The Waterval Traditional Healers Association urged people to keep their traditions and norms as a way of preserving their culture and reclaiming their heritage.

During a Heritage Day event at Magangeni in Elim a fortnight ago, the association's chairperson, Vho-Linah Rambau, said that it was very sad to see young children, and grown-ups as well, shying away from practising their culture. “There are sicknesses which the western medicine cannot cure, and people must accept that fact and seek help from a traditional healer,” said Rambau.

She advised people to stop ignoring their spiritual callings to become traditional healers. “Traditional healing is a life-saving practice and not works of witchcraft, for that is what many people make you believe,” she explained. “If you have a calling to become a healer, you must not try to hide behind a veil of denial.”

She then reminded all people that indigenous games, such as khadi, tseretsere, ndode and mudzumbamo, are meant for both physical and mental exercise. “It makes me wonder what has become of today's children who no longer have or show any interest in these games,” she said. “Maybe parents are to blame. Let us play these games with our children, so that they can feel encouraged to play even when they are on their own.”