TRADITIONAL healer George "Mthakathi" Nkabinde says he misses being on screen but amadlozi had other plans.
The president of the Traditional Healers Association of South Africa told Daily Sun that he had to give up acting to answer his ancestral calling.
"I was shooting a role as a drug dealer and gangster leader on The Queen when amadlozi told me to stop. I had no choice but to listen," he said.
Mthakathi went for ukuthwasa in 2019 after years of strange illnesses that doctors couldn't explain.
"My body would break out in sores My face and mouth would swell up like I'd been beaten. I was constantly sick," he said.
He revealed that his ancestors started "bothering him" as far back as 1997.
"They were punishing me. When I consulted izangoma, they told me the ancestors wanted me to heal people," he said.
Before his spiritual journey took over, Mthakathi had a budding acting career.
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In 2015, he played a police officer on Rhythm City, followed by another cop role on Isidingo in 2016.
He also featured in Soba Companion on SABC3 as a drug addict and in 2018 portrayed a gang leader on The Queen.
"I've always loved being on TV," he said.
"But when the calling comes, there's no way around it."
Despite his strong commitment to healing, the dad of seven still dreams of returning to the entertainment industry.
"I still want to act and do music. I wanted to become a movie writer. I was never chasing fame, and I wasn't moved by beautiful women. I'm a disciplined person," he said.
Mthakathi once ran a construction company and a mortuary, both of which eventually collapsed.
"I believe amadlozi were jealous because they wanted me to focus on my calling. Through the mortuary, I only buried two people," he said.
"I've never been a millionaire, but amadlozi make sure I have enough to survive," he added.
His proud mum, Esther Nkabinde (65), said: "I watched my son on TV."
Now, Mthakathi said his mission is to heal and give people hope.
