Decolonising South Africa’s pharmacy curriculum – traditional medicine vs rational medicine: crossing the Rubicon

Abstract

Traditional medicine has been used in South Africa for centuries, mostly without documentation and formal recognition. The introduction of rational medicines into the South African healthcare system was underpinned by organisation, documentation and largely regulation which made for easy use and capabilities. Recently, the South African educational ministry with the Council for Higher Education emphasised the importance of decolonising the higher education curricula, which, in part, means the incorporation of the traditional healthcare system into rational medicine education that culminates in patient care and recovery. Essentially, this mandate finds fruition in bringing together traditional and rational medicine education that ensures sustainable and meaningful education in the service of the people of South Africa.