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Initiation schools to close at weekend

UPDATE: Khosi Netshimbupfe, left, and Khoshi Makgeru, chairman of the Limpopo house of traditional leaders. Pic. Elijar Mushiana. © Sowetan.
UPDATE: Khosi Netshimbupfe, left, and Khoshi Makgeru, chairman of the Limpopo house of traditional leaders. Pic. Elijar Mushiana. © Sowetan.

Frank Maponya

Frank Maponya

Initiation schools in Limpopo have been given until this weekend to wrap up their business .

This was announced in Polokwane yesterday by Vusani Netshimbupfe, chairman of the provincial task team dealing with initiation rites.

He said they were generally happy with the manner in which most of the schools were run this year.

He said, however, the public service strike last month and the chilly weather conditions had affected the smooth running of some of the schools.

More than 32000 boy and girl initiates were admitted to 234 schools in the province this year.

Of this number, 24 were hospitalised and one boy has reportedly gone missing from a school in Stofberg in the Sekhukhune area.

Netshimbupfe said four deaths were recorded, compared to 10 last year, and that two illegal schools were closed down.

"This is a marked decline in the number of illegal schools, considering that last year we shut down 25 illegal schools.

"Those that will not have concluded their rituals are advised to inform the relevant authorities in Premier Sello Moloto's office. This is important so that we are not seen to be disturbing the academic calendar," he said.

"Our hearts go out to those in hospital as a result of injuries. We wish them a speedy recovery."

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