A sangoma in Cape Town, who is also a reverend, is being shunned by traditional healing elders and the church because she is gay.
|||Cape Town - A sangoma in Browns Farm, Philippi, who is also a reverend, is being shunned by traditional healing elders and the church because she is gay.
Boniswa Emma Kejoe said she is gay and practises both her callings while managing a skills development centre; she also owns a construction company.
She grew up in Ilitha Park, Khayelitsha, and was raised by her grandmother.
She was 15 when a family member raped her, and she later gave birth to her son.
“I have a son for which I am grateful. I explained everything and he accepts me as I am,” said Kejoe.
She said she was called to traditional healing in 1982 when she was trained in the isiXhosa teachings and in 2014 in the different Isindawa teachings.
“I was drawn to the church very early on and I became a reverend in my early twenties. I came out in the 90s and it was a difficult time...I was pressured to leave my church because of my sexuality.”
Her life as a traditional healer has also been made difficult by rumours and stereotypes spread in her community.
“People come to me and are scared away by some neighbours who see them outside and tell them stories. The elder healers said if they had known I was gay, they would not have accepted me.”
Kejoe said many healers have to hide their sexuality because of the stigma.
Last week they came together in Khayelitsha at an event called “Nam Ndingumntu”, meaning I am also a person.
“We are saying we did not choose our sexuality as we did not choose the calling. Our preferences do not mean we cannot be good sangomas and we are here and we are out.”
Yoliswa Nyali, a sangoma in Isindawa and IsiXhosa, assisted Kejoe in her introduction to Isindawa teachings.
“The teachings are similar, but Isindawa in a sense is broader and gives us a greater understanding.”
National Traditional Healers Organisation spokesperson Phepisile Masekosaid: “We have discussed the topic of sexuality and it is something we are looking to address.”
Cape Times