SAMA
Former SA Medical Association chairperson banned from speaking to the media about her resignation
Dr Angelique Coetzee, who stepped down from her position as the chairperson of the South African Medical Association on Friday, is facing a disciplinary hearing and has been requested to stop all media interviews.
After stepping down from her position as the chairperson of the South African Medical Association (Sama) on Friday, Dr Angelique Coetzee was barred from speaking to the media, pending a disciplinary hearing.
The current vice-chairperson of the Sama board, Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa, will assume the role of interim chairperson “while the board contemplates Coetzee’s permanent replacement”, according to a notice sent to members of the association.
Mzukwa is an experienced general practitioner in KwaZulu-Natal and a seasoned member of the association.
Dr Edward Ngwenya, the chairperson of Sama’s Chairperson’s Forum, a forum of the chairpersons of all Sama branches, will assume the role of interim vice-chairperson.
On Friday, Sama issued a media statement saying that it “takes note of remarks” made by Coetzee during an interview on CapeTalk on 26 January relating to admission requirements to medical schools in South Africa.
During the interview, Coetzee said admissions to medical schools were highly politicised, that race played a significant role in determining acceptance to medical faculties, in many instances more than the applicant’s matric performance, and that different criteria exist for different race groups with regard to admission requirements.
Since then, Coetzee has apologised unreservedly for any emotional hurt this statement may have caused.
“After considerable deliberation, the Sama board accepted her apology,” Sama’s statement read.
“The board acknowledges that Dr Coetzee’s interpretation of the admission requirements is incorrect, and that entrance processes for medical students are much more complex and thorough than what was stated in her opinion. The board is fully cognisant of the fact that the stringent entry requirements are meant to ensure the provision of only the highest-quality medical professionals for the country.
“Sama further acknowledges that entrance to medical schools requires a high level of academic achievement across the board, and that all candidates selected for entry into medical school are chosen, inter alia, on merit and ability,” Sama’s statement continued.
The organisation went on to say that it “empathises” with the hurt and anger the “unfortunate remarks” by Coetzee may have caused to doctors and the general population in South Africa.
At the weekend, Coetzee declined to be interviewed, saying she had been banned from speaking to the media about issues other than medical questions, pending a disciplinary hearing. At this stage she remains an ordinary member of the board.
Coetzee became internationally known in December 2021 as the medical doctor who treated one of the first cases of the then unknown Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. She was also one of the first to controversially indicate, and was later proven to be correct, that the virus caused less severe disease than other variants like Beta and Delta. DM/MC
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She was shut up rather quickly. Since the criteria are so thorough why not release the criteria to the public so that white applicants know what must be achieved and what black applicants must achieve. The criteria are clearly different and people have a right to know.
I agree – Publish the selection criteria then all prospective applicants know beforehand what to achieve to be accepted.
My daughter has recently moved through this system – the criteria are significantly different for the different race groups, with requirements being lower for the non-white members of our (non-racial!!) society. You can be hurt by Dr Coetzee’s views, as much as you like, it remains a fact. This doesn’t mean that the people who do qualify against these lower criteria will be bad doctors, but it does mean they have an inside track ito gaining access to the system, keeping out better candidates. Strange how these people are happy to benefit from the system, but hate being regarded as quotas. Imagine being a born free white kid, who gets denied opportunity only because of the sins of the fathers – and the reversed discrimination being driven by black politicians… The more things change, the more they stay the same, I guess.
“Sama further acknowledges that entrance to medical schools requires a high level of academic achievement across the board, and that all candidates selected for entry into medical school are chosen, inter alia, on merit and ability,” Sama’s statement continued.
I am sure that all candidates are selected on merit. I think you will find that some, with exceptional merit, however do not get access. So the question really is “which merit” counts more.
Our constitution does allow for “fair discrimination”. Be honest, spell the rules out.
They don’t have to spell out the rules – we already know them. The SAMA board statement is pure rubbish.
Having been on the receiving end of racial discrimination in academia myself, I cannot, after a decade of participation, identify one instance where withholding opportunities from a more capable candidate has improved the performance of a less capable candidate. From the perspective of our country and its needs, shouldn’t we always be striving to develop our human resources, irrespective of race, for the benefit of all?
With the racist anc in charge that can never happen.
Do SAMA not realise how guilty they sound when they forbid her to speak? I thought we had freedom of speech. Obviously this only appplies to a certain part of the population. Zimbabwe here we come!
zimbabwe – here we are ….
I am always fascinated by the number of persons who have no hesitation in spouting their ‘opinions’ on various issues, which is probably as it should be. However, I often wonder why and how it possible for people like Pierre de Vos to openly acknowledge their ‘privileged’ position in our society, and still provide lucid and relatively unbiased commentary on issues ? Makes you think … or maybe not ?
The truth hurts.
Kanu, An eminent Irish philosopher centuries ago said, “Evil prevails when good men remain silent”, what do you say to this truth in the case of Dr Coetzee?
What utter bull… everyone knows of at least one exceedingly bright scholar with top marks rejected by admission authorities at medical school. Everyone knows black students get preference. And this practice is not limited to med school. Censure will only serve to highlight this, but I guess it’s the only defence.
Candidates are “chosen, inter alia, on merit and ability.” The inter alia?
Surely the issue should be “Is what she said true or not.”
BBEEE is racist. Anybody disagree? Speak up.
Race based quotas are not selection based on merit.