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As the cumulative number of Covid-19 infections in South Africa closes in on two million, with a total of 60 038 people having died due to the pandemic, President Cyril Ramaphosa has moved the country to Alert Level 4.
In an effort to tackle the third-wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, the president has banned most public gatherings, but while some gatherings are allowed under strict regulations, such as funerals, there was no mention of initiation practices.
Parent24 can however confirm that while initiation practices are prohibited under Level 4, any that have commenced prior to Alert Level 4 being implemented may be completed under strict regulations.
According to the gazette published on Sunday "All initiation practices which have not commenced on the date of the coming into operation of these regulations and post-initiation celebration (Imigidi) are prohibited."
'...will be allowed to be completed'
But understanding that some families have already sent their children to begin the process under Alert Level 3, the gazette stipulates that "all initiation practices commenced before the date of the coming into operation of these regulations, which is the 27 June 2021 will be allowed to be completed."
This is subject to the adherence of all health protocols, social distancing measures and other directions that have been put in place for such initiation practices.
The National House of Traditional Leaders and the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders have the responsibility to ensure that traditional leaders are aware of this regulation and act accordingly.
Failure to adhere to these regulations and any directions issued in respect of initiation schools will result in the closure of initiation schools by relevant authorities.
Read: Initiation ceremonies can resume in the Eastern Cape, except for Nelson Mandela Bay
'We cannot risk it'
Parent24 asked a few parents if they were aware that initiation practices are prohibited under Alert Level 4.
Mthandeni Maphekula, a father who's son is an initiate who will be coming back from the initiation school on Monday, admitted that he was not aware of the prohibition.
He told Parent24 that his son has been eager to go to the mountain since last year.
"He was so disappointed when this practice was cancelled last December for Nelson Mandela Bay. Now, he was ready and prepared to go. I couldn't stand in his way," Maphekula said.
He added that because we are now in Alert Level 4 and there are strict rules, he will be uninviting some of the guests to reach a number allowed for this kind of ceremony.
Another father, Sebenzile Mthubi, told us that he was not aware that initiation practices were prohibited. However, he suspected that things would soon come to a standstill as the Covid-19 cases were increasing.
He told us, "My nephew will have to wait until the pandemic is over. We can not risk it."
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