South African History Online

Message from President Nelson Mandela to the 75th Jubilee celebrations of the Faculty of Health Sciences

August 1997

Today marks a proud moment in the history of one of our most distinguished
universities. It has therefore been a pleasure for me to participate as
Patron-in-Chief at the celebrations of the 75th Jubilee of the Faculty of Health
Sciences.

The Faculty of Health Sciences has made a major contribution to our country's
development and advancement for over three quarters of a century. Graduates from
the health professions have helped to extend quality health services throughout
the country. Biomedical and health systems research scientists have contributed
to the body of knowledge and thereby to improvements in health. The extension of
training, research and service provision across Gauteng and your pioneering work
in Tintswalo has been recorded and admired.

I am confident that you will rise with distinction to the challenges of
reforming our health services and redirecting health resources towards primary
care. We look to you to ensure that generations of young South Africans from
communities previously denied access to your institution, will achieve the
scientific distinction and success recorded by their eminent predecessors. We
feel confident that your graduates will be honoured to fulfill their obligations
to improve the health of our people.

By choosing as the theme for your conference, "Health Beyond 2000", you have
given notice of your intention to continue to meet your vitally important
responsibilities in health through the next millennium. I wish you every success
in your deliberations.

Nelson Mandela
President
Republic of South Africa