DA member of parliament Karabo Khakhau, who is also a spiritual healer, was allegedly subjected to a quasi-disciplinary hearing where she was reprimanded by the organisation’s chief whip in parliament, George Michalakis, for sitting on the floor—and burping on separate occasions—when she was visited by the spirit of her ancestors in the middle of the party caucus meeting.
According to information received, Khakhau, who is also a prophetess, calmly slipped off her shoes and sank gracefully to the floor to take a seat in the caucus meeting on May 22. Afterwards, Michalakis called Khakhau in for a private discussion regarding her conduct during the meeting.
A DA leader who was informed of the meeting, told Sunday World Michalakis seemed unwilling to understand the nature of Khakhau’s spiritual gifts. “She was literally being disciplined,” said the person, adding that Khakhau even got a warning that work was not a crèche where people would randomly sit down.
Asked if Khakhau tried to explain to her principal that she had no control over the spiritual episodes, the member said it was difficult because Michalakis was “angry”, and she felt it was like “a disciplinary session.”
Apparently the meeting ended up with him telling her that “work is more important than her ancestors.”
This happened after she allegedly burped during her episodes in the previous meetings.
However, Michalakis denied the allegations and instead expressed unequivocal support for Khakhau.
“There is absolutely no discord, and Karabo is a highly appreciated and well-regarded member of the caucus. I do not comment on internal matters, but I can assure you that there is no controversy around her calling, and I have offered my support to her,” Michalakis told Sunday World.
“The party is aware [of her spiritual gift]. The meeting was to understand better what she is going through in order for us to assist or support her if needed.
“The party has given her time off to undertake the required -rituals when she requested it. We have also offered our support to her on her journey in any way that she might need.”
Despite Michalakis’s assurances, some DA caucus members acknowledge that Khakhau’s visible embrace of her African spiritual calling has left a number of her parliamentary colleagues uncertain and, in some cases, uncomfortable.
For many MPs, particularly those unfamiliar with African spirituality, Khakhau’s actions raised questions about how to appropriately engage with her and respect her practices.
“We are from different cultural groups, which means we won’t always understand one another; this is not unusual. It is difficult for everyone in the caucus because the DA is multiracial, so not everyone will understand,” one member observed.
“I do not think it is necessarily causing discord, but there are people who have come to ask me what is going on, and since answering these questions, they have not said anything about it.”
Another caucus member noted that whispers about Khakhau’s behaviour have been circulating but insisted that confusion rather than malice was driving these conversations.
“People are really confused more than anything, and they want to understand what is happening,” said another source.
Speaking to Sunday World, Khakhau clarified what actually transpired.
“It has only happened once. It was a caucus, and I sat down, but the chair was uncomfortable. I then took off my shoes, thinking I would be fine, but the socks had also rejected me. I did not go through a trance or anything. All I did was sit on the floor, quietly,” she explained.
She expressed surprise at reports of discomfort among her colleagues, saying she has not been directly confronted by anyone about her calling. She also declined to discuss her meeting with Michalakis in detail.
“I am surprised that people are uncomfortable because none of them have had the bravery to come to me to express their discomfort,” Khakhau said, adding that her spiritual journey is well-known within the party.
Some members, she noted, have even engaged in friendly banter about it.
Khakhau’s spiritual calling, for which she says she completed formal training in December 2024, followed a period of ill health she attributes to suppressing her gift.
“What people do not know is that I started the journey in 2023; it only came into people’s faces last year. The only reason people know is that my ancestors are very strict. When I am home in Free State, I do practice, so I am a healer.”
Far from seeing her spiritual path as a burden, Khakhau believes it has enriched her life and work. “It affords me a level of wisdom I would not ordinarily have for a 27-year-old. It is not hard for me; it is not that I must make any sacrifices,” she said.
On the issue of whether the DA should do more to educate members about African spirituality, Khakhau was unequivocal. She believes the responsibility should be a personal one.
“Why can you not go to Google as a person? The DA has never said it does not want a person of my sort in the party, so if that was the case, they would have to say so,” she stated.
She remains unapologetic and steadfast, embracing her ancestral calling, even if it means occasionally choosing the floor over a chair. DA Federal Chairperson Helen Zille said Khakhau is unfazed about what happened.
“She is chilled and not fazed by what happened in caucus. I was not at the caucus meeting, so I did not experience any of what you write. I have gotten to know Karabo quite well and she has shared some of her spiritual journey with me, so I am aware of the aspects of her spirituality that she has chosen to share.
I am not sure whether she has discussed it with others, or with whom. We would approach any caucus member’s spirituality within the ‘freedom’ framework within which we operate. In this case, broadly classified as freedom of religion. No one would treat Karabo differently because of it, and she is fully respected as a valued member of the caucus,” she said.
