On Thursday, 11 June 2026 the Makana Local Municipality Initiation Forum conducted the launch of the Winter Customary Male Initiation Season at the Foley’s Ground Indoor Sports Center. Parents and future initiates were urged to comply with the regulations to ensure safety, while strategic measures were outlined to protect lives, prevent violence, and curb underage drinking.
The initiation forum is made up of stakeholders, such as government departments, traditional leaders, male initiation practitioners and community organisations/members, that work to ensure the safety and cultural integrity of the traditional initiation season. Their responsibilities include monitoring registered initiation schools, preventing illegal schools, and promoting awareness about the importance of the custom while addressing issues like dehydration and botched circumcisions that can lead to deaths.
The programme was chaired by Council Speaker, Cllr Mabhuti Matyumza and the guest speaker was Nkosi Buyanda Matanzima, Vice-Chairperson of the Provincial House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders Matanzima.
Stakeholders in attendance included Isiko loluntu, SAPS, EC Liquor Board, Department of Education, Sarah Baartman District Municipality. This follows the successful launch of the provincial launch in the beginning of the month.
On 09 June 2026, the Eastern Cape House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, in conjunction with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and the Chris Hani District Municipality, launched the 2026 Winter Initiation Season at the Thobi Kula Indoor Sports Centre in Komani.
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Issued by the Makana Municipality Communications Office.
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