Zodwa Wabantu gets up close and personal with a snake
Zodwa Wabantu was all smiles while showing off a snake on Instagram.
While most people have a crippling fear of snakes, controversial South African performer Zodwa Wabantu wraps them around her neck like a scarf.
The exotic dancer shared a video of herself handling a python. "Thwala Nawe. Ngiyovuselela 2024," she captioned the clip.
Snakes are believed to be used in 'ukuthwala' and 'uMamlambo' rituals to bring good luck, money, and fame in some cultures.
Celebrities and snakes have been a big talking point since 2020. South African author Jackie Phamotse made headlines that year when she claimed that many rich and famous people in Mzansi use snakes and witchcraft to acquire wealth.
Traditional expert Gogo Bathini Mbatha told TshisaLive at the time that "a snake, if it is well bred with the right muti on it, can make your business go from one to 100".
Ever since then, any celebrity spotted with a snake is accused of taking part in 'ukuthwala' rituals.
ALSO READ: Entry denied! Zodwa Wabantu banned from performing in Lesotho
MORE FROM EAST COAST RADIO
ALSO READ: Somizi weighs in on the sangoma debate: "Let people be"
Zodwa opened up about her spiritual calling in January last year, but stated that she is not a sangoma.
“I have recently accepted a calling but this is a different kind of ubizo (calling). I'm not a sangoma," she told IOL in January 2022 after she was spotted wearing ancestral clothing.
Sangoma and reality star, Lee-Anne 'Gogo Maweni' Mokopo, seemed pleased that Zodwa showed off a snake in her latest post.
"Snake gang," she wrote under Zodwa's post. Her comment included snake emojis and heart-eyes emojis.
Gogo Maweni owns several snakes but she has stated in the past that they are just pets as she is a big animal lover. She also has a pet owl, rabbits, and tortoises.
She has, however, confirmed in interviews that there are people who use snakes for financial gain.
"Yes, it's true there are people who do ukuthwala. People do it for their own reasons and there are many ways to go about it. For instance, there are those who use snakes. Some use 'money rats', some use owls and others use tokoloshes (aka short boys). These things are true and they do happen," she said in a 2020 interview.
ALSO READ: Ntsiki Mazwai shades Zodwa Wabantu: 'One can't be a professional stripper and a sangoma'
Main image credit: Instagram/@zodwalibram
How to listen to East Coast Radio:
1. Listen to East Coast Radio on the FM spectrum between 94 and 95 FM on your radio.
2. Listen live to ECR by clicking here or download the ECR App (iOS/Android).
3. Listen to East Coast Radio on the DStv audio bouquet
4. Listen to us on Amazon Alexa.
Find East Coast Radio on the following social media platforms: