Harare – In a whirlwind of claims, counter-claims, and social media frenzy, traditional healer Gogo Chihoro has found herself at the centre of a national conversation. The renowned sangoma, based in Harare, has publicly addressed swirling rumours linking her practice to the dark arts, following revelations by social media influencers Tytie and Kiki that their prosperity followed a visit to her.
The couple, who have relocated from South Africa to Dubai and seemingly found considerable success, shared their story on Facebook in December last year. Tytie and Kiki credited Gogo Chihoro with playing a pivotal role in their rise to fame and fortune, sparking intense speculation about the nature of her assistance.
“We want to set the record straight,” Tytie stated emphatically. “We did not engage in any rituals or supernatural practices. We simply sought guidance from Gogo, and our lives were transformed.”
Kiki echoed this sentiment, adding, “We believe in the power of positivity, hard work, and the right guidance. Gogo helped us unlock our potential and manifest our desires, but we did the hard work ourselves.”
However, their testimony ignited a firestorm of debate, with many Zimbabweans questioning whether their success could be attributed to something more than just “guidance.” The couple’s open acknowledgement of consulting Gogo Chihoro led some to suspect the use of black magic or “kuromba” – the practice of using evil powers to gain overnight riches.
In response to the growing speculation, Gogo Chihoro has firmly distanced herself from any involvement in witchcraft. Speaking through her spokesperson, she clarified that she does not engage in “kuromba” or any other form of malevolent practice.
“We have received many calls from people seeking kuromba, but Gogo Chihoro does not do such evil things,” her team asserted. “She only uses traditional methods and ancestral powers to heal the sick, cleanse businesses, and boost fortunes the right way.”
“Our mission as sangomas is to shape a better society,” Gogo Chihoro affirmed in a past interview. “I don’t supply goblins or muthi for evil. I track down thieves, cleanse homes and businesses, lift bad spells, and help people reclaim their success.”
Her influence has extended beyond Harare, with Gogo Chihoro now attending to clients in Bulawayo every Saturday. This expansion followed a surge in interest after artisanal miners, known as “omakorokoza” in Zimbabwe’s southern regions, flocked to her seeking the “gold mining password.” Testimonies circulated on social media, claiming that those who had unlocked the “password” gained easy access to gold deposits, further fuelling the demand for her services.
However, the rising number of testimonies has also sparked curiosity and scepticism, particularly in Bulawayo. Some wonder if Gogo Chihoro’s claims are authentic or just a carefully orchestrated marketing strategy involving paid individuals creating fake stories to promote her services.
One sceptical Bulawayo resident, Mr Bheki Mthunzi, stated that he would only believe the testimonies when his own problems are solved. Gogo Chihoro, in response, embraces scepticism and is confident that her work will eventually prove doubters wrong, making them “eat humble pie”.
Clients have shared numerous testimonies on social media, detailing unusual incidents where they sought and received her assistance. One client from South Africa claimed that after unexpectedly losing her job, she sought the healer’s assistance in Bulawayo.
“My boss in South Africa fired me unexpectedly, and I travelled to Gogo Chihoro in Bulawayo for help. After a day, I received a WhatsApp call inviting me back to work in SA immediately,” the client shared on the healer’s social media pages.
Another woman claims that after receiving spiritual guidance from Gogo Chihoro, she is now set to get married. “I came to Harare three months ago, and Gogo told me I had a spiritual husband, which I already suspected because I often had strange dreams about being with an unknown man. My fiancée had also been quiet about paying lobola. He’s based in Canada. I came for my review at Woodville (Bulawayo) on November 2, and just two days ago, he called to say he’s coming home in February for lobola negotiations,” she shared.
Other media reports claim that Gogo Chihoro delivered unconventional justice on behalf of a gold miner from Mberengwa, Midlands Province, who lost a significant amount of money to an armed gang – US$30 000. According to the reports, Gogo Chihoro unleashed a swarm of bees to attack the robbers, compelling them to return the stolen money. The swarm, described as buzzing powerfully, reportedly tracked down the suspects and ‘apprehended’ them before stinging them into submission.
A spokesperson for Gogo Chihoro explained that dealing with criminals is one of her specialties. “Part of her mission as a sangoma is to contribute to a better society by eliminating crime. She uses her abilities to track down thieves and apprehend them. Those she catches never steal again,” the spokesperson stated.
The debate surrounding Gogo Chihoro’s practice continues to rage on, fuelled by social media testimonies and scepticism alike. As Gogo Chihoro continues to garner attention, Zimbabweans are left to ponder whether her abilities are truly the solution to their woes, or if the testimonies are just a product of the social media age. What is clear, however, is that the story of Gogo Chihoro, Tytie, and Kiki has captured the imagination of the nation, sparking a conversation about traditional healing, wealth, and the power of belief.
In another video, Tytie and Kiki posted a Facebook video of them arriving at Gogo Chihoro’s place in the affluent suburb of Mandara in Harare where they met Gogo Chihoro and exchanged greetings before Kiki eventually asked their cameraman to turn off their camera so that they consult Gogo Chihoro privately.
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