Free State PICC Intensifies Awareness and Enforcement ahead of
2026 Winter Initiation Season
The Free State Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee
(PICC), established by the Premier of the Free State in terms of Section 11(1)
of the Customary Initiation Act, 2021, continues to strengthen efforts aimed at
promoting safe, lawful, and culturally respectful customary initiation
practices across the province.
In terms of Section 20(1) of the Act, traditional leaders are
entrusted with the overall responsibility of overseeing initiation practices
within their areas of jurisdiction. This includes promoting customary practices
among traditional communities and ensuring compliance with constitutional
principles and all relevant legislation, including the Children’s Act.
As part of its legislative mandate under Section 15 of the Act,
the PICC chaired by Kgosi Nkgahle Tsotetsi successfully conducted awareness
campaigns in all municipalities across the Free State during the 2025/26
initiation cycle. The campaigns covered both the Summer Initiation Season,
which ran from September 2025 to 30 October 2025, and the Winter Initiation
Season held from 09 April 2026 to 30 April 2026. Following these engagements,
application forms for the registration of initiation schools for the 2025/26
Summer and Winter seasons were distributed to Local Initiation
Committees.
The awareness programme focused on education, accountability,
enforcement, and the protection of initiates. It was implemented through
coordinated participation involving Traditional Councils, municipalities, the
South African Police Service (SAPS), non-profit organisations, Local Initiation
Coordinating Committees, parents and guardians, principals of initiation
schools, traditional surgeons, and caregivers.
The PICC, as a statutory body responsible for all matters
relating to customary initiation practices, remains committed to ensuring
strict adherence to the Constitution, the Customary Initiation Act, the
Children’s Act, and all other applicable legislation governing customary
initiation.
Speaking during the 2026 State of the Province Address, the
Premier of the Free State, MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, acknowledged progress made
in reducing fatalities during initiation seasons.
“We are satisfied that, working with our Traditional and Khoisan
Leaders, we managed to notably decrease the number of deaths during the winter
customary initiation season. We recorded four deaths during the Winter Season
and seventeen during the Summer Season. While this is a decrease, every death
is one too many. We will not rest until we achieve zero deaths and eliminate
criminality in initiation schools,” said the Premier.
The MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(COGTA), Saki Mokoena, also highlighted the importance of safeguarding
customary initiation practices during the Department’s 2025/26 Budget Vote
Speech.
“Customary initiation is practised by many people in our
province, as both males and females undergo this process. The safe practice of
customary initiation is therefore critical in preserving this important
cultural tradition. It remains concerning, however, that despite strict
oversight by government and stakeholders, this age-old practice continues to
face challenges such as commercialisation, unregistered schools, unregistered
traditional surgeons and caregivers, injuries, and deaths,” said MEC Mokoena.
The PICC has confirmed that the 2026 Winter Initiation Schools
Season will strictly operate within the following approved dates:
Non-school-going initiates: 12 June 2026 – 18 July
2026
School-going initiates: 26 June 2026 – 18 July 2026
The Committee has further emphasised that no initiation
activities outside the approved period will be tolerated. Communities and
stakeholders are urged to cooperate with law enforcement authorities and report
all illegal initiation activities.
The PICC reiterated that a zero-tolerance approach towards
illegal initiation practices will be enforced throughout the 2026 Winter
Initiation.
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