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Prof Gert van Zyl honoured with prestigious SAAHE council medal

08 August 2025 | Story Reuben Maeko | Photo Reuben Maeko

The Southern African Association of Health Educationalists (SAAHE) recently bestowed the Council Medal Award – its highest accolade – on Prof Gert van Zyl, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) in recognition of his extraordinary and sustained contributions to Health Professions Education (HPE) in Southern Africa.

The SAAHE Council Medal is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated long-term, impactful contributions to HPE, transforming pedagogy, advancing equity and diversity, and inspiring excellence in teaching, research, and engagement. Recipients must also demonstrate national and international recognition, as well as exemplary leadership, mentorship, and inclusiveness.

A transformative leader in medical education

Prof Van Zyl’s visionary leadership has been pivotal in shaping the future of medical education in South Africa. His strategic role in the development and implementation of the UFS’s five-year MBChB curriculum modernised the teaching and learning experience for medical students, aligning it with international best practice while addressing the specific needs of the South African healthcare context.

Speaking of his award, Prof Van Zyl expressed his gratitude and humility, acknowledging the collective efforts of colleagues, students, and institutional partners over the years. His recognition serves as an inspiration to the HPE community, illustrating the profound and lasting impact that dedicated leadership and innovation can have on the future of healthcare education.

Central to his transformative approach has been the integration of Interprofessional Education (IPE) and Community-Based Education (CBE). These innovative strategies ensured that medical training not only develops technical expertise but also nurtures collaborative practice and community engagement. Prof Van Zyl championed practical learning through CBE initiatives in Trompsburg and Springfontein, later expanding this model to Botshabelo, thereby fostering a strong culture of service to underserved communities.

A founding member and lifelong contributor to SAAHE

Prof Van Zyl’s association with SAAHE dates to its very inception in the early 2000s. As a founding member, he was actively involved in the organisation’s transition from the South African Association of Medical Educators (SAAME) to SAAHE, participating in the first meeting in Bloemfontein. His leadership and passion for HPE have been constant in the association’s growth and evolution.

His sustained commitment is evident in his 15 years of service on the SAAHE Executive Committee (2005-2020). Throughout this period he was instrumental in guiding the association’s strategic direction, ensuring that it remained a dynamic platform for advancing medical and health professions education.

Prof Van Zyl’s engagement extended well beyond committee work. He has been a consistent and influential presence at SAAHE conferences, contributing his expertise and thought-leadership at gatherings in 2006, 2007, 2012-2015, 2017-2019, and 2024. His presentations and discussions have enriched the dialogue around pedagogy, curriculum reform, and capacity building in HPE.

Advocate for mentorship, inclusivity, and capacity building

At the heart of Prof Van Zyl’s career is a deep commitment to mentorship and capacity development. Colleagues and students alike have benefited from his guidance, which blends academic excellence with a genuine investment in the growth and success of others. His leadership style has consistently promoted inclusivity and equity, fostering an environment in which diverse perspectives and talents can thrive in the service of excellence in HPE.

A deserving recognition of a lifetime’s work

The awarding of the SAAHE Council Medal to Prof Van Zyl is a fitting acknowledgment of his decades-long dedication to advancing HPE in Southern Africa. His transformative influence – spanning curriculum innovation, professional development, organisational leadership and community engagement – embodies the qualities the medal seeks to honour.

With this accolade, SAAHE not only honours Prof Van Zyl’s remarkable achievements, but also celebrates a career devoted to building a stronger, more inclusive, and forward-looking HPE landscape in Southern Africa.

News Archive

UFS on the right track with transformation - Fulbright scholars

2010-08-27

Pictured from the left, are: Dr Wilmore-Schaeffer, Rev. Dr Streets and Ms Leah Naidoo (Senior Administrator of the Institute).
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe

“I think the university is not only on the right track but can really become a model for how to negotiate certain difficult processes, such as transformation, within a short period of time. I think it can become a model, not just for other universities, but also for the world.”

This was said by Dr Rozetta Wilmore-Schaeffer, who together with Rev. Dr Frederick J. Streets, recently worked with the International Institute for Race, Reconciliation and Social Justice at the University of the Free State (UFS) as Fulbright specialists. They helped the institute come up with ideas in terms of making the changes that are necessary for the transformation of the university.

“There is a great deal that has already been done despite the sense of urgency and impatience, and I think there is a great deal more to be done,” said Dr Wilmore-Schaeffer.

“I think this sense of urgency comes from those who are involved in the process of looking at the destination, the place that they want to be at, and feeling that they are very far from it.”

During their visit here the two had numerous conversations with both staff members and students.

“I have been most impressed by the students who I think are ready to make changes in many different ways – I am talking about students of all racial groups and gender. The fact that they are referring to transformation as ‘their struggle’ shows that they are prepared to make changes,” said Dr Wilmore-Schaeffer.
She, however, cautioned that there were those who were still against transformation taking place at the university.

“I think there is still some resistance from some quarters on both sides of the fence and I would expect that at this point in time. I think what is really hopeful is that there are so many students who are ready to make the changes, who are making the changes, who are struggling with issues around making the changes; and I think that is really the hope for the university and the hope for the future,” she said.

“The resistance is complex,” added Rev. Dr Streets. “It is around a fear for the future, the loss of identity on the part of both black and white students, and the desire for cultural continuity amongst white students as well as amongst a variety of ethnic black students.

“The resistance is about learning that you are not the only kid on the block anymore and how you then overcome the feeling of realising that you are not the dominant person anymore and that your culture is not the dominant culture anymore.”

They have given a preliminary report of their findings to the Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, Prof. Jonathan Jansen, which will be followed by a more detailed report later on.

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