Initially crafted to facilitate women’s integration into their marital homes, traditional love potions known as korobela, ivamna, and bheka mina ngedwa have evolved with societal changes. Today, these potions are sometimes twisted for darker purposes, used to control and hypnotise romantic partners. It is also used by women to keep their men.
In earlier years, ivamna was never intended to cause abuse. According to Mawethu Noholoza from Tsolo in the Eastern Cape, it was used to “tame an aggressive person or end abusive behaviour”.
He explains that it was a practice used by families, whereas now it is more used by individuals with different or darker intentions.
Love potions and aftermath
Chief Zane-Afrika Krishe, founder of Magwaza Rhadebe Herbalist from Cape Town, says using love potions can result in psychotic behaviour.
He explains that these potions are typically made with secretive ingredients, including body parts of animals known for submissive, loving, or soft and kind behaviour.
However, some people use these practices not for love but for power, adds Krishe.
He says deep down, those affected by these potions may sense that something is not quite right, but the power of the herbs can suppress these feelings until a major life change occurs.
“At this point, the ‘until death do us part’ nature of the potion can lead to abusive behaviour and sometimes death.”
Herbalist Zane-Afrika Krishe
Krishe advises people to seek guidance and support from trusted community members and spiritual leaders, rather than attempting to manipulate others with muthi they know nothing of.
The consequences of these practices, he warns, can be far-reaching and devastating for those who use it and the wider community.
READ NEXT: Korobela: ‘Love potion’ comes with health (and other!) risks
Advocating for men’s rights
Sisa Nobanda, the founder of Qula Kwedini youth initiatives from KwaLanga in Cape Town, acknowledges that while the use of love potions cannot be proven, some men remain in toxic relationships despite warnings from close people.
“I think these pains boil up into anger issues, especially when they feel trapped in something not beneficial for them.”
Nobanda highlights that some men suffer significant financial and emotional losses, noting that the use of love potions may contribute to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
He adds that those who use love potions on others may develop a tendency to micromanage them, believing the muthi grants them power, which can lead to another form of abuse.
Use of love potions on men ‘dangerous’
Meanwhile, Ayabonga Kekana, a GBVF activist and media personnel in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape says men continue to suffer in silence due to a lack of platforms for them to open up. Additionally, traditional expectations discourage men from sharing their feelings, thereby limiting diversity in emotional expression.
“It can be argued that this is one of the reasons why men can become violent,” he adds.
Kekana adds, “Men aren’t allowed to cry in society; otherwise, they risk being seen as weak or less of a man. Society expects men to endure pain emotionlessly, which is regretful.”
He emphasises that the use of muthi to “tame” men is unfortunate and dangerous, often leading to negative consequences that contribute to the national crisis of gender-based violence in the country.
“Men shouldn’t be reduced to merely financial providers and emotionless beings; their mental health matters too.”
READ NEXT: Men’s body image battles: ‘The struggle is real for us too’
Get the Health For Mzansi newsletter: Your bi-weekly dose of kasi health, wellness and self-care inspiration.
