CapeTownMagazine.com

Visit a Traditional Township Healer

For Moments of Joy. Follow our social channels
for useful news, daily local champions
 
072 350 2062
Ideas Cartel, The Old Foundry, 1 Sand Hill Road, Green Point
www.capetownmagazine.com/subscribe
now@capetownmagazine.com
CapeTownMag
CapeTownMagazine.com
capetownmag

Visit a Traditional Township Healer

A tour to the Sangoma township takes you to more than 'just' the township

When joining a township tour, you will most probably visit a Sangoma or a traditional healer, a person of great importance to Nguni-speaking South Africans (Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, Swazi).

CapeTownMagazine.com visited the practice of a Sangoma in the Langa Township. Not for a cure against some illness, but to see with our own eyes how a Sangoma operates and how such a practice would look. The practice of sangoma 'General mayor' in Langa
was crammed with people, all waiting for the traditional healer to give them advise on whatever illness or health issue. Just like in a western doctors practice but than in a completely different setting. And different medication and treatments: hanging from walls and the ceilings we saw everything from dried herbs to snake skins and many other (for us) unrecognizable items.
When we were there, the sangoma 'general mayor' was in a 'consultation', so we didn't have the opportunity to talk to him. In any case, our visit to a sangoma's practice was an interesting one.

Visiting a South African Sangoma or traditional healer is one of the highlights of the township tours in Cape Town


Subscribe to our free newsletter to learn and hear more about township tourism, social projects in South Africa, events, unique images, great music, and interesting information and stories on Cape Town and the rest of South Africa.

Cape Town Events Calendar
December 2025
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31

Killarney Cape Motorsport Festival 2025Killarney turns into Cape Town’s ...

Tickets for kids from R10! And you can bring your own food

visit knysna 5Knysna, but not the Knysna you think

Locals help us uncover the hidden treasures of this Garden Route gem

Hidden Giants 2025The captivating science-meets-music ...

Sold out 50 times in Gauteng with rave reviews. See why

Drumstruck 2025 Cape Town’s top African drumming ...

A layered story of South Africa’s musical traditions

Table Mountain 2025 photoshopWhat locals don’t know about Table ...

Cape Town’s highest bar (no ticket needed), free tours + more

Char'd tasting 2025Rum, brandy & gin tastings with your ...

Unusual cuts prepped in-house and a curious gin atomiser

norval foundation 11Norval Foundation, the art museum with ...

Unmissable summer exhibitions, picnics amongst the sculptures, & more

PT2The hidden seaside bistro on the ...

Inventive small plates best explored with a wine pairing

Milk on the Beach 2025Reasons to visit this beach-side family ...

DIY waffles, loaded hotdogs, poke bowls, right on the beach

LMTF Mandela and WinnieMeet 100 bronze life-size figures at ...

From famous heroes like Mandela to forgotten ones like Autshumato

Cafe Extrablatt 2024This Sunday brunch could be your new ...

At this bottomless brunch buffet, kids eat for half price

fable Cocktail Bar 4Amazing cocktail & food specials at ...

Daily happy hour, free starters & welcome drinks, and more

Ficks dinners 2025 sunset Ficks, Hermanus’s tidal pool ...

Just as wonderful at night & during the cooler months

Only Specials CaféThe café creating space for ...

It’s hidden in Hermanus. Here’s how to find it

GiveawaysTravel Tips