Meet Mzansi’s most influential, young Healers, currently making waves across social platforms as well as TV and radio stations. These young Healers of our times are, Mkhulu Mahlathini (36),Glam Sangoma (33), White Sangoma (35) and Mkhulu Mahlasela(). They are young South African Sangoma’s who are using their social media plaftforms to educate their followers on African Spirituality, using African Traditional Herbs and giving Spiritual advice.
In previous times, it was taboo to talk about Sangoma’s openly. Let alone going to see one. Nowadays, Sangoma’s are easy to access, they are on all social media platforms including; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. They go on Live videos to talk about their services and products. Something that was looked down upon in the past. Until recently, Sangoma’s did not put themselves out there to gain an influx of clients. They were considered humble and unseen. Today, Sangoma’s boast about their achievements and riches and even go as far as bashing each other’s Ancestors according to who is the most richest, popular, influential and with the most initiates.
We saw the rise of Sangoma’s after 2014-2016, during the time of Glam Dlozi’s rise. She is one of South Africa’s most loved and trusted Sangoma. Who started opening up about her journey into becoming a Sangoma. She often spoke of the abuse she faced at the hands of her Gobela and she unfortunately had to abscond and continued with her initiation elsewhere. Today, she is one of the richest Sangoma’s in the country, popular for her ‘isiwasho’ soaps and river cleansings that change lives for the better. Around 2019, we were introduced to then Gogo Maweni. Now Dr. Maweni and Gogo Skhotheni. They rose to fame by posting educational information on African Spirituality and rituals to help improve people’s lives.
Today, Gogo Skhotheni and Dr. Maweni are no longer close due to a recent misunderstanding. Gogo Dineo also has been popular for some few years and she has been a Sangoma for over 15 years. She is often interviewed on mainstream radio and TV channels to speak on matters affecting Traditional Healers. Gogo Bathini Mbatha, a popular Sangoma and Vlogger with an YouTube channels that follows his life as he travels to world to harvest natural herbs. Professor VVO Mkhize, of the Ingono Yomsamo Institute also speaks on matters affecting African Spirituality on wide platforms.
In this issue, we speak to our young influential Healers on what it means to be a Sangoma in nowadays. Their specialities as Healers, the pressure they face as young Sangoma’s, their challenges and advices to young Healers of tomorrow.
MKHULU MAHLATHINI
Age: 36
Based: Soweto
Initiated: KwaZulu-Natal, Empangeni (2022)
Specialities: court cases, isichitho, ikhundla, isidliso and ilada
Contact: 0685405393
Q: Gogo, please tell us briefly about your initiation in KZN and how it differs to initiation in Gauteng?
A: Sangoma initiation in KwaZulu-Natal compared to Gauteng is vastly different. In Joburg, we don’t have access to the ocean. KZN offers an abundance of places to harvest natural herbs, ‘umuthi’. Sangoma’s spend a majority of their time in nature. It is important to be familiarized with nature, how to access it and how to use and respect its resources. The foundation laid during Sangoma initiation in KZN is incredibly strong. As an initiate, you learn essential skills, such as; cooking by fire, gathering fire wood, and surviving without the conveniences of the city. In essence the purpose of initiation, is to learn to be grounded and humble. Humility is important when handling patients. It is also an essential as there is a manner in which you carry yourself as a healer. It requires humbleness, quietness, peacefulness and overall emotional maturity. The initiators or ‘Gobelas’ in KZN follow the ‘old-school’ way of initiating. They don’t spoon-feed or love-bomb. From the Initiators or ‘Gobelas’ in KZN, follow the old and conventional way initiating. They don’t spoon-feed or love-bomb. From the moment you arrive as an initiate. Your inituition is tested through a process known as, ‘uyafihlelwa’. You’re thrown into the deep end. There’s no easing in; you hit the ground running. In KZN, we didn’t have access to phones or social media during initiation. Others go as far as cutting off reading, watching TV. The outside world is completely cut-off to allow the initiation to completely emerce themselves in their training to becoming a Sangoma. It was a pure, focused experience.
Q: What are some of your fondest and not do fond memories as a Gobela?
My best memories in this journey are when I heal a patient who has been to countless other Sangoma’s without success, and I’m the one who finally helps them. However, my hardest memories are the ones where I can’t heal my own biological children, even though I can help others.I’ve never been fond of the word Gobela. To me, I’m more than that. I see myself as a mother and father to my initiates. I always teach them to develop the spirit of discernment. To listen to their Ancestors, and not to rely on what others or social media tell them. This journey is deeply personal. It’s not a ‘conference call’, you’re called alone, and you answer your calling alone.I often emphasize to my initiates that initiation isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Each of them has their own Ancestors, and those Ancestors have their own unique way of guiding their initiation processes and journey’s. Resilience is key because During initiation, you have to be strong and patient—patience and endurance are essential on this path.
GLAM SANGOMA
Age: 33
Based: Soweto
Initiated: Johannesburg
Specialities: working with infants and toddlers,
restoring relationships and marriages The reversal of isichitho and isilwane. Spiritual protection of homes and business premises
Contact: 0739139659
Q: Gogo, with your larger than life personality. Did you not often get into trouble as an initiate?
A: I was very young when I initiated to become a Sangoma. One of the first few in my family, I was a child. I did what children do. However, I had an extremely strict Gobela, I remember we received corporal punishment. So we tried to stay out of trouble as much as we could.
Q: As a Gobela, how do you handle disputes with an initiate
A: We have a committee at our ‘impande’, impande ka Majoy oNdabezitha. I also have my grandfather who is a Healer. He is my only parent left within the African Spiritual healing space. Whenever I feel stuck, I revert back to his teachings or reach out to him for guidance on any matter I may need enlightenment on. When it comes to being a Gobela, I would say, my initiates aren’t troublesome. Though we only had one who would challenge me and my authority as their mentor and elder. I allowed my I always emphasise to my children the importance of looking out for each other during ceremonies. I’ve established an, ‘open-door-policy’ with them. I’ve made them to feel welcome to come and talk to me freely about any matter. This has helped to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings. I’ve taught them to be discrete, we keep our issues within our home and don’t ‘air’ them out to the world instead of dealing with them peacefully. We protect each other at all costs.
WHITE SANGOMA
Age: 35
Based: England and South Africa
Initiated: South Africa, 2020
Specialities: Igedla or Herbalist. I help women and children who are victims of dark magic
Contact: 0718052469
Q: Until recently, we have seen a growing number of, none African Sangoma’s. How can you educate people on the misconception?
A: It’s true, Sangoma’s are of African descendant. Settlers from across the world have been a part of the African continent for centuries. The None ‘African’ Sangoma’s you see today are a result of the settlers who started families with Africans. ‘We’ therefore initiate the African Ancestors who can be many generations down our lineage. Those African Ancestors that our European or Asian forefathers started families with.
MKHULU MAHLASELA
Age: 22
Based: Soshanguve, Pretoria
Initiated: 2017
Specialities: IsiNdawu, igono, izigubhu, amabutho. Mkhulu, mostly helps people in business
Contact: 0623438933
Q: Mkhulu, you are known as one of South Africa’s richest and youngest Healer. How do you handle initiates and clients who come to you hoping you can ‘make’ them rich?
A: I find that most people with a calling come to me with for Sangoma initiation. With the already made up perception that they would complete initiation as ‘rich’ Healers. When this doesn’t happen, I am labelled as a scammer or having taken their spiritual gifts or specialities to work for me so that they do not become rich. Clients also tend to do the same demands. I often explain theat I cannot make them rich. I explain to my clients that before they come to me for assistance, they either have to be working or in business. Igono, isiphakamiso, ukuthwala, does not work unless someone is already doing something with their lives. How igono, isiphakamiso or ukuthwala works is that the person purchasing it, has to already be in business or working a high profile position. Igono, isiphakamiso or ukuthwala works as a booster. Either for more clients or customers to come to their business. For respect and to maintain a high profile position at their place of work. I’ve never helped any person who wasn’t already employed or with a business. We also need to take into consideration that the success or outcome of using igono, ukuthwala and isiphakamiso is dependent on the work one puts in and also blessings from their Ancestors. In my capacity as a Sangoma and Herbalist, I cannot make any person rich. The possessions I own are a result of my hard work and determination together with the blessings from my Ancestors.
Q: What are some of the challenges do you face as a young Healer?
A: I only just turned 22 years old and I initiated in 2017 as a young teenager. Meaning I missed out on my youth and I had so much responsibility. Being a Sangoma is not just about helping people spiritually. It’s a lifestyle on its own. How a Sangoma carries themselves, what they eat, the places the go to. It’s a little too much responsibility for a young person. Even at this point in my life as a young adult, I’m still missing out on the life my peers lead
Q: What is your take on young Sangomas and some of the trends we see them partake in on social platforms?
A: I don’t agree with how young Healers carry themselves. Especially at rituals such as imigidi. A very sacred place. You’ll find female Healers dressed inappropriately with their shoulders or heads not covered. Or wearing revealing clothing or amabhayi. Others would be fonicating and completely oblivious or inddifferent to the purpose of umgidi which is a farewell to a Healer who has graduated. I also don’t agree with some online trends that Healers partake in and I feel it leads to people undermining young Healers.