The dominant indigenous langauge of the Greater Kruger National Park area is Tsonga, often refered to as Shangaan. The main African culture of the area is an amalgamation of Tsonga and Shangaan. Towards the north there are Northen Sotho and some Siswati to the south.

Witchcraft

Witchcraft is the practice of magic, spellwork, and rituals aimed at manipulating natural or supernatural energies to achieve a desired outcome.

Though a very contravertial subject it warrents serious attention. Hundreds of thousands of people firmly believe that spells are cast to affect or alter the behaviour of other people.  The game reserves and game lodges have countless reported cases in this regard. The use of Witch-doctor services is not exlusive to Black African people only but also other ethnic groups and races.

Many lodge owners, managers and employees are unaware of the dangers and affects of witchcraft. Long term observations of individuals on who spells were cast proves the effectiveness. If there is any doupt whether this activity is true, then do detailed polygraph assesments on the employees to determine how many have been doing so and for how long. We do respect people’s religions but when spells are cast with desires of negative outcome it becomes concerning. How would visitors, owners, employees feel if they knew that spirits are being summoned to affect their normal Human behaviour. 

Here are some some of the goals hoped to be achieved by spells:

• To cause someone to favour a person.
• To cause someone not to see and realize what is really going on.
• To cause someone to be disliked.
• To cause someone to make mistakes.
• To cause visitors to tip well.
• To find certain animal species first or regularly.
• To extend employment.

Many people claim that they left their employment because they believe that someone cast a negative spell on them. It could be compared to constructive dismissal in a spriritual sense, not from the company but from a threatened co-worker.

More to follow…