Comparison of the prevalence of non-communicable diseases and traditional herbal medicine use in urban and rural communities in South Africa

•The article reports the prevalence of NCDs, the use of THM and the influences and reasons for using THM.•Rural residents and individuals of low social economic status rely more on THM.•Most participants had non-communicable diseases irrespective of location, but prevalence was higher amongst urban dwellers.•Traditional Health Practitioners did not influence THM use among rural participants.•Participants who reported poorer health status in rural areas used THM more than those in urban areas.