By Elezo Libanda
Katima Mulilo, July 31 – The number of traditional doctors, commonly known as witch doctors, is on the rise, particularly during these difficult economic times. Traditional healing involves indigenous practices, knowledge, and beliefs that incorporate ceremonies, plants, animals, or mineral-based medicines, as well as energetic therapies, to promote wellness.
In the Namibia Region, many people continue to fall victim to the practices of witch doctors, losing their hard-earned money and, in some cases, even surrendering their properties as tokens of appreciation for supposed healing or as advised by the traditional healers themselves. Unfortunately, the Namibian Medicine Regulatory Council is yet to finalize guidelines for the regulation of complementary medicines, including traditional ones. These guidelines are intended to establish a rigorous level of evidence for the quality, safety, and, where applicable, the efficacy of complementary medicines, aiming to protect the Namibian public and maintain consumer confidence.
The lack of regulatory measures has allowed the number of witch doctors to increase over the years, and some of them have taken advantage of their clients to an alarming extent. Reports of patients surrendering their houses and cars, or even losing their pension money, due to the influence of witch doctors have surfaced, all under the pretense of being healed.
As economic hardships affect everyone, it has become increasingly challenging to differentiate between genuine traditional healers and opportunists seeking to capitalize on people’s desperation to survive.
Benfector Masunda (65), a Zambian national, shared his experience as a traditional healer with NDN. He mentioned that his knowledge and techniques were not acquired overnight but were passed down through generations. His late father, who trained him, imparted the necessary wisdom to collect plants, roots, and other ingredients from the bush and combine them according to specific instructions. Masunda revealed that he has successfully helped numerous patients with various issues, including lost lovers, legal cases, and matchmaking.
When questioned about the authenticity of his products, Masunda assured NDN that they were indeed effective. However, he also acknowledged the existence of imposters pretending to be witch doctors, which contributes to public doubt and scepticism. He urged people not to generalize all traditional doctors, as there are genuine practitioners like himself.
Despite attempts to reach the chairperson of Traditional Doctors in Zambezi for comments, all efforts proved futile, as his phone remained unanswered. – Namibia Daily News
