Plan to integrate Sangomas into primary healthcare system in South Africa

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said they are looking into the role of traditional health practitioners in primary healthcare, referral arrangements, training, and collaborations.

He shared this information in response to a Parliamentary question about recognising and promoting the role of traditional health practitioners in the national health system.

Traditional health practitioners, also known as sangomas, are healers and diviners in Southern African societies, particularly among the Zulu people.

Sangomas connect the living with their ancestors to diagnose and heal physical, mental, and spiritual illnesses.

Motsoaledi was asked about the plan to regulate, recognise and promote the role of traditional health practitioners within the national health system.

He was also asked why traditional health has not yet been fully integrated into the healthcare system in South Africa.

The Health Minister responded, explaining that the Traditional Health Practitioners (THP) Act, 2007 provides the required recognition to this group.

“The challenge is the gap between legislation and implementation, caused mainly by the delay in promulgation of the regulations under the THP Act,” he said.

However, the long-awaited Socio-Economic Impact Assessment System (SEIAS) Certificate was granted by the Presidency on 07 July 2026.

Additionally, Motsoaledi said that processes for the promulgation of the necessary Regulations are underway.

“The THP Act provides the statutory basis for regulating traditional health practitioners,” the Minister said.

However, legislation alone does not establish how traditional healthcare should function within the broader health system.

The draft Traditional Medicine Policy Framework and Strategy was developed to address these issues.

They include the role of traditional health practitioners in primary healthcare, referral arrangements, training, and collaborations.

“The draft policy framework is at the final stages of approval by the Department of Health,” Motsoaledi said.