PRETORIA, Aug 28 (NNN-SANEWS) — South Africa will join the rest of the continent in observing African Traditional Medicine Day, which highlights the role of traditional medicine in improving health and well-being.
The Department of Health noted that more than 80% of people worldwide, particularly in developing regions, rely on traditional medicine for their primary healthcare needs.
“This underscores the deep-rooted cultural significance and accessibility of traditional practices, including herbal medicine and other indigenous therapies in the communities,” the department said.
The department said the commemoration of African Traditional Medicine Day, which is observed annually on 31 August, also serves as a call to action for governments to strengthen collaboration among institutions focused on science, technology and innovation, traditional health practitioners and the private sector. The aim is to accelerate research, development and local manufacturing of traditional medicine-based therapeutics to improve health outcomes in Africa.
African Traditional Medicine Day also aims to recognise the contribution of traditional medicine to generations of people on the continent.
This year’s national event will be held on Friday, 29 August, at Moruleng Stadium outside Rustenburg in the North West. It will be led by the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, joined by North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari, local government representatives and traditional leaders.
The 2025 commemoration takes place under the theme: “Strengthening the evidence base for traditional medicine”.
In May 2025, the 78th World Health Assembly approved the new World Health Organisation Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, which seeks to promote universal access to safe, effective and people-centred traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine. — NNN-SANEWS
