MA (Psychology) / Department of Psychology / See the attached abstract below

Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology)) -- UNiversity of Limpopo, 2014 / A number of studies have revealed that chronic diseases are common in all communities. This study explored the views of indigenous healers regarding the causes and treatment of chronic diseases in Ga-Dikgale community. A qualitative approach was followed and participants were selected through snowball sampling. Seven participants (2 males and 5 females) who are indigenous healers were recruited for the study. Data was collected using in-depth semi-structured one-to-one interviews and analysed using content analysis. The results of the study are presented in terms of the following themes: a). Participants’ views regarding the types of chronic diseases: despite the divergent views held by indigenous healers regarding chronic diseases, they all perceive these debilitating conditions as incurable. b). Participants’ own explanations of the causes of chronic diseases: it appeared the causes of chronic diseases were attributed to both cultural beliefs and modern medical science. c). Participants’ experiences and subjective notions on the treatment methods for chronic diseases: it was found that Western medicine is considered the most viable option to treat chronic diseases instead of indigenous medicine. d). Participants’ descriptions of the most common diseases that they treat: indigenous healers treat non-chronic conditions instead of chronic diseases. e). Participants’ own perceptions of their roles in the community: it appeared indigenous healers felt they received support from their community as they were consulted mostly for non-chronic conditions; and f). Participants’ recommendations on how people with chronic diseases should be managed: indigenous healers recommend that people should seek medical intervention for treatment of chronic diseases. The study further revealed that indigenous healers in this community are not always the first line of treatment for chronic conditions. Instead, it was found that indigenous healers tend to advice patients with chronic diseases to seek medical intervention rather than traditional healing. The study is concluded by recommending further investigation on chronic diseases, including the possibilities of integrating indigenous healing and Western-oriented health care systems.

For centuries Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) used their indigenous knowledge (IK) in conserving medicinal plants and environments to maintain sustainability. With the rapid environmental, social, economic and political changes occurring in many areas inhabited by rural people exist the danger that the loss of biodiversity from habitat destruction and unsustainable harvesting practices will result in some species becoming extinct. The main aim of the study was to determine the natural habitat of extinction-prone traditional medicinal plants combining the insight of THPs with an ultimate goal of guiding research for the conservation, propagation and cultivation of traditional medicinal plants. Despite problems, opportunities and challenges expressed and identified by THPs, the analysis of data from interview schedule and personal observations, show that the THPs' practices are shaped by historical processes and local cultural values, social norms and their management strategies that are influenced by a broad range of factors. / Agriculture, Animal Health & Human Ecology / M.A. (Human Ecology)

For centuries Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) used their indigenous knowledge (IK) in conserving medicinal plants and environments to maintain sustainability. With the rapid environmental, social, economic and political changes occurring in many areas inhabited by rural people exist the danger that the loss of biodiversity from habitat destruction and unsustainable harvesting practices will result in some species becoming extinct. The main aim of the study was to determine the natural habitat of extinction-prone traditional medicinal plants combining the insight of THPs with an ultimate goal of guiding research for the conservation, propagation and cultivation of traditional medicinal plants. Despite problems, opportunities and challenges expressed and identified by THPs, the analysis of data from interview schedule and personal observations, show that the THPs' practices are shaped by historical processes and local cultural values, social norms and their management strategies that are influenced by a broad range of factors. / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M.A. (Human Ecology)

MAAS / Centre for African Studies / See the attached abstract below

Thesis (M. A. (Clinical Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / Suicidal behaviour is a global health concern. The youth have been found to be at an exceptional risk in terms of suicidal behaviour due to a variety of problems that they encounter. Studies have been conducted to conceptualise suicidal behaviour. However, cultural aspects have often been neglected or marginalised. In Africa traditional healers play an important role in health care provision and the conceptualisation of problems encountered by the people. The present study was aimed at exploring how traditional healers conceptualise youth suicidal behaviour in Bakenberg, Limpopo Province. A qualitative exploratory method was utilised to execute the study. Study participants included ten traditional healers (six females and four males) aged between 35 and 85 years of age, who were selected using a snowball sampling method. A conversational method was used to collect data, employing semi-structured interview questions as a way of initiating conversations. The conversations were conducted in Sepedi and later translated into English. The study revealed that suicide is mainly understood to be multifaceted. Witchcraft, family problems, poor problem-solving skills, substance use, life difficulties and other secondary factors were all identified as central themes. The study revealed that suicide is a speciality within traditional healing, thus only those who are gifted and trained can assess or intervene. Ditaola (divination bones) and ancestral guidance were reported to be some of the means used to identify suicidal youth. The study also revealed that talk therapy (counselling) and herbal medicine „Molebatsa‟ were used as the main intervention methods. Herbal medicine is used as both a prevention and treatment of suicidal behaviour in youth. Thus it can prevent the occurrence of suicide or calm an individual who had a failed suicide attempt.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Botany)) -- University of Limpopo, 2013 / Traditional medicine plays a major role in the primary health care of many people residing in rural areas. People in these areas still consult traditional healers who utilise plants as medicine. Medicinal plants have come under increasing pressure due to a number of factors, which have resulted in the decline of certain species, extinction in others, and a general decrease in biodiversity of high use areas of South Africa, Blouberg Mountain included. To date there has been a lack of information on how traditional healers utilise the Blouberg Mountain with respect to amounts and species removed, or where the most important collecting sites are located. Thus, no conservation strategy exists for the Blouberg Mountain to ensure sustainable management of its natural resources. Furthermore, there is a perception amongst elders of this area that, as with indigenous knowledge around the world, the knowledge centered around Blouberg’s medicinal plants is declining, and little formal documentation of that knowledge has taken place. Consequently, this study investigated aspects related to medicinal plant use such as collection, patterns of collection, legislation, storage and packaging of medicinal plants by traditional healers around Blouberg Mountain. These were documented via a semi-structured questionnaire and a data collection sheet. Furthermore, traditional harvesting methods employed by traditional healers, and in situ conservation issues related to species removal from the mountain were investigated. Data was collected between September 2010 and September 2011. Sixteen villages in close proximity to the mountain, and 32 healers (two per village) were selected. In addition 16 consulting rooms were sampled (one per village) in order to gather information on the number of species collected from the mountain and stored in the consulting rooms. The 16 most used (indicated by village traditional healers) collection tracks, (one per village surrounding Blouberg Mountain), were travelled with traditional healers to record botanical and vernacular names of the medicinal plants, vegetation type, habitat, parts used, harvesting method, replacement value of plant species and perceived rarity of collected material. A Garmin GPS was used to record waypoints for the beginning and end of each track. Co-ordinates were logged automatically every 10 m. A map using Quantum GIS software to capture the position of the healers’ collection tracks, overlaid with topographical and vegetation information, and protected area information of the Blouberg Mountain, was generated. Geographic Information System software was used to geo-process the collection tracks of the healers with respect to where medicinal plants were collected relative to the various vegetation types. This gave information on vegetation types important to healers. The majority of traditional healers were females. Most of them had no formal education, with only a minority reaching secondary school. Due to their low level of literacy they tended to shy away from sources of written information, with the result that none of the questioned healers had any knowledge of the various national or provincial environmental legislations. The majority of them see between 15 and 20 patients per month. Most of the healers had more than 30 years of experience in traditional healing. The study found 64 plant species commonly used for medicinal purposes. Most of them were harvested for their roots and bark. According to the healers, Boophane disticha and Hypoxis hemerocallidea are declining in Blouberg Mountain, with Warburgia salutaris, endangered in South Africa, not perceived as rare or declining. However, a number of plant species recorded in the Red Data List as of least concern, or not threatened, are seen as rare by the healers. These include Clivia caulescens, Erythrina lysistemon, Lannea schweinfurthii and Maerua juncea. No exotic species were documented from the surveyed tracks. However, two naturalised exotics were collected from the mountain, namely Cassytha filiformis and Corchorus tridens. Cocculus hirsutus, a naturalised exotic and Abrus precatorius, an exotic species were found in one of the consulting rooms. Dichrostachys cinerea, Philenoptera violacea and Tarchonanthus camphoratus, which are indicators of bush encroachment, were identified on selected tracks. Tracks on which indicators of bush encroachment are present should be investigated more thoroughly to ascertain the extent and severity of such a threat. vii Investigations into healers’ collection tracks showed that the Soutpansberg Mountain Bushveld vegetation type is the most heavily utilised of the five vegetation types around Blouberg Mountain. This vegetation type is vulnerable to human population densities as most species were collected from it, therefore it should be conserved and managed if possible as it is targeted for plant species of medicinal value. The most travelled tracks were found in the Catha-Faurea Wooded Grassland community. Solutions to the problems of over harvesting of medicinal plants require local innovations and the full participation of traditional healers in resource management initiatives. The development of medicinal plant nurseries together with propagation of key species will be a crucial management tool, as this will reduce over harvesting of natural resources from the wild. In conclusion, it was found that although most species utilised around Blouberg Mountain are abundant and not threatened, healers are nevertheless concerned about dwindling medicinal plant supplies. They would welcome conservation initiatives and the use of GIS maps would be useful in prioritising conservation areas.

PhD (Psychology) / Department of Psychology

Thesis (M.A. (Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Globally, mental disorders are a growing public health problem. The World Health Organisation has urged member states to prioritise efforts to address the growing pandemic of mental illness. One strategy identified by WHO is the promotion of the use of traditional medicines. Similarly, a collaboration between Western and Traditional health care practitioners has been identified as another strategy that could help bridge the gap of shortages of mental health care providers and the cost of professional mental health care services. The present study investigated the Mmotong community’s knowledge of mental disorders and attitudes towards collaboration between Traditional healers and Western-trained practitioners in the treatment of mental disorders. A quantitative study was conducted, with a sample of 200 participants (Female = 131; Male = 69; in the age range of 18 years and older). Participants were selected using convenience sampling. Data was collected using a questionnaire and analysed using the SPSS to draw out the descriptive statistics. A majority (59%) of participants were found to possess knowledge of mental disorders. Attitudinally, most participants favoured Western-oriented mental health care services in terms of effectiveness. Despite this finding, a majority (69%) endorsed the need for collaboration between the two healthcare systems. A gender analysis revealed that more females (71.8%) than males (63.8%) favoured collaboration. While analysed by age, those 18-37 years (63.5%), 38-57 years (75.5%) and over the age of 58 years (75.5%) favoured the collaboration respectively. The present study findings show that in this community, the majority of members possess knowledge of mental illness. The community also favours the collaboration between traditional and medically oriented health care providers in mental health care. The study is concluded by making recommendations to the government, Traditional healers, and Western-oriented health practitioners to work towards the harnessing of collaboration of the two healthcare systems.

MA ( Psychology) / Department of Psychology