Living Legends Revealed at 2025 Updates in Surgery Symposium

Six general surgery giants were honoured as Living Legends in Surgery at this year’s Updates in Surgery Annual Symposium.

The theme of the Symposium – a two-day event held at the Medical School by UKZN’s Department of General Surgery in collaboration with the Busamed Group was: “Developed World Guidelines, Developing World Resources – Bridging the Gap”.

The six legends were:

• Professor Bhugwaan Singh, Former Chief Specialist Surgeon and Academic Head of Department: Surgery, UKZN
• Professor John Robbs, Former Chief Specialist Surgeon and Academic Head of Department: Surgery, UKZN (1990-2008)
• Professor Ariff Haffejee, Former Chief Specialist Surgeon and Deputy Academic Head of Department: Surgery, UKZN (1990-2008)
• Professor Taole Mokoena, South African Health Ombudsman and Former Chief Specialist Surgeon and Academic Head of Department: Surgery, University of Pretoria (2012-2021)
• Dr Diliza Mji, the Founder and Chairman of the Busamed Group
• Mr Vasan Govind, the first specialist surgeon graduate of colour through the Royal College of Surgeons and a retired private surgeon

Addressing the recipients, Chief Specialist Surgeon, Associate Professor and Academic Head of General Surgery at UKZN, Professor Boitumelo Phakathi, said: ‘We proudly recognise your remarkable and selfless journey, unwavering dedication, and profound contributions to the field of General Surgery. Your expertise, mentorship and commitment have left an enduring impact on patients, students, colleagues and the pursuit of excellence. This we say, with deepest respect and gratitude.’

In his keynote presentation, Health Ombudsman Professor Taole Mokoena presented an overview of developments and advances in surgical care over the last half century in the country, stressing that surgery was a human right; even low-to-middle income countries needed access to care.

The pre-symposium workshop’s theme – “Career Advancement in Surgery: Progression and Opportunities in Public and Private Sector” – stimulated meaningful engagement around careers in surgery, in the public and private sectors as well as in academia.

The workshop was facilitated by South African Surgeons in Training (SASSIT) representatives, Dr Isabella Ramsaroop (UKZN) and Dr Lefa Shelile (SMU).

Professor Zach Koto, an internationally acclaimed Chief Specialist Surgeon and the Chairperson of the College of Surgeons Council, gave a keynote address and various speakers covered aspects of establishing and managing a thriving private practice with efficiency and ease.

Experts spoke on a variety of topical issues including: Acute Care Surgery; Breast and Endocrine Surgery; Burns and Trauma Surgery; Global Surgery; Digital Health and Innovations in Surgery; the National Health Insurance; Medico-legal Considerations in Surgery, and a public-private partnerships panel discussion on Bridging the Gap.

Among other speakers, UKZN’s Head of the Trauma, Burns and Trauma Critical Care at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital and KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health’s, Professor Timothy Hardcastle, addressed the notion of Global Surgery – an essential component of global health – while UKZN alumnus and Head of the Global Surgery Division at the University of Cape Town, Professor Salome Maswime, spoke about the role of Global Surgery at home, honing in on the National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anaesthesia Plan (NSOAP) for South Africa.

UKZN Honorary Lecturer and Anaesthesia Chief Specialist Professor Zane Farina, who heads the Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Clinical Department of Anaesthesia, highlighted the need for Global Surgery in his talk: “Taking Anaesthesia to the Community – Is There a Role for Nurse or Clinical Associate Anaesthesia Providers in Africa or South Africa?”.

The public-private partnerships panel discussion on Bridging the Gap, featured the CFO of the, Busamed Group, Mr Sunny Govender; Vula Mobile CEO Dr William Mapham; Health Accelerator (Pty) Ltd Managing Director, Dr Bandile Hadebe; St Augustine Hospital Specialist Surgeon, Dr Bala Govender; and Department of Health representatives.

In her vote of thanks, Phakathi expressed sincere thanks for the invaluable support, contributions and participation by all participants from various provinces, the exhibitors and most importantly, to members of the local organising committee: Mr Ravi Naidoo, Mr Cunden Chetty, Dr Sumayyah Ebrahim, Ms Prashti Harichunder, Mr Kapil Rugnath, Ms Nondumiso Mabaso, Mr Mark Jali, Mrs Pat Narayanasamy and Ms Chantel Mathe for making the two events a great success.

A special thank you was extended to the Busamed Group for their partnership and significant contribution for ensuring both the pre-symposium workshop and the symposium were successful. ‘Words alone cannot fully describe how grateful we are as the Department of Surgery, UKZN, and we look forward to what the future holds for us,’ Phakathi said.

Words: Lunga Memela

Photograph: Supplied