YES, it may sound harsh, but it is true, some gobelas continue to prey on desperate and helpless amathwasa.
Many people may regard an ancestral calling as a blessing to the chosen one expected to take the sacred route or passage to fulfil what ancestors require.
That is regarded as accepting a gift from one’s ancestors. On the other hand, others may regard that as non-existent as they don’t believe in such. Well, rightfully, so they have a right to their religion, beliefs and association.
An ancestral calling to those who believe in it is regarded as a gift despite the hardships, symptoms and disturbances that come with the calling at the onset.
Whether one believes in ancestors or not, everyone can note a violation of one’s rights, abuse and crime when they see one.
The amathwasa tend to endure abuse from their teachers, known as gobelas, during their training to become izangoma. The spike in such incidents is shocking.
Time and again, amathwasa are being rescued from their cruel gobelas who had since agreed to help them on their journey to becoming izangoma and traditional healers.
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One shocking incident is of a gobela who has now earned the name "Monster of Alex" from Alexandra in Joburg who faces several charges, including rape.
He is accused of allegedly raping, assaulting and ordering his amathwasa to sleep with each other to his pleasure. The youngest of the victims was 12 years old at the time of the incident.
Another gobela faced the music after he allegedly raped his three victims, aged 14, 15 and 18. He also claimed that his muthi was very strong and that he was untouchable.
The 31-year-old gobela from Ulundi, northern KZN, used those words when he raped his victims, threatening them not to talk.
Countless incidents could be shared.
Are amathwasa protected while in the hands of these ruthless gobelas? Are the associations of traditional healers and izangoma doing enough to guard against such practices by gobelas?
Are they just vocal after learning about the events where they would fill up courts to capacities? Is there an association inclined to fight for the rights of those about to partake in such a journey?
I guess there are more questions than answers as amathwasa continue to suffer at the hands of their gobelas.
