Society of Radiographers of South Africa (SORSA)

The Society of Radiographers of South Africa is a non-profit professional association with voluntary membership. It represents radiographers in all four radiographic categories viz Diagnostic, Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy and Ultrasound. It is open to all radiographers, student radiographers and supplementary diagnostic radiographers who are registerable with the HPCSA, as well as organisations and institutions with a direct interest in the profession of radiography. The Society is regionally represented in all the large centres in South Africa and is a member country of the International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists (ISRRT).

Vision
To be nationally and internationally recognized as the Professional Association representing radiographers in South Africa, in order to enhance the respect and credibility of the profession by the public and professional communities served by radiographers.

Mission
The Society of Radiographers of South Africa strives to maintain and improve existing services based on the objectives of the Constitution of the Society and to readily adapt to changes that impact on the training and development of health care services at national and international levels.

History
In 1951, the Society of Radiographers of South Africa (SORSA) was founded by Ms May W Tompkins; a pioneer in radiography training and practice in South Africa. She spent the major part of her career as tutor at the training school for radiographers at the Johannesburg General Hospital and on her retirement was the founding tutor at Coronation Hospital. During her distinguished career, she served as chairman of the Society for a period of ten years from 1951 to 1961 and then again from 1963 to 1974 (the term, ‘President’ was adopted in 1975).

The gold and diamond brooch now worn by the president as the president’s badge was initially presented to May Tompkins for her services to radiography and she left it to the Society. When she died, her solicitors apparently asked for the brooch but being the good secretary that Evelyn was, she had kept the letter in which May Tompkins had told of her intentions and she (Evelyn Tyrer) was able to send the solicitors a copy.

The main focus of the Society in the early years was to do with radiography training. South Africa followed the British model where their Society was the examining body. In the early years of training all students wrote the British Society of Radiographers exams. It was only after about ten years that an examination was finally offered by the South African Department of National Education. In 1977 this function was taken over by the tertiary institutions such as the technikons and some universities.