By Staff Reporter
QWAQWA – Relief and pride filled Makwane Village on Friday, 26 December, as the first group of initiates returned home safely after spending several weeks in the mountains for their initiation rite, with no injuries or loss of life reported.
Families, elders and community members gathered to welcome the initiates, celebrating the successful completion of a cultural process regarded as a crucial transition from boyhood to manhood.
Their safe return was widely praised as a reflection of strict supervision, discipline and collective responsibility throughout the initiation period.
During their stay in the mountains, the initiates received traditional teachings centred on discipline, respect, responsibility and cultural values.
Community members expressed gratitude to all those involved in safeguarding the initiates, noting that the successful outcome demonstrated the importance of cooperation between parents, traditional leaders and initiation school authorities.
The return of the initiates also marks the beginning of the reintegration phase, during which they will continue to receive guidance as they assume new roles and responsibilities within their families and the broader community.
Initiation school principal Bolele Majake conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to everyone who contributed to the smooth running of the school.
“I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the parents who entrusted me with the lives of their children. I am proud to confirm that all initiates, both boys and girls, have returned home safely,” said Majake.
“Initiation school is part of our culture, and it is our collective responsibility to protect and preserve it.
Although we faced challenges along the way, we overcame them and ensured a safe and successful process.”
Majake said responsible men and women were carefully deployed to monitor and care for the initiates at all times.
“Their duty was to protect the initiates from any negative influences, including health risks and external disturbances, while providing guidance, care and support throughout the initiation period,” he explained.
Initiation school teacher David Moloi warned that gangsterism remains one of the biggest threats facing initiation schools.
“Criminal activities and negative influences pose serious risks to the safety, discipline and values taught during initiation,” Moloi said.
“Communities must work together to protect initiation schools and preserve the cultural principles they are meant to uphold.”
He added: “Initiation school is beautiful and deserves respect. One of the key lessons we were taught is respect for parents and the community. We strongly condemn any form of violence or criminal activity in the mountains.”
Community leaders echoed the call for unity and vigilance, stressing that the protection of initiation schools is essential to safeguarding culture, dignity and the lives of young initiates.
