Table 2 A Coding framework for the findings relating to the study of THPs roles

Typology

Type of healing practitioner

ISangoma_associated to ancestral spirits, is a diviner

1.“……All the ones I have mentioned are all Sangomas. There are many of them, I have just mentioned a few of them” (Male, Interview 3)

INyanga _acquires knowledge of healing using plants, herbs and animal parts, is a herbalist

2. “…..there is someone that I know who is a Sangoma, and we are coming from the same family. She also works both as Umthandazi and Inyanga like me” (Female, FGD1, Traditional healer)

UMthandazi _associated to religion & ancestral spirits, is a spiritualist/faith healer

Calling Initiation Training

Process or journey of being appointed to become a traditional healer which includes training & completion (graduation). The process is characterised by performing different activities and rituals

Spiritual

1.“This Spirit just comes to you unexpectedly. It comes as a messenger, the Holy Spirit just comes down to you and you will not have an idea of what happened to you” (Female, FGD1, Traditional healer)

Ancestral

Personal Choice

Refusal/Consequences

Training Institution

Apprenticeship

Rituals

Graduation

Healing Practice

Process that a healer & patient go through to identify, explain, discuss & negotiate appropriate treatment with patient.

Causation

1.“ The patient told me that umndawe [spirit] is high and he needs to start doing amagobongo [traditional ritual]. He was giving me an instruction as a healer! I am the one who is supposed to know what is wrong with him, and what help he needs, I am not supposed to take instructions from him. (Female, FGD 3, Traditional healers)

Source

Co-production

Assigning

Prescribing

Preparing