By Teboho Moloi
QWAQWA – Only one initiate has been reported dead during the 2025 summer initiation season in QwaQwa, a figure traditional leaders say is still unacceptable despite being far lower than in other provinces.
The death comes as the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, announced that his department is reviewing provincial monitoring plans in the Free State and Eastern Cape after the two provinces recorded the highest number of initiation-related deaths nationally.
Chairperson of the Maluti-a-Phofung initiation schools committee, Chief Lerotholi Mopeli, said stricter laws and tighter enforcement were urgently needed to ensure that no lives are lost during initiation seasons.
“One life lost is one too many. Our goal is zero deaths. Every child who goes to the mountains must return home alive,” Mopeli said.
While expressing condolences to the affected family, Mopeli partially blamed the health department, saying inadequate medical screening of initiates contributed to the fatality.
He alleged that health officials failed to properly assess whether some initiates were medically fit to undergo initiation.
“In this particular case, the initiate became ill, was taken to hospital and later passed away. A post-mortem revealed stomach sores, meaning he already had a serious medical condition. Had proper screening been done, he should not have been declared fit to go to the mountains this year,” Mopeli said.
He also appealed to parents to stop using initiation schools as rehabilitation centres for children struggling with drug addiction, particularly nyaope.
“It becomes extremely difficult. Nyaope users often refuse to eat proper food, survive on snacks and avoid drinking water. When it rains, they easily fall ill in the mountains, and this puts their lives at risk,” he said.
Mopeli further revealed that three additional deaths were recorded during the season, involving people who were visiting initiates in the mountains. One of the deaths is believed to be a suicide.
According to Mopeli, the body of one man was found between mountain slopes and was retrieved by helicopter several days after being discovered.
Another person reportedly died after going into shock due to a chronic illness, while the third had a history of epilepsy.
He also condemned acts of gangsterism and criminality associated with some initiation activities, describing them as deeply disrespectful to Basotho culture and traditions.
Looking ahead, Mopeli said traditional leaders and initiation committees would introduce monthly programmes in preparation for the 2026 summer initiation season, with a strong focus on compliance and safety.
“Among the programmes we are planning is the introduction of food security stokvels in partnership with businesses. We want to ensure initiation schools have enough food to sustain initiates for the full five weeks,” he said.
Nationally, 48 initiates were reported to have died during the 2025 summer initiation season.
One Response
The initiation school no longer good place for our kids bcs of the things that were done there.