Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
29 November 2024 | 10:00 CAT
2 min read

The National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders has thrown its full support behind the urgent implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI), calling it a critical step towards addressing South Africa’s healthcare inequalities.

Following a two-day meeting with government representatives, including CoGTA Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa and Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi. The House commended the meeting’s outcomes, emphasising the need for universal quality healthcare to address South Africa’s stark inequalities, where 51% of healthcare resources cater to only 14% of the population.

Chairperson Kgosi Seathlolo of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders emphasised the importance of traditional leaders engaging with the new executive in the president’s cabinet to address urgent issues affecting rural communities. He highlighted challenges such as underdevelopment, inadequate schooling, and the lack of business activities in rural areas. Seathlolo also pointed out the limited economic opportunities, noting a concerning ‘brain drain’ from the villages as a result.

“If you look at the preamble of the constitution of the Republic, it speaks to the redress of the injustices of the past, in our view the NHI act its partly doing that by ensuring that there is a balance and many people as possible are able to receive quality healthcare,” he said.

The House criticised the profit-driven nature of medical aid and the racially skewed access to private healthcare, highlighting the parallels to apartheid-era disparities. It argued that redirecting funds from private healthcare could significantly improve public facilities, benefiting the majority of marginalised citizens.

“It is not necessarily about cancelling out medical aids, it is about the skewed distribution of public resources. Our concern is can you bring in as many people as possible, we are sitting with people who are sick and can be cured if resources are spread better than they are now,” he said.

While acknowledging concerns like corruption and affordability, the House questioned whether South Africa could afford not to implement the NHI, emphasising its role as a pro-poor and progressive initiative.

“If you look at the preamble of the constitution of the Republic, it speaks to the redress of the injustices of the past, in our view the NHI act its partly doing that by ensuring that there is a balance and many people as possible are able to receive quality healthcare,” he said.

The meeting also addressed broader collaborations with the government on rural development and the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act (TKLA), with commitments to accountability and inclusivity in traditional communities.

“In principle, traditional leaders will support it on behalf of the people because we hardly see doctors in rural areas; there are long queues, no medicine and some of the buildings are falling. The NHI will partly address some of these issues,” he said.

Seathlolo stressed that the government must act swiftly on these pressing issues. As traditional leaders, he explained, it is their duty to speak out when wrongdoings occur, even when it puts their own lives at risk. He highlighted the alarming rise in the killing of traditional leaders, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, calling for urgent action.

Seathlolo stressed the need for the government to prioritise the concerns of rural communities and ensure their safety and well-being.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Junaid Kharsany and Kgosi Seathlolo, Chairperson of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, here.