2 young traditional healers drown during ritual, laid to rest in Katlehong

Two young traditional healers, Ntokozo Khumalo (22) and Owami Maphosa (18) who drowned during a traditional cleansing ritual ceremony at the Zonkezizwe River on October 27, were laid to rest in separate funerals on November 2.

They drowned while attending a traditional cleansing ceremony, which is normally performed by traditional healers in a river. Their lifeless bodies were recovered later on the day of the tragic event.

Khumalo’s funeral service was at Siluma Section, while Maphosa’s funeral was at the family home in Nhlapo Section, in Katlehong.

In an interview with Kathorus Mail during the funeral service, Maphosa’s grandmother, Hleziphi Maphosa said the death of her grandson saddened the family, but the family left everything to God.

“Owami brought happiness to every person he met; he had a beautiful soul and accommodated every person into his life. His death is a loss to many of those people who knew him, not only to us as his family.

“We will forever miss him as his family. We are still struggling to accept he is no longer with us, but hopeful that with time we will heal,” lamented a tearful Hleziphi.

Thabiso Tsotetsi, a friend of the late Owami, said his life would never be the same without Owami.

“We confided in each other; now I will no longer have someone I share everything with. I have lost a great friend. His departure has pained me immensely and I will never forget the great memories we had. We used to go to traditional healers’ ceremonies together, and now I am left alone.

“He was gifted spiritually and loved to go to church. His wish was to use his spiritual gift to help people,” Thabiso shared.

Ntokozo’s grandmother, Busisiwe Khumalo, said the death of her grandson deeply hurt her. He drowned while trying to save a friend during a ritual cleansing ceremony.

“Ntokozo had a calling to become a traditional healer at a young age, and whenever clients came to consult me at my place because I am also a traditional healer, Ntokozo would tell me what was wrong with them before I would know myself.

“Little did I know he would follow in my footsteps and become a traditional healer,” Busisiwe shared.

She added her grandson was a special person who loved helping people.

“I am heartbroken and deeply hurt to lose him at this young age. We were expecting a lot from him as he was practising to become a professional chef.

“I already miss him a lot, because we used to love spending time together,” Busiswe explained.