Outreach: Operation Thembakazi

The Sports Science Institute of South Africa facilitates the offering of one free operation per month to talented athletes who would not otherwise be able to afford this service.

The service is offered by the combined contribution of a number of service providers operating from the Sports Science Institute of South Africa and through the goodwill of LifeCare Vincent Pallotti Hospital.

The surgical scope of the programme presently covers orthopedic sports injuries. The operation is conducted at Vincent Pallotti Hospital, Pinelands, Cape Town. All hospital costs are covered, however any requirements either before or after the operation will not be covered. This will include transport to and from the hospital.

Selection Criteria

This service is made available to talented athletes who would not have the means to otherwise pay for such an operation, thus ending their sporting career potential. During the process of consideration the following criteria will be applied as a guideline:

• The average income of the individual should be less than R4500 per month.
• The average family income if individual is under 21 or living at home is less than R8000 per month.
• The individual is over 16 years of age.
• The application must be accompanied by a letter of motivation from the federation.
• The required medical procedure merits consideration.
• The athlete has been identified as having sporting potential.

Selection Process

All potential candidates will be required to complete an application form. On meeting the abovementioned criteria, or exception being justified, potential candidates will be invited for a consultation with the orthopedic surgeon. The final decision is solely the discretion of the orthopedic surgeon. All standard administrative procedures must be adhered to.

Contact: Malibongwe at 021-6595637 or malibongwe@ssisa.com