Mpho Mushophe

Substance abuse, particularly with drugs like Nyaope, is devastating South African townships like Thembisa. Despite various rehab approaches, support systems are falling short due to limited registered centers, high costs, unemployment, and unaddressed mental health issues. Stigma around addiction and mental health further hinders "nyaopes" from getting help. A spiritual duality exists where people are church-going Christians yet also believe in ubungoma (traditional healing). This is evident as residents alternate between medical doctors and Sangomas for ailments. This highlights an opportunity to develop a holistic rehab model incorporating spiritual practices.
I propose rethinking substance rehabilitation by integrating African spirituality and indigenous knowledge to create a supportive environment combining culture and therapy. Using qualitative research—including interviews with Sangomas and case studies of Kwa Mai Mai and Faraday—I aim to design a healing space that embraces culture and heals the community. Visual tools like collages will bring complex ideas to life, enhancing the architectural design's conceptual framework.