Boys return home safely from initiation school

More than 800 boys who attended initiation school in Magondweni returned home safely last Saturday. The owner of the initiation school, Mr Azwitamisi Munarini, thanked all those responsible for ensuring that the young ones had a casualty-free experience. He ascribed this to the cooperation between traditional surgeons like himself and the provincial health department, which had made sure that all participants were in good health before they were admitted to the initiation school.

Munarini, who took over the reins from his late father, said he was happy to continue with the family’s practice of running a safe, traditional initiation school. “I started my own school in 2006 and I have staged five schools so far.” He added that he had operated on more than 6,000 initiates in his schools without any fatalities. “That is because of the support and guidance we get from local traditional leaders, CoGHSTA, the health department, and the premier’s office,” he said. “When initiates join our school, we allow them to bring their medication from home with them. We don’t want the kids to get sick at the initiation school. A kid at home is still a kid at the initiation school, and that’s what we want.”

One of the children who attended the school, Samuel Muthenga (12), said that he had requested permission from his parents to attend because he had wanted to go there. “I am very happy that I went there and completed it. I would not feel like a man if I did not go there, but now I am proud that I went through the same process that my father and forefathers went through,” said Muthenga. He stated that they had learned a lot about their culture as well as respect for others.

One of the parents, Mr Samuel Baloyi, was also there to welcome back his son. “I’m delighted to see my son back home. He spent the whole month in the mountains. Everything is well, and we are happy and satisfied,” said Baloyi.

Date:18 July 2024

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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