Two near-simultaneous car accidents involving prominent figures from Inkabi Records have sparked speculation and concern, prompting pronouncements from traditional healers who claim to see a deeper, spiritual significance in the events.
The incidents involve record label boss, Big Zulu (Siyabonga Nene), and his artist, Xowla (Xolani Shabalala). Coincidentally, they were both involved in accidents while driving the same car make – BMWs!
Xowla, however, remains unconcerned, attributing the incidents to coincidence. “We don’t believe people have powers to get us involved in car accidents,” he told Daily Sun. “We will not give people that unnecessary credit. We believe in God and we believe this is God’s plan. We are also human and it is normal that we will somehow be involved in car accidents like other people. That is why I’m saying these car accidents are a coincident,” he explained.
This nonchalant attitude contrasts sharply with the pronouncements of several traditional healers. Bhaki Nzama, a well-known herbalist, suggests that Big Zulu’s accident is a consequence of severed communication with his ancestors. “His ancestors have helped him and his record label to be on top,” Nzama explained.
“When the ancestor is elevating you to the top, they want you to have proper communication with them and thank them with some rituals. Once you lose communication, the ancestors do something to remind you. Because Big Zulu is the leader of Inkabi Records, artists under him are likely to be tainted because they are spiritually connected to him,” he added, suggesting that resolving this spiritual disconnect will resolve the accidents.
Another traditional healer, Thandonjani Hlongwane, echoed these sentiments, stating that the accidents are a clear message from their ancestors. “They must consult izangoma and they will tell them what is going on,” he advised.
A video of this prediction circulated on social media, showing the prophet claiming to see the artist in a car with blood, urging prayers to prevent the accident, potentially occurring in March or April. Big Zulu responded to the post with a measured response: “Siyabonga kakhulu ngomthandazo kodwa khona izinto ezingekho kwawam amandla (Thank you very much for the prayer but there are things that are not in my power),” he wrote.
https://twitter.com/dipuo1026/status/164027547142525747
The involvement of Bhaka Nzama adds another dimension to the story. Nzama’s controversial past includes a high-profile relationship with singer Kelly Khumalo, a connection that reportedly caused concern within his family due to the perceived “Kelly curse” following the death of Senzo Meyiwa. A family friend told Drum in February 2015, “The family has been waiting for something awful to happen to their son since he started seeing Kelly. It pains the family to see their son running around with Kelly after what happened to Senzo.”
Nzama’s predictive abilities have also been previously highlighted. In August 2023, he posted a YouTube video predicting the death of a prominent KwaZulu-Natal public figure. He described a vision of a dark cloud over the province and the imminent loss of a hero, a pioneer in their field. While some speculated this referred to Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who was hospitalised at the time, Buthelezi was discharged after treatment for back pain and a burn. Tragically, he passed away three weeks later, on 9 September 2023.
The confluence of these events—the near-simultaneous accidents, the prior prediction, and the pronouncements of traditional healers—has undoubtedly created a climate of unease and speculation surrounding Big Zulu and Inkabi Records. While Xowla maintains a pragmatic view, the weight of the traditional healers’ warnings and the unsettling coincidence of events leaves a lingering question mark over the future.
