THEY’VE been called witches, evil, stupid and “unAfrican” and it’s hard to get anyone – even their own families – to visit them at home.
But Collen Lengwasa and his wife, Lidia BaptistaLengwasa, are unfazed by the slurs and snubs. They’re on a mission to educate the community about the creatures that inhabit their home in Potchefstroom, North West, and if people think they’re crazy, so be it.
Collen, Lidia and their 11-year-old son, Tshiamo, own 60 snakes altogether and have no fewer than 18 living in their house. And when the family curl up on the couch at night to watch TV, a python is likely be draped over their necks as they tuck into the popcorn.
“We’ve heard things about ourselves, but a lot of that comes from not understanding snakes,” Collen says. “We want to raise awareness about the role snakes play in the ecosystem and how we can live peacefully alongside them.”
The snake sign hanging on the gate outside the family home warns you this is no ordinary suburban dwelling. As we walk into the house, we find Lucy, an albino Burmese python, chilling in a corner in the lounge while a boa relaxes in its glass cage.
We’re not there for long when Collen gets a call from his commander at the local army base, where he works as an instructor: there’s a snake on the loose and Collen is needed pronto.
We dash over to the base where we find a crowd of soldiers gesticulating and shouting at a snake lurking in a tree. One onlooker wonders whether somebody practising witchcraft has sent the snake.
This story is from the 24 February 2022 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the 24 February 2022 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
IT'S ALL ABOUT FAMILY
Lynn and Kairo Forbes invite us into their home as they prepare for their second Christmas without AKA
DENZEL'S DECADE OF SOBRIETY
Expensive wine was his weakness but these days the legendary Hollywood actor is all about clean living
WE DID IT FOR YOU, DAD
It was a dream come true for Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse when they ran out together for the Boks – but it was bittersweet too
HIP-HOPPING ALONG!
Moo Deng, the adorable pygmy hippo, is about to become an even bigger star thanks to a catchy new song released in her honour
IAM NO DIFFERENT
Despite being born without legs, Kanya Sesser truimphs at anything she sets her mind to
OUR WONDERFUL, WEIRD WORLD
Bizarre and beautiful spots exist off the well-worn tourist paths that criss-cross our precious planet
GOD'S INFLUENCER
After Carlo Acutis died at age 15, he was credited with performing miracles. Now the Italian is about to be canonised as the Catholic Church's first millennial saint. But what did the seemingly ordinary teenager do that was so special?
RUCK ON!
Rucking walking with a weighted rucksack - has gained popularity once again for its ability to improve your heart health, increase your strength and burn kilojoules fast
MY KIDNEY FOR MY SON
This Cape Town mom is determined to lose 50kg so she can give her boy the gift of life
A WHOLE NEW WORLD
She's been deaf since she.was a baby but now Chermelle ;s slowly startmg to hear thanks to a Cochlear Implant