By Matṧeliso Phulane
Despite a hail of criticisms levelled to him, Spash remained unshaken to his calling and now he aspires to change other people’s perspectives to accept their ancestral calling.
Rethabile Mapeshoane, Bab’omhlophe, his spiritual name is a 32 year-old born and bred at Ha Tṡosane in Maseru.
Spesh, as he is nicknamed, began his spiritual journey in September 2019 when he was 29 years old after he encountered what he termed unpleasant circumstances in life.
“I had depression and mental health issues and people thought I had lost my mind, I could see things other people could not see and hear what other people could not hear,” he said.
Besides that, Spesh expressed that he had terrible dreams that people thought so strange. However he had to investigate what they really meant until he found that it was the beginning of his spiritual journey.
“I ended up approaching one of my cousins who is also a spiritual healer to explain about my situation. He advised that was the sign of being a traditional healer.
“He further told me I have to perform rituals in a right way to pave my ways. However, I still did not understand because I had no idea about how to connect with ancestors,” he added.
Surprisingly, Spesh and one of his friends Tumelo Tsoako was in the same situation as he was misdiagnosed. He indicated that his friend went to the medical doctor who confirmed that he had unknown and invisible disease.
“The doctor claimed she had mental illness. As a result, she had to start taking medical treatment as I began to make a special prayer communicating with my ancestors to show us the way to adhere to the calling. The reason being to seek answers from the ancestors in order to know what they really wanted,” he stressed.
Spesh further revealed that his spiritual devotion began long time ago since he once prayed for his ex-girlfriend and she was healed mysteriously, further driving him into really believing in his calling.
“I am capable of praying for someone to heal. Besides that, I have a vision to see if something is about happen and instantly pray for it,” he said.
Asked about the challenges he encountered Spesh indicated that he met a mentor who unfortunately mislead him although he had paid a lot of money.
“It is very unfortunate that some of the traditional healers take advantage of helpless people. I was forced to wear wrong beads that could not help me anyhow since I knew nothing.” Spesh added.
He said he nearly died because his mentor took him to the wrong lake. But fortunately his ancestors mumbled to him that they were in danger.
After being initiated by another traditional healer, he added, he then knew that he had what he called Mondawo spirit which he said is the foreign spirit from Mozambique living inside the water.
“Historically, there was war between three countries Zimbabwe, South Africa and Mozambique. The spirit of people who were killed and thrown in the sea remains in the water hence he can cleanse and do everything with water.”
Spesh prophesies, use traditional herbs and water to cleanse while he also sells his salts and herbal remedies to those who seek help.
He advised that people should know the kind of spirit they have and be aware of fake mentors who pretend to be assist them.
“It was not an easy ride to be committed and serve the ancestors wholeheartedly. One should neglect friends and give ancestors enough time to communicate with them,” he urged, while calling upon parents and religious groups to respect people’s calling.
“I am here to make people aware that spirit is not a burden and they should be proud of it. I am called to heal people without using witchcraft because the ancestors will neglect me.
“People should accept their calling in time and stop saying they are being punished by the spirit. Refusal to accept such a calling may bring negative consequences to one’s life as nowadays being a traditional healer is no longer a secret.
“Young traditional healers nowadays bath, do their nails and do their make ups, I still go out with friends to have fun and do everything I used to do before…I am always available to share any spiritual information with anyone who is willing to be guided.” he concluded.
