The Deputy Minister of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs, Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe, is conducting oversight visits to the Umzimvubu Local Municipality Initiation Forum as part of government’s efforts to monitor the ongoing summer initiation season.
The Deputy Minister is accompanied by the Speakers of the Umzimvubu Local Municipality and the Alfred Nzo District Municipality, as well as senior managers from the Eastern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
During the engagement, the Alfred Nzo District Initiation Forum presented a comprehensive report to the Deputy Minister, highlighting key issues and progress made during the current initiation season.
The forum reported that, to date, no initiation-related deaths have been recorded in Umzimvubu, a development that has been widely welcomed by government and community stakeholders.
Following the briefing, the Deputy Minister was scheduled to visit various initiation schools within the Umzimvubu Local Municipality to assess conditions on the ground and engage with traditional leaders and other stakeholders.
Prince Burns-Ncamashe emphasised the importance of ensuring the safety and wellbeing of initiates, while acknowledging the collective efforts of traditional leaders, initiation forums, health practitioners, parents and law enforcement agencies.
He encouraged continued cooperation and vigilance to ensure a safe initiation season, reinforcing the message: “Mabaye bephila, babuye bephila” — that initiates must leave home safely and return home safely.
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