8 AUGUST is marked as International Cat Day.
On this day, cat lovers get to embrace their favorite pets and gush about how much they have integrated them as part of their families.
But in the black community, the negative connotation of owning a cat still exists as many still associate cats with witchcraft, dark magic or even foreshadowing of a funeral to come in their home.
Love it or hate it, there are always two sides to a story.
Sangoma Kuppa Banda told Daily Sun that using cats for dark magic still exists, and it is more common than many might think.
“You will find a cat crying out as though it’s a baby, those are signs of bad energy around your place or even a warning that bad news is coming,” he said.
Kuppa said although cats are good pets, the reasons why many keep them differ.
"It depends on the person's intentions really. You find that a cat will disappear in your yard and comes back totally different, almost as though they are traumatized. Reasons differ, but more often than so, people use them for witchcraft," he said.
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Veterinarian David Pienaar said people should not be worried about cats because they are friendly pets, especially when they are cared for well.
“Cats are not dangerous at all. You will find wild cats but once they have accepted you, they become nice and gentle pets and will always sit next to you. Give it food and water to drink then they are all fine,” David said.
A cat owner, Bontle Pelo said she grew up with cats all her life and owning one is not a taboo.
In fact, for her, her cat has not only become her best friend but a member of the family.
"It eats what we eat. When I go to the shops it's always next to me. It walks with me in fact my cat is more friendlier than you can imagine," she said.
While Bontle is aware of the negative stereotypes associated with cats, she said for as long as she has not witnessed any change of behaviour from her cat she has nothing to worry about.
Even when it disappears and eventually comes back, she said she restricts it from going inside the house and always keeps her distance until it eventually leaves for good.
