Traditional initiation school leader, Hans Pelele from Lotlhakane Village, successfully inducted 95 young initiates including one living with a disability during December 2024. His initiates returned home successfully with no case of injuries reported during the time of their initiation.
The homecoming celebration of the 95 initiates was attended by the community of Lotlhakane and neighbouring Villages after the successful transition of turning ‘boys’ into ‘manhood’. Pelele said he could not believe initiating a person living with disability - which became a highlight of 2024 for him. “I was shocked and surprised when I was told to take in a person living with disability. I asked myself how I was going to do it, but through God’s wisdom we managed to realise that our tradition is very important despite our living conditions. To me it was a good thing and I wish for people to understand that our traditions and customs are very important as Africans,” said Pelele.
