-Staff Writer / Sun, 28 Dec 2025
The North West Department of Education has expressed shock and devastation following the death of a Grade 12 matriculant who was allegedly forcefully taken to an initiation school shortly after completing his matric examinations.
Departmental spokesperson Vuyo Mantshule said the department was deeply saddened by the passing of Onalenna Booi (19), a learner from Tiego Tawana Secondary School in Dithakong East Village near Mahikeng.
“The department is devastated by the tragic death of a young learner who had a promising future ahead of him. Our thoughts and condolences are with the Booi family, the school community and fellow learners during this difficult time,” Mantshule said.
News Junction previously reported that North West Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) confirmed the deaths of two initiates in Klerksdorp, Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, one of whom died at an illegal initiation school while the other was from a legally registered school.
Read more on the link below:
Two initiates die in North West
In response, authorities have shut down seven illegal initiation schools across the province and rescued 68 initiates during intensified monitoring operations. Some of the rescued initiates have since been reunited with their families, while others were transferred to legally registered initiation schools to complete the process.
Six suspects were later arrested and charged with contravening Section 33 of the Customary Initiation Act of 2021. A principal linked to an illegal initiation school in Mahikeng at the time was said to haveat large.
News Junction (Gold Standard)