The bones have been thrown

2003-07-28 21:28

Johannes de Villiers

Cape Town - Light rain fell over the Cape and Boland on Monday. And whom should we thank?

Martin Malikwa, traditional San medicine man from Mitchell's Plain, who prayed for rain all over for the past two weeks, has little doubt.

"Weather experts have been telling people it won't rain for a long time," he says. "But then I say it's just people talking, God will decide in the end."

Malikwa has conducted rain ceremonies in Paarl and Bloubergstrand and even over the radio.

He was one of about 30 traditional healers who went up to Paarlberg two weeks ago to ask their ancestors to break the drought.

It works every time, Malikwa says. "On Thursday we prayed there and within half an hour is started to drizzle."

Malikwa has been a healer for 36 years and learnt the San medicine lore from his grandmother and great-grandmother.

And is the drought finally broken?

"I have thrown the bones," Malikwa says. "I have spoken to the elders and asked that it should rain for three more days."

- Die Burger