Latest news with #PICC
Zawya
3 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
North West Government on initiation awareness to curb emergence of illegal initiation schools
The National Oversight Coordinating Committee and the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) will roll out an awareness campaign on the provisions of the Customary Initiation Act (CIA) on 21 August 2025 at Bahurutshe ba ga Moiloa Traditional Council in Dinokana. The campaign is aimed at raising awareness about the importance of safe, lawful cultural practice, including the rights of initiates, the role of traditional leaders, parents, and initiation school principals. The campaign follows the mushrooming of illegal initiation schools during the past winter initiation season which led to over 100 initiates being rescued and the tragic death of six initiates. The campaign is also targeted at attaining zero deaths during initiation seasons as well as eradicating unnecessary fatalities through strict enforcement of the CIA and by fostering collaboration between government, traditional leaders, and communities. The event will be attended by the Chairperson of NIOC, Ikosi Vembi William Mahlangu, NW PICC Chairperson, Kgosi Godfrey Gasebone, Chairperson of the North West House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Kgosi Thari Maotwe, traditional leaders, and representatives from government departments. Kgosi Gasebone has thrown his weight behind the campaign and said the emergence of illegal initiation schools, especially by chance-takers who are chasing money, will never be tolerated. 'We call upon all traditional school principals to work with local traditional authorities, the Department, and the PICC to ensure compliance and approval of hosting the initiation school. If we all comply, this will go a long way in safeguarding the lives of our young people,' remarked Kgosi Gasebone. The Customary Initiation Act aims to protect, promote, and regulate initiation. It provides for acceptable norms and standards; initiation oversight and coordinating structures; protection of life; prevention of injuries and all forms of abuse against initiates; addresses the governance aspects of initiation; protects the customary practice of initiation; and ensures that it is practiced within the constitutional and other legal prescripts. As per the Act, no person must be forced or coerced into attending initiation school, no person under the age of 16 may attend initiation, and a person between 16 and 18 years of age may only attend after obtaining a written consent letter from parents. Meanwhile, initiation school principals have until 03 October 2025 to apply to operate schools during the summer initiation season. The traditional surgeon must also be 40 years and above, must have undergone initiation over 10 years ago, and must have been mentored as a surgeon for a period of five years. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Government.
IOL News
4 days ago
- IOL News
Province intensifies initiation awareness to curb the emergence of illegal initiation schools
There has been a surge of illegal initiation schools during the past winter initiation season, resulting in over 100 initiates being rescued and the tragic death of six initiates, according to the North West government. Image: Supplied The National Oversight Coordinating Committee and the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) will roll out an awareness campaign on the provision of the Customary Initiation Act (CIA) on 21 August 2025 at the Bahurutshe ba ga Moiloa Traditional Council in Dinokana. The campaign is aimed at raising awareness about the importance of safe, lawful cultural practice, including the right of initiates, the role of traditional leaders, parents and initiation schools' principals. The campaign follows the mushrooming of illegal initiation schools during the past winter initiation season, which led to over 100 initiates being rescued and the tragic death of six initiates. The campaign is also targeted at attaining zero deaths during initiation seasons as well as eradicating unnecessary fatalities through strict enforcement of the CIA and by fostering collaboration between government, traditional leaders and communities. The event will be attended by the Chairperson of NIOC, Ikosi Vembi William Mahlangu, NW PICC Chairperson Kgosi Godfrey Gasebone, Chairperson of the North West House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Kgosi Thari Maotwe, traditional leaders and representatives from government departments. Kgosi Gasebone has thrown his weight behind the campaign and said the emergence of illegal initiation schools, especially by chance takers who are chasing money, will never be tolerated. 'We call upon all traditional school principals to work with local traditional authorities, the department and the PICC to ensure compliance and approval of hosting the initiation school. If we all comply, this will go a long way in safeguarding the lives of our young people', remarked Kgosi Gasebone. The Customary Initiation Act aims to protect, promote and regulate initiation. It provides for acceptable norms and standards;, initiation oversight and coordinating structures;, protection of life, prevention of injuries and all forms of abuse against initiates, addresses the governance aspects of initiation, protects the customary practice of initiation and ensures that it is practised within the constitutional and other legal prescripts. As per the Act, no person must be forced or coerced into attending the initiation school, no person under the age of 16 may attend the initiation, and a person between 16 and 18 years of age may only attend after obtaining a written consent letter from parents.
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Province intensifies initiation awareness to curb the emergence of illegal initiation schools
North West Government | Published 17 minutes ago The National Oversight Coordinating Committee and the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) will roll out an awareness campaign on the provision of the Customary Initiation Act (CIA) on 21 August 2025 at the Bahurutshe ba ga Moiloa Traditional Council in Dinokana. The campaign is aimed at raising awareness about the importance of safe, lawful cultural practice, including the right of initiates, the role of traditional leaders, parents and initiation schools' principals. The campaign follows the mushrooming of illegal initiation schools during the past winter initiation season, which led to over 100 initiates being rescued and the tragic death of six initiates. The campaign is also targeted at attaining zero deaths during initiation seasons as well as eradicating unnecessary fatalities through strict enforcement of the CIA and by fostering collaboration between government, traditional leaders and communities. The event will be attended by the Chairperson of NIOC, Ikosi Vembi William Mahlangu, NW PICC Chairperson Kgosi Godfrey Gasebone, Chairperson of the North West House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Kgosi Thari Maotwe, traditional leaders and representatives from government departments. Kgosi Gasebone has thrown his weight behind the campaign and said the emergence of illegal initiation schools, especially by chance takers who are chasing money, will never be tolerated. 'We call upon all traditional school principals to work with local traditional authorities, the department and the PICC to ensure compliance and approval of hosting the initiation school. If we all comply, this will go a long way in safeguarding the lives of our young people', remarked Kgosi Gasebone. The Customary Initiation Act aims to protect, promote and regulate initiation. It provides for acceptable norms and standards;, initiation oversight and coordinating structures;, protection of life, prevention of injuries and all forms of abuse against initiates, addresses the governance aspects of initiation, protects the customary practice of initiation and ensures that it is practised within the constitutional and other legal prescripts. As per the Act, no person must be forced or coerced into attending the initiation school, no person under the age of 16 may attend the initiation, and a person between 16 and 18 years of age may only attend after obtaining a written consent letter from parents. Meanwhile, initiation school principals have until 03 October 2025 to apply to operate schools during summer initiation season. The traditional surgeon must also be 40 years and above, must have undergone initiation over 10 years ago, must have been mentored as a surgeon for a period of five years. The National Oversight Coordinating Committee and the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee Mahikeng
Malay Mail
21-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Chow Kon Yeow: Penang bans out-of-state traders from Deepavali fairs to protect locals, off-peak season still open to others
GEORGE TOWN, July 21 — Only local traders are allowed to organise Indian trade fairs in Penang with stalls selling clothes, accessories and various items in the months leading up to Deepavali, said Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow. He said this is a state policy implemented more than five years ago after an appeal from the Penang Indian Chamber of Commerce (PICC) for priority to be given to Penang-based Indian traders, especially during the peak period of Deepavali season. 'It has been a state policy that traders from outside Penang will not be given permits to hold Indian fairs, festivals or carnivals during peak period as this would negatively impact the local Indian traders,' he said in a press conference in his office here, He said the PICC stated that their members have businesses in Penang that operates all-year round with overhead costs that included assessment, quit rent, rentals, and workers' salaries. The Deepavali season, then, would be the time when the traders could increase sales to cover most of the overhead costs for that year, he suggested. 'Outsiders can hold Indian fairs or carnivals outside of the peak season, between February and May,' he said. Deepavali falls on October 20 this year. Chow was responding to recent enforcement action taken by the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) against an Indian trade fair in Bukit Mertajam. MBSP issued a statement earlier today to explain that the city council does not prevent traders from organising cultural trade fairs, including Indian trade fairs in Seberang Perai. The city council said there are guidelines controlling the holding of trade fairs and carnivals in Penang by traders from outside of Penang, especially during certain periods. It said traders and organisers from outside Penang are only allowed to be involved in organising and conducting business activities in the state between April 1 and June 30 each year. 'MBSP wishes to stress that this policy is not racially discriminatory nor intended to suppress any community,' it stressed.
Malay Mail
21-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Chow: Penang bans out-of-state traders from Deepavali fairs to protect locals, off-peak season still open to others
GEORGE TOWN, July 21 — Only local traders are allowed to organise Indian trade fairs in Penang with stalls selling clothes, accessories and various items in the months leading up to Deepavali, said Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow. He said this is a state policy implemented more than five years ago after an appeal from the Penang Indian Chamber of Commerce (PICC) for priority to be given to Penang-based Indian traders, especially during the peak period of Deepavali season. 'It has been a state policy that traders from outside Penang will not be given permits to hold Indian fairs, festivals or carnivals during peak period as this would negatively impact the local Indian traders,' he said in a press conference in his office here, He said the PICC stated that their members have businesses in Penang that operates all-year round with overhead costs that included assessment, quit rent, rentals, and workers' salaries. The Deepavali season, then, would be the time when the traders could increase sales to cover most of the overhead costs for that year, he suggested. 'Outsiders can hold Indian fairs or carnivals outside of the peak season, between February and May,' he said. Deepavali falls on October 20 this year. Chow was responding to recent enforcement action taken by the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) against an Indian trade fair in Bukit Mertajam. MBSP issued a statement earlier today to explain that the city council does not prevent traders from organising cultural trade fairs, including Indian trade fairs in Seberang Perai. The city council said there are guidelines controlling the holding of trade fairs and carnivals in Penang by traders from outside of Penang, especially during certain periods. It said traders and organisers from outside Penang are only allowed to be involved in organising and conducting business activities in the state between April 1 and June 30 each year. 'MBSP wishes to stress that this policy is not racially discriminatory nor intended to suppress any community,' it stressed.
