The mystery of Gogo Chihoro: Healing, bees, and job miracles . . . Truth or tall tale?

Raymond Jaravaza , [email protected]
From seeking lost lovers, treating mental health issues, and easing bad luck to facilitating job opportunities, boosting businesses, and ending infertility, social media has become a sanctuary for people to share their struggles and seek solutions. In this digital age, many believe the answers to their problems lie in the hands of those who claim to offer help.
One such individual gaining widespread attention is Harare-based sangoma, Gogo Chihoro.
The healer rose to fame when artisanal miners, known as omakorokoza in Zimbabwe’s southern regions, flocked to her seeking the ‘gold mining password’. Testimonies quickly began circulating on social media, claiming that those who had unlocked the ‘password’ gained easy access to gold deposits, prompting more people to inquire about her services.
As news spread, Bulawayo, located about 450kms from Harare, started buzzing with the same question: Is Gogo Chihoro the real deal?
Since early November, Gogo Chihoro has been visiting Bulawayo every Saturday to meet with clients.
“We help a lot of people from all walks of life. We don’t discriminate so as long as you come for help, you will be assisted.
“We solve people’s problems so it’s our policy that once you visit us, we will provide the necessary help,” Gogo Chihoro told Chronicle Online.
But the rising number of testimonies has also sparked curiosity and skepticism in Bulawayo. Some wonder if Gogo Chihoro’s claims are authentic or just a carefully orchestrated marketing strategy involving paid individuals creating fake stories to promote her services.
One client from South Africa shared her experience after visiting Gogo Chihoro in Bulawayo. She claimed that after unexpectedly losing her job, she sought the healer’s assistance.
“My boss in South Africa fired me unexpectedly, and I travelled to Gogo Chihoro in Bulawayo for help. After a day, I received a WhatsApp call inviting me back to work in SA immediately,” the client shared on the healer’s social media pages.
However, skepticism remains, with some questioning whether these testimonies are genuine or merely a marketing ploy involving individuals paid to promote the healer’s services.
After all, some healers and self-proclaimed prophets have been known to pay individuals to market their services by concocting fake healings and testimonies.
The above question was asked by a sceptical Bulawayo resident Mr Bheki Mthunzi who said he will only believe the testimonies when his own problems are solved.
In response, Gogo Chihoro says she embraces skepticism and is confident that her work will eventually prove doubters wrong, making them “eat humble pie”.
One woman claims that after receiving spiritual guidance from Gogo Chihoro, she is now set to get married.
“I came to Harare three months ago, and Gogo told me I had a spiritual husband, which I already suspected because I often had strange dreams about being with an unknown man. My fiancée had also been quiet about paying lobola. He’s based in Canada. I came for my review at Woodville (Bulawayo) on November 2, and just two days ago, he called to say he’s coming home in February for lobola negotiations,” she shared.
Other media reports claim that Gogo Chihoro delivered unconventional justice on behalf of a gold miner from Mberengwa, Midlands Province, who lost a significant amount of money to an armed gang — US$30 000. According to the reports, Gogo Chihoro unleashed a swarm of bees to attack the robbers, compelling them to return the stolen money. The swarm, described as buzzing powerfully, reportedly tracked down the suspects and ‘apprehended’ them before stinging them into submission.
A spokesperson for Gogo Chihoro explained that dealing with criminals is one of her specialties.
“Part of her mission as a sangoma is to contribute to a better society by eliminating crime. She uses her abilities to track down thieves and apprehend them. Those she catches never steal again,” the spokesperson stated.
As Gogo Chihoro continues to garner attention, Bulawayo residents are left to ponder whether her abilities are truly the solution to their woes, or if the testimonies are just a product of the social media age.
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