Manto, healers talk HIV/Aids

2008-02-07 19:37

Cape Town - Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang on Thursday vowed to continue engaging traditional healers on health issues, saying they were important partners in the fight against HIV/Aids.

"Some people might be resisting traditional healers but I believe we are on the right track," she said.

Speaking during a meeting in Cape Town between the Health Department and traditional leaders on initiations and circumcision, Tshabalala-Msimang said no amount of pressure would discourage her from engaging with traditional leaders on crucial issues such as HIV and Aids.

"We will not be pushed around for the sake of money and resources," she said.

It was wrong for certain individuals and organisations to try and force people to turn their backs on their culture and traditions.

"We will not be misguided by people who are populists," she said.

She said HIV and Aids was a catastrophe that could be defeated only if South Africans worked together.

"The partnership against HIV/Aids is a multi-sectoral call to action amongst all sectors of our society," she said.

Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) President Phathekile Holomisa credited Tshabalala-Msimang for "championing the indigenous ways" of dealing with problems.

"This is one ministry that has been consistent in showing respect to traditional leaders," he said.

Other government departments treated tradition leaders with contempt.

He said there was an urgent need for legislation empowering traditional leaders to be enacted.

Inkatha Freedom Party leader, and chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal House of Traditional leaders, Mangosuthu Buthelezi said that even though Zulu people no longer practised circumcision, he supported its promotion for HIV/Aids prevention purposes.

"Whilst male circumcision as an initiation rite... should not be mandatory in any culture, it could be promoted as part of the wider prevention strategy.

There were giggles amongst the audience when Buthelezi said Zulu King Shaka had banned the circumcision practice because he thought it was a waste of time given that there were wars to be fought.

"He felt that initiates were taking too long to recover... as he needed them for his campaigns," he said.

- SAPA