​The Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, has paid tribute to the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) as it celebrates 70 years of shaping the future of healthcare through specialist training, academic excellence, and professional integrity. The platinum anniversary marks a significant milestone in the organisation's longstanding contribution to medical education and practice in South Africa.
Speaking on the second day of the CMSA 70th Anniversary Conference, held at the University of Pretoria's Future Africa Campus, MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko praised the CMSA for its unwavering commitment to advancing specialist medicine, conducting rigorous examinations, and upholding the highest standards of medical practice in South Africa and across the continent.
"The CMSA has been a trusted partner to the Gauteng Department of Health for many years. Through our central hospitals that include Chris Hani Baragwanath, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg, Steve Biko, and Dr George Mukhari, we provide clinical platforms that make specialist training possible. Together, we have trained generations of doctors who continue to serve with excellence," said Nkomo-Ralehoko.
She emphasised the importance of this partnership in addressing the shortage of specialists in critical fields such as Neonatology, Psychiatry, and Paediatrics, particularly as Gauteng continues to prioritise mother, child, and mental health services.
The MEC also acknowledged the CMSA's unique nonprofit model, which is powered by the dedication of more than 11 000 volunteers. She described it as a powerful example of collaboration in pursuit of universal health coverage and a more equitable healthcare system.
"On behalf of the Gauteng Department of Health, I congratulate the CMSA on its platinum anniversary. We remain committed to working hand in hand with you to ensure that specialist medicine continues to grow, transform, and serve the people of our province and our country," she concluded.