Press Statement: TAC mourns the passing of Professor Hoosen Mohamed ‘Jerry’ Coovadia
Johannesburg, 04 October 2023 — The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) joins the country and the world in mourning the passing of Prof. Hoosen ‘Jerry’ Coovadia at the age of 83.
Professor Coovadia was a giant of medicine in South Africa, an independent thinker and a devoted leftist. The anti-apartheid veteran broke through the barriers of racist rule to establish himself as a top paediatrician and then became an international authority on HIV/AIDS, especially mother-to-child transmission. He incurred the wrath of Thabo Mbeki’s denialist government by insisting on scientific integrity and campaigning for the rollout of antiretroviral therapy.
He also nurtured a generation of medical students.
Speaking to Spotlight in 2021, he said “Mbeki was just hopelessly, hopelessly wrong. It was just ridiculous what they were saying. Which was puzzling, as Thabo Mbeki is an intelligent man. Manto, she was a pain in the neck. A ridiculously ignorant person.”
Tributes from TAC activists poured in, with Sibongile Tshabalala, the TAC National Chairperson saying “Prof Jerry fearlessly opposed AIDS denialism in South Africa. As a person living openly with HIV, I am one of the many people whose life was positively influenced by him. The country has lost a true leader, a hero of the HIV/AIDS struggle.”
Anele Yawa, the General Secretary said, “Prof Coovadia has been a comrade we have walked many tough kilometres with. May his soul rest in power. His contribution to the struggle of saving lives will be recorded in the history books of our struggle. We owe it to him and everyone else to continue to fight against new infections, for access to quality medicines and to build a more equitable health system.”
Mark Heywood, a TAC co-founder described him as “a person true to his principles and his science throughout his life. He was also a great mentor to a generation of doctors and paediatricians. Stood up to Thabo Mbeki and Manto Tshabalala-Msimang when it wasn’t fashionable to oppose them. His passing is very sad.”
Monwabisi Sidwell, our Gauteng Provincial Chairperson wrote “we will forever be inspired by cde. Coovadia’s militancy and his consistency in the struggle for social justice. His willingness to challenge the powerful administration of Thabo Mbeki in particular was an act worthy to be celebrated.”
Moses Makhomisani, the TAC National Organiser said “I remember my first Prevention and Treatment Literacy (PTL) training with him that sparked the fire in me and created an uncontrolled thirst for more science knowledge about HIV and TB treatment and prevention. He was a great Man indeed. May his soul rest in peace.”
In this critical time, we urge duty bearers to remember Prof. Coovadia’s hopes for an equitable health system for all and ensure that universal health coverage is truly achieved. Lala ngokuthula Professor Coovadia.
Our deepest condolences to his family and his many colleagues and friends who will all miss him dearly.
For media requests, please contact: Xabisa Qwabe | Communication & Media Coordinator | +27 76 850 6736 | xabisa.qwabe@tac.org.za
