Raised In A South African CULT / Wide Awake Podcast EP. 3 

Hey everyone, thank you so much for all of the positive feedback on the previous episode and also for the constructive criticism. I'm still getting used to being a podcast host and I know I'm not perfect and get a bit excited at times but I promise I will keep improving and I will always listen to constructive criticism. Love you all and thank you for all of the support. ♥

First South African RU-vidr that is creating interesting content. I love it. This episode was mind blowing. Can’t wait for the next one.

This was fascinating! I got on Tik Tok a few minutes ago. The clip about Aquelle funding the cult was the 2nd video I swiped up on. I was immediately captured and quickly logged off the app and came straight to RU-vid to look for your podcast. This was a great interview and I'm happy to be a new subscriber.

The 9 dislikes are those cult water lovers 😂😂

I'm here from Tiktok... Who else?

Saw the clip on tiktok and now I have to watch it because I'm nosy.

My husband had a substance abuse battle. And at the time we where still courting. His father heard about this place and forcefully led him there. And he came back very heavy about the place and now as we watch this after 5 years of the places damage being done to him. I am in such awe of this. Wow. It's sad. Well done to this amazing fresh podcasts. Thank you for enlightenment on so many things we are so oblivious to.

No cult likes being called a cult. I was a Mormon for 18 years and denied it vehemently whenever I was told it was a cult. I even attended their temple and did their Masonic rituals, got married in it too, and even worked as a Mormon missionary. I eventually woke up at the age of 30, packed my bags and left.

I have been absolutely absorbed by this channel. This content is incredible, and interesting and enlightening. I'm so happy to see a South African based channel thriving. Incredible.

I’m so impressed by this podcast. I have a podcast too, but am so taken with how comfortably you handle the conversation style. I’m learning from you. Well done! Also, how refreshing!! This is straightforward interesting conversation without gimmicky sensationalism. So refreshing!

I get the sense that the way Josh engages with his guests so enthusiastically gives them great comfort and ease in telling their story. This conversation style feels raw and authentic, rather than stiff and scripted. I love it. Keep doing you Josh :)

Unpopular opinion, you engaging with her feels like you're having a conversation rather than it be a monologue. If people want to hear her story start to finish go buy her book. Your 'tangents' and moments are precious and so good for a podcast pace. Keep it up! :)

My guy I dont listen or watch podcasts at all. But yours are fire. Like your the first podcaster I actually like it. I love it

I am from Worcester. This was very interesting to listen to. There are so many religious groups that can be seen as cults. All the points mentioned at the end , if those are things that you notice then run. It is very true by saying that you can believe in whatever you want, just make sure it doesn't influence people around you negatively.

New subby here, I have seen a few of your videos. Binge watched it in one day and came across this one this evening. Great content and I appreciate your interviewing style. Keep up the good work. It's enjoyable content.

I was diagnosed with RTS (Religious Trauma Syndrome) My school was like a cult and the same God fearing messages was drilled into my head. I couldn't even think bad thoughts, because God would punish me. I'm happy now, the God I love now is loving me right back.

Amazing podcast! Just 1 thing - perhaps try and allow interviewees to complete their sentence before interjecting. It may result in them losing their train of thought or not being able to talk about something in depth because you’ve already asked a second question before they’re able to answer your first

You have really incredible interesting guests! Love that you've started a podcast!!! Only suggestion is to let the guest tell their story more and make it less about you.

Loved the podcast! You are engaging good so it doesn't matter what other people say you can talk about yourself because it is how you relate

You are doing fantastic I think you will get huge, I love your style. Keep up the good work.

Erica, you are a strong woman to have survived and healed. I've been abused emotionally by a narcisist for 23 years. I've managed to break free and have had little or no contact for more than 20 years. Sometimes I am still impacted in my belief in myself after all this time. I do understand how easy it is for anybody to be susceptible to influence because these mental, emotional and physical abusers are uncanny in their ways. Stay strong girl!

Amaaaaazing, this is quality local content. Thank you🕶

To think that my school took us to visit this place during our school trip is just crazy. We had a mini sports tournament with the students and many of the kids in my school couldn't stop wondering why all the black girls had short hair whilst the girls belonging to other races had long hair. And the aQuelle thing is so true. They make all that water and I even remember that when we left as a school, they gave us packs and packs of flavoured aQuelle water as "gifts". In person, its such a weird and secluded place but it sounds so good on paper. This information is honestly kind of like a slight confirmation of some of my initial thoughts. It saddens me though because I can still remember all those children (even the little ones) just being completely controlled by these "people of God". It irks me when I think about the sheer gall of the white men that took us for a tour of the place to literally lie through their teeth like that and then make it seem like the place was this great sanctuary for those who needed help. They prided themselves about the farming that they did and how their water was manufactured using a water source that they had on the property. Then they tied it all together under a pretty little bow claiming what great provisions these were from God but they forgot to mention how they were misusing His name. I'm so riled up right now I could scream. Edit: I just read some articles and watched some videos about KSB's response to all the allegations they're facing and I swear they're not even fazed. Also, all the communication from KSB is conducted by the leaders (who are white) whilst the actual members don't even get to add a single word. I'm not trying to be racial about it but if you watch the videos, you'll see what I mean. These leaders are playing the pity card pushing the narrative of job loss and suffering. Well I mean I don't know but wouldn't it be more convincing if this narrative was put forth by those who would ACTUALLY be affected? What amuses me is how they're pushing the narrative of job loss and suffering when they either don't pay their workers a cent or pay them very little, telling them that wanting a wage for their work is a "worldly pleasure". What a joke!

I am not religious but I have a personal relationship with Jesus.

Exceptional interview skills. Was engaged throughout. Keep the content coming.

Aquelle story starts at 24:00

I am getting so excited for your part reading all the positive comments

I have loved every episode of your podcast, Josh!! Thank you for showcasing these stories that need to be told. Estcourt is my moms home town and a place I’ve spent a lot of time in, so interesting to learn about all of this!

You need to release a Spotify playlist of your podcasts😩

So incredible to have a young, intelligent and insightful South African that is helping spread people's stories and information. Let's get Josh to be the new Rogan!

New subscriber... recommended by my gal....True Crime South Africa...the girl that kills every crime episode...

Awesome! Love this content

Great podcast - enjoyed listening to it. Only picked it up a year later...

Very interesting interview. May you please give your guests the chance to finish before you interupt them.

I think this was a good interview learnt a lot. I think it would be nice to bring someone from Kwasizabantu to respond to the allegations that Erika makes.

I went to Kwasizabantu roughly 10 years ago. When you walk around, there’s an eerie feeling as if what you see is not real, everything seems orchestrated. Everyone is very conservative and quiet, there are some good people. I must admit. But everything seems just off.

I love this kind of information. It really enlightens us to what is happening in the Real world around us. This is crazy!!!

Nicely done! Glad I saw you on TikTok, can't wait to see what else you will be tackling head on!

My mother’s best friend lived there for a few years and she’s never been the same since. I myself almost went to the boarding school there, looking back now I’m so glad that never happened. The more I learn about this place, the darker it gets.

Looks like there's also a mission in Malmesbury, I Googled the name, says the location is Malmesbury and the website link is for the one in KZN. 🤷‍♀️

Thank you very much! Ex Jehovah’s Witness here…. You’re wonderful both of you loved it!

This is really good so far, hope you continue to enjoy making this podcast because I know I'll continue to listen and hopefully enjoy Side note: I also appreciate the effort you put in to not only record but also upload the video with 2160p, I know how long it can take to edit and render videos of this size with a quality that high, let alone upload it to RU-vid on South African internet

Busy reading her book now. Eye opening

I've got hooked to this podcast I like the presentation 💯 I'm just a sucker for information 😅😅

Good work interesting interviews

Rerouted from tik tok

Hi; from Tiktok 👊 great show and episode

I love this ! Can’t wait to see more.

Loving the episodes Josh!!

Another great interview. Learning so much and how to be an overcomer.

Why is aquelle water still being sold when will they cancel it, why isn't anyone saying anything

I'm so proud of Erika for reclaiming her life and speaking her truth and writing a book about it. I have just bought my copy on Kindle... I wish she had narrated the audio book! I can't even begin to imagine how much it took for her escape and break all the shackles and speak out like this. She's amazing. It's so sad that this sort of thing happens to anyone but it's really sad that it happens to good people like Erika. She deserves all the freedom, happiness, love, and life that they tried to rob. I narrowly escaped being recruited into a cult many years ago... the love bombing was intense (2 years), but they went ice cold and then hostile on me as soon as they realized I probably wouldn't ever convert... I walked away traumatized and broken (still recovering, so I'm sure Erika's book will be inspiring). I didn't realize what I had escaped until much later when I read about others' experiences. Great work, Josh! I love your channel! Keep it up!

What an awesome pod! Love your interesting guests, this is going places, big ups Josh!

Loved this!!! Subscribed instantly, thank the RU-vid algorithms or leading me here 🙏🏿

If you could just give the guest enough room to speak, it be such an honour. Too much interruption kills the mood ☹️

Great podcast bro! I wonder if there is an audio only version available?

I was trying to enjoy the guest, but the interviewer kept interrupting her.Ugh.😫Ijs.. BORAHAE 💜👏🏼

Bro I please just let people tell their story. I get frustrated when it seems like you try to direct a persons perspective or try to direct their story. You want to finish their sentence and end up stopping a persons story. Please let your guests speak their story without you interrupting them. Leave them tell and stop directing. Otherwise big ups. I love what you are doing.keep it up!

Hi. From tiktok 🤗

I started this podcast to listen to while cleaning, I ended up listening more than cleaning. A real shocker honestly.

Just binged all your podcasts and subscribed...great and varied content 👌...wisdom way beyond your year's.

What a courageous and brave person she is, with how she managed to be able to rise from those experiences and speak out loud, it's amazing how she has high self esteem from that kind of treatment, I wish her peers were able to find help and peace within themselves

So happy for your Success on this channel 🥰

Is this podcast available on Apple podcasts?

“I’m from Zimbabwe” bro I’m listening to this in Zimbabwe and the way you pronounced it 🤣🤣 I’m South African in Zimbabwe and you are the other way around

Very informative, I had no idea. Definitely subscribing! Xx

Still can't figure out what's going on . Jumping around in the conversations,lots of blanks , think its because you know everything about her already and not providing us to learn her story ... maybe the only one

This was so interesting! Thanks so much for sharing this story with us! 🖤

My aunt worked in Comhan trading. Which has business ties with Kwasizabantu. The owners are also German-South African and imposing. But, they run a legit business and are not religious

Just heard Josh, you from Zimbabwe like me 😃 I live in the UK now but miss Zimbabwe every single day 😢

Just found out there is a "Mission church" about a 30 min drive from where I live and also I really shocked about the aQuellé water! That was basically the only water our family bought on almost every trip. This world is really full of sick and disgusting people and I hope the people involved get the help they desperately need. Great podcast and also great interview. Keep up the amazing work!!!

LOVED this interview, and it was my first watch. 10/10

Just a suggestion: I know Podcasts are normally an open forum for a conversation. However, sometimes you just interrupt at the wrong time as the person you are interviewing is just about to explain, and then they lose their train of thought and we are left wanting to know what they were going to say. Maybe just let them finish and then lead it from there. Love the platform.... It's so great. Keep up the great work.

We live in an unequal society so am sure if we were to dig deeper, some of the products and services we utilize daily are produced at the expense and exploitation of another.

Came here from tik tok because I was like WTF??! AQUELLA???

Had a family member whom was forced into this specific cult. Very interesting story. great podcast

Thank You Josh and your lovely guest. Super eye opening. Very touching. Infuriating. Heartwarming. Hilarious. Enlightening. Many many thanks 😊🙏

umsebenzi uyancomeka madlebe

i read a few criticisms about your interviewing style Josh, but what i do like about your style is that it is more like a conversation. You are very natural and spontaneous. keep up your good work. Fantastic

Here from whatsapp tiktok must still watch insert timestamp of the AQuella piece below...

Incredible.

I'm no longer buying Aquelle products 😡

Wow!!!! This was a great podcast. I think its of importance that people know which products or organizations are part of cults so that people don't buy or support these things.

best podcast in SA

This cult was the scariest experience in my life I’ll never forget what they did to those children

Bruh your podcasts are the best keep it up

Well done Erika, I've known your story, but this was incredibly detailed and really insightful!

Lovely work. Struggled to watch it all - Allow yourself to let your guests express themselves freely

Is this on I tunes

This was so enlightening. Great job💯

Thanks to tiktok i am here😃😃

First timer here and Im hooked already 😁

South African content 🔥

Reminiscent of the Colonia Dignidad "mission" in South America. Colonia Dignidad was founded by former Nazi soldier Paul Schäfer in 1961. The commune, which was located 350km (220 miles) south of Santiago, was run as a secretive cult and dozens of children were sexually abused there. Hundreds of German and Chilean survivors will now be eligible for compensation. Interestingly both have a German connection. Hopefully our South African sisters and brothers will one day have Erika Bornman's courage to speak out and break the control like those of the Colonia Dignidad. "Colonia" released in 2016 is based on the story of Colonia Dignidad. "Colonia Dignidad" a documentary was released in 2020.

From Tiktok

Been waiting on a new episode🔥

I know this is a very interesting topic with many inter-leading branches. But, it is important that let one complete the whole branch, before jumping on to the next

My eyes are so wide open I had 4 encounters with kwa siza bantu throughout my life I always tell good stories about the experience but I had no idea this is what was really going on I would love to tell my story aswell

It's not about you Josh. You're there to listen not tell your story. Keep going! Thank you for the content.

I wanna read the book so bad