Gogo Maweni shuts down claims that she uses dark money rituals on her clients

‘Because I know people are doing that does not mean I am doing that’

04 June 2024 - 11:40
By Joy Mphande
Gogo Maweni at the media launch of the Ubungoma Festival in October 2022.
Image: MASI LOSI Gogo Maweni at the media launch of the Ubungoma Festival in October 2022.

Gogo Maweni has denied using dark money rituals on her clients. 

The popular sangoma and reality TV star promoting crafted candles that contain money has sparked speculation, as in the past she has warned her followers about accepting money from strangers without a good reason.

Gogo Maweni, who prides herself in educating her followers about the dark world, has spoken about how this money could be used to transfer luck to the giver, causing the recipient's life to fall apart.

Responding to claims of her using a business venture as a ritual, Gogo Maweni said using coins and notes with her candle range was merely a bright idea. 

"I am most probably the most spoken about traditional healer in South Africa so I am not going to defend myself over nonsense. When I spoke about people giving out money, I said some people. Because I know people are doing that does not mean I am doing that," she told TshisaLIVE. 

"I am a businesswoman, I'm a traditionalist and inyanga. I always come up with ways that would combine traditional ways and Western ways."

Maweni said she put a R10,000 slip in one of her candles up for grabs, and there would be no witchcraft attached to it because the winner would receive the money via EFT.

"The cash candles are something that helps people eradicate bad omens and spirits in the home. The ingredients put in the candle are like ibaso. I figured let me do something clever and put money in the candles. There is money from R5 to R10,000. One has a slip for R10,000 and they need to call me to tell me they've won the R10,000."

Gogo Maweni said she was not phased by the false narrative because it did not affect her business in any way.

"Each to their own. People always talk. I'm not new to these kind of conversations or these words being thrown around. It does not stop me from doing what I do. There are people who believe in me. I've helped a lot of people."