Closet control
Do you have heaps of clothes, but can't find anything to wear? Control your wardrobe with these simple tools.
Diabetes and babies
Pregnant Indians who are malnourished risk passing diabetes on to their unborn babies...
 |
Four types of healers can be identified: a herbalist, (inyanga), traditional diviner (isangoma), faith healer/spiritual healer (Umthandazi) and traitional birth attendants (umbelekisi).
The inyanga specialises in the use of herbal medicines and has extensive knowledge of curative herbs, natural treatment and medicine mixtures made of animal origin. Inyangas are usually male.
The isangoma is a traditional diviner and a diagnostician. They define illnesses and the circumstances of the illness. They don’t necessarily have knowledge of medicinal herbs, because their speciality is that of divining through mediumship with the ancestral spirits. Isangomas are usually female.
Abathandazi are faith healers and are usually professed Christians. They heal mostly through prayer by laying hands on patients or providing holy water.
Umbelekisi The traditional birth attendants are usually elderly women who are highly respected for their obstetrical and ritual expertise. They train for 15 to 20 years before assuming the title. Traditional birth attendants provide care for the pregnant woman, attend the birth, give postpartum care, and provide support for breast-feeding, marriage, contraception and fertility.
Herbal medication is the most common therapeutic method used by traditional healers. Other methods include psychosocial counselling, simple surgical procedures (such as blood-letting), rituals and symbolism.
Medications can be classified in three categories:
As with other complementary health systems, the patient’s spiritual and physical wellbeing are treated at the same time.
Traditional healers to contact
KwaZulu-Natal
Mr SJ Mhlongo
tel: 032 481 2179 / 083 628 1425
Free State
TDr Maria Mahlaba
058 863 1054 / 073 343 3411
Mpumalanga
TDr David Makhubela
013 773 0159 / 082 253 7045
North West
Ms Virginnia Mvelo Dhlamini
018 489 3871
Gauteng
TDr Mashilompana
082 663 8782
Eastern Cape
Ms Fezeka Kosi
041 464 7290 / 084 748 6487
Limpopo
TDr Hlabajoa
082 745 3839
Western Cape
Ms Miranda Javu
072 600 3277
Northern Cape
Anna Festus
054 339 0885 / 082 505 9414
Image: A newly graduated Sangoma, by Jo Prins for Beeld.
Ask an expert
Article Search
 |
Complaints
Hannah has launched a new book: Top 100 things to complain about. See who and what features... more>
|
|
 |
The Bold and the Beautiful
Ridge hears about his mother's involvement in Brooke's rape ordeal... more>
|
Monroe is giving away a car safety kit consisting of shock absorbers and more.
your voice, every day... |
|
Might get retrenched
Broken Dreams
|
|
In control
|
