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Dr Richard Friedland, chief executive officer of Netcare, today expressed his profound sadness at the passing of Professor Bongani Mayosi, Cape Town based cardiologist, researcher and dean of the health sciences faculty at the University of Cape Town.

“We at the Netcare Group deeply mourn the loss of a healthcare pioneer of immense stature. South Africa has lost a great and courageous leader in the medical field and someone who fought fearlessly for the transformation and inclusion of black South Africans in healthcare. Professor Mayosi was also an exceptionally talented clinician and cardiologist and one of South Africa’s most talented researchers,” said Dr Friedland.

“Professor Mayosi was passionate about the education of medical students and the development of South African medical academics. Concerned about the shortage of qualified academic doctors in leadership roles at South African medical schools, Professor Mayosi envisioned the establishment of a PhD scholarship which would give qualified South African black candidates the opportunity to further their studies and research in order to build academic excellence in various fields of medicine.”

One of Professor Mayosi’s many achievements is the Hamilton Naki Scholarship which was established in 2007, on the fortieth anniversary of the first heart transplant. The scholarship was the brainchild of Professor Mayosi, to honour the legacy of Hamilton Naki and numerous other South Africans who were denied the chance to fulfil their potential in the field of medicine during apartheid and to ensure the continued progress of medicine in our country,” notes Dr Friedland.

“We at Netcare were privileged to join hands with Professor Mayosi’s and all of the medical schools of our South African universities by providing the funding for this scholarship initiative under the auspices of the Physician Partnerships Trust, which forms part of Netcare’s Health Partners for Life programme.”

“Under the leadership of Professor Mayosi, who also chaired the panel of eminent selectors, the scholarship has to date enabled 14 deserving South African medical specialists to undertake post-doctoral studies and research in their respective fields of specialisation, making a meaningful contribution not only towards the advancement of academic medicine in our country and to the benefit of our people but also internationally,” explains Dr Friedland.

“We express our sincere condolences to Professor Mayosi’s family and loved ones. He has left an indelible footprint and enduring legacy in the medical landscape in South Africa, and will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege to know him,” added Dr Friedland.

Ends

Issued by:         MNA on behalf of Netcare 
Contact: Martina Nicholson, Graeme Swinney, Meggan Saville and Estene Lotriet-Vorster
Telephone: (011) 469 3016
Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected]