'It's a lesson learned, now we need to build together moving forward': narratives of the pandemic from a South African Indigenous community.
This study focuses on how a South African Indigenous community sustained wellbeing during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, informed by their spiritual belief systems. The study also documents the home remedies and strategies the communities utilised during this health crisis.
Applying a postcolonial lens within a qualitative approach, data were gathered from 25 participants across four communities through 10 interviews and two focus groups. Thematic data analysis was verified through three community collaborative workshops with study participants.
Study outcomes show that, inclusive of other issues of health and wellbeing, the isolation of self from other human contact, and the lack of consultative processes for spiritual health management between the community and government during the pandemic, were major challenges.
COVID-19 guidelines were relevant, but these guidelines need to be implemented through collaborative processes to inform future health crises within Indigenous communities.
Government guidelines, although deemed necessary, should be implemented within a more inclusive approach that acknowledges the knowledge on ground, and the daily lived experiences of Indigenous communities.
Applying a postcolonial lens within a qualitative approach, data were gathered from 25 participants across four communities through 10 interviews and two focus groups. Thematic data analysis was verified through three community collaborative workshops with study participants.
Study outcomes show that, inclusive of other issues of health and wellbeing, the isolation of self from other human contact, and the lack of consultative processes for spiritual health management between the community and government during the pandemic, were major challenges.
COVID-19 guidelines were relevant, but these guidelines need to be implemented through collaborative processes to inform future health crises within Indigenous communities.
Government guidelines, although deemed necessary, should be implemented within a more inclusive approach that acknowledges the knowledge on ground, and the daily lived experiences of Indigenous communities.