Gogo Nomvula is a 29 year old traditional healer who graduated in March 2021. Nomvula is Nguni for "the one who brings rains". She is a custodian of African spirituality with a permeating light and unwavering faith. Ubungoma means "to be with song" and is expressed through chants, song and dance at the rhythm of the beating drum. She walks with Badimo ba Basotho who express themselves in a colourful array of green, yellow, orange, blue, white and red beads as well as uMndawe and uMndau reflected in white, red and black beads. Embedded in her are the gifts of seporofeto le bothuela. She is thriving in her career as a Tech Talent Partner for a UK based RPO. She is the epitome of purpose.
In your early years what did your faith look like?
I was Christian and had found a home in our local Lutheran church. As a little girl, I attended Sunday school and later on in my teen years I proceeded with confirmation classes. I went to church religiously until shortly after my mother's passing in 2010.
Who played a role in nurturing your faith?
My late grandmother introduced me to the church whilst my sister played a role in shaping my relationship with Christ. My mother however, wasn't an avid church goer. She loved God and enjoyed listening to gospel music but the only time I can remember her being in a religious setup was during baptisms and confirmations.
How would you describe your spiritual gift?
I am still learning about my gift each and every day but I would describe it as intuitive prophetic healing. I am spirit led and although I understand the value of bones and medicinal tools, my ability to heal stems from my being. In essence, the manner in which I apply myself in the practice of healing is more agile rather than traditional.
When did you realize you were gifted?
According to mainstream ideologies of African spirituality and traditional healing, the defining moments were in 2019. However growing up the subtle whispers were always there. My family describes how I used to cry hysterically before something bad happened and randomly relayed events that would happen.
What were the events leading up to ukusabela ubizo lwakho?
I would experience erratic episodes in private and public settings. The most vivid memory was when I was chilling at a house with friends and a conversation ensued about a fatal car accident. I immediately went into a trance with tears flowing down my cheeks and blood trickling out of my nose. Not only was I playing the events in my head, my spirit literally immersed itself into that space and I started perceiving the details of the tragedy. I felt a lingering dead soul in the space and I started uttering incoherent words that I can't remember to this day. The trance lasted about 20-30 minutes with the whole room startled not knowing what to do. One of the girls we were with took out a bible from her car and started praying and speaking in tongues. It didn't help though, I think it made things worse cause I was aggravated irrespective of her good intentions. Luckily, one of the guys picked up the phone and called his cousin who was entwasweni at the time. The cousin's Gobela started speaking to me calming down idlozi lami. I experienced a combination of aggressive ubungoma episodes and calm mangeloi episodes.
When did you decide ukuthwasa?
I was dreaming consistently almost every night but one particular dream stood out. In the dream, we were at church and an elderly woman called to me within the congregation of people. She said that the time had come for me to change my surname and inherit my rightful name. She then clothed me in church regalia with ubungoma beads. I started crying hysterically and I was told to head to the back of the church to see who would facilitate my initiation. On the wall "Male..." was written - an incomplete name. I woke up with a wet pillow soaked by my tears. I described my dreams to my friend and she introduced me to a Nkgono with a similar name. I consulted with her and she told me that I needed to have a clear and concise dream before we could take the next step. I continued to dream about being chased by lions and sangomas but I wasn't fearful at all, I was obedient instead. Fast forward two weeks, I dream of the same Nkgono teaching me in a classroom and in another dream, my aunt instructing me to go to her. I finally received the confirmation I needed and decided to embark on this new journey.
How were you given the name "Nomvula"
The name Nomvula came out when I was in trance ko lefehlong. As a sangoma, you are reliving the life of someone who walked this earth at some point in time. I had to enquire about my family tree and it was revealed that Nomvula was my dad's grandmother's mom so basically my great-great-grandmother. I should mention that although she was the first dlozi to introduce herself, I walk with other spirits ba Basotho le Makhosi who I feel are more dominant.
You were ko lefehlong for about 6 months, what did that journey look like?
TERRIBLE ! The experience wasn't as comfortable as I had hoped it would be. I had to cook for myself and I don't know how to cook ! I also had to abide by rules that didn't necessarily resonate with me. Look, lefehlo is basically a dying of self and being reborn again so it requires sacrifice but I am still very possessive over Keabetswe. The child in me refuses to let go of her. Also, there is a certain way to evoke Badimo and they're not always present. The pressure of always being expected to connect can get overwhelming at times. Waking up every morning and uyamemeza knowing very well that Badimo are not responsive on certain days is humiliating. But I do appreciate the lesson in that cause when you have a client you cant tell them that Badimo aren't present, you need your intuition to kick in. Also, having idumane on your head can also trigger your self esteem cause you're used to your appearance being in a certain way. It's just ALOT.
For 6 months you were in solitude, how easy/difficult was it reintegrating back into society?
It was fairly easy cause of the support from my loved ones. My friends and family literally walked this journey with me from day one so it was a natural progression when I came back.
What was the state of your mental health and emotional wellbeing post lefehlo?
I was depressed. The dark hole I was in was so deep that it started painting suicidal thoughts in my head. The root cause of this whirlwind of negative energy was unemployment. I lacked the financial muscle to do most things and that was detrimental to my mental health. Simultaneously, imposter syndrome had me in a chokehold. When you earn your stripes as a sangoma society has this expectation that you need to have clients and consult as means of proving yourself. That pressure rests squarely on your shoulders irrespective of your emotional state. And unfortunately, social media amplifies that pressure. During lefehlo, you have your Gobela to guide, clarify and correct your mistakes. Now you're alone and you need to execute your ability to heal on your own in a field which is vast and forever evolving.
I remember you had a website called "Kgoro ya meso" which people used to access your services. Upon prepping for this interview I realized that the website no longer exists which makes me question whether you're still a practicing sangoma, are you?
Yes I am. The reason I took down the site was due to the influx of consultation requests, I couldn't meet demand. But I do consult and I usually get clients via word of mouth. Between working full time, spending time with friends and family and prioritizing me time, I'm incapable of practicing full time.
How has ubungoma shaped the person you are today?
I learned from Siyabonga Mkhize from Umsamo Institute that African spirituality and healing is firstly about healing self, then family, community, nation and the world. I am still in the phase of healing myself and that allows me to extend grace unto others. We're all striving to be the best versions of ourselves. It has taught me that in this journey of self discovery, the people around you tend to get hurt, unintentionally so. Ubungoma for me is about understanding the world, understanding purpose, finding purpose as well as the essence of ubuntu. It has also shaped my faith tremendously. I know I can ask for anything in prayer and I shall receive it without a doubt. Modimo le Badimo are there to make things happen for you all you need to is believe wholeheartedly.
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