City enters partnership to support safe customary initiation practices
18 December 2025
The City of Cape Town has received unanimous Council approval to enter into a first-of-its-kind Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Western Cape Government (WCG) to support safe and dignified initiation practices across the metro.
Once finalised, this milestone agreement will formalise how the City and Province work together to ensure that registered initiation schools receive reliable water and waste services during initiation seasons. This aligns with the Customary Initiation Act 2 of 2021, which requires municipalities to provide drinking water and basic health services to officially registered initiation schools.
The approval allows the City to support initiation schools by providing the following services:
- Drinking water is delivered via water tankers to designated collection points
- Filling of JoJo tanks at approved initiation sites
- Regular waste collection and disposal
- Infrastructure support, including the use of designated sites when applicable
- Water quality monitoring and compliance
To support initiation schools, Council has also approved a waiver of all costs for water and waste services at four verified initiation sites. The estimated costs, around R518 100 annually, 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. Council’s approval allows us to proceed with an agreement that will set out a clear and coordinated approach with the Western Cape Government,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
A detailed Standard Operating Procedure will form part of the agreement to guide water quality checks, tanker operations, hygiene measures and environmental health practices throughout the initiation period.
‘This partnership gives practical effect to the Customary Initiation Act by strengthening intergovernmental coordination between the Province and the City. It also reinforces the key role of local government, working together with the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee, in supporting the custodians of this sacred rite of passage and ensuring a safe and dignified experience for the initiates. 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,’ said Provincial Minister Ricardo Mackenzie at the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport.
The agreement, once finalised, will be renewed annually to support legally registered initiation schools within the City’s jurisdiction.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
