We are thrilled to invite you to the 3rd South African Congress of Oncology (SACO), which will take place from 12–14 September 2025 at the prestigious Sandton Convention Centre (SCC) in Johannesburg. Ahead of the main event, pre-congress workshops will be held on 11 September 2025, focusing on gynaecology brachytherapy, stereotactic body radiotherapy, and palliative care. These radiotherapy workshops are designed to engage oncologists, medical physicists, and radiotherapists, and we warmly encourage colleagues from all disciplines to participate.

SACO 2025 is a collaborative effort uniting a diverse range of professional societies, including Clinical and Radiation Oncologists, Paediatric Oncologists, Gynaecologic Oncologists, Palliative Care Practitioners, Medical Physicists, Radiotherapists, Pharmacists, Oncology Nurses, and Oncology Social Workers. –

We are also honoured to collaborate with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), who will bring renowned international specialists to share their expertise, offering invaluable insights to our community. In addition, we are delighted to welcome the Radiological Society of South Africa (RSSA), returning after their highly successful participation in our previous meeting. Their involvement will further enrich our program through combined sessions that benefit all societies. Together, we aim to advance our collective knowledge, experience, and expertise to enhance the quality of cancer care for our patients.

The Sandton Convention Centre, located in the vibrant heart of Gauteng, offers world-class facilities that cater to the needs of delegates, sponsors, and exhibitors alike. The Congress program will feature multiple parallel scientific sessions, plenary discussions, and preferred papers, selected for their outstanding academic merit. These sessions will address cutting-edge education and research with a particular emphasis on relevance to the Southern African context.

To celebrate and recognize excellence, we will present:

Awards for the best registrar/fellow presentations.

A prize for the best poster presentation.

Awards for the best contributions from allied health groups not hosting separate primary conferences.

A highlight of SACO 2025 will be the delivery of the third “Archbishop Desmond Tutu Distinguished Lecture” by the esteemed Prof. Mike Sathekge.

With an engaging agenda and unparalleled opportunities for collaboration, SACO 2025 promises to be an informative and inspiring experience. We eagerly anticipate welcoming you to Johannesburg and the Sandton Convention Centre for this landmark event in Oncology.

Warm regards,

Dr Sheynaz Bassa
SACO Chair

Prof Nomonde Mbatani (SASGO)
Prof Gita Naidu (SAAPHO)
Dr Serwalo Ramagaga (SAHNOS) TBC
Dr Paul Scholtz (RSSA)
Dr Margie Venter (PALPRAC)
Ms Petra Fördelmann (Nursing Programme Coordinator)
Dr Welly den Hollander (SAOSWF)
Ms Carien van der Merwe (SASOPh)
Mr Kyle Kotze (University of Pretoria) & Mrs Rene Botha (Radiation Therapists)
Mrs Nanette Joubert (SAAPMB)

SACO 2025 will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg.
Sandton Convention Centre is South Africa’s leading event venue, offering prestigious multi-use event spaces and venues in the financial hub of Johannesburg.
Conveniently located in the vibrant business district of Sandton in northern Johannesburg and within easy reach of the Gautrain and O R Tambo International Airport, the Sandton Convention Centre is flanked by a number of leading hotels, sophisticated shopping centres and entertainment complexes.

Organisational & administrative aspects
Exhibitions & sponsorships

R K Communication

(Only enquiries relating to the contents of the academic programme):

CHAIR OF SACO COMMITTEE (SASCRO)
Dr Sheynaz Bassa
Tel: +27 (0) 12 664 1019
E-mail: sheynaz.bassa@up.ac.za
Website: https://sascro.org/

SOUTH AFRICAN ASSOCIATION OF PAEDIATRIC HAEMATOLOGY ONCOLOGY (SAAPHO)
Prof Gita Naidu
Tel: +27 (0) 11 933 9055
E-mail: gita.naidu@wits.ac.za

GYNAECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY (SASGO)
Prof Nomonde Mbatani
E-mail: nomonde.mbatani@uct.ac.za
Website: sasgoweb.wordpress.com

RADIOLOGY SOCIETY SOUTH AFRICAN (RSSA)
Dr Paul Scholtz
Tel: +27(0) 82 871 6705
E-mail: paul.scholtz@morton.co.za
Website:   www.rssa.co.za

PALLIATIVE CARE PRACTITIONERS (PALPRAC)
Dr Margie Venter
Tel: +27 (0) 64 792 4871
E-mail: margie.venter@palprac.org
Website: www.palprac.org

RADIATION THERAPISTS
Mr Kyle Kotze
E-mail: kylekotze1@gmail.com

ONCOLOGY NURSES (NONSA)
Ms Petra Fördelmann
Tel: +27 (0) 21 982 8972 944 3700
E-mail: petra@creativewellness.co.za

PSYCHO-SOCIAL (SAOSWF)
Dr Welly den Hollander
Tel: +27 (0) 79 872 6408
E-mail: wellydenholl@gmail.com
Website: www.saoswf.org.za

ONCOLOGY PHARMACISTS (SASOPh)
Ms Carien van der Merwe
Tel: +27 (0) 82 555 7467
E-mail: carien@digitalsky.co.za
Website: www.sasoph.org.za

PHYSICISTS IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY (SAAPMB)
Mrs Nanette Joubert
Tel: 021 404 6240 / 6266
E-mail: nanette.joubert@uct.ac.za
Website: https://www.saapmb.net/