Misleading information by traditional healers to their clients

Nobulawo Sitshaluza

In my community, there are a huge number of traditional doctors (ixhwele in Xhosa) who have students that learning to become traditional doctors themselves. These days more and more people and young people are becoming traditional doctors.

On 15/08/2024 I saw a traditional doctor with her client near the bridge in block 8. It is the same water that flows from block one at the wetlands. I spoke to Miss Mamuabi Silo who currently living in block 1 near the farmers, address number 20 who used to stay at block 8 in Snakepark. The time that she used to stay at block 8 she says “that she used to see lots of evidence that people with the advice of traditional doctors would perform lots of ritual ceremonies near the bridge.

I also spoke to a traditional doctor who wants to remain anonymous she explained to me that” these so-called traditional doctors of today they are misleading people who come to them for spiritual guidance and healing. These traditional doctors most of them doing things wrong because as a traditional healer, you can’t use dirty to help people and it therefore shows that they are all of these only for money not for the interest of their patients. The correct water to us is clean natural comes under group, waterfall or natural river water. She says that there is a natural river flow in Mzihlophe that she uses.

I spoke to a woman who also wanted to remain anonymous she told me that”the reason she went to the traditional doctor was that she felt that she was having bad luck and she wanted the traditional doctor to remove it . She says “that the traditional doctor told her that her ancestors had abandoned her and instructed her on what to do to appease them to come back in her life and it’s the only way she will have great thing happening in her life.

When I was looking at the bridge water at block 8 it was darkish in colour. This water even has contaminants from the mine tailing mine dump especially when it’s raining and also contains sewer water from Dobsonville and Bramfisherville that flows directly to Snakepark.

The fact that traditional doctors would go and seek medical attention at the hospital and clinic for themselves. I wish some traditional doctors would advise their clients that whatever is happening to them regarding their health it only requires a professional doctor and not even take their money. In our community, u will come across an individual defaulting on their medication believing whatever traditional medication they receive will help them and not even wanting to hear anything or do do with their local clinic.