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Swaziland urges "witch doctor" tax (9th December, 2012)

A politician from the tiny southern African kingdom of Swaziland has proposed a hike in the tax rate on the nation's traditional healers. Majahodvwa Khumalo has urged the government to levy the tax to help solve his country's worsening economic situation. He believes the time is ripe for upping the tax on the healers, known as 'sangomas'. Mr Khumalo said the sangomas have quadrupled their fees in recent years but are still paying very little in tax. He told the Swazi parliament the healers needed to pay their fair share towards the country's economic recovery, saying: "A majority of our people consult traditional healers but the money they pay to government falls far too short of the money they make."


 

The sangomas currently pay an annual fee of 10 emalangeni ($1.15) to ply their trade. Many Swazis visit the healers, who are a key part of the nation's health service. Opponents say raising taxes on the sangomas would bring in very little revenue. Swaziland is in dire financial straits. Its budget deficit has skyrocketed to 15 per cent of its GDP. Many say King Mswati III should do more to help his country. He spends a small fortune on his many wives, lavish lifestyle, and a bloated military. The sangomas feel they are being singled out. They have already spent decades trying to rid themselves of a "witch doctor" label given to them by Europeans. Western pharmacists are now studying their cures and medicines.

Sources:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/07/us-swaziland-witchdoctors-idUSBRE8B60P020121207
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_healers_of_South_Africa


 
 

WARM-UPS


 

1. TRADITIONAL HEALERS: Walk around the class and talk to other students about traditional healers. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

 

politicians / kingdoms / Swaziland / traditional healers / pay their fair share / majority / annual fee / health service / opponents / revenue / dire financial straits / cures

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. TAX: On whom / what should it be levied? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners and share what you wrote. Change and share again.

On…

Levied or not?

Why?

Rate?

Charities

 

 

 

Prisoners

 

 

 

The poorly-paid

 

 

 

Soldiers

 

 

 

Milk and water

 

 

 

Books

 

 

 

4. FAIR: Students A strongly believe the taxation system is totally fair; Students B strongly believe it's totally unfair.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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5. GETTING BETTER: What's the best way? Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • traditional medicine
  • modern Western medicine
  • aromatherapy
  • mother's remedy
  • acupuncture
  • time
  • mind control
  • other __________

6. HEAL Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'heal'. Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.



 

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if  a-h  below are true (T) or false (F).

a.

The king of Swaziland has told traditional healers to pay more tax.

T / F

b.

The healers have increased their fees four-fold in recent years.

T / F

c.

A politician believes healers should help the country's economy more.

T / F

d.

The politician said the healers were already paying enough in tax.

T / F

e.

The healers pay around $10 a year in fees to the government.

T / F

f.

Critics of the proposal say a tax on healers would bring in little money.

T / F

g.

People in Swaziland believe the king should spend less money.

T / F

h.

The West has no interest in the traditional ways of the Swazi healers.

T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.

tiny

a.

encouraged

2.

hike

b.

terrible

3.

urged

c.

increase

4.

consult

d.

yearly

5.

make

e.

very small

6.

annual

f.

remedies

7.

dire

g.

tag

8.

lavish

h.

earn

9.

label

i.

seek advice from

10.

cures

j.

luxurious

3. PHRASE MATCH:  (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.

the tiny southern African

a.

fortune on his many wives

2.

proposed a hike

b.

traditional healers

3.

urged the government to levy

c.

their trade

4.

He believes the time is

d.

in the tax rate

5.

A majority of our people consult

e.

of a "witch doctor" label

6.

ply

f.

kingdom of Swaziland

7.

Swaziland is in dire

g.

and medicines

8.

He spends a small

h.

financial straits

9.

trying to rid themselves

i.

the tax

10.

studying their cures

j.

ripe for upping the tax

WHILE READING / LISTENING

GAP FILL: Put the words into the gaps in the text.

A politician from the (1) ____________ southern African kingdom of Swaziland has proposed a (2) ____________ in the tax rate on the nation's traditional healers. Majahodvwa Khumalo has urged the government to (3) ____________ the tax to help solve his country's worsening economic situation. He believes the time is (4) ____________ for upping the tax on the healers, known as 'sangomas'. Mr Khumalo said the sangomas have (5) ____________ their fees in recent years but are still paying very little in tax. He told the Swazi parliament the healers needed to pay their fair (6) ____________ towards the country's economic recovery, saying: "A majority of our people (7) ____________ traditional healers but the money they pay to government falls far too (8) ____________ of the money they make."

 

 

 

share
ripe
hike
consult
tiny
short
levy
quadrupled

The sangomas currently pay an annual (9) ____________ of 10 emalangeni ($1.15) to (10) ____________ their trade. Many Swazis visit the healers, who are a (11) ____________ part of the nation's health service. Opponents say raising taxes on the sangomas would bring in very little revenue. Swaziland is in (12) ____________ financial straits. Its budget deficit has skyrocketed to 15 per cent of its GDP. Many say King Mswati III should do more to help his country. He spends a small fortune on his many wives, (13) ____________ lifestyle, and a (14) ____________ military. The sangomas feel they are being singled (15) ____________. They have already spent decades trying to rid themselves of a "witch doctor" label given to them by Europeans. Western pharmacists are now studying their (16) ____________ and medicines.

 

 

lavish
key
dire
fee
cures
out
ply
bloated


 
 

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

proposed ______ tax rate on the nation's traditional healers

 

a.  a hiking the
b.  a hiker in the
c.  a hike in the
d.  a hike in a

2)

He believes the time is ripe ______ the tax

 

a.  four up and in
b.  for upping
c.  for happening
d.  for up in

3)

the sangomas have quadrupled their fees in recent years

 

a.  in recent year
b.  in century years
c.  in recently years
d.  in recent years

4)

the healers needed ______ towards the country's economic recovery

 

a.  to pay their fair share
b.  to pay up their fair share
c.  to pay, therefore share
d.  to share their fair pay

5)

the money they pay to government ______ the money they make

 

a.  falls too short far of
b.  falls short far too of
c.  falls too far short of
d.  falls far too short of

6)

The sangomas currently pay an annual fee of 10 emalangeni ($1.15) ______.

 

a.  to play their trade
b.  two ply their trade
c.  to ply their trade
d.  too play their trade

7)

Swaziland is in ______ straits.

 

a.  die a financial
b.  dye a financial
c.  dire finance
d.  dire financial

8)

He spends a small fortune on his many wives, lavish lifestyle, and a bloated military.

 

a.  fortune on   /   lavishing   /   bloated
b.  fortune on   /   lavish   /   bloated
c.  fortunate   /   slavish   /   blow tin
d.  fortune on   /   lavish   /   bloats

9)

They have already spent decades ______ of a "witch doctor" label

 

a.  trying to rid themselves
b.  try inter-rid themselves
c.  trying themselves to rid
d.  themselves trying to rid

10)

Western pharmacists are now ______ and medicines.

 

a.  studying in their cures
b.  studying their cure
c.  studying their cures
d.  study in their cures

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

A politician from the tiny southern African kingdom of Swaziland has           (1) _____________________ the tax rate on the nation's traditional healers. Majahodvwa Khumalo has urged the government                        (2) ________________ solve his country's worsening economic situation. He believes the time (3) _____________________ tax on the healers, known as 'sangomas'. Mr Khumalo said the sangomas have quadrupled their (4) _____________________ but are still paying very little in tax. He told the Swazi parliament the healers needed to (5) _____________________ towards the country's economic recovery, saying: "A majority of our people consult traditional healers but the money they pay to government               (6) _____________________ of the money they make."

The sangomas currently (7) _____________________ 10 emalangeni ($1.15) to ply their trade. Many Swazis visit the healers,                            (8) _____________________ the nation's health service. Opponents say raising taxes on the sangomas would (9) _____________________ revenue. Swaziland is in dire financial straits. Its budget deficit has skyrocketed to 15 per cent of its GDP. Many say King Mswati III should do more to help his country. He spends (10) _____________________ many wives, lavish lifestyle, and a bloated military. The sangomas feel they         (11) _____________________. They have already spent decades trying to rid themselves (12) _____________________ given to them by Europeans. Western pharmacists are now studying their cures and medicines.


 
 

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

What has a Swazi politician proposed?

2.

What is the time ripe for?

3.

What are sangomas?

4.

By how much have traditional increased their fees in recent years?

5.

How many Swazis visit traditional healers?

6.

What do the healers pay a fee for?

7.

What part do the healers play in providing healthcare to Swazis?

8.

What did the article say about the country's budget defecit?

9.

What does the king spend a lot of money on?

10.

What tag given by Europeans do the traditional healers dislike?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

Who proposed a tax hike?

6.

What costs 10 emalangeni?

 

a) the king
b) the people
c) a politician
d) a committee

 

a) a visit to a traditional healer
b) the fee healers pay every year to
    work
c) a medicine made by the healers
d) Swazi plywood

2.

Why was the tax suggested?

7.

What role do traditional healers play in Swaziland's health service?

 

a) to help the economy
b) for fairness among all taxpayers
c) as an experiment
d) to catch those who avoid paying tax

 

a) a key part
b) a minor role
c) they are the health service
d) an increasing role

3.

What is ripe?

8.

What does King Mswati III spend his money on?

 

a) the time for increasing a tax
b) the time for taxing Swazi fruit
c) Swazi fruit
d) opportunities to make money

 

a) charity, overseas aid and NPOs
b) health care, education and pensions
c) wives, luxury and his military
d) public services and investments

4.

By how many times has the fee healers charge increased?

9.

What tag do the traditional healers dislike?

 

a) three
b) four
c) ten
d) 200

 

a) pharmacist
b) European
c) tax avoider
d) "witch doctor"

5.

What proportion of Swazis visit traditional healers?

10.

What are Western pharmacists studying?

 

a) 82% of them
b) all of them
c) just less than half
d) a majority

 

a) the cures and medicines of the
    traditional healers
b) the Swazi language
c) illnesses common in Swaziland
d) Western remedies and treatments


 
 

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – A traditional healer

You are shocked you may have to pay more tax. Tell the others three reasons why. You think the king should pay more. He spends most of the country's money on himself. You do a valuable job for your country. You should not be singled out to pay tax.

Role  B – King Mswati III

Your citizens all need to pay tax. Tell the others three reasons why. The traditional healers make good money and should pay more. Their fees quadrupled recently but their tax has stayed the same. You hate criticism. You do everything you can to look after your people.

Role  C – A Swazi farmer

You think the traditional healers should pay more tax. Tell the others three reasons why. You are a poor farmer and you pay your taxes. You love your king and hate people who attack him. He needs a good lifestyle. He looks after his people. The healers are moneygrabbers.

Role  D – IMF economist

You are an expert on the Swazi economy. The king spends too much of tax revenues on himself, his family, his army, etc. He needs to spend more on his people. Tell the others three reasons why. Any tax on traditional healers will bring in very little extra revenue. It's a really bad idea.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'witch' and 'doctor'.

witch

doctor

 

 

 

  • Share your findings with your partners.
  • Make questions using the words you found.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

  • Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

  • tiny
  • solve
  • ripe
  • recent
  • share
  • short
  • trade
  • little
  • 15
  • wives
  • rid
  • studying

TRADITIONAL HEALERS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about traditional healers in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

 

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

 

 

 

 

Q.2.

 

 

 

 

Q.3.

 

 

 

 

Q.4.

 

 

 

 

Q.5.

 

 

 

 

  • Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.
  • Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

TRADITIONAL HEALERS DISCUSSION

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

a)

What did you think when you read the headline?

b)

What springs to mind when you hear the word 'healer'?

c)

What do you think of traditional healers?

d)

What is healthcare like in your country?

e)

What do you think of the proposed tax hike on Swaziland's healers?

f)

Is the tax system in your country fair?

g)

How is your country's economic situation?

h)

What do you think the sangomas might say about the proposed tax?

i)

Does everyone pay their fair share in tax in your country?

j)

What should happen to people who avoid paying tax?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

What do you know about Swaziland?

c)

Should Swaziland treat its traditional healers better?

d)

Do you think traditional medicine can be better than modern medicine?

e)

Have you ever been in dire financial straits?

f)

How should a country get its budget deficit down?

g)

What do you think of King Mswati III for the way he spends his country's money?

h)

What do you think of the label "witch doctor"?

i)

What questions would you like to ask King Mswati III?

j)

What do you think his answers might be?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

MULTIPLE CHOICE - LANGUAGE

A politician from the (1) ____ southern African kingdom of Swaziland has proposed a (2) ____ in the tax rate on the nation's traditional healers. Majahodvwa Khumalo has urged the government to (3) ____ the tax to help solve his country's worsening economic situation. He believes the time is ripe for (4) ____ the tax on the healers, known as 'sangomas'. Mr Khumalo said the sangomas have quadrupled their fees in recent years but are still paying very little in tax. He told the Swazi parliament the healers (5) ____ to pay their fair share towards the country's economic recovery, saying: "A majority of our people consult traditional healers but the money they pay to government falls (6) ____ too short of the money they make."

The sangomas currently pay an annual fee of 10 emalangeni ($1.15) to (7) ____ their trade. Many Swazis visit the healers, who are a key part of the nation's health service. (8) ____ say raising taxes on the sangomas would bring in very little revenue. Swaziland is in dire financial (9) ____. Its budget deficit has skyrocketed to 15 per cent of its (10) ____. Many say King Mswati III should do more to help his country. He spends a small (11) ____ on his many wives, lavish lifestyle, and a bloated military. The sangomas feel they are being singled out. They have already spent decades trying to (12) ____ themselves of a "witch doctor" label given to them by Europeans. Western pharmacists are now studying their cures and medicines.

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.

(a)

tiny

(b)

tinny

(c)

tin

(d)

tinted

2.

(a)

trek

(b)

march

(c)

hike

(d)

walk

3.

(a)

heavy

(b)

gravy

(c)

levy

(d)

envy

4.

(a)

upper-class

(b)

uppity

(c)

uppers

(d)

upping

5.

(a)

needed

(b)

needy

(c)

needless

(d)

needing

6.

(a)

lots

(b)

far

(c)

such

(d)

so

7.

(a)

flay

(b)

fly

(c)

play

(d)

ply

8.

(a)

Combatants

(b)

Opponents

(c)

Foes

(d)

Supporters

9.

(a)

straightens

(b)

straight

(c)

straits

(d)

strait

10.

(a)

GDR

(b)

POD

(c)

GOP

(d)

GDP

11.

(a)

karma

(b)

cookie

(c)

chance

(d)

fortune

12.

(a)

bid

(b)

rid

(c)

lid

(d)

hid

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

the tiny tsohreun African kingdom

2.

dreug the government

3.

rgsoneniw economic situation

4.

upaurdlqed their fees

5.

the Swazi imleatpran

6.

A traojymi of our people

Paragraph 2

7.

onpptnose say…

8.

Swaziland is in dire financial sttrsia.

9.

budget itdcfei

10.

spends a small efunrto

11.

a bloated ariylimt

12.

Western mtshrcisapa

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

his country's worsening economic situation. He believes the time is ripe for upping the tax on the healers, known

(    )

money they pay to government falls far too short of the money they make."

(    )

little in tax. He told the Swazi parliament the healers needed to pay their fair share towards the country's economic

(    )

recovery, saying: "A majority of our people consult traditional healers but the

(    )

15 per cent of its GDP. Many say King Mswati III should do more to help his country. He spends a small

(    )

given to them by Europeans. Western pharmacists are now studying their cures and medicines.

(    )

The sangomas currently pay an annual fee of 10 emalangeni ($1.15) to ply their trade. Many Swazis

(    )

out. They have already spent decades trying to rid themselves of a "witch doctor" label

(    )

fortune on his many wives, lavish lifestyle, and a bloated military. The sangomas feel they are being singled

(    )

rate on the nation's traditional healers. Majahodvwa Khumalo has urged the government to levy the tax to help solve

1  )

A politician from the tiny southern African kingdom of Swaziland has proposed a hike in the tax

(    )

as 'sangomas'. Mr Khumalo said the sangomas have quadrupled their fees in recent years but are still paying very

(    )

in very little revenue. Swaziland is in dire financial straits. Its budget deficit has skyrocketed to

(    )

visit the healers, who are a key part of the nation's health service. Opponents say raising taxes on the sangomas would bring

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

kingdom     African     southern     tiny     The     Swaziland     of.    

2.

rate     healers     on     the     The     nation's     tax     traditional.    

3.

levy     to     government     the     Urged     tax     the.    

4.

tax     He     believes     the     time     is     ripe     for     upping     the.    

5.

people    traditional    .    of     A     healers    consult     our     majority

6.

fee     to     Pay     ply     an     their     annual     trade.    

7.

nation's     key     health     part     service     of     the     A.    

8.

should     to     say     III     more    Many    Mswati    do    help     King.    

9.

themselves     rid     to     Trying     label     doctor"     "witch     a     of.    

10.

pharmacists     Western     cures     their     studying     now     are.    

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

A politician from the tiny / tinny southern African kingdom of Swaziland has proposed a hike / hiking in the tax rate on the nation's traditional healers. Majahodvwa Khumalo has urged / purged the government to levy the tax to help solve his country's worsens / worsening economic situation. He believes the time is ripe / raw for upping the tax on the healers, known as 'sangomas'. Mr Khumalo said the sangomas have quadrupled / quadruplets their fees in recent years but are still paying / paid very little in tax. He told the Swazi parliament the healers needed to pay their fair / fare share towards the country's economic recovery, saying / said: "A majority of our people consult traditional healers but the money they pay to government falls far too short / shorten of the money they make."

The sangomas currently pay an annually / annual fee of 10 emalangeni ($1.15) to ply / play their trade. Many Swazis visit the healers, who are a key / lock part of the nation's health service. Opponents say raising / rising taxes on the sangomas would bring in very little revenue. Swaziland is in dire financial straits / straightens. Its budget deficit has skyrocketed to 15 per cent for / of its GDP. Many say King Mswati III should do more to help his country. He spends a small fortunate / fortune on his many wives, lavish / slavish lifestyle, and a bloated military. The sangomas feel they are being singled out / in. They have already spent decades trying to rid themselves of a "witch doctor" label given to them by Europeans. Western pharmacists are now studying their cures and medicinal / medicines.

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

_ p_l_t_c__n fr_m th_ t_ny s__th_rn _fr_c_n k_ngd_m _f Sw_z_l_nd h_s pr_p_s_d _ h_k_ _n th_ t_x r_t_ _n th_ n_t__n's tr_d_t__n_l h__l_rs. M_j_h_dvw_ Kh_m_l_ h_s _rg_d th_ g_v_rnm_nt t_ l_vy th_ t_x t_ h_lp s_lv_ h_s c__ntry's w_rs_n_ng _c_n_m_c s_t__t__n. H_ b_l__v_s th_ t_m_ _s r_p_ f_r _pp_ng th_ t_x _n th_ h__l_rs, kn_wn _s 's_ng_m_s'. Mr Kh_m_l_ s__d th_ s_ng_m_s h_v_ q__dr_pl_d th__r f__s _n r_c_nt y__rs b_t _r_ st_ll p_y_ng v_ry l_ttl_ _n t_x. H_ t_ld th_ Sw_z_ p_rl__m_nt th_ h__l_rs n__d_d t_ p_y th__r f__r sh_r_ t_w_rds th_ c__ntry's _c_n_m_c r_c_v_ry, s_y_ng: "_ m_j_r_ty _f __r p__pl_ c_ns_lt tr_d_t__n_l h__l_rs b_t th_ m_n_y th_y p_y t_ g_v_rnm_nt f_lls f_r t__ sh_rt _f th_ m_n_y th_y m_k_."

Th_ s_ng_m_s c_rr_ntly p_y _n _nn__l f__ _f 10 _m_l_ng_n_ ($1.15) t_ ply th__r tr_d_. M_ny Sw_z_s v_s_t th_ h__l_rs, wh_ _r_ _ k_y p_rt _f th_ n_t__n's h__lth s_rv_c_. _pp_n_nts s_y r__s_ng t_x_s _n th_ s_ng_m_s w__ld br_ng _n v_ry l_ttl_ r_v_n__. Sw_z_l_nd _s _n d_r_ f_n_nc__l str__ts. _ts b_dg_t d_f_c_t h_s skyr_ck_t_d t_ 15 p_r c_nt _f _ts GDP. M_ny s_y K_ng Msw_t_ ___ sh__ld d_ m_r_ t_ h_lp h_s c__ntry. H_ sp_nds _ sm_ll f_rt_n_ _n h_s m_ny w_v_s, l_v_sh l_f_styl_, _nd _ bl__t_d m_l_t_ry. Th_ s_ng_m_s f__l th_y _r_ b__ng s_ngl_d __t. Th_y h_v_ _lr__dy sp_nt d_c_d_s try_ng t_ r_d th_ms_lv_s _f _ "w_tch d_ct_r" l_b_l g_v_n t_ th_m by __r_p__ns. W_st_rn ph_rm_c_sts _r_ n_w st_dy_ng th__r c_r_s _nd m_d_c_n_s.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

a politician from the tiny southern african kingdom of swaziland has proposed a hike in the tax rate on the nation's traditional healers majahodvwa khumalo has urged the government to levy the tax to help solve his country's worsening economic situation he believes the time is ripe for upping the tax on the healers known as 'sangomas' mr khumalo said the sangomas have quadrupled their fees in recent years but are still paying very little in tax he told the swazi parliament the healers needed to pay their fair share towards the country's economic recovery saying "a majority of our people consult traditional healers but the money they pay to government falls far too short of the money they make"

the sangomas currently pay an annual fee of 10 emalangeni ($115) to ply their trade many swazis visit the healers who are a key part of the nation's health service opponents say raising taxes on the sangomas would bring in very little revenue swaziland is in dire financial straits its budget deficit has skyrocketed to 15 per cent of its gdp many say king mswati iii should do more to help his country he spends a small fortune on his many wives lavish lifestyle and a bloated military the sangomas feel they are being singled out they have already spent decades trying to rid themselves of a "witch doctor" label given to them by europeans western pharmacists are now studying their cures and medicines

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

ApoliticianfromthetinysouthernAfricankingdomofSwazilandhasproposedahike
inthetaxrateonthenation'straditionalhealers.MajahodvwaKhumalohasurgedthe
governmenttolevythetaxtohelpsolvehiscountry'sworseningeconomicsituation.He
believesthetimeisripeforuppingthetaxonthehealers,knownas'sangomas'.Mr
Khumalosaidthesangomashavequadrupledtheirfeesinrecentyearsbutarestill
payingverylittleintax.HetoldtheSwaziparliamentthehealersneededtopaytheirfair
sharetowardsthecountry'seconomicrecovery,saying:"Amajorityofourpeople
consulttraditionalhealersbutthemoneytheypaytogovernmentfallsfartooshortof
themoneytheymake."Thesangomascurrentlypayanannualfeeof10emalangeni
($1.15)toplytheirtrade.ManySwazisvisitthehealers,whoareakeypartofthenation's
healthservice.Opponentssayraisingtaxesonthesangomaswouldbringinverylittle
revenue.Swazilandisindirefinancialstraits.Itsbudgetdeficithasskyrocketedto
15percentofitsGDP.ManysayKingMswatiIIIshoulddomoretohelphiscountry.He
spendsasmallfortuneonhismanywives,lavishlifestyle,andabloatedmilitary.The
sangomasfeeltheyarebeingsingledout.Theyhavealreadyspentdecadestrying
toridthemselvesofa"witchdoctor"labelgiventothembyEuropeans.Western
pharmacistsarenowstudyingtheircuresandmedicines.

FREE WRITING

Write about traditional healing for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

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ACADEMIC WRITING

Rich people should pay a much higher rate of tax than ordinary workers.  Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this.

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HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about traditional healers (sangomas) in Swaziland. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. TRADITIONAL HEALERS: Make a poster about traditional healers. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. TAX HIKE: Write a magazine article about the proposed tax hike in Swaziland. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to a sangoma. Ask him/her three questions about traditional healing. Give him/her three pieces of advice on what to do about the proposed tax hike. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

T

d

F

e

F

f

T

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

tiny

a.

encouraged

2.

hike

b.

terrible

3.

urged

c.

increase

4.

consult

d.

yearly

5.

make

e.

very small

6.

annual

f.

remedies

7.

dire

g.

tag

8.

lavish

h.

earn

9.

label

i.

seek advice from

10.

cures

j.

luxurious

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

A tax hike / increase in tax on traditional healers

2.

Upping the tax

3.

Traditional Swazi healers

4.

Four-fold / By four times

5.

A majority (of the population)

6.

To ply their trade (work)

7.

A key part

8.

It skyrocketed to 15 per cent of its GDP

9.

His wives, lifestyle and military

10.

"Witch doctors"

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

c

2.

a

3.

a

4.

b

5.

d

6.

b

7.

a

8.

c

9.

d

10.

a

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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