Expertise in cosmetic surgery is more than skin deep

In response to “Surgeons and medical body butt heads over butt lifts” (December 31), we, the Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons of South Africa (Aprassa), would like to clarify a few points:

The statement attributed to a Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) spokesperson that cosmetic surgery may be performed by “other qualified practitioners ”— other than specialists — is incorrect. They have promised to meet us in January over this.

It is important for there to be clarity about licensing.

In the same way that, for example, a pilot credentialed to fly only a light aircraft is not permitted to pilot a Jumbo jet, so a general practitioner is not licensed to perform cosmetic surgery.

In the interests of patient safety, a surgeon requires appropriate training and credentialing.

The need for appropriate qualifications and credentials has recently been brought under the spotlight by various “bogus” doctors practising in South Africa, despite having no medical degree.

We would appeal to patients to do their research. To find if your surgeon is a member of Aprassa one can go to www.aprassa.co.za and click on the “find a surgeon” link.

To verify the credentials of any doctor in South Africa, use the HPCSA’s website isystems.hpcsa.co.za/iregister and then enter the doctor’s name.

Dr Craig Wittsock, Aprassa president, Sandton A beef with that steak story

The article by Hendrik Hancke, “How my power trip led to an extra steak on the braai” (December 31), refers.

This article clearly brings out all that the former CEO, André de Ruyter, stood for before his untimely departure; only, the writer failed to acknowledge his valuable contributions and inputs. “You walk your plant, learn to know your plant and listen when your plant is talking to you,” is a direct De Ruyter quote.

It’s true that there have been positive developments at these power stations recently; not because of the new minister but thanks to management doing the right thing as propounded by the former CEO. All or most of the corruption, mismanagement, thieving and fraud has stopped.

Hancke has written several articles about the success of some Eskom projects, and the success of the managers. If only he acknowledged the importance and value of the work of De Ruyter.

Mayasunderam Singh, Umhlatuzana, Durban

Ngema’s darker drama

I refer to your report “Mbongeni Ngema: a giant of SA stage and screen” (December 31). Theatre personalities have been fulsome in their praise of Ngema, who, sadly, became another tragic statistic of our holiday road carnage. Notwithstanding his stature, Ngema’s legacy is sullied by his anti-Indian rant in the early 2000s when he decided to pen xenophobic lyrics to a song denigrating South African Indians.

Ngema was unrepentant about his stereotypical portrayal of Indian employers, who, he alleged, exploited their workers. Abusing his artistic licence, he proclaimed that he was expressing the views of black people. Such a stance was disingenuous, given that Indians were the target of attacks by some blacks in 1949 and 1985.

The greatest figure in world theatre once wrote: “The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.” So be it, Mbongeni Ngema. Harry Sewlall, Parkmore

From dream to nightmare

In the early hours of New Year’s Day, gunmen entered a house in Soshanguve, Block P, and slaughtered four people, including a 14-year-old girl. Politicians and NGOs flocked to the township where the community lives under the sway of criminals, in abject poverty.

For us residents, the dream of 1994 has turned into a brutal nightmare. We have been living under siege for the past 15 years. Weekly funerals of victims of these gangs are attended by young men who brazenly brandish firearms and shoot in the sky, supposedly paying homage to the deceased.

The police show little interest.

Gauteng premier Panyanza Lesufi visited the family and lied about his government’s commitment to deal with this scourge. But every politician knows about the volatile situation in Soshanguve. These are angry young men who have been excluded from the mainstream economy by the elite.

In an area where there is 95% unemployment, what do you expect? Young men are finding false power behind the barrel of a gun, and it is not only false but lethal, as demonstrated by the January 1 massacre.

Yes, the ANC has abandoned the townships, but we can’t just be killing each other. Stop the war and avoid the fate of Haiti, where gangs control 80% of the capital, Port au Prince.

Mishack Junior Nthane, Soshanguve Hogarth strays ‘onkant’

Get a life Hogarth! How on earth can you believe that Tom Curry, the England rugby international, deserves to be one of your mamparas? International sport demands that no quarter is asked, and none given.

Does Hogarth really believe that a young man from the English shires can — in the heat of battle moreover — tell the difference between an Afrikaans observation and the English swearword? He was merely seeking an advantage, no more or less than Bongi Mbonambi would have done. It is called gamesmanship and is common in sport.

Hogarth reveals his own deep prejudice and ignorance. Which surely qualifies him to be declared the mampara.

Ian Hughes, Orchards

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