Mahikeng has been identified as a hotspot for illegal initiation schools, with authorities warning about the kidnapping of children, fronting, and gangsterism ahead of the summer initiation season. The warning was raised during an awareness campaign held in Mahikeng by the National Department of Traditional Affairs and the North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA).

The campaign brought together government departments, initiation practitioners, caregivers, parents, and prospective initiates to promote lawful initiation practices and prevent deaths, injuries, and other abuses. The upcoming summer initiation season will start on 6 November 2026 for non-schooling initiates and 10 December 2026 for school-going initiates. All pass-out activities are expected to be completed by 8 January 2027. North West Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) Deputy Chairperson, Andries Stemmer, said the Customary Initiation Act of 2021 sets out mandatory processes that must be followed by initiation schools, including legal and health requirements.

“The law provides for standardised processes from the application for permits through the PICC until the last phase when initiates return from the schools. This is done to deal with illegal and unregistered schools, and other unlawful activities that are key contributors to deaths, injuries and negligence in many instances,” Stemmer said. Registration remains compulsory under Section 26(2) of the Act and must be completed at least three months before the start of the initiation season through the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee structures.

Concerns were also raised about the conduct of initiates after returning to their communities. Speaking on behalf of the Mahikeng Initiation School Committee, Mamelani Tshabalala noted that the committee had identified cases of bullying involving learners who had not undergone initiation.