The South African Clinician Scientist Society (SACSS) hosted its prestigious conference on 13 November 2025 at Discovery, Sandton - bringing together leading, emerging, and early-career clinician-scientists from across the country. The event served as a platform to share, disseminate, and celebrate advancements in translational research that is shaping clinical practice and influencing national health policy.

This year’s programme featured an impressive lineup of keynote speakers, including experts such as Professor Ntobeko Ntusi (South African Medical Research Council) and Professor Mike Sathekge (University of Pretoria). Their contributions offered insights into current challenges, breakthroughs, and future directions for clinician-led research in South Africa.

Attendees had the opportunity to engage in masterclasses covering crucial areas such as conducting research for public health with a focus on translational impact, research funding opportunities available to clinicians from major funders including Discovery, Netcare and the South African Medical Research Council and the role of mentorship in strengthening the pipeline and retention of early- and mid-career clinician-scientists.

In addition to keynote sessions and masterclasses, the conference provided meaningful opportunities to network, learn, and grow. Delegates engaged with leaders and peers through dynamic poster and oral presentation sessions showcasing exceptional work conducted by young clinician-researchers nationwide.

This year, two scholars funded through the SAMRC’s Division of Research Capacity Development (RCD) received recognition for their research contributions, winning awards for both oral and poster presentations; namely, Dr Roland van Rensburg (Stellenbosch University) and Dr Theodora Amoa (University of Cape Town) both funded under the SAMRC Clinician-Researcher Development Programme.

Dr Van Rensburg receiving his prize at the 2nd South African Clinician Scientists Society Conference

Dr Amoa receiving her prize at the 2nd South African Clinician Scientist Society Conference

Current RCD Scholarship beneficiaries with an RCD staff member. From left Dr Vimla Naicker (University of KwaZulu-Natal), Ms Lerato Hlatshwayo (SAMRC), Ms Nkanyezi Masondo (University of KwaZulu-Natal), Dr Theodora Amoa (University of Cape Town) and Dr Dhavina Naidoo (University of Pretoria)

Past and current RCD Beneficiaries with delegates. From the left Dr Theodora Amoa (UCT), Dr Gabriella Hyman (WITS), Dr Tumiso Malatji (Limpopo DoH), Prof Phumla Sinxadi (UCT), Dr Lerato Khatle (Discovery), Dr Roland van Rensburg (SUN), Dr Lerato Rametse (WITS/NICD), Prof Salome Maswime (SACSS/UCT), Dr Lindokuhle Ndlandla (SAMRC), Dr Yanelisa Pulani (WITS/ARS), Dr Vanessa Gxekwa and Dr Nene Mboweni (WITS)

Amid all the engagements we had the honour to present Prof Mike Sathekge his prestigious award that he was nominated for at the South African Health Excellence Awards 2025.

Prof Mike Sathekge being presented the Scientific Excellence Award 2025.  From the left Prof Ntobeko Ntusi (SAMRC), Dr Rachel Sathekge, Prof Mike Sathekge, Dr Nandi Mzimba (Clinix Health Group) and Prof Salome Maswime (SACSS)

Thanks to the SAMRC President and CEO, Professor Ntusi, for his support for the conference, the SAMRC RCD team for organizing the conference, and SAMRC Conference Centre for logistical support.

The South African Clinician Scientist Society Conference continues to play a crucial role in building a strong community of clinician-scientists dedicated to advancing health research and improving outcomes for all South Africans and is an important partnership between the SAMRC and the SACSS to promote the development of clinician scientists in the country.

Link to photos