Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA)
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, will lead and convene an emergency ministerial meeting in the Eastern Cape on Friday, amid the high number of fatalities among initiates.
The Minister's visit follows after 20 initiates lost their lives at various initiation schools.
Hlabisa will visit the Amathole District Municipality, which is amongst the districts that have recorded the highest number of initiation deaths.
During the visit, the Minister will meet all stakeholders, including provincial and local government officials, the district initiation forum, Provincial initiation committees, and the broader communities.
Department spokesperson Pearl Maseko-Binqose says the visit also confirms that culture does not kill, but those who do not follow the norms and standards contained within the Initiation Act drag down the reputation of this cultural tradition.
"The passing of any human being under any circumstances leaves families devastated. Therefore, this mass devastation caused by the passing of 20 initiates impacts and affects the whole nation and is tantamount to a disaster", Maseko-Binqose said.
