Experienced Vhembe traditional circumcision surgeon Vhomaine Vho Azwitamisi Munarini Nemavhulani of Tshimbupfe says government is the only institution capable of ending deaths at initiation schools, through the deployment of experienced traditional surgeons to work alongside traditional leaders.
The 2026 winter initiation season began on 19 June and will end on 19 July. Limpopo MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs Basikopo Makamu has approved 771 initiation schools, of which 20 are in the Vhembe District.
Nemavhulani is among the traditional surgeons whose applications were approved for the current season. Since the schools opened, he has already received more than 300 initiates and expects more over the coming weekend. He expressed concern about the state of initiation schools across the country, where deaths still occur during circumcision every year.
“I started circumcising boys as part of their passage into manhood in 1986. My father introduced me to this tradition when I was very young,” he said. “I have operated on more than 10,000 initiates in my schools and there has not been a single death among them.”
Nemavhulani believes a working relationship between initiation school owners, traditional leaders and government departments is key to ensuring safe and successful initiation practices in Limpopo.
He described traditional circumcision as a calling. “I have been chosen by the ancestors to do this work,” he said.
MEC Makamu emphasised that no traditional surgeon may conduct circumcision rituals without a certificate of fitness issued by a registered medical practitioner, as required under the Initiation Act.
“Children must first be screened by the Department of Health before they attend traditional circumcision schools to ensure that they do not arrive with illnesses or medical conditions that could place their lives at risk,” he said.
The MEC also warned that unregistered initiation schools would not be tolerated, and urged parents to verify the registration status of schools with traditional authorities before enrolling their children.