Staff Reporter.
SA Medical Association (Sama) chair Dr Angelique Coetzee has stepped down from the position.
The Sama made the announcement on Friday, saying Coetzee informed the association of her resignation during its board meeting on Thursday night. She will remain an ordinary member of the Sama board.
“The current vice-chairperson of the Sama board, Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa, will assume the role of interim chairperson while the board contemplates Dr Coetzee’s permanent replacement,” Sama said in a statement.
Dr Edward Ngwenya, the chairperson of Sama’s chairperson’s forum, will assume the role of interim chairperson.
While Sama did not reveal the reasons behind Coetzee’s resignation, last week she apologised unreservedly for her remarks during an interview in January on CapeTalk, relating to admission requirements to medical schools in South Africa.
During the interview, Coetzee expressed personal opinions that the admission processes to medical schools was highly politicised.
She claimed that race played a significant role in determining acceptance to medical faculties, saying that in many instances the applicant’s matric performance was not considered, and that different criteria existed for different race groups.
Sama distanced itself from Coetzee’s views and said they were unfortunate.
Dr Ngwenya is a specialist plastic and reconstructive surgeon practising in Gauteng. He is equally well-versed in matters related to the health profession,” Sama said.