Department of Surgery
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
Box 231
Medunsa, 0204
Telephone: 012 5214153
Fax: 012 5214467
e-mail: [email protected]
Dear Colleagues
Re: Grandfather Clause
There has a general unhappiness about the manner in
which the grandfather clause was applied. The main
discontent revolves around the fact that this process
was not transparent and well communicated. There
are instances were deserving candidates were not
contacted in time and could not apply as a result.
This state of affairs has serious implications mainly for
training and has posed a huge stumbling block in that
arena. One is acutely aware that subspecialist training
in South Africa is relatively new and that it was a
daunting task to try and round up everybody before
the closing date! It is also true that the societies played
a crucial role in the identification of deserving
individuals. However the inescapable fact is that quite
a number of deserving individuals were left out in the
process. No one is suggesting that this was deliberate
but the fact remains that a sizeable number of
individuals (both in the private and public sector were
left out)
In our recent meeting of the college council meeting
this matter was discussed and the general feeling was
that if there are such individuals that are deserving
and should have been considered should be identified
and their names be submitted to the council with the
necessary motivation. The college might consider
writing a motivation to the HPCSA for these individuals
to be considered.
It is against this background that we are writing this
letter to all the surgeons (both Private and public
sector) to find out about those deserving individuals:
-If they exist
-If they would like to be considered
I would like to point out that nothing is concrete yet
and that this is a point of discussion without promising
anyone anything
It cannot be that in country like South Africa (with a
colourful history I might add) that things are still done
in a non-transparent way. We hope that important
lessons have been learned as we go forward and that a
matter of this nature never comes up again
No one is saying for a moment that everybody
regardless of expertise should be considered, but that
the principle of transparency, fairness and openness
should be observed at all times.
Kind regards
Zach Koto