Masters’ student and ‘Sangoma-to-be’ conquers stigma attached to uneducated traditional healers
By Mcebo Makhaye and Skhumbuzo Mdunge
In a society associated with stigma attached to people with ancestral calling to not pursue their careers, well, it is not the case for the 24-year-old woman as she excels in her academic.
Meet a scholar and Sangoma-to-be, Wendy Machi who studies her master’s degree in New Media, at the Durban University of Technology (DUT).
Born and bred in the township of Umlazi, south-west of Durban, she did her early education in Carrington primary and further her studies at Umlazi Commercial high school.
In an interview, Wendy said she always knew there was something unique about her and she would often have weird dreams as messages from ancestors, during the onset of puberty.
“Growing up I would dream of something then it would happen, whenever there was someone going to die. I would have dreams showing me signs of a family member who was going to die, and I always knew, “ a traditional dressed Wendy reiterated.
At first, Wendy did not take her ancestral calling seriously as her aunt was against it saying she was too young for the practice of Ithwasa, which is a stage one needs to undergo prior becoming a Sangoma.
In 2019, she lost her father, and it was a turning point because shortly she was having repeating weird dreams from ancestors. For this reason, she had to accept her ancestral calling.
“I went to Gobela (Sangoma trainer) to find the meaning of the dreams I was having, and I was told that I need to accept the calling to save my father in a spiritual way. There were things that he did in the past that was holding him back. Therefore, I had to Phahla to ask for forgiveness on his behalf,” Wendy explained.
Wendy unpacks how she balances her spiritual world and academic
Wendy manages to juggle her Journalism profession and spiritual calling which is something hard to do. Here in a video below she explains:
Different reactions from people have made Wendy open-minded
Many could agree that having to understand other pupils’ reactions towards your spiritual gifts is not a child’s play, but to Wendy, she takes views of people lightly although they are some people accusing her of being connected to dark and evil magic.
“In terms of my colleagues, as you know that not everyone believes in ancestors, some acts in a very weird way when they around me while others are very comfortable. It differs from people to people,” Wendy explained, and she chuckles that her family is very supportive.
However, Wendy outlined that she has faced challenges in her spiritual journey particularly from neighbours calling her offensive words.
“One of the challenges I’ve faced is to be called names, people saying I have bad and evil spirits,” Wendy stressed.
What Wendy have in the bucket list?
On what life has in store for her, Wendy said she wishes to be a sport presenter, owner of a farmer and to tie the knots.
“Ideally, married (sic) with one kid and also, I love sport…I want to be a sport presenter,” she said while she gushes about her wish list.
In terms of education, she plans to enrol in PhD degree when she finishes her masters’ degree with a hope of starting a family.
Compiled and Edited by Mcebo Makhaye and Skhumbuzo Mdunge.
