The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Mr. Velenkosini Hlabisa will launch the 2025 winter Customary Initiation Season.

This sacred cultural practice, which marks the transition to adulthood, has faced challenges in the past due to unregulated initiation schools and related fatalities. In response, government enacted the Customary Initiation Act, 2021, to ensure safer practices.

This year’s season will be launched under the theme: “Mabaye Bephila, Babuye Bephila”, a call for the safety and well-being of all initiates.

Minister Hlabisa will outline the extensive preparations and critical measures being taken by government and traditional leadership to ensure that the initiation process remains a safe, dignified, and culturally significant tradition.

The launch will be attended by key stakeholders, including Cabinet Minister, the Deputy Ministers of CoGTA, the MECs of COGTA, the Kings and Queens Forums, the National and Provincial Houses of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, National Initiation Oversight Committee, representatives from law enforcement and the health sector.

Members of the media are invited to cover the briefing scheduled to take place as follows:

Date : 31 May 2025

Time : 11h00

Venue : Premier’s Auditorium, OR Tambo Building, Bloemfontein, Free State

Kindly RSVP by no later than Friday, 30 May 2025 at 14h00 with Ms Neliswa Chiloane on 066 333 0014 or NeiswaC@cogta.gov.za

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