MAHIKENG MAIL – MAHIKENG - Traditional healers across South Africa are raising their voices against the newly proposed Traditional Health Practitioners Regulations 2024.
The #NoRegulationsForHealersWithoutHealers campaign highlights significant concerns and grievances regarding the lack of inclusion and consultation in the regulatory process.
Traditional healers assert that they were not adequately consulted during the drafting of the regulations, leading to policies that do not reflect their practises and needs.
The proposed regulations are seen as culturally insensitive, failing to respect and integrate the rich heritage and knowledge systems of traditional healing.
Healers argue that the regulations impose restrictive practises that undermine their ability to provide holistic and culturally relevant care to their communities.
Many traditional healers fear that the new regulations will negatively impact their livelihoods and the accessibility of traditional healing services.
The campaign also criticizes the incompetent council and ATM structures formed within the Department of Health, which are seen as ineffective and disconnected from the realities of traditional healing practises.
There is a growing concern that the regulations are attempting to Westernize traditional healing practises, stripping them of their cultural essence and authenticity. This includes requirements for logbooks and patient files, which are not traditionally part of the healing process.
The Council organised roadshows in hotels with only a few healers, which did not adequately represent the broader community of traditional healers. The regulations impose age restrictions on who can register as a Traditional Health Practitioner, which may exclude experienced and knowledgeable healers.
The once-off registration fee has increased significantly from 2015 to 2024 while the annual registration fee is also a substantial burden for some healers. These fees may prevent some traditional healers from registering, thereby excluding them from practising their profession.
There are educated traditional health practitioners who are also medical doctors, lawyers and pharmacists that can be used to fill up the posts within the Interim THP Council that are currently occupied by people that are not THPs. “We’re not against regulation, but we can’t be regulated by people who don’t understand our craft. It’s like asking a doctor to regulate a spiritual leader,” said Mkhulu Kganyapa, Traditional Healer and Provincial Campaign Coordinator. Mkhulu added, “Our ancestors will turn in their graves if we allow these regulations to pass. We must fight for our right to heal.” – Sebenzile Rafani, traditional healer and campaign advocate.
