Gogo, have I been scammed?

Human rights and spirituality: reflecting on South Africa's landscape  

In Human Rights Month, host Gogo Zipho Dolamo engages in retrospective conversation with seasoned sangoma Nonkwenkwezi.   With the growing presence of iZangoma and traditional spiritualities in media, one wonders what this looked like pre-democracy and the new constitution in South Africa. Nonkwenkwezi offers insights on the social context and…

18 Mar 51 min

The significance of ukuzila in an African spiritual context 

March signifies the month of human rights for all South Africans. With the constitution having been affected 27 years ago, this month we commemorate human rights for all, specifically religious and spiritual rights.   In this episode we briefly reflect on the progression of rights afforded to izangoma and their…

4 Mar 53 min

Navigating relationships and spirituality Part 2: Marriage and family life  

The month of love has been dedicated to unpacking the complexities of navigating relationships and spirituality. This episode focuses on the relational aspect of love and spirituality within the parameters of marriage. Joining the discussion are couple Alyndale and Gerald Machethe, both journeying spiritualists. As journeying spiritualists Alyndale believes: "We both…

19 Feb 1 hr 06 min

Navigating relationships and spirituality: Practical do’s and don’ts 

It is inevitable that traditional healers deal with dating and romantic relationships in their practices and personal lives. From trying to navigate spiritual do’s and don'ts to facing ethical dilemmas from clients seeking love at all costs, relationships intersect with spirituality in a multitude of ways.   In this conversation,…

5 Feb 48 min

Protection Strategies: How to prepare for the new year

Families have ways that they ready their children for the year. For example, when visiting my grandmother, she would light candles and start praying for us days before we had to depart to our varsities and places of work and residence. A colleague in the Cape Town office told me…

22 Jan 44 min

Gogo, can I phahla in my rented space?

There is much talk about whether ukuphahla is possible or effective when conducted in rented spaces. The general understanding or misconception is that iDlozi (ancestors) are specific about space and therefore cannot accept dwelling in rented homes/apartments or spaces. In this episode, host Zipho Dolamo is joined in conversation by…

5 Dec 2023 42 min

Friendship and self journeying in spirituality

On this episode of Gogo, have I been scammed? we broadly talk about friendship, support, spiritual accountability and indigenous knowledge systems, not limited to African indigeneity. Additionally we’ll talk about healing oneself through alternative practices like meditation, yogic methods and breath work. Host Gogo Zipho Dolamo is joined by certified…

20 Nov 2023 54 min

Support on religious and spiritual pursuits

On this episode of Gogo have I been scammed? we are going to be looking at a less overt type of scam in the context of spiritual and religious journeys, that is thinking one can stay the course of one’s journey in the absence of support from one's family, friends…

6 Nov 2023 42 min

Intersections of adult entertainment and spirituality

Spirituality is a buzz word in entertainment. With the rise of reality entertainment, we have been offered a front-row seat in the lives and spiritual practices and beliefs of entertainers and public figures.  Some content has been received as controversial by audiences, particularly when it is themed around sexual practices,…

23 Oct 2023 37 min

Actualising your ancestral calling

In this episode we chat to spiritual healer, Zenande Booi, about being implicated by an ancestral calling that you’re unable to actualise. How do you negotiate your position with ancestors when you’re not able to pursue ukuthwasa (initiation)? Self initiation, what it means to be a spiritual healer are some…

9 Oct 2023 30 min

Gogo how did you know you had ingulo/ the calling?

How do you know when you are implicated by igulo yeSintu or the Calling?  How can you tell that ingulo yesintu “or the calling” is the thing that is happening to you definitively? Our host Gogo Zipho Dolamo is joined by Mkulu Mkululi Jonas and PhD candidate Sangoma, Gogo Khanyi also…

27 Sep 2023 50 min

'My family paid R100k to resurrect our loved ones'

Is it possible to bring people back from the dead? Instead of encouraging families to undergo a bereavement process and counselling, some healers often instil in them false hope that their deceased loved ones can be resurrected. Our host, columnist, researcher and trained sangoma Gogo Zipho Dolamo is joined by…

12 Sep 2023 41 min

Gogo, I was scammed nearly R40 000!

The exploitation and victimisation of patients by bogus traditional health practitioners under the guise of giving spiritual help and guidance is the focus of this episode of Gogo, have I been scammed? Our host, gogo Zipho Dolamo. is joined by Dineo. who had an interaction that left her feeling traumatised…

28 Aug 2023 40 min

Special greetings for sangomas? What's that about?

How to respectfully and holistically engage iZangoma is the focus of this edition of Gogo, have I been scammed?   Topics of discussion include: does the way in which people greet iZangoma matter? what is holistic acknowledgment? the importance of and duty that iZangoma must educate. Our host, Gogo Zipho…

14 Aug 2023 26 min