If you thought South Africans were passionate only about soccer, braais and complaining about unscheduled load-shedding, think again. These days, an increasing number are embracing alternative therapy with all the fervour of a Jozi taxi driver chasing a missing fare. From cupping and crystal healing to sound baths and Cerebos salt caves, New Age techniques are no longer the preserve of Instagram yoga influencers or eccentric Clifton aunties. It’s gone mainstream, popping up everywhere from Sandton boardrooms to Soweto’s Credo Mutwa Cultural Village.
At first, alternative therapy can feel like a prank pulled on the sane. Picture this: a room filled with people lying quietly while a man named Moonshine wearing a hemp shirt waves a feather around, murmuring about “clearing your chakras ... using chakalaka”. Or consider the now-ubiquitous Himalayan salt lamp — because nothing whispers “I’m healed” quite like a glowing rock plugged into your wall. For the uninitiated, some of these practices might seem to be elaborate versions of how to waste an hour of your life — and R700.
Then there’s the ultimate in alternative therapy: crystals. These colourful stones supposedly vibrate at frequencies that realign your energy field. Sceptics might scoff that if quartz could solve our problems, there would not be a need for the Lotto Powerball, as we’d all be millionaires by now.
Cupping therapy, with its alien-like suction marks, often leaves people looking like they’ve fought off a gang of octopuses more deadly than the 28s prison gang. And Reiki? It’s essentially someone placing his or her hands near you to channel energy, which is just a posh way of saying, “Please don’t fall asleep on my watch.”
So why the New Age surge? Why are South Africans, well known for their pragmatism, turning to what looks like Hogwarts magic?
The answer lies in a profound truth: our nation needs healing that feels holistic. Our lives are messy — dirty politics, heinous crimes and economic stress can leave anyone feeling drained and spiritually bankrupt. Yes, traditional and scientifically tested medicine addresses the body and mind, but alternative therapies promise to heal the soul — or at least leave you confused, but with glowing skin.
What’s more, the rise of alternative therapy taps into South Africa’s rich cultural tapestry. With sangomas and traditional healers on the one hand, and wellness centres offering yoga in isiZulu on the other, there’s a curious blending of old and new. Ancestral wisdom finds itself operating side by side with New Age mindfulness, creating a special space where healing is accessible, familiar and flexible.
And the appeal isn’t confined to plebs like you and me, as even celebrities, both local and global, have cracks in their polished exteriors alternative therapies could mend.
Consider French president Emmanuel Macron. He was recently caught on camera being “playfully” shoved by his wife, Brigitte, while they were disembarking a plane, and the incident sparked an internet frenzy. These two might well benefit from a power couple’s Reiki or sound bath. After all, if you’re publicly shoved by your partner, your energy fields are definitely out of sync. Maybe the secret to world peace starts with chakra alignment at the Elysee Palace?
Speaking of baths, our very own tender king, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, recently found himself in hot water. The man who once manoeuvred tenders like a seasoned strategist could surely use some alternative therapy — perhaps aromatherapy to calm his frayed nerves, or meditation to help him contemplate life’s unexpected twists? It might not solve his legal troubles, but a relaxed mind never hurt anyone.
Then there’s youthful beacon of hope Mongiwa Hazel Ntuli. At just 17, she completed her actuarial science degree, a feat remarkable by any measure. Surely her secret has to be more than just her brains? Maybe it’s a combination of meditation and crystal healing — the two in combination might have helped her maintain focus and mental clarity in the pressure cooker of tertiary education.
South Africans are just trying to survive, heal and thrive in a country that often demands so much and gives too little
The rise of alternative therapies reflects a global trend where high-profile leaders, businesspeople and laypersons face unprecedented stress and uncertainty. People want more than just quick fixes — they seek connection, balance and a sense of control over their chaotic lives. Whether it’s a world leader needing emotional recalibration or a young South African going through the rigours of breaking the glass ceiling, alternative therapy offers a kind of refuge — but not one that causes you to leave the country for the US under false genocide pretences.
Of course, not all alternative therapies are created equal. Some may be more snake oil than science, but that doesn’t diminish their power to comfort. And sometimes comfort is precisely what’s needed in a world that often feels out of control.
So next time you see a crystal on someone’s desk, or hear about a gong bath retreat in Gqeberha, resist the urge to mock. South Africans are just trying to survive, heal and thrive in a country that often demands so much and gives too little.
In the end, whether it’s energy alignment, mindfulness meditation or a good old-fashioned salt soak, alternative therapy has carved out a niche in our national psyche. It’s not about magic, but humanity — a reminder that healing isn’t always clinical and sometimes the best medicine is a little bit of mystery and a whole lot of hope.
Namaste, Mzansi. Namaste.
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