Former Generations: The Legacy actress and musician Letoya Makhene has, through her music, called for healing amidst of the novel coronavirus.
The former actress, who has left the screen to concentrate on her music career, said people could listen to her new track called Ngihawuleke (Thongo Lami) which is aimed at bringing the spirit back home.
“This song gives you a sense of the drum beat under the African sun. It’s such a coincidence that my release date has come at a time when our nation is on its knees – at the mercy of the Universe. Ngihawuleke is a plea to the Universe for mercy,” she said.
Moreover, she said the uneasy release of the song hit her hard when she heard that Credo Mutwa, whom she needed to make an appearance on the Thongo Lami music video, had passed on.
“I really wanted to honour him while he was still alive… Agreements were put into place but unfortunately he left us before we could proceed. I had not yet met ubaba. Like many, I was a great lover of his works and his knowledgeable mind,” said Makhene.
Amidst of the COVID-19 pandemic, she has urged South Africans to consider steaming to reduce the chances of contracting the deadly coronavirus.
The graduated traditional healer said the virus doesn’t thrive in high temperatures and steaming, also called isifutho in traditional circles, will help to heat up the body and dispel mucus and other toxins.
“But please still get yourself checked and stay on the necessary treatment provided by the western health professionals. I believe that only by working together as traditional and western health practitioners can we successfully combat this crisis,” said Makhene.
When asked if traditional healers would contribute to finding cure or vaccine for this global pandemic, she said it was possible, but they needed to work hand-in-hand with the western medical professionals.
“While folks might have gravitated towards western medicine – which really are derivatives of the herbs and plants that we use – we as traditional healers have been known to successfully treat some incurable diseases and ailments,” she said.
