Plans for a traditional health care centre in Ilembe

Maphumulo traditional healer, Thengindaba Mkhize is in the process of opening a traditional health care centre at Maphumulo in the Nhlangwini area.

Mkhize said that to make a success of the clinic he needs to merge both traditional and western medicine.

“There are a large number of fake traditional healers in our country and having a professional traditional health centre will help people discern where to get professional help,” said Mkhize.

The centre aims to provide a platform for the sharing of information between traditional and western doctors. It will also train traditional healers and educate the community about traditional healing.

“Western doctors will be welcomed to come and help the people. The aim is to help people and build a strong working relationship between traditional and western doctors,” said the healer.

Mkhize said they will plant herbal plants, which he hopes will create jobs.

“The plants will need people to take care of them on a daily basis,” said Mkhize.

He was called to present the idea to the private licensing committee in June 2013, which he did, but he is still waiting for a reply from them.

Mkhize already has the land and a building that needs to be renovated, given to him by the Nhlangwini king, Chief Mubhidi Cele.

He has more than 40 years experience as a traditional healer and is the chairperson of the Ilembe Traditional Healers Organisation.

Mkhize is appealing to anyone willing to assist financially with the start-up of the centre to contact him on 060 789 8787 (Mkhize only speaks Zulu, so English speakers call Sboniso on 072 084 8133).