E d i t o r i a l M e s s a g e f r o m t h e P r e s i d e n t o f t h e S o u t h A f r i c a n S o c i e t y o f P h y s i o t h e r a p y T he 75th anniversary o f the South African Society o f Physiotherapy is an achievem ent that the pro­ fession can be proud o f and gives oppor­ tunity to acknow ledge the successes o f the past. H ow ever it is not a time for com placency and the SASP must con­ tinue to m ove forw ard. This is not always easy - Niccolo M achiavelli said “There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction o f a new order o f things” Several years ago the SASP embarked on a restructuring process. One o f the prim e objectives was to de-centralise the activities to the provinces and in many instances this has been extremely successful. The introduction o f an exe­ cutive director was not such a suc­ cessful venture, but as should happen, lessons were learnt and other strengths realised. Tim e has passed and changes in health policy, both within the private and public se c to r have resulted in new roles for the SASP. N egotiation, lobby­ ing, education, quality assurance to name but a few. A longside this, has been the realisation that the organization and sub­ structures cannot work in isolation, nor can they rely on volunteers (however com m itted to maintain the process). It is in this light that we see the next phase o f developm ent o f the SASP. A very exciting one, integrating all our resources and activities which will result in a stronger more effective and efficient professional body. This will require a paradigm shift in thinking for some, who have com partm entalised activities, but the sharing o f ex p ertise can only be beneficial. A new vision for the SA SP is part o f the process. I share it w ith you and com m ents are welcome. SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIETY OF PHYSIOTHERAPY Vision: • T he S o u th A fric a n S o c ie ty o f Physiotherapy is the representative body for the physiotherapy profes­ sion in South A frica. It is dynam ic, professional and innovative, having c red ib ility am ongst its m em bers, health care p ro fessio n als, policy makers and the public. • It is a united body representing all facets o f the profession, and m em ­ bership, both clinically and demogra- phically. It will be proactive and politically influential acting as an advocate for the profession in all aspects. • The SA SP will further develop and maintain the ethical and clinical stan­ dards o f the profession, appropriate to South A frica, w hilst prom oting accessible, affordable and appropriate health care for all. On behalf o f all m em ber countries o f the A frica region o f the World C o n fed eratio n for P hysical T herapy (W CPT-Africa), I w rite to congratulate the South A frica Society o f P hysio­ therapy (SASP) on its 75th anniversary. Indeed, the SASP has grown from the period o f international isolation to a period when it joins other countries in developing the physiotherapy profession on the A frica co ntinent. T his is very evident in the services provided by the official journal o f the association - The South A frican Journal o f Physiotherapy. The journal has moved away from an introspective South African journal to an out-looking African journal, which • It will act as a resource base for phy­ siotherapists, health care providers and policy makers, both at national and international level. Through its efforts, supported by research, physiotherapists will be seen as lead­ ers in the field o f rehabilitation and activ e p articip an ts in education, health prom otion and prevention o f disease and disability, striving for excellence at all times. Michael K am i said - “The very best way to predict the future is to create it” The current m anagem ent structures are endeavouring to create what we see as an ap p ro p riate org an izatio n , in response to the changing needs. I hope that future generations o f physiotherapists will look back and acknowledge our achievem ents. Until then, lets all look towards the future with excitem ent and com m itm ent. ANNA BIZOS receives m anuscripts from d ifferen t countries in Africa. The editorial board is known to have freely assisted some authors in im proving their w riting skills before the manuscripts are accepted for publication. At the moment, the South A frican Journal o f Physiotherapy is the only accredited physiotherapy journal published on the continent. As the chair­ person o f W CPT-Africa, I can categori­ cally state that these services are o f great value for the professional grow th of physiotherapists on the continent. CO N G RA TULATIONS! PROF DELE AMOSUN Chairperson, WCPT-Africa 7 5 Y e a r s o e SASP SA J o u r n a l o f P h y s io t h e r a p y 2000 V o l 56 No 3 3 R ep ro du ce d by S ab in et G at ew ay u nd er li ce nc e gr an te d by th e P ub lis he r (d at ed 2 01 3. )