Masutane Modjadji A LIKELY COMMUNITY BEARER NOLITHA MMNGOMEZULU By Masutane Modjadji The community of Imizamo Yethu is a stark contrast of nearby neighbourhoods of the opulent Hout Bay in the Cape Peninsula. Here like in any African township the music is played loud, children can be seen playing in the dusty and dirty streets as women go about their household chores and daily routines, while youth mostly just hang out in their social circles. The challenges here are the same to that of many impoverished communities. Just as the name Imizamo Yethu signifies, this is a community that tries and pushes for better living conditions. Nolitha Mngomezulu knows all too well about what can be done to improve the lives and encourage empowerment here. For 28 years she has called the place home. Here the better part of her years were spent trying different kinds of projects to uplift her community, especially the youth she says. With little support to ensure the sustainability of those self-starter projects, there is only so much a family woman like Nolitha who juggles a Sangoma career with fishing, can do by herself. Sinelitha Youth Group Image courtasy Nolitha Mngomezulu Her passion for African culture and traditions can filter through conversations and everyone who comes into contact with her. Such is her passion that she founded the now defunct Sinelitha Youth Group. African dance and songs were the focus of the choir, which was made up of youth from the Imizamo Yethu community. The lack of interest from community representatives with influence failed to put the group on a roadmap to changing their lives. One of Nolitha’s dreams is to revive the group. In her vision they would bring African dance and Rhythm to every function as their motto says. It will also form part of tourism attractions. Nolitha Mngomezulu at her home in Imizamo Yethu Nolitha Mngomezulu with Makhosi Bongela Welcome and leaving If anyone can achieve this, it is clear that Nolitha would. Although she and her husband sent their children to former Model C Schools in the Peninsula, their feet are still firmly planted in their community. Her life has always lived on the extra ordinary. Her journey through childhood was marked with special moments - as a chosen child by her ancestors. Her adulthood was turbulent as most of it was marked with mysterious illness and inexplicable incidences as her ancestors intensified their calls for her to become a sangoma. When she finally heeded that call, it was like everything in her life was finally put in its place. Now as a fully fledged Sangoma, Nolitha gets clients from countries like Netherlands, Germany, Thailand, Japan. “I have clients from all over the world and they come directly to me,” says Nolitha. She also did readings at Cape Town’s Medi Spa for clients who were too afraid to come to where she lives. Nolitha’s positive energy makes it very easy to see that if she gets her way with the projects she has in mind, they will no doubt flourish. Click on any thumbnail for a 640x480 pixel size and slide show Masutane's Blog Print Top