Dr Norman Mabasa resigns as Chair of SAMA

It is with regret that the Board of Directors of SAMA has accepted the resignation if it's Chairperson, Dr Norman Mabasa. As has been reported, Dr Mabasa has been appointed as the MEC for Health and Social Develoment in Limpopo Province. 

Dr Mabasa's departure is an enormous loss to SAMA but fortunately not to the medical profession. Dr Mabasa's dedication to SAMA has been exemplary and the Board congratulated him in his new endeavour.

SAMA Vice chairperson Dr Mark Sonderup acknowledged Mabasa on behalf of the board, members and staff. "Mabasa has been a tirless and enormously effective champion for healthcare in South Africa.

While wishing Dr Mabasa well, Dr Sonderup who is now acting Chairperson, also took the opportunity to assure members that it will be business as usual at SAMA. "We have a reservoir of quality leadership who can take the baton from Dr Mabasa.

SAMA will continue to be the champion for doctors and patients, said Dr Sonderup.

SAMA's Mabasa new Limpopo MEC for Health

SA Medical Association (SAMA) chairman, Dr Norman Mabasa, officially resigned from the association this morning to assume the position of MEC for Health for Limpopo Province with immediate effect.

Mabasa, who played a key role medical groupings unity process in the late 1990s and became a SAMA board member when it transformed from the Medical Association of SA in 1999, was elected chairman in October 2009. Prior to that he also served a term as president of the association and acted as general manager to oversee the organisation's restructuring process in early 2011.

After formally presenting his resignation to the SAMA board members, Mabasa was given a unanimous vote of confidence from the association officials in wishing him well in his new position..

General consensus was that Mabasa had been a diligent and competent leader: "It was actually a great honour and privilege working with someone of Norman's stature and humility through the years," said vice-chair, Dr Mark Sonderup.

"Under him the board worked openly and with trust."

In her comments, Limpopo-based SAMA board member Dr Phophi Ramathuba said that Mabasa would be "good for the people of Limpopo": "They need a breath of fresh air! But it is not going to be easy for him. The province has huge health challenges. While we accept his resignation with deep regret, he will certainly have our support, the SAMA doctors, in the province."

Statement issued by SAMA Vice chairperson Dr Mark Sonderup, March 16 2012

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