Traditional healer march praises Manto

Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, the health minister, is the only person in high office to understand the disparities between western and traditional medicine.

This is according to Phephsile Maseko, the national co-ordinator of the Traditional Healers Association who spoke while leading a protest march through downtown Johannesburg today. "She has been trying hard to narrow the gap." Marchers were calling for better recognition of traditional medicine. They carried posters showing support for Tshabalala-Msimang.

Maseko said representatives of traditional healers on the National Aids Council and the Gauteng Provincial Aids Council were not elected by traditional healers and did not report back to her organisation. Maseko spoke out against traditional healers who committed rape or who used human body parts in their treatment. - Sapa