From time immemorial, people did not get to see more traditional healers or sangomas emerging on the television screens, social media or newspapers. But that is in the past. We get to see them on front pages of newspapers, social networking apps even on TV almost everyday because some of them have reality shows.

 

 

 

 

A popular sangoma who is still young and enthusiastic, took everyone her fans by surprise after revealing that she’s taking the second husband. Who could it be? Gogo Skhotheni is the name you’re looking for. Gogo Skhotheni says the reason she is taking the second husband is because they instructed her to do so.

Sangomas are sangomas today because they listened to their ancestral callings. The ancestral calling might announce itself with symptoms of mental illness unusual perceptual experiences, for which some participants consider ‘ukuthwasa’ as the only effective cure. In some individuals successful completion of ‘ukuthwasa’ might promote recovery from their illness and lead to a profession in which the unusual perceptual experiences become a legitimate and positively valued aspect. In a nutshell, ancestral callings have to be answered or obeyed.

Traditional healers or spiritual mediums have been part of the African society dating back before colonialization and western influence in the culture of African people. African ancestry concatenates with the physical and spiritual spheres, transcending time and space.

Regarding Gogo Skhotheni’s situation. Would she manage taking care of 2 husbands? People on social media are already judging her. Honestly, it is not unheard of for men to have more than one wife with many cultural practices and religions of the world even supporting the habit. However, it comes across as unusual to hear of a woman with multiple husbands.

Opinion

Gogo Skhotheni will have to wait until polyandry is recognized as a marriage contract in South Africa. At the moment, it means even if she takes the second husband, their marriage will not be recognized.