Local Rastafarian and teetotaller Mphatheni Mphigalale, also known as Rass Reuben, says that since he had joined the Rastafarian religion back in 1989, he has not eaten any meat but lives on vegetables and the international herb called ganja.
When asked why he does not eat meat, as most Rastas do nowadays, he responded in Rasta lingo: "Man a Rasta man. Mi only nyam ital food." Literally translated it means "I am a Rastafarian; I only eat natural foods."
The down-to-earth son of the soil from the bumpy village of Tshilapfene always refers to the Bible in response to a question. He says that, since the beginning of time, God has instructed humans to never ever kill animals and touch blood, but to work the land and live on vegetables and fruits.
Rass Reuben has also not had a haircut since he became a Rastafarian in 1989. "My hair is part and parcel of my religion. Like Samson in the Bible, Rastas do not want to lose their strength, which lies in their hair, but the Philistines are everywhere, opening saloons to destroy the Rasta man," he says.
When asked why most, if not all, Rastas smoke marijuana or ganja, he says they only use the herb for cleansing and to talk to Jah, the creator. "In the Bible, Jah people refused to sing when they were being tortured in Babylon. So, we use the holy herb to burn the demons of Babylon. We are still in chains, and believe you me, we will continue burning the Babylon demons until we are free," he says.