Race ultimatum

Chris Barnard wielded his influence to overcome race barriers at Groote Schuur in the flu epidemic around 1971, according to US cardiologist Mike Ezekowitz, who said: “Barnard asked the then superintendent if he could use black nurses in theatre during the epidemic. “When the superintendent refused, Barnard called the office of prime minister BJ Vorster.

“‘You can’t do that, it’s against the law,’ he was told by Vorster’s office.

“In response he said: ‘If you don’t do what I want in the interests of the patients, I will take one of three jobs I’ve been offered in the US’ — and listed the locations.

“The prime minister sent a message back saying: ‘Go ahead, do what you need to do, but don’t tell anybody.’ “