Traditional healers want respect
Tsakane – Local traditional healers want the community to give them respect for their calling and doctrine of healing.
This follows a recent case where a community member allegedly told neighbours that Judith Khosa, a traditional healer, is a witch.
These allegations, which could have resulted in Khoza and her family being violently killed, have shaken the Traditional Healers Organisation (THO) Tsakane branch.
THO strongly stands for traditional practitioners’ equality and rights to practise freely without prejudice and discrimination from the community.
Tsakane THO chairperson, Janet Xaba expressed her disappointment in the minority members of the community who feel they can point fingers at fellow healers to say they are witches, with no evidence whatsoever.
“Our safety is being compromised by the very same people we sought to help.
“The law also doesn’t do much for us when we are accused of witchcraft up until violence erupts or someone dies,” she says.
Xaba further explains that as a Gobela (traditional healer trainer), they train their ‘amatwasana’ to heal and only heal.
“The community should start educating themselves about what exactly we do, because we are not given the power to do witchcraft but to heal.
“People who practise witchcraft don’t even go for initiation as traditional healers do,” adds Xaba.
Khoza elaborates on the repercussions these allegations will have on her practice and the community at large.
“People who have come to me for help, will now start doubting me or refrain from consulting with me because gossip travels fast.
“Moreover I fear that community members may burn my ndumba (consultation room) and my home,” says the frustrated healer.
THO is the only accredited training service provider for traditional healers practitioners under the Health Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA).
Xaba adds that as an accredited organisation, they have taken offence and will now seek the help of the traditional healers court in Johannesburg.
