Snl24 | Pastor’s a shebeen queen

Alina Sishange says she’s not worried about what people say about her.

ALINA Sishange is a shebeen owner, traditional healer, and pastor at the same time.

She has people talking about how she juggles those three things all by herself. She has now added reality TV star to the mix.

Alina stars on Showmax’s new reality TV show Shebeen Queens. Her shebeen, Alina’s Place, is based in Soweto.

“It officially opened in 2012. We were operating before that, but I kept getting into trouble with the law because I didn’t have the right papers. Before I had my liquor licence, competitors would call the cops on me. But God has elevated me and set me apart. This is why I love the scripture, Jeremiah 17:7-9. It reads, ‘But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him’,” she said.

Alina said people at her church don’t judge her for owning a shebeen and being a traditional healer, but she also doesn’t feel as though she’s living a double life.

“They never judged me. I’m also not the only one; there’s another lady in a different branch who owns a shebeen. Some church members even come to my place to enjoy a drink or two. I prayed to God about this business venture. The shebeen doesn’t interfere with my church responsibilities. I fulfil both roles to the best of my ability,” she said.

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She said her late gogo introduced me to ubungoma (traditional healing) through a dream.

“These dreams kept haunting me until I accepted the calling. Becoming a pastor and entrepreneur came afterward. My church knows everything about my past and has accepted me,’ she said.

The reality TV star said she loved filming the show and her family supports her.

“I got used to it quickly and even started looking forward to shoot days. When filming stopped, I found myself missing the cameras. My friends have been extremely happy for me, but my sister’s reaction was disappointing, though not surprising given our rocky relationship,” she said.

Alina is also sure that viewers will love her.

“I don’t pretend to be someone I’m not. I’ll cuss you out and pray for you at the same time,” the reality TV star said.