A well-known traditional healer, Mr Mukondi William "Badzha-Badzha" Marikhela, died at his home on November 3, at the age of 91.

He was born in February 11, 1916, at Tshifhawe, and according to tradition, he received spiritual healing from his ancestors in 1964.

His powers to treat and cure patients with mental disabilities made him a popular traditional healer in the former Venda homeland and other parts of the country. The late Paramount Chief of Venda, Patrick Mphephu, used to tell people that if they were suffering from mental disabilities, he would take them to Badzha-Badzha. Badzha-Badzha, who moved to Tshikuwi in 1969, was well known for treating people who are struggling to get children, men with sex drive troubles, mental disability and several other diseases.

In 1972, he was recognized with a Vuk’zenzele (Do it yourself) certificate by the previous government of South Africa, following his methodology of preserving nature while using herbs to treat his patients.

His son, Albert Marikhela, said that his father’s traditional healing was different from other traditional healers, because he received visions in his dreams by the ancestors.

He said that his father traveled across South Africa, healing people of different tribes. "I still remember when different people from Swaziland, Botswana, Lesotho and central Africa flocked in large numbers to our home to receive traditional treatment from my father," he said.

According to Marikhela, his father was linked with students from Poland, Germany and France by Prof Van der Walt from the University of Venda.

He said that most PSL teams were also getting muti from his late father. He also received another certificate for being the best herbalist from the late president of traditional healers in South Africa, Mr Maphalaphathwa Mathivha.

Badzha-Badza’s health deteriorated in July this year.

Marikhela said that his father performed rituals during a ceremonial gathering attended by family members and relatives at his home towards the end of last month." He was fearless; if goods were stolen, he had powers to make the thieves bring them back," said Marikhela.

He left his traditional healing power with his daughter, Ms Mukondi Marikhela.

Badzha-Badzha is survived by his 17 children, 34 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was buried at the Tshikuwi cemetery last Saturday.