Traditional Zulu Healer Fuses South African and American Philosophies to Create a Win-Win Situation

Heifer Project International
Thursday, 21 October 1999

LITTLE ROCK, AR — Alvina "Nokusho" Bhengu is a "Sangoma," or traditional Zulu healer. Carefully selected by her people and trained in the use of herbal remedies, Benghu is well respected as a community leader. She began her practice in 1966, healing many of her neighbors with "traditional" Zulu techniques — combining her understanding of the Zulu culture and the individuals she served, to make educated decisions about appropriate herbal treatments.

Bhengu led a successful practice until 1981, when her community was struck by a severe diarrhea epidemic. As the number of afflicted grew and some began dying, she started to question her value as a healer. She tried numerous herbs, but her efforts were in vain. But after a visit from the Valley Trust Health Team, the new and different western philosophy of medicine didn't seem so strange to her, especially once she started seeing positive results. The health team was confronted with disdain from many within the community who were wary of their activities, but Bhengu responded with support.

Recognizing a gap between her traditional teachings and those of western medicine, Benghu promptly volunteered to be the first to be trained by the health team. Even though her endeavor to "work cooperatively on a team of both traditional healers and western medical practitioners" sparked controversy in her village, she believed that the prospect of a "win-win" outcome made it worth the risk.

Since that time, Bhengu has continued to blaze many different trails, including her work as a project partner with Heifer Project International. As one of the first recipients of an Heifer dairy cow, Bhengu considers herself a "chalkboard" to the community — teaching others to utilize available resources and diverse strategies to insure their health and prosperity.

Bhengu is using the cow she received from Heifer Project to implement a new dairy cow management plan called "Zero Grazing." Zero grazing greatly benefits the environment. It helps avoid overgrazing by cattle and other farm animals because cow caregivers cut and carry the cow's feed to it, instead of allowing it to graze in a less confined area.

Alvina "Nokusho" Bhengu has enthusiastically served her community, her profession and mankind for more than 30 years. Next week she will receive an award from the Covey Leadership Center in Utah, honoring her for her successful integration of traditional healing and western medical theories.

During her stopover in Little Rock, Bhengu will speak at a brown bag presentation on Friday, October 22 at Heifer Project's World Headquarters. During her presentation, she will be discussing her "win-win" medical achievements in her community and also her hopes for its new "Zero Grazing" program.

In 1997, Heifer began its South African project. At present Heifer sponsors both poultry and dairy cow projects in the region. They anticipate adding goats to their stable of gift animals for South Africa in the very near future. Alvina Bhengu has long supported Heifer Project's efforts in her community. She cites the value placed on "passing on the gift" as a key element found in both Heifer Project's mission and in Zulu ideology.

Heifer International has provided struggling families a way to become self-reliant, since 1944. Through the gift of livestock and training, a family can obtain milk, eggs, wool and other income-producing benefits to feed, clothe and educate their children. Each gift multiplies because every family that receives a Heifer Project animal promises to "pass on the gift" by giving one or more of their animal's offspring to another family in need.

Heifer International currently supports over 300 projects in 40 countries, including the United States and South Africa, that create sustainable small-scale farm enterprises to improve nutrition and supplement income. Local community groups conceive and manage Heifer projects, empowering them to solve their own problems and equip the next generation to face challenges successfully.

For more information, or to contact Heifer Project International, see their website at: www.heifer.org