ZODWA Wabantu’s ancestors are not against her performing half-naked.
People on social media, have been lambasting the entertainer, who would be seen displaying nudity on stage while wearing sangoma bids.
Although most social media users question her spiritual values and ethics, Zodwa seemed not to care.
She believes her ancestors are unique and act differently.
“I’ve been getting a lot of backlash about my half-nakedness on stage. People think just because I have a calling, I should stop making money by entertaining them the way I want to,” said Zodwa.
“They think all ancestors are the same and behave the same. That is not true. Maybe their ancestors are blocking them from making money, mine don’t.”
He said her nudity on stage has nothing to do with being a sangoma.
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“People always talk. If I stop entertaining and stop making money, they’d gossip and say I’m broke. But now that I’m making money using my own body and brain, they talk.
“This has nothing to do with ancestors. My ancestors know about my lifestyle. They know about my career and are fine with it.”
Sangoma gogo Ntombizethu Magubane (57) from Nongoma in the north of KZN, said ancestors should be given the respect.
“I don’t know about Zodwa Wabantu’s ancestral calling. Maybe it’s different. But there is no ancestor who can allow a sangoma to show people their private parts. It’s an insult to other sangomas,” said Gogo Magubane.
South African Traditional Healers Association president Sazi Radebe said he won’t comment on an individual but on sangomas generally.
“There’s a certain way that determines how a sangoma or a person who has the ancestral calling should behave. Sangomas respect themselves and their bodies,” said Mhlongo.
Traditionalist and cultural expert, the founder of Nomkhubulwane Culture and Youth Development organisation Nomagugu Ngobese said according to culture, a woman must respect her body.
“You can display nudity only if you’re still a vargin. That doesn’t mean you should misbehave,” said Ngobese.
