Skips school to become a sangoma – aces matric anyway!

By Karabo Rammutla

Khuthatso Ngobeni aced her matric results despite spending the year in training to become a sangoma.

The 19-year-old, who was a learner at J Kekana High School in Mamelodi, got two distinctions and has been accepted to study teaching at the University of Johannesburg (UJ).

During her matric last year, Khuthatso, originally from Stinkwater in Hammanskraal, Tshwane, left school in 2021 when she ran away to the home of her gobela trainer, traditional healer Solly Mathebula in Mamelodi. 

In 2022 Mathebula sent her back to school to finish her studies.

Khuthatso lost her mother at a young age and once she went to the gobela’s home, her family left all responsibility in her hands. 

“My father would come to see me once in a while, but all financial responsibilities were on my gobela. He even registered me at school,” she told Scrolla.Africa. 

She said although it was hard to balance school with her training as a healer, she received a lot of support.

“My trainer allowed me space to study, he would wake me up early to study and he would help me with school work,” she said.

“Last year I graduated as a healer and I was eager to find out how I did at school.”

Mathebula said he treated Khuthatso like his own child.

“She had no one. I’m passionate about education and I told her if she was to continue training as a traditional healer she also had to complete matric,” he said.

He said right now the biggest hurdle was funding her studies.

“We have applied for NSFAS and we’re crossing our fingers it works out well. She has answered her calling in the most amazing way. She will now teach and heal. I hope she pays it forward,” he said.

Pictured above: Khuthatso Ngobeni pictured with her trainer Solly Mathebula

Image source: Karabo Rammutla 

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