… traditional medicines, our heritage - THO
MBABANE – In addition to helping the ill with traditional remedies, THO also aims at preserving a culture that has been practiced for hundreds of years.
In the press statement issued by Bongani Maseko, the son to the late founder, Dr Nhlavana Maseko, Traditional Healers Organisation (THO) stated that the organisation was non-profit.
He said the organisation was his father’s brain child, who established it in the 1970s.
He stated that Maseko was inspired by King Sobhuza II’s love for the culture and preservation of traditional values for emaSwati. The organisation was previously referred to as the Traditional Healers Organisation for Africa.
The press statement also stated that the popularisation of conventional medicines today had made people question
the celebration, the organisation’s representatives would be going door-to-door and that they would also seek assistance from business organisations so that the event could become a success. whether traditional medicines were effective, yet in the past people did not have an option but relied on herbs or roots.
“Our existence today proves the effectiveness of traditional medicine in the past and its effectiveness continues to be realised around the regions of the world, where the use of herbs for healing purposes is not discouraged,” THO stated in the press release.
Noteworthy, in Benin, they celebrate a day known as Voodoo Day, Fête du Vodoun. It is the day when the people of Benin celebrate traditional activities. The day attracts tourists from all over the world.
The occasion is celebrated on January 10 and organised by traditional healers. Several rituals are practiced during this day, and this has often been a centre of controversy with religious leaders who have viewed the event as ungodly.
He then noted that in the past, they had also participated in celebrating the World AIDS Day alongside and that government officials from the Ministry of Health also regularly attended the event.
Bongani further added that the organisation also had influence in neighbouring Mozambique and that their aim was to spread its influence throughout to the other parts of Africa and not just in SA.