City sangoma in training suspended

By Ofentse Mokae
27 September 2009

An upmarket city hotel has suspended an employee after she refused to remove the white beads that indicate she is a sangoma in training.

Media reports Zolelwa Mpofu, a linen keeper in the housekeeping department of the Radisson Blue hotel near the V&A Waterfront, said she had gone on leave from the company on August 18 after feeling ill and deciding not to ignore the calling of her ancestors.

When she went back to work nearly a month later, wearing the traditional "instimbi" or white beads, she was asked to remove them.

The beads indicate she is in training and has obeyed the ancestors' call.

Labour Department said Mpofu was advised to report the case to the CCMA offices so that the alleged unfair dismissal can be investigated