Earlier this year Scoop Makhathini made headlines for the wrong reasons when he took a swipe on celebrity sangomas. The celebrated TV personality blasted some celebs for faking their ancestral calling because it had become “fashionable” in the entertainment industry.
“All of a sudden, every Tom, Dick, and Thandi is having a calling…I’m just gonna relax and watch the liars play themselves out. The ancestral lashing will be unavoidable. JHB folk will bite anything, even s**t that can’t be bitten or faked. Yonke into bafuna ukuyendza ‘i-fashion’,” the TV presenter wrote on Twitter.
Letoya Makhene
Letoya Makhene became a sangoma at the age of 19 years after she graduated from an initiation school headed by the prominent Gogo Mulle. Little is known about the Baby Cele sangoma initiation school but the former Uzalo actress is a Sangoma. Award-winning Uzalo actress Dawn Thandeka King is one of the most celebrated South African celebrities sangomas.
Both Dineo and Solo have admitted to having ancestral callings and embarked on the journey of ubungoma (training to become a Sangoma) in 2017.
Zola Hashatsi
Just like many sangomas before him, Actor Zola Hashatsi became a sangoma after a series of deaths in his family. Zola took hid of his sangoma calling after a close member of the family died.
“I think after my great-grandmother died in 2009, she became my ancestor and was always protecting me from evil things. Honestly I should have listened to the call in 2009, but I did not understand it… I still believe in the Lord, but I am a child of the soil,” he told the Daily Sun earlier this year.
Boity Thulo
Celebrated rapper and brand influencer Boity Thulo surprised many when she revealed her desire of being a sangoma. In 2016 Boity Thulo made a shocking revelation when she revealed that she was set to undergo training to become a sangoma.
Despite having much of a backlash from her fans Boity stressed out that taking hid of her ancestral call was the best thing that ever happened to her.
If you’re going to try and demonize me for believing in my ancestors and the journey they have placed me on, you’re wasting your time. And stop trying to send me to get reprimanded by White Jesus who claims the people who birthed my family are demons. Asomblief. Thanks.
Gigi Lamayne
Award-winning rapper and songwriter Gigi Lamayne, born Genesis Gabriella, recently showered praises to her sangoma journey. Lamayne admitted that her life has changed for the better since she embraced her call.
The celebrated award-winning star left many in disbelief early this year when she shared her pictures in sangoma regalia. Gigi revealed that she had accepted her training to be a sangoma.
Buhle
In 2016 The Soil’s Buhle graduated as a Sangoma. She graduated after a seven-month training. Buhle said she has always been a healer.
“I was born a healer. I was healing way before I went in for initiation. If God or my ancestors instruct me to do something, then I’ll do it.”
Prominent South African Celebrities Who Are Sangomas
Kelly Khumalo
In what seemed to be a shocking revelation. In 2014, a well-known Mzansi Sangoma suggested that Kelly Khumalo must take hid of her call, or all her future boyfriends would die. The sangoma went on to add that she would not find peace until she accepted her calling.
The Talented singer and media personality Kelly Khumalo shared her sangoma experiences since then. Khumalo once took it to social media to show off her regalia and her stance in regards to a sangoma.
“Use the power you have been given, Phakama, Nkosazane, Phakama Ndlondlo, Konke kungaphansi kwezinyawo zakho.
Noninzi Williams
Playwright and actress Noninzi Williams is best known for her role as Cuba on Rhythm City and she has been practicing as a Sangoma for several years.
L’Vovo
Popular kwaito musician star L’Vovo revealed in 2016 that he went on a five-month spiritual journey in KwaZulu-Natal to become a sangoma. The music sensation admitted he did it to honor his grandmother.
“I did it all for my gogo. I don’t want to be a sangoma. I’m a musician, that’s all… I wouldn’t have ignored this spiritual calling as I respect my culture and my religion,” he told the Daily Sun
Phelo Bala accepted the “call” in 2014 after experiencing physical body changes that scared him. The following year, Lerato Mvelase accepted her calling also. The actress spent six months training to become a traditional healer. Actress Nandi Myembe has also admitted to going through a sangoma initiation.