Sangomas from all over the Cacadu District gathered at the Egazini Memorial to commune with the ancestors in the build-up to Wednesday's elections.
Sangomas from all over the Cacadu District gathered at the Egazini Memorial to commune with the ancestors in the build-up to Wednesday's elections.
They hummed traditional songs, thumped drums, burned incense and cried out: "Siyathandaza, sicela ama thambo ooMakana, ootatomkhulu, abalwa belelwa inkululeko,uba basikhokele sivotele umbutho ofanelelikileyo." [We pray to our great forefathers to guide us so that we vote for the right party.]
They prayed to God and asked the ancestors to make the elections go well – and they also prayed for the ANC.
Bongile Singatha a member of the provincial executive of the National Unitary Professional Association for Traditional Health of South Africa in the Cacadu District said the significance of having the ceremony at the Egazini Memorial – which marks the Battle of Grahamstown's "place of blood" – was to remind people of the heroes who had fought for the liberation of the country.
Makana, who led the amaXhosa during the great Battle of Grahamstown, was himself a traditional healer. Phyllis Mnyamana, co-ordinator of Traditional Healers of Cacadu District, said they had come to consult the spirits and pray for a better future, so that this country did not go back to the "old ways".
Mayor Vumile Lwana attended the event and spoke about the continued relevance of traditional healers in modern society.
Nosipho Kulati, ANC sub-region secretary, said the ritual was intended to awaken the spirits of great ancestors, such as Tambo, Hani, Makana and others who had died fighting for freedom, and ask them for their guidance during the elections. She said people took the struggle for freedom for granted and needed to be reminded of the sacrifices made.
"Take a look back and remember all the good things that this party has done," said Kulati.
After the ceremony, the participants came back into town to have lunch and ANC members marched through the streets of Grahamstown to show their support.
They were later joined by a motorcade, which drove all over Grahamstown until late into the night.
