Under South African law, traditional healers are recognised as legitimate health practitioners.
Zuko Komisa
Traditional healers (sangomas) in South Africa are legally permitted to issue valid medical certificates, which employers must accept for sick leave.
Under South African law, traditional healers are recognised as legitimate health practitioners.
This means a sick note issued by a registered sangoma carries the same legal weight as one provided by a general practitioner or clinic sister.
The validity of the note stems from the formal recognition of traditional healing, ensuring that employees who consult a sangoma for health or spiritual reasons are protected.
This legal standing was firmly established by the landmark labour case, Kiviets Kroon Country Estate v Mmoledi.
The ruling affirmed that taking time off work for cultural and spiritual health reasons, as certified by a sangoma, constitutes a legitimate reason for absence and cannot be grounds for disciplinary action.
Employers are therefore legally obliged to accept these certificates, recognising that a traditional healer’s diagnosis is an official medical certificate.
In a recent Drive 959 ‘Pro Tip’ segment, Melusi Xulu of Donda Attorneys clarified the specifics of this right.
Listen to the conversation here:
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