Traditional healing a farce or real?

Becoming a doctor is a career most children dream of, but becoming a witchdoctor does not cross any young mind’s thoughts. Despite the negative connotation the title has, the job description is also quite outrageous, from penis enlargements to bringing back a lost lover and healing diseases like Aids. On the other hand, the law has argued that the term witchdoctor has become irrelevant and derogatory in the African culture. The calling from the ancestors is regarded as a blessing to those who have received it and to show respect they are called traditional healers.

Mbuyiseli Mgadeli, a traditional healer from East London says that Africans living in South Africa are becoming ignorant about the concept of being a traditional healer. “Africans have become so westernised to the point that they totally ignore what we [traditional healers] have to offer”, he says. Mbuyiseli admits that the ignorance may be caused by the belief in scientific medicine and the recent expose’s of traditional healers who use human body parts to strengthen their medicine. Mbuyiseli has just finished his practises and he only does consultations for illnesses. The money he receives is rather immense for a beginner but he explains that when you go for a consultation to traditional healers the ancestors also have to be acknowledged. “Just like when you go to the doctor you pay for the consultation and the medicine, with traditional healers you have to pay for the calling of the ancestors and the medicine”, he argues.

Being a traditional healer may seem like a quick-scheme to wealth but Mbuyiseli guarantees that is not the case with him. “There are people out there who claim to be traditional healers but I received my calling”, he states. The traditional healers who use human bodies and illegal plants may be imposters but with the advertising traditional healers have, it is impossible to see the difference. Whether they are imposters or not, people are still hesitant about them. “I am traditional healer and those that mislead people will deal with the devil himself”, Mbuyiseli exclaims.

There is a mentality that traditional healers do not believe in God but in actual fact, the ancestors act as a bridge between God and humans. “What we do is legit”, assures Mbuyiseli. Although Mbuyiseli is certain that traditional healers are “godly” his sister, Siphosethu Mgadeli, also a traditional healer argues that her “gods” are her ancestors. “They guide me to see these things”, she argues. It is abnormal or weird for a sangoma (as referred to in the African culture) to be seeking guidance from God when they worship their ancestors but there are no set rules about your religion when you agree to accept your calling.

It is easy to create your own judgement about traditional healers because nothing is definite. They all operate differently and use different medicine. Some claim that they are traditional healers while others are learning on the job. Whether it is safe for you to make a visit with a traditional healer is your choice to make.

By Andisiwe Mtengwane