WEDNESDAY, 11.30AM:
PRESIDENT Nelson Mandela has been warned by a traditional healer that his ancestors may be upset after he was attacked by a swarm of bees at his ancestral home in Qunu, Transkei, on Saturday.
According to presidential aide Parks Mankahlana, Mandela was stepping out of a bath at his Qunu residence when a swarm of honey bees descended on him, forcing him to run for cover.
In Xhosa tradition, a visit by bees, traditional representatives of the ancestors, is a sign of good luck, while an attack signals that the ancestors are angry and need to be appeased.
Traditional healer Phillip Kubekeli was quoted on television on Tuesday night advising Mandela to slaughter a cow and goat in order to appease his ancestors.
Mankahlana said the President’s Office has been overwhelmed with different interpretations of the bee attack, and will carefully look into all the offered suggestions. He added, however, that Mandela is not superstitious.