By Sbongile Sokela
A unique environmental movement is growing in Kwa-Thema, where traditional healers are stepping forward to help protect rivers and water resources using simple science tools. The initiative is led by Nature Speaks and Responds NPC, also known as Nature Champs, founded in 2022 by Gogo Nomsa Sibeko.
Gogo Nomsa says the organisation was formed to tackle nature conservation from a traditional healer’s perspective. “Water is just one of our focal points because traditional healers use rivers very often in our practices,” she explains. “Nature Speaks does not only focus on water, we advocate for the protection of all our biodiversity.”
The initiative trains traditional healers to use citizen science tools such as Mini-SASS, the Velocity Plank, and the Clarity Tube to monitor river health. “The main objectives are to make traditional healers citizen scientists who collect data for the Department of Water and Sanitation,” Gogo Nomsa says. “With the limited number of scientists to collect data in our many rivers, traditional healers, after training, can fill that gap because we go to these rivers every day.”
She explains how each tool works. “We use the clarity tube to check the turbidity — how clear the water is. The velocity plank tests how fast the water is running, and we do Mini-SASS to check what creatures are living inside the water, ultimately determining what state the river is in. This helps healers know whether it is safe or not to enter the water or put their clients in the water.”
To get traditional healers involved, Nature Champs uses several community methods. “We create posters or use word of mouth to get people involved, and also radio stations,” she says.
The tools they use are standard instruments recognised by authorities. “These are tools that are standard for the Department of Water and Sanitation for testing rivers, and the data from these tools are recognised and endorsed by the department,” she adds.
Nature Champs provides hands-on training to help healers understand the tools. “We teach them how to use and interpret the data they collect. We can also assist in starting mitigation processes to start fixing the state the river is in,” Gogo Nomsa explains.
Once the healers send the data through, the department reviews and verifies it. “After the data is sent to the department, the scientists then follow up by going to where the data was collected and conducting further tests, including lab tests, which will verify the findings and ensure that the correct decision is taken,” she says.
Traditional healers also gain several benefits from taking part. “They get to be included in conservation conversations, they get to clean their spaces of practice which results in honouring the ancient guardians of nature,” she explains. “Our clients are safe, and we are safe for using clear water. Traditional healers also take pride in combating biodiversity crimes.”
The initiative also aims to change how water and ritual spaces are cared for. “We aim to remind healers to be responsible for their sacred space by cleaning up after themselves when they go to the river, not leaving debris behind and not endangering clients,” she says. “We aim to co-learn about safety in our rivers by incorporating ancient practices and scientific methods to find solutions for the state our rivers are in. By doing this, we will be mitigating climate change and ensuring that we leave the river in good health for future generations.”
Nature Speaks and Responds NPC is already working across South Africa to raise awareness. “We go to all parts of the country speaking about citizen science awareness in aquatic spaces for traditional healers. The availability of funds determines where we go,” she says. “As Nature Champs in Kwa-Thema, we will spread the word to all healers we come across and we will hold our own small workshops to teach communities the importance of keeping our rivers in a good condition.”
