The Shaman's Apprentice
LIVE in the Cape: Antoinette Pienaar & Oom Johannes
| The Shaman's Apprentice | ||||||
| LIVE in the Cape Antoinette Pienaar & Oom Johannes Two beloved herbal healers And the screening of A Shaman’s Apprentice Filmed by Kathleen Winter for SABC on behalf of African Renaissance (Kathleen will also attend the three events) Running time: 23 minutes | ||||||
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| Deep in the heart of the Great Karoo of South Africa, at the foot of a mountain without an official name, a Griqua herbalist is teaching a white woman to heal people with herbs. Oom Johannes Willemse, already in his nineties, was a little annoyed that it took well-known Afrikaans actress Antoinette Pienaar nearly 40 years to find him - he had been dreaming for decades that she would be the one to help him pass on his knowledge. Today Antoinette Pienaar is a well beloved name in nature healing circles in our land. Oom Johannes Willemse is known by many names: seer, herb doctor, healer, story teller, and teacher. Born on the farm Breekkierie in the Kenhardt district, the eldest of twelve children, he obtained his knowledge of Karoo herbs, and other wisdoms and stories, from his grandfather Hansie. His life's road eventually led him to sheep farmer Jacques Pienaar's farm where he was a hunter. Since his descendants had no interest in furthering the herb traditions, he was especially relieved when Antoinette finally arrived, desperate to be healed and hungry to learn - he had already been dreaming for years of the woman in the red bakkie (truck) that would take the torch from him. Although he is already in his nineties, Oom Johannes still regularly climbs the mountains behind the farmhouse and hikes several kilometres most days in search of herbs and animals. "Many times when people ask me 'do you think the herbs will work?', I look at the Oom's resilience at such an advanced age and realise every time that he is the best advertisement of how good herbs are for a person," says Antoinette. Antoinette, a Karoo child from Carnarvon in the Northern Cape, already knew as a little girl that she would one day tell stories and learn about herbs. Since she could not obtain a degree in story telling, she decided to study drama and later became known as an actress and story teller. During a trip to Mali, West Africa, she contracted and nearly died of cerebral malaria. Seriously weakened, she went to live at her parents' home in Beaufort West. During a coincidental visit to Theefontein, the farm of second cousin Jacques Pienaar, she and Oom Johannes' paths finally crossed. "Only now you arrive,' was his slightly impatient first words to her. Since then she has moved into a workers' hut opposite Oom Johannes' where she not only experienced complete healing, but also slowly but surely learnt about herbs, veld-knowledge and peace. Seven years later in 2008, the book Kruidjie Roer My, became the first step in preserving the Karoo herb heritage for South Africa and the world. Antoinette still performs, but these days her shows are another way in which she is 'custodian' of precious heritage that would otherwise become extinct. At Theefontein, Antoinette learnt the art of living off the veld, its herbs and how to prepare herb mixtures. She also discovered how the 'old people' (previous generations) lived and the wisdoms that gave them endurance and longevity. "And so the sun shone warm over my head and the blue sky became a cloak that I wore every day. As the balance of nature enveloped me I eventually also found balance in the landscape of my soul," says Antoinette. On a small rise near the farmhouse, she and Oom Johannes live in workers' huts without electricity or running water - on their own yard with animals, birds, rest and peace. In Antoinette's little white house, her stories roll out like river stones: the now well-known book Kruidjie Roer My was written on an old typewriter under her kitchen window. Their work Just like the book, and Antoinette's Friday afternoon contribution to Amore Bekker's Tjailatyd (home time) on Afrikaans radio station Radiosondergrense (RSG), this website is dedicated to relaying centuries of valuable and useful information, stories and remedies to present and future generations. Please visit their website for in-depth information: www.kruiekraaikoning.co.za | ||||||
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