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The CSIR mandate in action: Traditional healer Mlindelwa Kwelemthini echoed sentiments of the CSIR objectives when calling for multidisciplinary research to improve public health and quality of life |
Traditional healers' trust committee: Back (from left) CSIR staff Helena Heystek and Tshidi Moroka with traditional healer Doreen Ndiko and the CSIR's Dr Vinesh Maharaj. Front (from left) traditional healers Edith Mahlaba, Mlindelwa Kwelemthini and Gladys Mohale |
Custodians of indigenous knowledge - accustomed in the past to being left out in the cold on matters of scientifically-based public health - rubbed shoulders with scientists and representatives of government at a CSIR workshop recently.
CSIR Biosciences organised the event to celebrate a decade-long partnership between traditional healers and CSIR scientists. For some traditional healers, the meeting was the realisation of a lifelong dream.
Edith Mahlaba recalled that she learnt of her calling at the age of 14; she has been treating patients over a period of 20 years, relying on knowledge of medicinal plants inherited from previous generations. Never did she realise that her work would one day share a platform with modern science. "This is what my late husband and I have been fighting for since the 1980s - that traditional healers are taken seriously and respected, and no longer be approached clandestinely. Traditional healers are engaged in the same battle as doctors practising Western medicine - we are fighting for a healthy society. It's encouraging to see Western healers tap into our expertise. It means our knowledge won't die when we do. Generations to come will still benefit from ancient knowledge," said Mahlaba (51), a traditional healer living in the Free State.
Scientists in the bioprospecting research group have enjoyed an amicable relationship with traditional healers since the two groups first came together in 1998 to form a partnership. Since then, new knowledge has been generated, medicinal plants scientifically validated with some currently earmarked for commercialisation, and a memorandum of understanding and benefit sharing agreement have been signed. A trust fund for traditional healers has also been established. "The main objective of this partnership is to support traditional healers by using modern science to scientifically validate the use of traditional medicines," explains Dr Vinesh Maharaj, who - with his team members - has captured more than 250 claims for cures based on medicinal plants.
According to Tshidi Moroka, who manages the social good portfolio in the R&D outcomes office at CSIR Biosciences, the purpose of the workshop held in 14 March 2008 was to share information on legislation and regulation of traditional healing and the use of indigenous plants for medicinal purposes.
Isaac Mayeng, Director of the traditional medicine group at the Department of Health, conveyed good news to the traditional healers. He said that, while government had presented traditional healers a voice with the introduction of the Traditional Healers Act, further initiatives have been launched. These include:
- Creating an African traditional medicines database
- Implementing the African health strategy for 2007-2015
- Promoting the compilation of an African traditional medicines pharmacopoeia
- Promoting the establishment of valuable African traditional medicines structures at provincial level and an African traditional medicines research ethics committee
- Creating public sensitisation of African traditional medicines by establishing an annual African traditional medicines week/day in August.
"The Western health system is fortunate in that it has the full support of banks, churches and other stakeholders of society guaranteeing its existence. African traditional medicines are currently supported mainly by the Act and the Department of Health," he said.
In his address at the workshop Dr Gatsha Mazithulela, Executive Director of CSIR Biosciences, commented on how the tripartite alliance between Western medicine, traditional medicine and science complemented the CSIR mandate by incorporating multidisciplinary research and contributing to the improvement of quality of life.
Traditional healer Mlindelwa Kwelemthini urged parties to respect the others as equals. "In this room we have all the brains that can help this country," he said.
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