The Traditional Health Practice Association of Southern Africa NPC (THPASA NPC) is a national voluntary professional body representing Traditional Health Practitioners throughout South Africa.
THPASA exists to promote professional recognition, ethical governance, practitioner development, institutional representation, and the responsible advancement of Traditional Health Practice within South Africa’s evolving health and indigenous knowledge landscape.
Established as a Non-Profit Company (NPC), the Association provides an institutional platform through which practitioners may organise, participate in governance structures, access professional development opportunities, and contribute to the advancement and preservation of Indigenous Health Knowledge Systems.
THPASA is committed to building a credible, accountable, and sustainable professional home for Traditional Health Practitioners while promoting excellence, integrity, and professionalism across the sector.
Who We Are
THPASA is a membership-based professional association representing Traditional Health Practitioners from diverse healing disciplines, traditions, lineages, and communities.
The Association recognises the rich diversity of Indigenous Health Knowledge Systems and seeks to provide a unified institutional framework that supports professional cooperation, ethical practice, knowledge preservation, and practitioner empowerment.
As a professional body, THPASA supports practitioners through governance systems, professional development initiatives, practitioner support services, membership administration, stakeholder engagement, and institutional advocacy.
The Association serves practitioners, communities, stakeholders, and the broader public by promoting responsible, ethical, and accountable Traditional Health Practice.
Our Vision
To be the leading national professional association advancing the lawful, ethical, and decolonial practice of Indigenous Healthcare through the integration of African ancestral knowledge systems with contemporary governance frameworks, contributing to a just, inclusive, and pluralistic health environment.
Our Mission
THPASA exists to organise, professionalise, support, and advance Traditional Health Practitioners through ethical governance, practitioner development, institutional representation, knowledge preservation, research, education, and professional collaboration.
The Association seeks to strengthen the capacity of practitioners while safeguarding the integrity and continued development of Indigenous Health Knowledge Systems for present and future generations.
Our Values
THPASA is guided by the following institutional values:
Integrity and Professionalism
We promote ethical conduct, accountability, honesty, and professional excellence in all aspects of traditional health practice.
Indigenous Knowledge Integrity
We recognise, protect, and preserve the diversity, authenticity, and cultural significance of Indigenous Health Knowledge Systems.
Accountability and Good Governance
We uphold transparent, responsible, and constitutionally grounded governance practices throughout the Association.
Unity Within Diversity
We respect the diversity of healing traditions, lineages, cultures, and knowledge systems represented within the profession.
Public Responsibility
We support responsible traditional healthcare practices that contribute positively to community wellbeing and public confidence.
Knowledge Preservation and Development
We encourage the preservation, documentation, transmission, and responsible advancement of traditional healing knowledge.
Historical Background
The origins of THPASA reflect the continuing development of organised Traditional Health Practice within South Africa.
The organisation was initially established in November 2015 as the South African Traditional Healers Association (SATHA), with the objective of providing representation and institutional support for traditional healers.
In 2018, the organisation was reconstituted as the South African Traditional Health Practice Association (SATHPA), reflecting developments within the broader traditional health sector and the need for a more comprehensive professional identity.
Following a period of institutional renewal and constitutional reform, the organisation was reconstituted in January 2026 as the Traditional Health Practitioners Association of Southern Africa (THPASA), establishing a renewed constitutional framework and a strengthened institutional mandate focused on governance, professionalisation, practitioner support, and long-term organisational sustainability.
Our Institutional Mandate
THPASA exists to:
- Represent and advance the interests of Traditional Health Practitioners;
- Promote ethical and professional standards within the profession;
- Support practitioner development, mentorship, and capacity building;
- Facilitate Continuing Professional Development (CPD);
- Promote professional recognition and classification frameworks;
- Support practitioner registration and verification processes;
- Advance Indigenous Health Knowledge Systems;
- Encourage research, documentation, and knowledge preservation;
- Foster collaboration between practitioners and stakeholders;
- Promote institutional development within the traditional health sector;
- Support public confidence in responsible traditional healthcare practice.
Governance & Accountability
THPASA is governed in accordance with its Constitution, governance instruments, policies, and applicable South African law.
The Constitution serves as the supreme governing instrument of the Association and provides the framework for leadership, membership, governance structures, professional standards, accountability mechanisms, and institutional decision-making.
The Association is committed to transparent governance, ethical leadership, financial accountability, and responsible administration. Governance structures are designed to promote organisational stability, member participation, institutional integrity, and long-term sustainability.
Strategic Direction
THPASA is currently implementing a programme of institutional development aimed at strengthening governance, expanding membership, enhancing practitioner services, advancing professional standards, supporting knowledge preservation, and building sustainable organisational capacity.
Strategic priorities include:
- Governance stabilisation and institutional development;
- Membership growth and practitioner engagement;
- Professional standards and designation frameworks;
- Continuing Professional Development (CPD);
- Research and knowledge systems development;
- Digital transformation and practitioner services;
- Stakeholder engagement and partnerships;
- Financial sustainability and organisational resilience.
Leadership
THPASA operates through constitutionally established governance structures designed to ensure accountable leadership and effective institutional administration.
The Association’s leadership structures include the National Executive Committee, Provincial Structures, Committees, Administrative Offices, and other governance mechanisms established in terms of the Constitution.
These structures collectively provide strategic direction, oversight, policy leadership, governance administration, and support for the implementation of the Association’s objectives.
Leadership within THPASA is guided by the principles of service, accountability, professionalism, constitutional governance, and institutional integrity.
Working With Stakeholders
THPASA recognises that the advancement of Traditional Health Practice requires constructive engagement with a broad range of stakeholders.
The Association seeks to foster collaborative relationships with practitioners, communities, government institutions, academic institutions, research organisations, professional bodies, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders involved in healthcare, indigenous knowledge, education, and community development.
Through partnership and cooperation, THPASA aims to contribute meaningfully to the responsible advancement of Traditional Health Practice and Indigenous Health Knowledge Systems.
Join THPASA
THPASA welcomes Traditional Health Practitioners, students, trainees, institutions, and eligible stakeholders who share the Association’s commitment to professional development, ethical practice, and institutional advancement.
Membership provides access to professional support services, governance participation opportunities, professional development initiatives, institutional communications, practitioner resources, and a growing national professional network.
By becoming a member of THPASA, you become part of a collective effort to strengthen the profession, preserve Indigenous Health Knowledge Systems, and promote excellence, integrity, and professionalism within Traditional Health Practice.
For information regarding membership categories, eligibility requirements, fees, and application procedures, please visit the Membership section of this website.