The Traditional Health Practitioners Act and its remedies: reflections after the operationalisation of the majority of the Act's provisions

Abstract

In 2005, the Traditional Health Practitioners Act 35 of 2004 was signed into law. This marked the first time in South Africa that there was legislation dedicated to the regulation of the traditional health sector. This step was in line with South Africa’s international and continental undertakings as the World Health Organization (‘WHO’), the African Union (‘AU’) and the Southern African Development Community (‘SADC’) all require member states to introduce measures towards achieving this goal (see Joy Summerton ‘The incorporation of African traditional health practitioners into the South African health care system’ (2006) 38 Acta Academica 143 for a detailed outline of the applicable documents and their significance in shaping South Africa’s legislative approach).