Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has officially launched a Traditional Health Pharmacy aimed at benefitting local traditional health practitioners.

The first-of-its-kind hub, located at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, brings traditional healers, local communities and conservation bodies under one platform.

This social programme is poised to become a key biodiversity economy revenue stream.

It also tackles illegal harvesting, counterfeit animal products and unsustainable trade, while protecting valuable indigenous species.

Spearheaded by University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Professor Nceba Gqaleni, the initiative is set to address long-standing challenges faced by practitioners, including restricted access to essential natural resources needed for their work.

Gqaleni said revitalising traditional medicine is aimed at capacitating the sector and making it independently viable.

“What we are doing today is restoring the dignity of traditional healing and strengthening its economic contribution for our practitioners,” he said.

Welcoming the initiative, KZN Traditional Healers’ Organisation chairperson Dr Sabelo Shabalala said it signals a new era of collaboration with the government.

“Traditional health practitioners have not been recognised for a long time. We appreciate this opportunity that has been given to us,” said Shabalala.

Ezemvelo CEO Sihle Mkhize emphasised that the pharmacy will also serve as a research centre for traditional medicine, enabling proper data collection and knowledge development.

“We are moving from criminalisation to collaboration,” said Mkhize.
Registered healers will now be able to access legal, quality-controlled medicinal plants and animal by-products.

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