Dear Colleagues, Just Two Weeks to Go – The Countdown to Congress is On! We’re brimming with excitement as the 2025 Congress draws near! This year’s programme offers an impressive 29 CPD clinical points and 10 ethics points – with ethics points thoughtfully spread over three of the four days, so everyone has a chance to earn them. From thought-provoking keynote lectures to nine skills-sharpening workshops, there’s something for every orthopaedic surgeon. Highlights include:
• GT du Toit Lecture – Prof Ramokgopa explores “Orthopaedic Surgery in Our Changing World – The Challenges Ahead.”
• FP Fouché Lecture – Dr Tornetta challenges our thinking with “Question Everything.”
• SAFOSS Ethics Session – “The Ortho Hustle: Overworking – But at What Cost?” Earn three ethics points when you join both SAFOSS sessions.
• JJ Craig Lecture – Dr Mosca on managing the painful adolescent flat foot.
• Carousel Session – Discussion time: “Surgeon Safety and Competence – Should We Apply Aviation Checks to Surgical Practice?”
• POPIA & Professionalism – Mark le Roux (MPS) shares crucial advice in “Professionalism and Posting: Managing Public Interactions and Patient Data.”
• Artificial Intelligence in Orthopaedics – Dr Stephen Smith and Dr Sven Strydom unpack the promise (and challenges) of AI in surgical practice.
• Mentoring session – this year we want an interactive session of senior surgeons sharing their pearls of wisdom with younger surgeons. Bring the questions you want answered! (submit during the Registration process)
• Closing Medicolegal Session – Mediation, robotics, and the fine print that shapes our practice.
Of course, it’s not all lectures and learning – there’s plenty of time to connect and recharge:
• Networking Function – Monday night: mingle with colleagues and old friends.
• Padel Evening – Tuesday night: hit the court, share a laugh, and work up a sweat. Sign up during registration! And don’t forget: the AGM takes place on Tuesday at 12:00. Please read the Annual Report beforehand and be part of shaping the SAOA’s future – your voice matters, and your participation makes our association stronger.
We are stronger together. It’s shaping up to be an unforgettable Congress – see you there!
Odette Koch
President SAOA 2024 – 2025
Mari Thiart
Congress Chairperson
Please click here to read the final delegate announcement
Click here view the programme, congress information and to register
