City of Joburg celebrates traditional medicine
BRAAMFONTEIN—More than 500 traditional healers from around Johannesburg came to celebrate being recognised by the City of Joburg.
The City of Joburg hosted The African Traditional Medicine Celebration on 26 August at Metro Centre in Braamfontein. Over 500 traditional healers from all walks of life came to celebrate being recognised by the City of Joburg.
The celebration was themed Regulation of Traditional Health Practitioners in the African Region. It was organised by the City of Joburg’s Traditional Health Practitioners. The event also acknowledged African Traditional Medicine Week from 26 to 31 August.
The venue was packed to capacity with hordes of traditional healers dressed in red traditional attire, singing and dancing while their drums played in the background.
The smell of incense ‘impepha’ filled the air during a prayer to praise the ancestors –led by traditional healers in front of the reception hall. Government representatives attended the celebrations and spoke positively about the important role traditional healers play in society.
Joburg Executive Mayor councillor Mpho Parks Tau could not make the celebration but instead, his wife Pilisiwe Twala-Tau spoke on his behalf. She encouraged traditional healers not to allow society to undermine their practice.
“You give us spiritual guidance and may your role be held in high esteem as you are a significant fabric of our society,” she said. Traditional healer Zasazi Mdingwa explained that there is a difference between a spiritual healer, traditional healer, herbalist and a sangoma.
Mdingwa uses bones to predict people’s futures and uses herbs to heal them.”This celebration unifies traditional healers and allows our profession to be regulated. There’s also different departments in traditional healing that have certain ways of operating,” he said.
Chairperson of the Traditional Health Practitioners Forum Joel Chauke lauded the City for recognising traditional healers. Since its formation in 2010, he said the forum had appreciated tremendous support from the City. Chauke also pleaded for traditional healers to refrain from practising witchcraft.
