Conflict between traditional healers and teachers averted in Alex
ALEXANDRA – A Grade 11 teen at the centre of a potentially nasty conflict between healers and teachers.
A nasty confrontation between traditional healers and two teachers at the Eastbank Secondary School was averted after the teachers apologised.
This after the teachers allegedly discriminated against and demeaned a 19-year-old female pupil who is attending a traditional healing initiation. The incident resulted in members of the Alex Traditional Healers and Indigenous Religious Leaders Association congregating and beating drums at the school gate, allegedly after they were alerted by the Grade 11 pupil’s peers about her ill treatment by the teachers.
Association member Olive Nhlanhla alleged the teachers called the girl and her traditional mentor quacks and not genuine practitioners. This seemingly was prompted by the girl’s traditional hairstyle said to include dreadlocks weaved with wool and beads and also her conduct whenever she was overcome by her ancestral spirits.
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Nhlanhla said there was a concern that more young initiates may be ill-treated, discriminated against and made to suffer in silence at others schools, especially those under the charge of mentors in other townships.
She said the teachers apologised to the victim and association for their action at a meeting with the school management, district education officials, School Governing Body and local councillor.
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She added that they agreed to also address the possible ill-treatment of other pupils by asking the school principal to convene a meeting with the association and all local schools’ authorities. This in a bid to educate them about African traditions and the customs of healers such as their way of dressing and the creams they use, among others. And also to familiarise the healers with school codes which cannot be violated in order to avoid conflict.
Details: Olive Nhlanhla 079 725 5086.
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