The National Department of Health has commended Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa for efforts to strengthen oversight of initiation schools across the country.
The praise follows the gazetting of regulated fees applicable to initiation schools in all nine provinces, aimed at improving accountability and standardisation within the sector.
The newly published framework outlines fees payable by male and female initiates, their parents, and traditional surgeons involved in initiation practices. However, it specifies that no fees are payable to traditional surgeons in the case of female initiates.
According to the regulations, the prescribed fees must be paid by prospective initiates and their parents directly to the principal of an initiation school in order to attend.
Deputy Health Minister Sibongiseni Dhlomo said the measures form part of broader efforts to improve safety at initiation schools.
“We want to ensure that no young boy goes to a circumcision school and comes back dead,” Dhlomo said.
He added that while respecting cultural practices, authorities are working to ensure both registered and unregistered schools take guidance from healthcare professionals.
“Without interfering in the traditional process, it is important that initiates are assessed by healthcare workers beforehand to determine whether they are fit to undergo the process,” he said.
The initiative is expected to enhance safety standards while preserving cultural traditions associated with initiation practices.