FMT in partnership with The Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT) brings you a Covid-19 “healer” from Lesotho.
Lesotho’s health system is already unable to fully care for its population of 2.1 million, and many are anxious about how deaths can be prevented.
As the number of Covid-19 cases increase in Lesotho, many Basotho have turned to their traditional herbal remedies to fight cold symptoms this winter.
Retselisitsoe Ramohanoe, 32, is a traditional healer, with a spiritual name of Mkhulu Langa. He believes that their traditional treatments should be evaluated in the search for a cure to Covid-19.
He says he became a traditional healer after receiving a calling from his ancestors, where he was instructed to help people.
He consults with patients mostly on the weekends however, during the week, he works for a large insurance company in the communication department.
During consultations, he makes sure to follow protocols for limiting the spread of Covid19 by making sure both he and his clients use hand sanitizer.
Justice Kalebe is a Mosotho Travel/NGO Photographer and is a visual storyteller inspired by stories of change from communities in Lesotho. Justice uses his photography to measure the outcomes and impact of socioeconomic interventions in rural communities. In 2018 he was the first Mosotho to launch a solo photo exhibition in Lesotho, which received widespread support from local and international guests. His recent 2019 project “The Untold Stories of Ha Sekantsi Through My Lens” brought the first and only permanent outdoor exhibition in Lesotho. Prior to becoming a full-time photographer and community advocate, Justice worked with Australian, British, German, American and other international development projects and NGOs managing and supporting international volunteers working in communities across Southern Africa. View his portfolio here.
‘The Other Hundred Healers’ is an initiative by the non-profit organisation GIFT. The 240-page, full-colour, hardcover book can be purchased here at US$40 per copy for a minimum order of 20 copies.
