By Nkhensani Mthombeni
- Queen Masalanabo Modjadji VII’s coronation in September forces the cancellation of all initiation schools in the Modjadji kingdom this year.
- Limpopo approves 530 initiation schools for boys and girls despite three deaths recorded during last year’s season.
Hundreds of young boys and girls in the Modjadji Kingdom will have to wait another year to become men and women after the royal family cancelled all initiation schools.
Queen Masalanabo Modjadji VII’s upcoming coronation in September has forced the Balobedu Royal Council to reject all mountain school applications for this year.
The decision will disappoint many families who have been preparing their children for this important rite of passage that marks the move from childhood to adulthood.
Secretary-General of the Balobedu Royal Council, Gabriel Rasebotsa, said their tradition does not allow mountain schools and a queen’s coronation to take place in the same year.
“Our focus at the moment is the upcoming coronation of our queen. As soon as that is done, maybe next year initiation schools can take place,” he said.
Queen Masalanabo was officially recognised as the queen of the Balobedu people in December last year by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The cancellation comes as the rest of Limpopo prepares for a busy initiation season. On Wednesday, Acting Premier Basikopo Makamu gave the green light to 530 schools out of 569 applications.
This includes 322 schools for boys and 208 schools for girls, after the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee approved them.
The committee, led by Hosi Chauke, rejected 40 applications that did not meet the rules for various reasons.
Makamu said that while the province is proud of running safe initiation schools, he was saddened by the deaths of three young people during last year’s season.
“We are saddened by the deaths of three initiates during the 2024 initiation season. This happened in Mopani, Sekhukhune and Vhembe, who all recorded one death each. Although it is a small number, we always say this can be avoided because one death is one too many,” Makamu said.
Makamu is standing in for Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba, who is in China attending the 16th International Infrastructure Forum.
The approved initiation schools will operate from 23 June to 21 July.
For families in the Modjadji Kingdom, the wait continues for their children to take this important step in their cultural journey.
Pictured above: Basikopo Makamu with initiates previously and Queen Masalanabo VII.
Image source: Supplied
