The Western Cape’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) has intensified its efforts in preparation for the 2025 Summer Initiation Season in a move aimed at ensuring the safety and dignity of initiates, Cape {town} Etc reports.
This significant rite of passage, which marks a crucial cultural period for initiates, their families and communities, will commence on 1 November 2025 and conclude on 31 January 2026.
As part of its proactive initiative to promote the welfare of participants in this deeply rooted tradition, DCAS has successfully trained a total of 680 cultural practitioners, including traditional surgeons, traditional carers, and administrators.
‘These practitioners have received capacity-building training in essential areas including fire and environmental management, health and hygiene, and specialised training tailored for traditional surgeons. This training will equip them with the necessary skills and resources to facilitate a secure environment for initiates,‘ DCAS said.
Collaboration has been at the forefront of these preparations. Alongside Initiation Forums, DCAS has revised the Initiation Minimum Standards to reinforce the importance of safety and accountability.
‘The revised standards mandate that Initiation Forums register as responsible community organisations under relevant legislation, thereby ensuring the safety of initiates and compliance by all cultural practitioners involved,’ DCAS stated.
In addition to capacity-building efforts, DCAS is taking a hands-on approach to support initiation schools throughout the province. The department is distributing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), fire equipment, and Jojo water tanks to ensure that all initiation sites are adequately prepared ahead of the summer season.
Adding to these efforts, a new digital initiation management system, approved by the Western Cape Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (WCPICC), will be launched this summer.
This innovative system is designed to enhance the efficiency of initiation applications and signifies a progressive step in safeguarding the protection and wellbeing of initiates.
Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport Ricardo Mackenzie expressed the government’s commitment: ‘The Western Cape Government is dedicated to supporting initiations in our province to ensure that all initiates can safely undergo this important and sacred practice. We wish all initiates well for the upcoming season and will continue working closely with all stakeholders to protect the welfare and dignity of all initiates.’
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Echoing this sentiment, Guy Redman, Head of the Department, emphasised the importance of collaboration: ‘Ensuring a safe and meaningful rite of passage requires strong collaboration from all role players involved from initiates and their families to cultural practitioners, health care practitioners, Initiation Forums, Traditional Leaders, Municipalities, and the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee. Each of them plays a crucial role, and by working together, we can uphold this tradition with the utmost care and respect for all.’
Nkosi Ntsika Minenkulu Joyi, chairperson of the WCPICC, celebrated the collective efforts in compliance with the Customary Initiation Act (Act 2 of 2021), stating, ‘Working hard as a collective with all stakeholders is bearing fruit in ensuring compliance across the province. We wish all initiates well as they undertake this important journey and will continue providing support to ensure that initiations are practiced safely in the Western Cape.’
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Picture: Gallo Images / Thulani Mbele (Picture used for illustrative purposes only)
