THPASA Qualifications and Competency Framework illustrating workforce development, training and learning, credentialing, and assessment as pillars of professional development in Traditional Health Practice.
The THPASA Qualifications & Competency Framework integrates workforce development, training and learning, credentialing, and assessment to support professional growth, competence, and lifelong development within Traditional Health Practice.

Qualifications & Competency Framework

The THPASA Qualifications & Competency Framework provides a structured pathway for professional growth, recognising Indigenous knowledge systems, traditional practitioner development, competency assessment, credentialing, and lifelong learning across all levels of Traditional Health Practice.

Preserving Indigenous Pathways. Building Professional Futures.

Overview

The Traditional Health Practice Association of South Africa (THPASA NPC) recognises that Traditional Health Practice is one of humanity’s oldest systems of health knowledge, education, mentorship, and professional development.

Historically, Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) acquire knowledge, skills, values, and competencies through culturally recognised systems of learning, including:

  • Ukuthwasa
  • Lefehlo
  • Apprenticeship and mentorship
  • Initiatory training
  • Community recognition
  • Lineage-based knowledge transmission
  • Indigenous systems of supervision and assessment

At present, there are no registered South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) qualifications or National Qualifications Framework (NQF) occupational qualifications dedicated specifically to Traditional Health Practice, Indigenous Health Knowledge Systems, Divination, Herbalism, Traditional Surgery, or Traditional Birth Attendance.

THPASA therefore recognises Indigenous systems of professional formation as the primary and legitimate pathway into Traditional Health Practice while simultaneously supporting the future development of occupational qualifications, competency standards, and professional assessment systems aligned with South Africa’s broader education and training architecture.

THPs performing ukugida as part of a traditional healing ritual (mantjomane), expressing cultural practice and spiritual connection
Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) in a moment of ukugida during mantjomane, a ritual embodying ancestral connection and healing practice.

THPASA Position on Professional Development

THPASA recognises that professional competence can be developed through multiple pathways, including:

Indigenous Learning Pathways

  • Ukuthwasa
  • Lefehlo
  • Apprenticeship
  • Initiation
  • Mentorship
  • Community-based learning
  • Recognition by established practitioners

Future Occupational Learning Pathways

Should nationally recognised occupational qualifications become available in the future, THPASA envisions a system where professional designations may be linked to:

  • Occupational Certificates
  • Occupational Diplomas
  • Specialised Occupational Diplomas
  • Professional Master’s Degrees
  • Doctoral Qualifications

Such developments would complement—not replace—the Indigenous foundations upon which Traditional Health Practice is built.

THPASA Professional Competency Framework

The THPASA Professional Competency Framework establishes a progressive model of professional development across ten levels of competence.

The framework is intended to:

  • Recognise professional growth
  • Promote ethical practice
  • Support continuing professional development
  • Encourage lifelong learning
  • Facilitate future professional mobility
  • Strengthen public confidence in Traditional Health Practice

Level 1

F-THP(SA)

Foundational Traditional Health Practitioner

The Foundational Traditional Health Practitioner represents the earliest stage of recognised professional development.

Typical Characteristics

  • Entering traditional training
  • Learning foundational principles
  • Practising under close guidance
  • Developing cultural competency
  • Building understanding of ethics and professional conduct

Future Qualification Vision

General Occupational Certificate in Traditional Health Practice

Specialisation Streams:

  • Divination
  • Herbalism
  • Traditional Surgery
  • Traditional Birth Attendance

Level 2

E-THP(SA)

Elementary Traditional Health Practitioner

Practitioners demonstrate basic practical competency and increasing participation in traditional healthcare activities.

Typical Characteristics

  • Active learner
  • Developing practical skills
  • Participating in supervised practice
  • Demonstrating emerging professional judgement

Future Qualification Vision

Elementary Occupational Certificate in Traditional Health Practice

Specialisation Streams:

  • Divination
  • Herbalism
  • Traditional Surgery
  • Traditional Birth Attendance

Level 3

I-THP(SA)

Intermediate Traditional Health Practitioner

Practitioners demonstrate increasing independence while remaining under structured mentorship.

Typical Characteristics

  • Demonstrates developing competency
  • Applies traditional methods appropriately
  • Understands professional responsibilities
  • Participates in continuing development

Future Qualification Vision

Intermediate Occupational Certificate in Traditional Health Practice

Specialisation Streams:

  • Divination
  • Herbalism
  • Traditional Surgery
  • Traditional Birth Attendance

Level 4

SI-THP(SA)

Supervised Independent Traditional Health Practitioner

Practitioners may begin exercising greater professional autonomy while remaining subject to structured supervision.

Typical Characteristics

  • Performs routine practice independently
  • Demonstrates ethical decision-making
  • Participates in peer learning
  • Maintains professional records where applicable

Future Qualification Vision

National Occupational Certificate in Traditional Health Practice

Specialisation Streams:

  • Divination
  • Herbalism
  • Traditional Surgery
  • Traditional Birth Attendance

Level 5

CI-THP(SA)

Conditional Independent Traditional Health Practitioner

Practitioners demonstrate substantial competence but continue to develop experience within defined professional parameters.

Typical Characteristics

  • Increasingly autonomous practice
  • Strong ethical awareness
  • Evidence of continuing professional growth
  • Participation in professional activities

Future Qualification Vision

Higher Occupational Certificate in Traditional Health Practice

Specialisation Streams:

  • Divination
  • Herbalism
  • Traditional Surgery
  • Traditional Birth Attendance

Level 6

THP(SA)

Traditional Health Practitioner

The THP(SA) designation represents full professional practitioner status within the THPASA competency framework.

Typical Characteristics

  • Independent practitioner
  • Demonstrated professional competence
  • Commitment to ethical practice
  • Engagement in continuing professional development
  • Participation in professional self-regulation

Future Qualification Vision

Occupational Diploma in Traditional Health Practice

Specialisation Streams:

  • Divination
  • Herbalism
  • Traditional Surgery
  • Traditional Birth Attendance

Level 7

A-THP(SA)

Advanced Traditional Health Practitioner

Practitioners demonstrate advanced practice capabilities and significant professional experience.

Typical Characteristics

  • Advanced practical competency
  • Leadership within communities of practice
  • Mentorship responsibilities
  • Contribution to professional development

Future Qualification Vision

Advanced Occupational Diploma in Traditional Health Practice

Specialisation Streams:

  • Divination
  • Herbalism
  • Traditional Surgery
  • Traditional Birth Attendance

Level 8

S-THP(SA)

Specialised Traditional Health Practitioner

Practitioners possess highly developed expertise in a specialised area of Traditional Health Practice.

Typical Characteristics

  • Specialist knowledge
  • Advanced professional judgement
  • Leadership in specialised practice areas
  • Contribution to knowledge development

Future Qualification Vision

Specialised Occupational Diploma in Traditional Health Practice

Specialisation Streams:

  • Divination
  • Herbalism
  • Traditional Surgery
  • Traditional Birth Attendance

Level 9

C-THP(SA)

Consultant Traditional Health Practitioner

Consultant practitioners demonstrate mastery, leadership, research engagement, and advanced professional influence.

Typical Characteristics

  • National-level expertise
  • Research and scholarly engagement
  • Mentorship of advanced practitioners
  • Contribution to policy and professional development

Future Qualification Vision

Master of Traditional Health Science (M.THSc.)

Fields:

  • Divination
  • Herbalism
  • Traditional Surgery
  • Traditional Birth Attendance

Level 10

SC-THP(SA)

Specialist Consultant Traditional Health Practitioner

The highest professional designation within the THPASA Competency Framework.

Typical Characteristics

  • Exceptional professional achievement
  • National and international leadership
  • Significant contribution to Indigenous Knowledge Systems
  • Research, scholarship, and innovation
  • Stewardship of professional standards

Future Qualification Vision

Doctor of Traditional Health Science (D.THSc.) / PhD

Fields:

  • Divination
  • Herbalism
  • Traditional Surgery
  • Traditional Birth Attendance

Competency Domains

Professional progression within THPASA is based on the development of competencies across multiple domains.

Indigenous Knowledge Competence

  • Cultural literacy
  • Indigenous epistemologies
  • Traditional diagnostic systems
  • Traditional therapeutic systems

Professional Practice Competence

  • Ethical practice
  • Professional conduct
  • Client care
  • Professional accountability

Communication Competence

  • Client communication
  • Community engagement
  • Professional collaboration
  • Health education

Leadership Competence

  • Mentorship
  • Community leadership
  • Organisational participation
  • Sector development

Research and Knowledge Development

  • Indigenous research literacy
  • Documentation of knowledge
  • Scholarly contribution
  • Evidence-informed practice

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

THPASA encourages all members to engage in lifelong learning through Continuing Professional Development activities.

Examples include:

  • Conferences
  • Workshops
  • Seminars
  • Community education programmes
  • Mentorship activities
  • Research participation
  • Publication of articles
  • Indigenous knowledge preservation initiatives

Important Notice

The THPASA Professional Competency Framework is a professional development framework established by THPASA NPC.

It does not constitute a SAQA-registered qualification framework, nor does it replace any statutory registration requirements that may apply under South African law.

References to future occupational certificates, diplomas, master’s degrees, or doctoral qualifications represent THPASA’s long-term vision for the professionalisation, recognition, and advancement of Traditional Health Practice and Indigenous Health Knowledge Systems in South Africa.

THPASA remains committed to preserving the cultural integrity of Indigenous pathways of learning while supporting future educational and professional development opportunities for Traditional Health Practitioners.