Makamu promised to ensure no life is lost during the 2025-26 initiation season in Limpopo. 'Our preparations for the 2025 initiation season are well underway,' Makamu said. 'My department received 569 applications for winter and summer initiation schools. Of these, the provincial initiation coordinating committee has approved 529 applications. Limpopo's initiation season aims for no fatalities 'This comprises 322 male and 208 female schools. Regrettably, 40 applications were declined due to non-compliance with Section 26 of the Customary Initiation Act (No 2 of 2021). 'Key reasons for rejection include pending litigation or court judgments, land jurisdiction disputes, leadership conflicts, incomplete documentation and traditional surgeons or caregivers having criminal records.' ALSO READ: Traditional leaders warn initiation schools to toe the line Makamu said his department will enforce the law to protect the integrity of this important traditional passage to manhood. He said the slogan for this year is a baye ba phela, ba boye ba phela (arrive alive and come back alive). The slogan was a powerful reminder that every initiate must go for initiation while healthy and return home alive, he said. 'Go to intiation healthy and return home alive' 'For generations, this rite of passage to manhood has shaped the identity, values and responsibilities of our youth. It marks their transition into adulthood – it is not a journey of peril, but of growth.' 'When conducted correctly, it instills discipline, respect and social consciousness, offering young people guidance in a world grappling with crime and substance abuse.' ALSO READ: Initiation schools: Commission wants answers on why recommendations haven't been carried out 'As leaders, we must reaffirm our commitment to preserving the dignity of this tradition while ensuring safety,' Makamu said. 'We commend the traditional councils, kingships, queenships and the houses of traditional leaders for their steadfast commitment to upholding the law. 'We also recognise headmen, women, surgeons and caregivers who have embraced the Act as a tool to safeguard our heritage.' Practice slowly losing value and respect Phillip Machubeni, whose children are being initiated in different schools in Bolobedu, said this cultural practice was slowly losing the value and the respect it had up to the '80s. 'We were told we are men after graduation. We were taught to respect elderly people, our parents and everyone senior to us,' said Machubeni. ALSO READ: Restoring tradition without reinforcing harmful patriarchy 'I doubt that is the case nowadays because most of those coming from mountain schools often disrespect their parents, indulge in substance abuse and drop out.' Kagiso Sekokotla of Lephepane, outside Lenyenye, who graduated from a mountain school in the late '90s, agreed. Graduates a menace 'Many who graduate from schools are a menace to their parents, the community and their teachers in formal schools. 'They think graduating from these schools gives them the right to experiment with sex at an early stage. Some drop out of school and cohabit with young girls.'
Eyewitness News
11-06-2025
- Eyewitness News
Limpopo Traditional Affairs MEC urges parents to verify legitimacy of initiation schools
JOHANNESBURG - Limpopo Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC Rodgers Makamu urges parents and guardians to verify the registration status of initiation schools before enrolling their children. The MEC made the call during a media briefing on Wednesday, where he was giving a report on progress made in the compliance process. More than 500 applicants have been approved for the 2025 initiation season. ALSO READ: Over 100 school applications approved for Gauteng winter initiation season Makamu also shared that they have identified 18 schools that have been operating illegally across the province. 'We will be working closely with key stakeholders to ensure compliance with the regulations of the Customer Initiation School Act. This includes the South African Police Services as you can see them here, the Department of Health, you can see I'm sitting next to the MEC here, the Department of Education, The NPA [National Prosecuting Authority] will be part of us, the permit holders, the traditional surgeons and caregivers will be part of us."
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!
