Traditional healer building over E1m psychiatric clinic

NHLANGANO - A well known traditional healer has embarked on a project of constructing a psychiatric clinic worth over E1 million.

Timothy Mjojo Shongwe (96) of Maseyisini has already spent over E150 000 on the project.

The clinic will measure 375 square metres and is situated within his family compound.

So far six rondavels that will be used as consultation rooms are at an advanced state of construc- tion.

The traditional healer said apart from the traditional clinic, the building will also comprise a modern clinic - a Voluntary Counselling and Testing centre (VCT), kitchen, coffee shop, muti shop, reception, male and female sick bays, storeroom, bathroom and toilets.

He said one of the rondavels will act as the primary consulting room (Indumba).

He said he charges E50 for ‘kuhlola’.

Shongwe said he started the project in February this year and was fulfilling an instruction allegedly given to him by King Sobhuza II.

He said the clinic would be operational later this year.

He said since 1944 he has been treating mentally challenged people.

At one instance, according to Shongwe, the former DPM paid him a friendly visit at his homestead at Maseyisini and found him treating a mentally challenged female patient.

He said when Khumalo came for the second time he found the patient fine and had gone back to school.

"I was then introduced to King Sobhuza II by Zonke Khumalo who told him I had treated a mentally challenged woman.

"King Sobhuza II then instructed the then Minister of Health Godolwezimamba Pimu Dlamini to allocate funds so that I could build a psychiatric clinic since I had skill in that field.

"Before he passed on the King personally requested me to build my own hospital so that I could treat Swazis whose illness required traditional treatment. He then allocated me land for this project," alleged Shongwe.

The traditional healer also claimed he had been working closely with renowned psychiatrist Dr Thandi Malepe.

He said he was not bothered by his age but was driven by the zeal to help and further heed an instruction given to him by King Sobhuza II.

He further mentioned Prince Mahlaba recently paid him a visit and enquired about the project King Sobhuza II had requested him to undertake.

"Prince Mahlaba was one of the princes present when the King tasked me with the building of the clinic.

"I use money I get from my services to construct the clinic. I am best known for treating mentally challenged people but I also treat other illnesses," said Shongwe.

About four mentally challenged patients were found at the traditional healer’s homestead and during the course of the interview one of them identified as Thando stood by the side of the traditional healer.

According to the traditional healer Thando of Kubuta had been receiving treatment and staying at his homestead for the past four weeks after being brought in by his mother.

"I consult with the ancestors and they are the ones who guide me. They also blessed the King’s vision of starting a clinic," said Shongwe.

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