South Africa: Initiation Season in South Africa - Why State Regulation Clashes With Customary Laws

South Africa: Initiation Season in South Africa - Why State Regulation Clashes With Customary Laws

Analysis - It's nearly winter in South Africa, which means the opening of winter initiation schools is approaching. These rituals mark a transition to adulthood and are deeply ingrained culturally. But they're often the subject of headlines because of deaths and safety issues.

Initiation season in South Africa: why state regulation clashes with customary laws

It’s nearly winter in South Africa, which means the opening of winter initiation schools is approaching. These rituals mark a transition to adulthood and are deeply ingrained culturally. But they’re often the subject of headlines because of deaths and safety issues. Now government is looking to tighten its enforcement of the Customary Initiation Act of 2021. We asked Anthony Diala, a scholar of African customary law, to break down the issues. Wh…