'Cults and cult-like organisations in South Africa are rife'

Africa Melane interviews Nicole Engelbrecht, a true-crime podcaster, freelance writer, and audiobook narrator.

Listen below.

Many people fear that cult activity in South Africa poses a significant and often concealed challenge for the country's social fabric.

Reports indicate that cult-related practices frequently intersect with criminal behaviour, creating a troubling layer of complexity that can have profound consequences for communities.

"South Africa is actually quite particularly rife for cults and cult-like organisations."

- Nicole Engelbrecht, true-crime podcaster

While Engelbrecht acknowledges that cults are inherently dangerous, she emphasises the importance of distinguishing between the true nature of a cult and the often sensationalised portrayals presented by the media.

She defines a cult as a highly controlled organisation where individuals are manipulated by a powerful leader.

Although Satanism is frequently linked to cults, Engelbrecht points out that similar dynamics can exist within other religions as well, typically preying on vulnerable individuals.

She explains that these leaders often break away from mainstream groups to establish cults, aiming to manipulate individuals for personal gain rather than serving the interests of their followers.

"Individuals who get involved in these cult-like organisations are certainly not lower IQ individuals, but because we have such a large percentage of people in our country who are unemployed, who are vulnerable in difficult socio-economic circumstances, that makes it really, really easy for these manipulative individuals to draw people in.

- Nicole Engelbrecht, true-crime podcaster

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.

'Cults and cult-like organisations in South Africa are rife' - true-crime podcaster

Although Satanism is frequently linked to cults, similar dynamics can exist within other religions as well, typically preying on vulnerable individuals.