She never once saw herself one day becoming a sangoma. She loved the good life and being a sangoma was a far cry from the life she was living. But Big Brother Mzansi winner says answering her calling ‘saved her life.’ This year, Michelle "Mphowabadimo" Mvundla is celebrates seven years of being a sangoma and she couldn’t be happier.
ACCEPTING HER CALLING
The mom of two says it hasn’t been an easy journey. "Today marks my 7th year anniversary edlozini and still on this journey and not even halfway," she shares. "I will never exchange my gift for anything. Ngathwasa ngimcane and I went through initiation thinking I’m doing this just so my family but I didn’t realise the reasons were bigger than me. After I came back from initiation, I sunk into depression, angry at my ancestors for stealing my youth, trying to find myself and also heal from the abuse iphehlo brought because the journey to self-discovery isn’t easy," she adds. "When it finally hit, I then humbled myself and accepted my gift and gave my ancestors permission to use me. Above everything, I was humbled by uthando lwama dlozi wami noma kunyuka nomkwehlela (love from my ancestors through the ups and downs)."
A HEALER
Mphowabadimo says today she carries her gift with grace and pride. Yes, it isn’t as easy all the time. I’m a young woman navigating this life thing with a spiritual gift and slaying it one day at time." Mpho Wabadimo explains that amongst Africans one would expect that being a sangoma is a norm. But it’s not, it’s looked down on and shamed. Even in the Big Brother house, she didn’t introduce herself as a sangoma at first. "I did mention that I’m not a magician, I’m a healer. If I was not meant to be there Idlozi lami would have not allowed the situation to happen. So. I went there and I was myself. I broke stereotypes."
