Plett doctor knighted
PLETTENBERG P BAY – A Plettonian doctor, Dr Giovanni Coci, has been awarded the Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy in recognition of the work he has done as an Italian expatriate in South Africa.
The Order of the Star of Italy (Ordine della Stella d' Italia) is a civilian award meant to honour Italian expatriates who have acquired special merit in the promotion of friendly ties with Italy. In particular it is reserved for Italians living abroad who supported the preservation and promotion of Italy's national prestige in their adopted countries. This includes the promotion of the Italian language and culture, charitable and philanthropic activities, participation in community life as well as scientific and technological research.
The Order of the Star of Italy was conferred upon him on 6 May by the consul of Italy in Cape Town, Dr Emanuele Pollio, during a ceremony held at Ristorante Enrico in Plettenberg Bay. Pollio travelled to Plettenberg Bay to host the function, which was attended by over 60 people, including most of the local doctors and members of the Italian community.
Coci is a worthy recipient of the order. He was the first Italian South African to become a specialist physician and was actively involved in assisting members of the Italian communities in South Africa and neighbouring countries. For many years he was the medical consultant to the Italian embassy in South Africa, and during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic he was the only physician still working in Plettenberg Bay, despite the fact that his age (76) classified him as high-risk.
During the course of the evening the consul also introduced the newly appointed Italian consular correspondent for the Garden Route, well-known local architect Roberto Boni.
Getting to know the doctor
Giovanni Coci was born in Naples, Italy. When he was 15, his parents decided to settle in South Africa. After matriculating from Northview High School in Johannesburg he enrolled at the University of the Witwatersrand and graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, afterward specialising in internal medicine.
After working in the department of medicine of the University of the Witwatersrand he went to London where he was admitted to the Royal College of Physicians of the United Kingdom.
Upon his return to South Africa he registered as a specialist physician with the Health Professions Council. He held the position of physician in the ICU at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital for a number of years, and thereafter he practised at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre.
Throughout his years of private practice in Johannesburg he was associated with the department of medicine of the University of the Witwatersrand and involved in both undergraduate and post-graduate medical education.
In 2012 Coci decided to move to Plettenberg Bay and until today runs his private practice as a specialist physician at the local Mediclinic. He also does voluntary work at the Knysna Provincial Hospital.
Over the last two years he has been very involved in the care of Covid-19 patients admitted to the local hospital and has written a paper titled "Covid complications seen at a small hospital in South Africa", which was published in the South African
Medical Journal.
Coci has always had a keen interest in history and has given numerous talks on Italian history and the history of medicine.
He is also a philatelist and often uses stamps as a presentation tool for his talks. The latest was an overview of the history of tuberculosis seen through philately.