Cape Town – South African dancer and reality TV star Zodwa Wabantu set tongues wagging after sharing a picture of her cheetah and tortoises on her Instagram page.
The picture shows the dancer in traditional gear, including animal skin and beads, as bends patting one of the two tortoises while a cheetah appears to be sleeping right next to her.
“We are all rich differently. Since Ngingu Zodwa Wabantu Awungindluli Ngalutho Okwami Akuthengwa (which translates to you don’t surpass me with anything, what is mine is not bought)
“It’s a serious gift that every animal in my hut was given to me by royal blood. I am from royal family. UMkhulu wami Inkosi uhlezi kumina (which directly translates to my grandfather is chief and always with me,” she captioned the picture.
Her shocked fans and followers took to the comments section, complimenting her easiness around the animals. Some suggested it was a display of witchcraft.
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“This is beautiful. True representation of what being African truly means. We are powerful beyond measure and one with every living thing. Fear is something that doesn’t live in you. How inspiring your life is,” wrote one follower.
Another follower said: “Nithakatha live manje anisafihli lento yobuthakathi nokuthwala niyenza istayela nje impela (which loosely translates to you are practicing witchcraft live and making it fashionable.”
The reality TV star responded, encouraging the follower to also practise witchcraft.
Others came to her defence, claiming those who thought Zodwa was practising witchcraft were suffering from “self-hate”.
“Self hate is when you see a different race keeping wild animals as pets & say “it’s cute” but call it witchcraft as soon as an African does the same.” wrote one follower.
The reality TV star has been open about her journey as she pursues her ancestral calling journey.
Earlier this year, Zodwa announced that she was embarking on an ancestral journey.
She updated her followers, posting pictures and videos of herself in traditional healer gear and doing some duties that shocked her followers.
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Picture: Instagram/ zodwalibram
Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
