Traditional healer indaba success
UMFOLOZI Mayor Xolani Bhengu vows to include all structures in local government programmes within the municipal area.
Speaking at a traditional healers' indaba on Tuesday, Bhengu emphasised the important role they play in preserving the knowledge of local ways of healing.
Bhengu said, since taking office the municipality has elected various structures, catering for the youth, elderly citizens, people living with disabilities, and church representatives, to be part of the running of the municipality.
“Likewise, we are here today to elect a forum of traditional healers which we believe is of pivotal importance because of the role they play in the lives of uMfolozi residents," said Bhengu.
"Especially as we encourage information-sharing sessions between trained medical doctors and traditional healers."
Moreover, he condemned bogus traditional healers who taint the image of the sector by being found with human body parts and by abusing female patients.
“We denounce the opportunists, especially the male traditional healers who rape children, and those who use human body parts," said Bhengu.
"Traditional healers must not allow these hooligans to use their name for illegal practices."
Newly-elected uMfolozi Traditional Healers' Forum chairperson Nkosikhona Zikhali criticised the government for looking down on traditional healers, saying they want to grow and sell their products in stores.
“We want to be recognised by the government, to work in hospitals in collaboration [with health professionals] and be allowed to co-ordinate with medical doctors," said Zikhali.
"The scrutiny we face at hospitals when we take our patients is uncalled for."
Zikhali further called on the government to assist them with resources and professional training to do their work efficiently and with dignity.
He also pleaded with traditional healers to be hygienic in their practices and not contaminate the environment after performing rituals for their clients.