Socio-economic challenges faced by traditional healers in Limpopo province of South Africa: conversations from below

Abstract

Traditional healing remains core to many local communities in South Africa. This research was aimed at fostering stronger relationships between traditional healers and biomedical medicine focusing on their socio-economic challenges. This research involved collaboration between two Universities in South Africa and the USA, focusing on the social welfare and traditional healing, by articulating the experiences and positions of 40 selected traditional healers. Afro-sensed and developmental social welfare approaches were used for this study. Qualitative research approaches using focus group discussions, direct observations and in-depth interviews with selected traditional healers were applied. A thematic analysis approach was used to cluster emerging themes and sub-themes. Carefully presented themes were sifted from the data that referred to traditional healers’ experiences of their socio-economic realities. It should be noted that, while the socio-economic status of healers was significant, the scope of spiritual and philosophical dimensions related to traditional healing could not be ignored.