Question NW906 to the President of the Republic
05 June 2020 - NW906
Meshoe, Rev KR to ask the President of the Republic
Whether, as the Chairman of the African Union, he has given his support to recognise Madagascar’s sovereign right to use its own herbal remedies, which it has successfully produced and had been used for centuries in many African countries to cure those infected with Covid-19, even though the World Health Organisation is reportedly trying to prevent the use of such remedies until they have been tested and approved; if not, why not; if so, has he made his support public?
Reply:
The African Union (AU) is still in discussion with the Republic of Madagascar with a view to obtain technical data regarding the safety and efficacy of the herbal remedy. Once furnished with the details, the AU, through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, will review the scientific data and make a determination as to whether or not to give support.
South Africa has a robust research and innovation programme in indigenous knowledge systems, and thus supports the development of remedies based on indigenous African herbs.