Parents appeal for a cleansing ceremony after lightning struck again
Some parents believe that lightning does not strike the same place twice, which denotes that there is a bad omen at the school.
DAANTJIE – Some parents of pupils from Siyakhula Primary School are calling for a cleansing ceremony after the school was struck by lightning twice last week.
Last Monday morning nine pupils were struck by lightning in their classroom and rushed to Rob Ferreira Hospital for treatment. Last Wednesday evening lightning struck again.
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Some parents believe that lightning does not strike the same place twice, which denotes that there is a bad omen at the school. They said that since the rainy season started, they no longer feel that their children are safe.
Ms Jennifer Malambe said, “I accompanied my daughter to school on Thursday morning when I discovered that the lightning struck again on Wednesday evening. This matter must not be taken lightly, something must be done. As Africans we must face reality and stop acting ignorantly and hiding behind our Christian faith or being Westernised.
This time around they were lucky because it struck at night. Maybe if it happened during the day, it would be a different story.”
She also indicated that some of the children are still traumatised by what they witnessed.
“Not so long ago, some pupils survived after lightning struck their classroom. We must act now before it’s too late. Before my daughter left for school, she asked a lot of questions about the lightning and what if it struck again,” she added.
The national coordinator of traditional headers, Gogo Thokoza Pepsile Maseko, said there must be a cleansing ceremony otherwise history will repeat itself.
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“When such an incident takes place, there must be a ritual, not a prayer, because during a ritual, traditional herbs are used to remove an egg from the lightning. If you are a true African, you will understand me,” said Maseko.
She added that the ceremony is not supposed to be a big event. The parents must choose a traditional healer that they trust, who can throw ancestral bones. Sometimes they need to slaughter as part of the cleansing.
Cultural expert, Dr Mafika Lubisi, said, “Let us not beat about the bush and face reality, we are Africans. What I know is that there must be a cleansing ceremony to remove the eggs because every time there is lightning, it will connect with the egg which means it will strike again.”
