The female initiation season in Limpopo has ended, with many initiates graduating this weekend. The schools were halted for two consecutive years due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The break has led to a large number of applications for permits to practice the old-age tradition.
Excitement and ululation as those who went to the initiation school as girls, now come home as women. Initiation for girls is a practice in some African cultures, which marks a rite of passage to adulthood. This also prepares young women to be responsible members of society.
According to the House of Traditional Leaders in Limpopo, over 500 initiation school permits were issued this year. Some initiates, who have gone through the passage to adulthood, have expressed happiness about the experience.
“I am very excited today because I am going home to celebrate with my family as I am graduating, I was taught to respect everyone and that’s what makes me a responsible woman,”
“In our culture, women are not allowed to cook at the traditional events if they had not been to initiation school, I’m happy to be a woman today and I got a new name which is Napjadi,”
The caretaker of Mmaphaswane Initiation School in Ga-Mathabatha Tsebjane Mathabatha says this ancient tradition is important and still relevant today.
“We are too excited today because we continue to practice our culture, all initiates returned safely. We have a total of 504 initiates and we are thankful that we had a very successful initiation school, parents are happy too,”
