Two Initiates Die in Limpopo
A 19-year-old initiate, Raymond Sekele, passed away at Philadelphia Hospital in the Sekhukhune District on Tuesday.
Sekele had been admitted to hospital after experiencing health complications at an initiation school in Dennilton Uitspanning B (Magakadimeng), operating under the permit of Kgoshigadi Mathebe Morongwe Cathrine.
According to report, the caregiver at the school confirmed that Sekele had a known history of epilepsy and was receiving medical treatment for the condition at the time of admission.
A week ago Sekele suffered an epileptic episode during which he collapsed.
He was treated at the school and reportedly recovered fully later that day, resuming normal activities.
Sekele failed to wake up with the others. However, it was not considered unusual as he was known to sleep longer than the rest.
Around 08h00, the caregiver checked on him and found that he was unresponsive and breathing weakly.
The assigned doctor and Sekele’s guardian were immediately alerted. The initiate was rushed to Philadelphia Hospital for further assessment.
Despite emergency intervention, the family later received news that he had passed away.
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The Limpopo MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA), Mr Basikopo Makamu, has expressed his condolences to the family.
“We are indeed deeply saddened by this death. One death is one too many,” said MEC Makamu.
“Working closely with the Departments of Health and Education, the SAPS, and the National Prosecuting Authority, we have put systems in place to prevent such tragedies. However, this incident confirms that we must work even harder to ensure no life is lost during initiation season. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family during this difficult time.”
In a separate incident a second initiate has died in Limpopo.
The 12-year-old, who was a victim of a fire incident at an initiation school at Maake outside Tzaneen, has succumbed to burn wounds in a Gauteng hospital.
The initiate had been transferred from a hospital in Limpopo to Gauteng.
Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba’s spokesperson Thilivhali Muavha says that she has expressed sadness at the deaths of the initiates.
“The Premier of Limpopo Dr. Phophi Ramathuba has expressed profound shock and deep sorrow at the tragic news that two initiates have lost their lives in separate initiation schools in the province since the commencement of the 2025 initiation season.
The first incident involves a 19-year-old initiate. The second tragedy occurred in the Mopani district where a 12-year-old boy who was a victim of an accidental fire that broke out in the camp last week.”
During the initiation season last year, Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa emphasised the need for a radical plan to curb deaths at initiation schools throughout the country.