Musina-based traditional healer Maine Vho-Lesedi David Manenena (69) said that, if all traditional healers registered themselves at recognised institutions, the government would find working with them and successfully tracing them easier, should something go wrong.
Manenena, who has been practicing as a traditional healer for the past 39 years, spoke to the Limpopo Mirror during an interview at his home in Nancefield Extension 9 in Musina on Tuesday, 9 August.
Proudly showing off his recognition certificates, Manenena said that for any practicing traditional leader to have a recognition certificate was advisable. "The registration of traditional healers will help eradicate fake traditional leaders, whose aim is to make money instead of saving lives," he said.
Manenena himself is a registered member at three institutions, namely the Traditional and Faith Practitioners Organisation, Vhembe Traditional Health Practitioners and the Herbalist Association, and he makes sure that these memberships are renewed annually, so he stays up to date on matters affecting traditional healers. "When you are registered with a recognised institution, it is easier for you to get information, because government and other partners prefer to work with organised people. We attend workshops and meetings on health-related matters under the banners of our organisations, as we are recognised as united people."
He said that being a traditional healer was more of a calling than a personal choice. He explained how everything began for him. "I became very ill in 1983 and was taken to various hospitals and clinics, but the doctors could not find what was wrong. My body was in so much pain that I lost a lot of weight and everyone around me was convinced that I would not make it. One night, I had a dream about people beating traditional drums and dancing while calling my name. I told my late father, Petrus Matoro, about the dream and he suggested that we should consult a traditional healer. I was taken to the traditional healer, who confirmed that I had a calling, and I was initiated for six months. After the six months, I regained my health and started treating patients. I have been doing it to this day."
Manenena said that, although he enjoyed saving lives, he was disturbed by the careless destruction of indigenous plants that provide traditional healers with medical herbs. "We used to get our herbs nearby but, because of the careless de-bushing of important indigenous plants, we have to travel far these days for medicinal plants. We appeal to government to help us to preserve these plants by giving traditional healers land where they can plant their herbs," he said.