“Of course some do it out of desperation probably due to the HIV/AIDS scourge,” he said. Lately, there has been a sudden upsurge in advertising by foreign traditional doctors. This has sparked controversy among local practitioners. Some complained that the foreigners take advantage of the naivety and desperation of Batswana.
Unlike medical practitioners who are barred from advertising because it is unethical, the traditional doctors are let off the hook, as the law does not apply to them.
Billboards and newspaper adverts carry all sorts of messages glorifying or even magnifying the wonders that the foreign traditional doctors can perform. “Traditional doctor from Malawi- to bring back your lover, help you to win at the casino” these are some of the messages that constantly appear in the adverts.
Monthusi Sekonopo who has been a traditional doctor for 31 years says that traditional healing has lost dignity due to the foreigners. “These things did not happen in the past. This is a recent turn of events perpetuated by people who want to swindle money from other people.” He blamed the influx of foreign traditional doctors on the laxity of immigration laws. He said there is no proper monitoring of people who enter the country. “We allow swindlers to enter our country without thoroughly assessing the value that they add to us.” He said the adverts placed by some traditional healers are misleading.
“No one can enlarge a man’s genital areas, neither can they assist an individual to win in a casino,” said Sekonopo. He said most of the foreign traditional doctors come to make quick cash. He accused them of taking advantage of the HIV/AIDS situation in the country to claim that they can heal every disease under the sun. Three years back, Sekonopo and other traditional doctors met with their Zimbabwean counterparts. The Zimbabweans asserted that most of their compatriots prefer operating in Botswana because they are after money.
He cautioned Batswana on doctors who claim to have the ability to multiply money. “Why can’t they multiply money for themselves?”
Sekonopo lamented that healers who combine tradition and Christianity are now taking over from traditional doctors. Christianity and traditional healing does not get along, he said.
“These are two different religions and we cannot mix them.” He complained that Batswana face a lot of challenges today because of conflicting loyalty to ancestors. He said African ancestors are fighting with white ones. He added in the past, Botswana enjoyed peace and stability because the people rallied behind their culture. He cited the example of people who were relocated to Lentswelemoriti because they violated Setswana customs by embracing foreign traditions. “These are the same people who are destroying traditional healing.”
