The “White” Sangoma

Adorned in colorful beaded clothing, and dancing bare feet to African drums as if in a ritualistic mood, is a young white boy.

Kyle Todd is a spiritual healer commonly known as “sangoma” in South Africa.

At 12 years, Kyle stands out in a profession dominated by blacks in his native South Africa.

He says it started with premonitions which his parents first dismissed.

Kyle claims he predicted the xenophobic attacks that rocked South Africa in April 2015 and left at least 7 people dead.

But one of his most vivid dream he says he foresaw the death of South Africa’s anti-apartheid icon, Nelson Mandela, who passed away in December 2013.

Away from his practice, Kyle is a normal 12 year old who likes watching television and playing football .

11-year old caucasian boy who is a sangoma, Kyle Todd aka Gogo Frank Marshall shares his reality with us on tonight's MY REALITY #POWERLife

— POWER 98.7 (@Powerfm987) June 30, 2015

Rejection

But it has not been easy for Kyle and his family.

According to Mike Todd, Kyle’s father, they come from a community that does not believe in sangoma’s and Kyle has lost some friends.

“Most of my friends went against me and started being ex-friends,” Kyle said.

Sangomas occupy a respected position in South African society, particularly among blacks, who view them with a mix of reverence and fear

The young boy continues to trailblaze in a country that has about 69,000 registered sangomas and he eventually hopes to combine learning medicinal herbs with scientific studies.