Executive Director: City Health, Dr. Ivan Bromfield,
Traditional healers,
Environmental Health Practitioners,
City Health staff,
and distinguished guests.

Molweni, I greet you.

I am very pleased and honoured to address this gathering. I hope that today’s meeting will be productive and that we can partner to provide the best possible service to our residents.

During colonial times and later in the Apartheid era, traditional healers were not regarded as individuals who could contribute positively to our communities.

Today I am very proud to say that the City of Cape Town is keen to work with you to develop a strategic framework. We have already started holding workshops with traditional healers about HIV/Aids and diarrhoea and we want to expand this programme.

I would like to acknowledge and appreciate the role of indigenous knowledge systems and traditional medicine in improving the lives of our residents. Some of our residents visit herbalists on a daily basis. We ask that you please refer them to our facilities where possible, along with referral notes.

Furthermore I know that you are all responsible and sensitive healers who do not abuse the environment as part of your practice by, for example, stripping trees for their bark or killing animals. I’d like to thank you for taking care of our environment and respecting the flora and fauna. Together, let us say no to deforestation and animal poaching.

The City of Cape Town is here to listen and engage with you in a constructive manner as we work towards fostering a sound working relationship. As a Caring City and Inclusive City we understand the importance of such partnerships in ensuring the good health of our residents.

Please continue with your good work and help us to tackle health issues in our communities. We further ask that you assist in protecting our facilities against vandalism and visit our clinics whenever you need assistance or advice.

Enkosi, I thank you.