From Ancestors to Algorithms: Traditional Healers Views on Mental Illness in the Digital Age

Researcher: Tshilidzi Rathogwa, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Supervisor: Tasneem Haseem, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

There is a high prevalence of mental illness in South Africa, with limited access to formal care. Traditional healers serve as a crucial and culturally resonant first line of support for many communities. Online mental health discourse is largely dominated by Western biomedical perspectives, marginalizing indigenous knowledge. A new phenomenon is emerging as traditional healers begin to share their perspectives on digital platforms like YouTube. This study investigates how traditional healers
represent mental illness online and how the public engages with these views.