In the autumn of 2025, we in the class of 1975 celebrated our 50th medical reunion. Monday, 31 March, was our Golden Graduation. On Tuesday, 1 April, our classmate Michael Hayden received an honorary doctorate, and from Wednesday to Friday we had our reunion activities.  

Our class has celebrated its 20th, 30th and 40th reunions, but this one was most significant.

We know that many of us, previously disenfranchised, have not wanted to attend reunions at UCT because our experiences at UCT were so traumatic. Our class has tried to overcome this over the years because we know that healing is necessary at all levels and in all ways. We are sharing our reunion experience so that it may help other classes to heal and be able to embrace our alma mater as their own. 

On Wednesday, 2 April, we were welcomed by the dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Associate Professor Lionel Green-Thompson, at our registration lunch. He told us about his Valuing our Stories initiative and encouraged us to participate in it as a process of healing. He reminded us of the greeting ‘Sawubona’, which means ‘I see you.’

— Dr Zuleiga 'Julie' Jaffer, class of 1975 alum