Traditional healing at Umlazi Township as part of informal business

The aim of this study was to investigate how traditional healers operate at Umlazi township with special reference to their socio-economic status, systems of working and their problems and future plans. The study showed that there were more male healers than female healers at Umlazi. The ages of healers ranged between twenty and sixty—nine. Al1 the healers had dependants, although their numbers varied. Most of the traditional healers at Umlazi did not have family members- The majority of healers lived at Umlazi township. Most of the healers worked at Umlazi-Slebe and kwaMnyandu Station and some used publIC transport to their-places of work such as buses, taxis and trains. There were those who walked to their places of business. The costs of transport were low, between R50 and R79 per month. The healers could not tell with precision what their monthly incomes were, they did not keep records of income and expenditure. Most of the healers had only primary education and their training was informal. Most of the healers were once employed in formal industries. Working hours, working days and payment for services differed greatly. The healers provided more services than the formal healing system. Their main problem was absconding. Same healers ^r& in favour of being incorporated into formal healing system.

Author dc:creator

• Mthembu, Johnson Barabas

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Maharaj, B.

• Healing--South Africa--KwaZulu-Natal.
• Traditional medicine--South Africa--KwaZulu-Natal.

Licence

• https://devspace.unizulu.ac.za/bitstreams/70d5f911-4f67-4068-be31-a5469140332d/download