SOUTH AFRICA —A major step toward the formalization of traditional healing in South Africa is underway with the introduction of the Traditional Health Professional Regulations, 2024. The draft Regulations, open for public consultation, aim to standardise and professionalise traditional health practices under the Traditional Health Practitioners Act 22 of 2007 (THPA).
The Regulations provide a framework to remove the long-standing legal uncertainty surrounding traditional healers. Practitioners will be required to register with the Interim Traditional Health Practitioners Council of South Africa. Once registered, they will be officially recognised as traditional health practitioners, with their names recorded in the official register maintained by the Council’s Registrar.
To practice legally, individuals must complete an application, pay prescribed fees, and undergo training in one of four categories: divination, herbalism, traditional birth attendant practices, or traditional surgical practices such as circumcision. Minimum age and education requirements also apply to ensure practitioners possess the necessary knowledge and skills.
The legal recognition of medical certificates issued by traditional healers is a central focus. In line with section 23(2) of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997 (BCEA), only certificates issued by healers registered with the Council will be valid. Employers may lawfully reject certificates from unregistered practitioners when managing sick leave.
Unregistered practitioners face additional limitations under section 44 of the THPA, including being prohibited from holding appointments in establishments or institutions. This underscores government’s emphasis on accountability and quality control in the delivery of traditional health services.
Although the THPA has been in place since 2007, officials note that the 2024 Regulations are what will bring the Act fully into operation. The reforms mark a new era for traditional healers in South Africa, moving the sector toward formalisation, regulation, and greater public trust.
