Charles Macafee: South African Diary, volume 1

This volume takes the form of a diary following the itinerary of Professor Macafee on his visit to southern Africa as the RCOG Sims Black Travelling Professor. It covers his visits to Livingstone, Salisbury and Buliwayo in Rhodesia and to Pretoria and Johannesburg in South Africa. In addition to the official programmes of his visit to each city the contents include details of surgical procedures performed and candid observations on subjects including medical policy, standards and funding, the differences between medical facilities for European and Non-European patients, and the contrasts between the lifestyle of ex-patriate doctors and their families compared to that of the indigenous population. Items attached include black and white photographs, colour photographs and illustrations, press cuttings and correspondence from other rmedical professionals together with loose items comprising an undated handwritten list of the names of people he met, a Christmas 'round robin' sent to his son Jeremy by Professor Te Groen (1999) and a letter from his son Jeremy to Mark Charnock (3rd March 2001) requesting clarification on certain points and persons mentioned in the diaries.

In 1951 Sir Arthur Sims, a New Zealand businessman, endowed the Sims Black Travelling Professorship at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in the names of his wife Lady Sims and his daughter Mrs Lewis Black, both of whom were committed to its aims.

It was set up to fund overseas travel within the Commonwealth in order to assist the advancement of obstetrics and gynaecology through lecturing, teaching, investigating or engaging in research and to further the exchange of knowledge between medical practitioners in different countries.

Open to researchers by appointment, Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm. mailto: archives@rcog.org.uk

Volume in good condition but tape affixing illustrative items is deteriorating

Copyright is vested in the estate of Charles Horner Greer Macafee

Reproductions are available at the discretion of the College Archivist