Contributions of traditional healers and traditional birth attendants to maternal health in Soweto, South Africa

Abstract

This paper aims to explore how Traditional Healers (THs) and Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) support women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period in Soweto, Johannesburg. Traditional healing remains a central part of maternal healthcare in South Africa, where cultural beliefs and accessibility influence women’s health-seeking behaviours. Using a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive design, data were collected through key informant interviews with eight participants (five THs and three TBAs) selected through purposive sampling. Thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns in traditional knowledge, practices, and beliefs related to maternal healthcare. Findings revealed that THs and TBAs play an essential role across the maternal care continuum. In the diagnostic phase, they identify fertility challenges, breech pregnancies, and spiritual causes of illness through ancestral guidance, bone divination, and dreams. During the antenatal period, they provide herbal remedies such as isihlambezo to cleanse and strengthen the womb and perform protective rituals against witchcraft and evil spirits. In the perinatal stage, TBAs assist with labour management, delivery, and placental expulsion using culturally informed methods. Their postnatal care includes uterine cleansing, breastfeeding support, newborn care, and follow-up home visits. These practices, grounded in indigenous knowledge systems, coexist with biomedical care and remain vital due to their cultural resonance and accessibility. The study concludes that strengthening collaboration between traditional and biomedical health systems could enhance culturally sensitive, community-based approaches to maternal healthcare in South Africa.

Keywords: {'name': 'Traditional medicine, pregnancy, traditional birth attendants, traditional healers, maternal health, qualitative, thematic analysis'}

Authors & affiliations

Thabisile Qwabi
Department of Vaccines and Infectious Disease Analytics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Lunghile Shivambo
Department of Vaccines and Infectious Disease Analytics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Lerato Ntsie
Social Scientist, Department of Vaccines and Infectious Disease Analytics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Shabnam Shaik
Department of Vaccines and Infectious Disease Analytics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Siobhan Johnstone
Department of Vaccines and Infectious Disease Analytics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Maria Maixenchs
Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Hospital Clínic, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

John Blenvis
Emory Global Health Institute

Ziyaad Dangor
Department of Vaccines and Infectious Disease Analytics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Shabir A. Madhi
Department of Vaccines and Infectious Disease Analytics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Nellie Myburgh
Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa.

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