Herbal Master of Diarrhoea Mmeg

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The Reporter (Gaborone) NEWSFebruary 27, 2006 Posted to the web February 28, 2006 By Monkagedi Gaotlhobogwe
Most of the time she is relaxing on her mat outside the house, with her children and her grandchildren entertaining her. She is a tall figure and a gifted speaker. At 77, Rosinah Moeng of Malolwane is still practising traditional medicine she learnt in 1953.
Everyone in Malolwane knows her very well and where she lives. They know her as the children's herbalist in the village. And with the country now reeling under a diarrhoea outbreak, which has so far claimed the lives of 177 children, a member of the Malolwane community revealed that Moeng's yard has become the most frequented spot lately. But a mention of this, is likely to land anybody in trouble.
Moeng does not want people to refer to her or her yard as some kind of medical ward. In fact, she denies she is a healer. "Who told you I am a herbalist? I don't know anything about children's diseases. I don't heal children," she denies sternly as her daughters contradict her and ask her to open up. "These people are not the police. Nobody is going to arrest you. These people are only asking," pleads one of her elder daughters.
"I am not a herbalist, who sent you here. I have never been a herbalist. People are liars. I can't believe what I'm hearing. My God, people can lie!" For a whole hour, she denied that she is a herbalist. She denies ever using herbs because she is a Christian of Apostolic Church. "Look, I am semi-blind, how can I touch people and help them when I am in this condition? Whoever said I am a healer is lying. I have been helping people for years, I have never been bothered by newspapers, and now what brings you today? I suspect it is the young people I help who spread it. Young people can lie. I am not a healer". Her daughter, Motlatsi Moeng later says that the old woman would not help us because she fears that she can be ordered to pay tax and licence fees for practicing. Later, she expressed fears that soon, people would be coming to ask her to pay for a certificate or even tax.
Moeng is a tricky person who does not like to talk about her herbal mixtures to strangers. She says she often sends away her clients, when they come to her with their babies. "I want people to come first without their babies, then we can talk, and reach an agreement as to how I can help." She however says it is not easy to drive her customers away.
"When they begin to plead with me, I often change my mind." The old woman says that often after she has helped her clients they refuse to pay her. "I cannot follow them because I fear they might report me to the police because I do not have a licence." In Malolwane, Moeng is popular for her ability to cure diarrhoea. She says there should be no cause for panic as it is normal for babies to have diarrhoea and vomit. She says these are centuries old problems for babies.
"Sometimes it can be healed, sometimes the baby can die if it develops into a serious condition we call noga. I cannot heal the noga condition. I refer people to other healers." Usually in Tswana customs, it is believed that a new-born baby should be strengthened by performing certain rituals on its head. The baby is also given some mixture to eat and inhale. Moeng says she learnt the trick in 1953 when her first born was sick.
"My baby was having diarrhoea, vomiting and his eyes had changed colour. Some one came here and saw my child. After she helped the child, she offered to teach me how to help my children in future. It was a gift. Ever since then, I helped my children". Moeng says the herbs that are used to heal diarrhoea are seasonal. They grow in her yard, but she says in winter, when everything is dry, they are not there. She cannot show anyone which of the plants that grow in her yard treats diarrhoea. "It is my secret, I cannot teach anyone".