In Memoriam – Eddie Mhlanga: a doctor and a friend with the biggest smile and the warmest heart in the world

by Marge Berer
ICWRSA Newsletter
11 February 2022

It is with great sadness that we report that Eddie Mhlanga, professor, policymaker, obstetrician-gynaecologist, abortion provider, passionate advocate for public health and women’s health and rights, and much loved colleague, died on 5 February 2022 after a short illness. He was only age 68. 

Here are some excerpts from published articles by and about him, about his professional life and his enormous contributions to women’s health care in South Africa. 

Continued: https://mailchi.mp/safeabortionwomensright/11-feb-2022?e=372dd34034


The shade of the baobab is no more — sleep well, beloved Prof Eddie Ronald Mhlanga

By Tlaleng Mofokeng
10 Feb 2022

There has been an outpouring of tributes and messages of gratitude from across the world and from the many colleagues and communities in South Africa and abroad for Professor Eddie Mhlanga’s life. He was a man of the people. Like a baobab tree, he offered shade from our harsh realities and rooted us in something way bigger than ourselves.

I experienced a deep loss on 5 February 2022,
when Professor Eddie Mhlanga, a friend, mentor and teacher, passed away. This
deep loss is felt by so many people: his family, whom we pray for, the medical
community and many patients who have interacted with him. I have had the
privilege of listening to him as a teacher, being comforted by him as a mentor
and laughing with him as a friend for many years.

Continued: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-02-10-the-shade-of-the-baobab-is-no-more-sleep-well-beloved-prof-eddie-ronald-mhlanga/


South Africa – Call to remove stigma surrounding abortions for safe, legal procedure

By Goitsemang Tlhabye
Oct 1, 2021

Pretoria - Healthcare stakeholders have called on communities to rid themselves of the stigma that has continued to inhibit women’s access to safe and legal abortions.

Abortion consultant with Ipas South Africa, Dr Makgoale Magwentshu, also a senior capacity-building and policy adviser for sexual and reproductive health, said the stigma surrounding abortions had continued to act as a barrier to ensuring women had access to safe and legal abortions.

Continued: https://www.iol.co.za/pretoria-news/news/call-to-remove-stigma-surrounding-abortions-for-safe-legal-procedure-19e8b3e1-32f5-4495-925d-464cc3f282cb


South Africa: #sliceoflife – ‘I Opened Her Up and Found Her Womb Was Rotten From the Infection’

South Africa: #sliceoflife - 'I Opened Her Up and Found Her Womb Was Rotten From the Infection'

28 September 2018
By Laura Lopez Gonzalez

Obstetrician Eddie Mhlanga often had to attend to women who had unsafe abortions during apartheid, when abortion was illegal in South Africa.

I had a colleague who went and obtained an illegal abortion. I was the one who admitted her [after the procedure went wrong]. I promised her at 12 midday on a Thursday that I would see her at 2 o'clock in theatre. That was the last time I spoke to her because, at half-past one, she collapsed. She had been bleeding heavily and been in a lot of pain. When they called me to come to the theatre, she was already under anaesthetic.

Continued: https://allafrica.com/stories/201809280059.html


South Africa: 9 Things That Will Change the Way You Look At Abortion

Africa: 9 Things That Will Change the Way You Look At Abortion

March 1, 2018

Everyone's got an opinion on it but can we say the same about the facts?

Abortion has been legal in South Africa for more than 20 years. So why do women continue to flock to illegal abortionists and put their lives in their hands? The answer is probably more complex than you've been led to believe because even in the 21st century, we're still not talking about terminations

Continued: http://allafrica.com/stories/201803010153.html


The Discussion on Conscientious Objection

The Discussion on Conscientious Objection

Posted on August 10, 2017 by Nomtika

All roads led to Uruguay last week, between July 31st and August 4th, as 5 SRJC members took to Montevideo for the International Convention on Conscientious Objection.

The meeting, co-hosted by Mujer y Salud en Uruguay (MYSU) and the International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC), featured policymakers, academics, health professionals, legal experts, and feminist activists who collectively established that objecting to the provision of voluntary abortion services on religious or moral grounds, is a chief barrier to safe abortion and endangers the lives of women.

Continued at source: Sexual and Reproductive Justice Coalition: http://srjc.org.za/2017/08/10/the-discussion-on-conscientious-objection/