Membership of the Traditional Health Practice Association of Southern Africa NPC (THPASA) provides practitioners, students, professionals, affiliates, associates, institutions, and strategic partners with access to a national professional community committed to ethical governance, professional development, institutional representation, and the advancement of Indigenous Health Knowledge Systems.

THPASA membership is structured to recognise different levels of professional development, experience, participation, and institutional engagement within the traditional health sector.

Whether you are a student beginning your professional journey, an experienced practitioner seeking professional designation, a multidisciplinary professional supporting the sector, or an institution seeking partnership opportunities, THPASA provides a membership pathway suited to your role and level of involvement.

Student Membership – THP(S)

Student Membership is intended for individuals who are undergoing recognised initiation, mentorship, apprenticeship, training, or foundational development within Traditional Health Practice.

This category serves as the entry point into professional membership and allows students to begin participating in the professional community while developing the knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience necessary for progression into professional practitioner classifications.

Eligibility

Applicants may qualify for Student Membership where they are:

• Undergoing recognised initiation or ukuthwasa;
• Participating in structured mentorship arrangements;
• Enrolled in recognised traditional health education or training programmes;
• Developing competencies under the supervision of recognised practitioners.

Benefits

Student Members receive:

• Official THPASA Student Membership status;
• Inclusion within the Student Membership Registry;
• Access to selected educational programmes;
• Institutional notices and communications;
• Participation in student-focused development initiatives;
• Access to mentorship and professional guidance opportunities;
• Eligibility to progress into professional practitioner classifications.

Designation

Student Members may use the designation:

THP(S)

Fees

Application Fee: R150

Annual Membership Fee: R300

Total First-Year Cost: R450

CPD requirements do not apply to Student Members.

Professional Membership

Professional Membership is designed for practising Traditional Health Practitioners seeking professional recognition, institutional representation, governance participation, and professional designation within THPASA.

Professional classifications are structured according to progressive levels of professional development and experience.

Foundational Professional Levels (L1–L5)

These levels recognise practitioners progressing through the early stages of independent professional practice.

Level 1 – Foundational Practitioner

Designation:
F-THP(SA)

Typical Experience:
1 Year Post-Initiation

Level 2 – Elementary Practitioner

Designation:
E-THP(SA)

Typical Experience:
2 Years Post-Initiation

Level 3 – Intermediate Practitioner

Designation:
I-THP(SA)

Typical Experience:
3 Years Post-Initiation

Level 4 – Supervised Independent Practitioner

Designation:
SI-THP(SA)

Typical Experience:
4 Years Post-Initiation

Level 5 – Conditional Independent Practitioner

Designation:
CI-THP(SA)

Typical Experience:
5 Years Post-Initiation

Professional Benefits

Members within Levels 1–5 receive:

• Professional classification and designation;
• Membership verification services;
• Professional support services;
• Governance participation opportunities;
• Access to Continuing Professional Development programmes;
• Practitioner development initiatives;
• Institutional representation and advocacy.

CPD Requirement

10 CPD Points annually.

Annual fees range from R850 to R1,450 depending on classification level.

Full Professional Membership – THP(SA)

Levels 6–10 recognise fully developed practitioners who have attained advanced professional standing within the profession.

Level 6 – Independent Practitioner

Designation:
THP(SA)

Level 7 – Advanced Practitioner

Designation:
A-THP(SA)

Level 8 – Specialised Practitioner

Designation:
SP-THP(SA)

Level 9 – Consultant Practitioner

Designation:
C-THP(SA)

Level 10 – Senior Consultant Practitioner

Designation: SC-THP(SA)

Professional Benefits

Full Professional Members receive:

• Full professional designation recognition;
• Access to advanced CPD programmes;
• Eligibility for leadership and governance roles;
• Participation in specialist committees and working groups;
• Research and publication opportunities;
• Professional networking and collaboration opportunities;
• Institutional representation and sector advocacy.

CPD Requirement

20 CPD Points annually.

Annual fees range from R1,850 to R3,100 depending on classification level.

Associate Membership (A)

Associate Membership is intended for individuals who support the objectives of THPASA but who do not practise as Traditional Health Practitioners.

This category may include community leaders, supporters, students from related disciplines, researchers, and individuals with an interest in Indigenous Health Knowledge Systems.

Benefits

• Inclusion in the Associate Registry;
• Access to selected events and programmes;
• Access to publications and research outputs;
• Participation in conferences and seminars;
• Networking opportunities.

Associate Members may not use professional practitioner designations and do not receive practitioner registration status.

Fees

Application Fee: R150

Annual Membership Fee: R400

Total First-Year Cost: R550

Affiliate Membership (A)

Affiliate Membership is intended for professionals from related disciplines who wish to engage with THPASA and contribute to multidisciplinary collaboration.

This category may include:

• Healthcare professionals;
• Researchers;
• Academics;
• Educators;
• Legal professionals;
• Development practitioners;
• Other sector specialists.

Benefits

• Affiliate Registry inclusion;
• Access to selected CPD and TER programmes;
• Research collaboration opportunities;
• Conference participation;
• Professional networking opportunities.

Affiliate Members do not receive practitioner designation or practitioner codes.

Fees

Application Fee: R200

Annual Membership Fee: R600

Total First-Year Cost: R800

Institutional Membership (I)

Institutional Membership enables organisations to partner with THPASA in support of professional development, research, education, community health, governance, and sector advancement.

Institutional Members may include:

• Universities;
• Colleges;
• Research institutions;
• NGOs;
• Foundations;
• Community organisations;
• Businesses;
• Government entities.

Institutional Tiers

I1 – Bronze Supporting Partner

Small organisations and community entities.

Annual Cost:
R2,500

I2 – Silver Development Partner

Training institutions, SMEs and foundations.

Annual Cost:
R5,750

I3 – Gold Strategic Partner

Universities, NGOs and major sector organisations.

Annual Cost:
R11,000

I4 – Platinum Strategic Partner

Government departments, multilateral agencies and major corporations.

Annual Cost:
R27,000

Institutional Benefits

• Participation in sector dialogues;
• Partnership opportunities;
• Access to education and research programmes;
• Joint project collaboration;
• Visibility as a THPASA partner institution;
• Engagement with THPASA leadership structures;
• Participation in strategic initiatives and programmes.

Payment Options

THPASA offers flexible payment options designed to support accessibility and affordability.

Members may choose:

• Full annual payment; or
• Monthly instalment arrangements (where applicable).

Professional Membership annual fees may be paid over a 12-month instalment period, subject to approved payment arrangements and compliance with membership policies.

Apply for Membership

Applications may be submitted here.

Applicants will be required to provide:

• Identity documentation;
• Supporting qualifications or evidence of experience (where applicable);
• Verification information;
• Application forms;
• Required fees.

All applications are subject to verification, assessment, and approval in accordance with THPASA policies and governance requirements.

Join THPASA and become part of a growing professional community committed to advancing excellence, integrity, accountability, and professionalism within Traditional Health Practice.