The South African Academy of Family Physicians is pleased to announce the outcome of the nomination process for its council for the term 2026 -2029.

The new council nominations are:

A Representative nominated from each university:
• University of Cape Town Tasleem Ras
• University of Cape Town Sentebaleng Seitshiro
• University of KwaZulu-Natal Fundiswa Chonco
• University of Pretoria Nathaniel Mofolo
• Nelson Mandela University Keshena Naidoo
• University of the Free State Hanneke Brits
• University of Stellenbosch Ts’epo Motsohi
• University of the Witwatersrand Chris Visser
• Sefako Makgatho University Carien Steyn
• University of Limpopo Mulimisi Ramavhuya

A Representative nominated by the Rural Doctors Association of SA.
• Jenny Nash

A Representative from the public sector:
• Rihangwele Mukhinindi
• Arun Nair

Additional member not affiliated to a university: [Private practice]
• Irinoye Shola
• Jacques West
• Gail Ashford
• Sheena Mathews

A Representative of the Associate members:
• Aviwe Mgobozi

A representative from the College of Medicine SA
• Mergan Naidoo

Prof Gert Marincowitz
SAAFP: Electoral Officer

Meet the specialist your medical aid won’t pay for – Bhekisisa

On this World Family Doctor Day, we recognise the critical role of family physicians as specialist clinicians, consultants, educators, and clinical governance leaders within South Africa’s District Health System.

Family physicians provide expert, comprehensive care where it is needed most — in underserved district hospitals, community health centres, and primary care services that care for the majority of South Africans. Their contribution is especially important in rural, peri-urban, and resource-constrained communities, where equitable access to specialist services remains a major challenge.

New national data show that South Africa has achieved only 18.9% of the SAAFP 2030 target for family physician deployment, with marked inequities across provinces and districts. This highlights the urgent need to align human resource planning, policy, and funding with the established role of family physicians within the District Health System.

Strengthening family medicine is not simply about increasing numbers — it is about advancing equity, improving quality of care, strengthening clinical governance, and ensuring that all communities have access to specialist-led primary health care close to where people live.

As we commemorate World Family Doctor Day, we call for renewed investment in training, creating and funding posts, and scaling up the deployment of family physicians across the country.

A stronger District Health System requires stronger family medicine.

Notice of election for the National Council for 2026-2029

Published: 11 December 2025

Call for Applications: Second Cohort of SAFP Editorial Fellows (2026)

The South African Family Practice (SAFP) journal invites applications for its Editorial Fellowship Programme, now entering its second year. This initiative is designed to nurture the next generation of clinician-scholars in family medicine and primary care by offering a structured, mentored introduction to academic publishing.

What is the Editorial Fellowship?
An annual, one-year engagement for South African family medicine registrars, the fellowship provides a sheltered learning experience under the supervision and mentorship of the SAFP editorial team. Fellows will gain hands-on exposure to:
• Editorial processes: Manuscript triage, peer review analysis, and publication ethics.
• Critical appraisal and writing: Producing high-quality editorials and assessing peer reviews.
• Leadership and collaboration: Contributing to journal strategy and engaging with national and international networks.
• Innovation projects: Fellows may pursue special interests such as digital content creation, podcasts, or design initiatives.
This programme builds on the success of our inaugural cohort, whose reflections highlighted transformative experiences in scholarly communication, leadership development, and creative contributions to the journal’s growth.
Participation is entirely voluntary and unpaid. The estimated time commitment is around 1 to 2 hours per week. Each annual cohort will be limited to two fellows.

Voices from the first cohort and inaugural fellows, Drs Simon Marcus and Mmaphefo Maluleka
“This fellowship was a transformative experience. It deepened my understanding of editorial processes and sharpened my critical appraisal skills.”
“Working closely with senior editors gave me confidence and a sense of belonging in the scholarly community.”
“The opportunity to contribute to the journal’s strategy and creative projects, like podcasts and cover art, was career-shaping.”
“Joining editorial meetings and engaging in discussions on ethics and innovation broadened my perspective on research integrity and impact.”

Why apply?
The fellowship offers:
• Mentorship from experienced editors.
• Opportunities to co-author editorials and CPD articles.
• Participation in editorial board meetings and strategic discussions.
• A platform to shape the future of family medicine scholarship in South Africa.

Eligibility
• All currently enrolled South African family medicine registrars.
• A letter of support from your postgraduate programme convenor or Head of Department (HOD).
• Applicants will be evaluated on their demonstrated interest in scientific publishing, primary care research, communication skills, and commitment to digital communication to promote the journal.

Timeframe
• Fellowship duration: 1 year (2026).
• Application deadline: Monday, 12 January 2026.

How to apply
Submit the following to admin@saafp.org:
• A brief letter of motivation (max 500 words).
• Your CV.
• A letter of support from your programme convenor or HOD.

Published: 11/04/2025

From the President’s Desk [SA Family Practice Journal]

I have the great honour to pen this communication as the President of the SA Academy of Family Physicians. Over the last few decades, the academy has played a leading role in advocating and organising for the establishment of the discipline of family medicine and the enhancement of district and primary care services in our country. The next 5 years see us building on this work, with several interesting challenges and opportunities before us. The extent to which we respond will largely be dependent on your active engagement in the academy’s structures and activities.

Published: 01 April 2025

The professional boards have granted a 3-month extension from 1 April to 30 June 2025, for all practitioners who are non-compliant.

“The number of CPD points required, applies to a 12-month cycle of CPD programme. For example, if a practitioner is required to annually maintain a minimum of 30 CPD points (25 clinical and 5 ethical), only indicated is required to be CPD compliant and each CPD point is valid for 12 months from the date on which the activity took place.”

Published: 21 January 2025

WONCA and PLANETARY HEALTH

“Family doctors need to know how to reduce their environmental impact and prepare for climate change effects like worse flooding and over-heating. Organisations supporting family doctors can help…”

Published:10 January 2025

SUBMISSION GUIDELINE FOR SA FAMILY PRACTICE JOURNAL

The South African Family Practice (SAFP) journal is the official journal of the South African Academy of Family Physicians (SAAFP) and is aimed at all SAAFP members (including family physicians, registrars, associate members, students), working within primary care (both private and public health sectors, as well as urban and rural practice settings) within South Africa and the wider Southern African region.

SAFP is a peer-reviewed scientific journal, which strives to provide primary care teams, as well as researchers, with a broad range of scholarly work in the practice, training and learning of family medicine, primary care, primary health care, rural medicine, district health and other related fields.