MAHIKENG MAIL - MMABATHO: The Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation (ACSR), through its Sub-Directorate: Arts, Culture and Heritage (ACH), hosted the International African Traditional Medicine Day over the weekend at Mmabatho Stadium.
They raised awareness on the importance and relevance of African medicine, while showcasing the rich cultural practices that continue to support nation-building.
The commemoration aligns with the adoption of a resolution by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa on 31 August 2000 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, formally recognising African Traditional Medicine as part of healthcare systems. Traditional healers that included diviners, herbalists and faith healers used the platform to demonstrate remedies and practices rooted in African knowledge systems. Examples included: Mothanthanyane – taken before meals to assist with kidney failure, bladder and womb infections, depression, ulcers, high blood pressure, and diabetes; Pitsana – an herbal mixture used to ease body pains; Morula – consumed as a drink or inhaled to treat heartburn and used in producing Amarula and Bottle Brush Tree – traditionally used to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding.
Ngaka Collen Lengwasa of Mmakau, who has been a traditional healer since 2004, shared his passion for blending herbal medicine with animal knowledge. With 38 snakes in his care, including an Albino Burmese Python and a cobra, he emphasised his role in educating communities:
“I usually sit with the non-poisonous snakes in the comfort of my living room. Growing up, I always had a passion for animals, and I enjoyed digging up herbs and teaching people about snakes.”
The event was graced by Kgosi Kgolo Kgotleng Montshiwa, who urged South Africans to embrace their roots: “Melemo ya thusa (African medicine works). The pills given to us are made from trees, and we must be a nation that knows itself. We must not throw away our culture.”
