Dear Colleagues

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the 2026 Conference of the South African Association for Health Educationalists (SAAHE). Our theme for 2026 is ‘Unravelling the future of Health Professions Education’. We are delighted to host this gathering in the beautiful and historic setting of Stellenbosch, nestled in the heart of the Cape Winelands.

As we bring the year 2025 to a close, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment in health professions education (HPE) across Africa. The challenges and opportunities facing our healthcare systems demand that we continuously reflect on how we prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals. The SAAHE 2026 conference will provide us with a vital platform to share innovations, challenge assumptions, and build collaborative networks that will both unravel and shape the future of HPE on our continent and beyond.

Our conference program promises to be both intellectually rigorous and practically relevant, featuring keynote addresses from leading voices in HPE, interactive workshops, research presentations, poster presentations and opportunities for collaborative dialogue. Topics include empathy-driven innovation and practice, interprofessional and collaborative practice, global and local trends shaping HPE, future-ready graduates and learning environments, and equity, access and social accountability.

Whether you are a seasoned educator, an emerging researcher, a clinician, a clinical teacher, or a student interested in educational scholarship, your voice and perspective are essential to our shared mission of creating a community of practitioners to elevate HPE and ultimately contribute to improved health outcomes for the populations we serve.

We look forward to welcoming you to Stellenbosch in 2026!

Kindest Regards,

Rhoda Meyer

Conference Chair: SAAHE 2026 Organising Committee