‘She charges R50K ‘: Letoya Makhene exposed as a fake sangoma
In recent weeks, the South African entertainment industry has been rocked by serious allegations against actress and singer Letoya Makhene. Her ex-wife, Lebo Keswa, has publicly claimed that Letoya is not a fully-fledged sangoma, stating that she has not completed the necessary initiation rites despite beginning the process two decades ago. This controversy has not only raised questions about Letoya’s credentials as a traditional healer but has also brought to light the complexities and challenges faced by those seeking to become sangomas.
Lebo’s accusations were quickly elevated when two young initiate sangomas came forward, revealing their struggles and feelings of betrayal after attending Letoya’s initiation training. Both in their twenties, these individuals, who chose to remain anonymous for fear of intimidation, stated that they had commenced their training with Letoya but were unable to complete it due to her personal circumstances.
According to their accounts, the financial and emotional investment in the process was significant. Each initiate was required to pay R50,000 to Letoya for the training, which did not even cover the additional costs associated with living with her while acquiring herbs, medicine, and animals needed for rituals. The initiates reported having paid a R20,000 deposit but found themselves without a guide after Letoya’s relationship with Lebo ended, forcing her to move out and abandoning their training.
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The impact of this situation extends beyond financial loss. The two young sangomas explained that their ancestral spirits, which play a vital role in their journey as traditional healers, were left behind at the training location in Mohlakeng, as Letoya had not released them. They expressed a desire for Letoya, who is considered their gobela (trainer), to fulfill her responsibilities and help them find another trainer, as their futures in the sangoma community hang in the balance.
Adding to the emotional complexity is Lebo’s own perspective. While she supports Letoya’s endeavors as a partner, she insists that she does not share her former spouse’s spiritual calling. Coming from a Christian background, she acknowledges her ignorance regarding sangoma practices and her inability to assist the initiates or their ancestral spirits. Lebo claims that her involvement in this aspect of Letoya’s life arose purely from love.
The unfolding drama has been fueled by additional allegations made by Lebo, who asserts that Letoya struggles with alcoholism—a condition the actress reportedly refuses to acknowledge. This diagnosis, if true, could explain Letoya’s difficulties in completing her training and fulfilling her obligations as a gobela. Furthermore, Lebo questions the legitimacy of Letoya’s own initiation process, stating that her guide passed away before she could finish, raising concerns about her qualifications to train others.
In response to the turmoil surrounding her personal life, Letoya has opted to focus on her music career, distancing herself from the ongoing accusations and the memories of her failed marriage. She has made it clear that she would prefer not to revisit her tumultuous past, emphasizing her desire to move forward.
