South Africans Debate Grade 9 Learner Missing Four Months of School for Ndebele Initiation

• A 16-year-old Grade 9 pupil at Cosmo City Secondary School was initially refused readmission to his school
• The learner was denied readmission to the school after he spent four months at Ndebelel initiation in Limpopo
• A debate was sparked online as South Africans weighed in on whether culture or education was more important

Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.

GAUTENG — A school’s original decision to deny a Grade 9 learner readmission after a four-month absence for Ndebele initiation has sparked an online debate.

The 16-year-old learner at Cosmo City Secondary School was denied readmission after he attended initiation in Limpopo, prompting the Gauteng Legislature's Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) portfolio committee to visit the school on 26 August 2026.

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The boy's parents maintained that they followed the correct procedures before their son left for initiation. The intervention by legislators came after the case drew public attention and sparked debate over how schools should handle culturally sanctioned absences.

Principal disputes expulsion claims

During the committee's visit, school principal Eddie Maota told officials he had encountered the initiation school letter for the very first time during the meeting.

Maota denied that the learner had been expelled, though he acknowledged the pupil was repeating Grade 9 and had missed the mid-year examinations. Despite the earlier refusal, the boy is currently attending classes and receiving education.

South Africans divided over the decision

The case has sparked widespread debate online, with many weighing in on whose interests should take precedence.

Piccadilly Carreras wrote:

"The BELA ACT says no child must stay at home regardless of any circumstances. The school must readmit the learner and life continues. As a teacher, learn not to oppose policies. Let the kid learn."

Bulelwa Memani-Jwara argued:

"When the child fails, the same parents will demand to know how he failed."

Mzula Judith Thobejane questioned the practicalities:

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"And teachers will have to play catch-up or just continue with their classes and let the learner try to catch up via classmates? Who should assist because the teachers and learners are continuing possibly with preparations for exams. Who must close the four-month gap?"

Sanza Joe Maseko asked:

"Couldn't the initiation be done outside school schedule?"

Elroy Swartz commented:

"Could have gone to the mountain after he finished school. Mountain was there before he was born and will be there after finishing his school career."

Amo SG Sekgobela offered a different view:

"Initiation school is part of our culture. They know that. Let’s support the boy and his parents in this matter."

Source: Briefly News