A heartbreaking tragedy has unfolded in Limpopo, where a 12-year-old boy has lost his life following a fire incident at an initiation school near Maake, outside Tzaneen.
The young initiate had suffered severe burn injuries and was initially treated in a local hospital in Limpopo before being transferred to a facility in Gauteng. Despite medical efforts, he sadly succumbed to his injuries.
This marks the second death reported during this year’s initiation season in the province. Earlier in the week, a 19-year-old initiate living with epilepsy also died while undergoing traditional initiation rituals at another school in Dennilton.
These incidents have deeply shaken the community and raised renewed concern over the safety of initiation schools. The provincial government expressed sorrow over the loss of these young lives, calling the deaths a tragic reminder of the urgent need to protect those participating in these rites of passage.
Last year, leaders within the traditional initiation sector had already emphasized the need for stronger measures to prevent fatalities. Unfortunately, this year’s season has once again been marred by grief.
As families mourn and questions arise, many are calling for renewed commitment to safety, supervision, and accountability within initiation schools—so that these sacred traditions no longer come at such a devastating cost.