Traditional healing in contemporary South Africa : perspective from traditional health practitioners in Vhembe District (Limpopo).

Abstract

The main thrust of this study was to investigate the dynamics that characterise Traditional Health Practitioners and their practices in the modem society of Vhembe District of the Limpopo Province following democratic changes that came with passing of the Traditional Health Practitioners Act (Act No 22 of 2007). The study utilised anthropological qualitative research designs. Participants in this study were traditional health practitioners found in Vhembe district. Fieldwork data was gathered with the use of semi-structured interviewer­ administered questionnaires. The data that was generated was analysed using classifications and themes. Looking at the nature of traditional healing and their views in the contemporary society in the Vhembe district, the study discovered that traditional health practitioners admit that their healing practices cannot address all modern diseases facing patients as much as biomedical practices cannot address all diseases facing modern people due to differences in theory of their healing practices. Therefore, the study recommends that collaborative efforts should be focused more on the area of herbalism than in the area of divination. This is because of similarity in the usage of medicine and understanding causation of disease between biomedical practice and herbalism. Capitalising on the similarities can create a rich environment of knowledge-sharing from both BMPs and THPs of the category of herbalists which will lead to effective health service delivery to the patients.