body traditional healer KZN

A decomposing body of a traditional healer was discovered in her home. Image: Facebook.

‘It wasn’t handled well’: SAHRC on young sangoma’s suspension

The South African Human Rights Commission has weighed in on the death of a 15-year-old sangoma who was suspended from school for her attire.

body traditional healer KZN

A decomposing body of a traditional healer was discovered in her home. Image: Facebook.

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) says the death of Mbalenhle Ngobese, a 15-year-old sangoma and learner at Nombika High School in Ndwedwe, KwaZulu-Natal should have never happened. 

The 15-year-old sangoma was suspended from school earlier this year because of her sangoma attire and missed classes and exams. She reportedly committed suicide by hanging herself. 

SA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ON SANGOMA’S SUICIDE

As previously reported, the learner said that she was forced to wear ibhayi (which is what sangomas and other traditional healers wear or drape themselves with) over her uniform due to her ancestral calling. 

In an interview with 1KZNTV NEWS, the young sangoma said she was suspended by the principal who said ibhayi is not part of the uniform. 

“The principal asked me to hide ibhayi by wearing it underneath, I then explained to her that if I am not wearing it, especially when I am not at home I feel sickly,” the late learner said. 

In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, SAHRC Commissioner Advocate Andre Gaum said it is a tragic incident which should have never happened and wasn’t handled well at all. 

Gaum said it is quite concerning that years later, such is happening despite a ruling in a case (KZN MEC vs Pillay) which made it clear how important diversity is in South Africa and that there should be reasonable accommodation when the religious and cultural rights of learners are concerned 

“South Africa still has a very old fashioned approach to matters of appearance as well as school uniform…We are not opposed to school uniforms as such but this is a clear instance where appearances of learners are being regulated by that particular school that violated the rights of this particular learner.”

Advocate Andre Gaum

Guam said the SAHRC will be in conversation with the KZN Department of Education and other key role players to look into the circumstances that led to the young sangoma’s death.

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