Witchcraft in South African labour war
For illustration only: An effigy of a witch is burned to celebrate the 'Walpurgisnacht' witches night in Goeda, Germany.
Malaysians believe in bomohs and the power of black magic. And Hollywood has made millions milking our imagination and fantasies about wizards and warlocks. But who knew that even South Africans believe in witchcraft!
South Africa's top mineworkers union has accused a rival of using witchcraft to boost recruiting, an allegation taken seriously among the rank and file in a country where traditional spiritual beliefs are widely held.
South Africa's National Union Of Mineworkers (NUM) has been locked in a violent battle for membership with the upstart Association Of Mineworkers And Construction Union (AMCU) at the world's largest platinum mine.
“One of the tools which is used strongly is muti,” said NUM General Secretary Frans Baleni, referring to traditional medicines that can be made from a range of ingredients including animal or human body parts.
Baleni said NUM's members believed that AMCU had a “very strong sangoma” or witch doctor. “One of the myths is that if you don't toe the line, especially if you are a man, if you defy them you might have bedroom problems at home,” he said.
Sangomas are widely respected by South Africans of all walks of life, including business leaders and politicians. Baleni later told reporters it was an issue that was not being taken lightly because many workers believed in such things.
“We are taking it seriously as part of the tactics of this union as our members are telling us about the use of sangomas and muti," Baleni said.
AMCU officials said they were not using witchcraft. “There is no one among us who is using muti or sangomas. It is rubbish that he is saying. We uphold Christian principles, we don’t use sangomas,” said AMCU General Secretary Jeff Mphahlehle.
Source: Reuters
Published: 20th June 2012
