Cape Town City Council unanimously approved a new partnership with the Western Cape Government to support safe practices at initiation schools across the metro.
The agreement, a first of its kind for Cape Town, will see the City and Province working together under a formal Memorandum of Agreement to support legally-registered initiation schools during initiation seasons.
Once finalised, the partnership will ensure these sites receive reliable water, sanitation and waste services in line with national legislation.
The move gives practical effect to the Customary Initiation Act of 2021, which places an obligation on municipalities to provide drinking water and basic health services at officially registered initiation schools.
The agreement is aimed at addressing the ongoing scourge of initiation-related deaths in South Africa.
Support at initiation schools
Under the agreement, the City will supply a range of essential services, including the delivery of drinking water by tanker to designated collection points, the filling of JoJo tanks at approved sites, and regular refuse removal.
The City will also assist with infrastructure support where required, conduct water quality monitoring, and ensure compliance with health and environmental standards.
To further support the initiative, Council has approved a waiver of all water and waste-related fees at four verified initiation sites. The cost, estimated at just over R518 000 a year, will be absorbed within the City’s existing operational budget.
“This is an important step in ensuring the health and safety of the initiates, as well as protecting the dignity and cultural rights of communities who participate in customary initiation,” said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, the City’s Mayco Member for Water and Sanitation.
A ‘progressive’ partnership
A detailed standard operating procedure will form part of the agreement, setting out protocols for water quality testing, tanker operations, hygiene measures and environmental health practices throughout the initiation period.
Provincial Minister for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, welcomed the agreement, saying it strengthens cooperation between the City, the Province and the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee.
“The partnership supports the custodians of this sacred rite of passage by ensuring a safe and dignified experience for the initiates,” Mackenzie added.
“The City’s approach is both progressive and encouraging. Through this collaboration, we can uphold the integrity of the initiation tradition while ensuring the highest standards of safety and accountability,”
