The traditional health practitioners Act No 22 (2007) of South Africa: its history, resolutions and implementation in perspective (Part 2: Resolutions)

Abstract

Background: Before the promulgation of the Traditional Health Practitioners Act No 22 (2007), there was no formal guideline or training culture to steer traditional healing in South Africa. Training was and is still mostly informal. Sometimes a new healer is trained by other traditional healers. In many cases, the traditional healer is self-taught without any learning whatsoever. Aims: The present study aims to describe the various resolutions of the Act to plan, develop and manage traditional healthcare training in the future. Methods: This is an exploratory and descriptive study in line with the modern historical approach of investigation and review. The emphasis is on using contemporary documentation, like articles, books and newspapers, as primary resources to reflect on the development and promulgation of the Traditional Health Practitioners Act No 22 (2007). The findings are offered in a narrative format. Results: It seems that Act No 22 (2007) was promulgated without comprehensive research and in-depth discussion on training with all the role players who have a vested interest. Conclusion: It is clear that training ideals such as formal study programmes, qualified staff and institutional bodies to train and to educate future traditional healers are not immediately attainable. The nearly ten years of minimal activity to enact Act No 22 since its promulgation confirms this failure. Inexpensive and uncomplicated training paths are needed until a system can be developed. One such path is the continuation of informal in-house training with another traditional healer.