From the Chairperson’s Desk
Dignity Matters Editorial
- Willem Landman
Before year-end, DignitySA will approach the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria with its assisted dying application
In its Founding Affidavit, DignitySA will ask the motion court to declare the current blanket common-law prohibition of assisted dying unconstitutional and invalid, and to instruct Parliament to write, within 24 months, legislation appropriate for South Africa.
DignitySA’s origins are firmly rooted in a belief that a relatively small minority of dying people voluntarily seek and need compassionate assistance with dying. Sean Davison and I met 15 years ago, and decided that we had to do something to have this end-of-life option legally recognised.
Following the Stransham-Ford cases (2015, 2016) and Dieter Harck’s aborted case (2021), DignitySA assembled a pro-bono legal team in early 2022, comprising four advocates (including two senior counsel) and instructing attorneys.
So, for the past almost four years, the legal team has been preparing court papers in close cooperation with DignitySA. We are blessed with a team of attorneys from Adams & Adams who not only have a firm grasp of the complexities of our application but have managed our appeal with professional commitment and personal conviction.
Without the goodwill of others, we would never have been able to reach this point – several case studies prepared by relatives of people who died in dire circumstances; submissions of the highest quality by 15 foreign experts from six countries on four continents where assisted dying is legal; and South African medical experts.
We were greatly encouraged when our efforts were recognised and supported by eight South African medical professionals, of vast experience and senior standing, supported not only supported the need for legalising assisted dying but also our endeavour to achieve that end.
We would never have embarked on this journey if we doubted that assisted dying could be responsibly institutionalised in the South African healthcare system. Providing ARVs for vast numbers of HIV-positive patients, country-wide and ongoing, was much more challenging.
After the recognition of an array of rights supported by our Constitution, we believe the time for “the last right” has come.
But it will not be an easy or short route. Once DignitySA’s court papers are filed, the court will allow the respondents to file responding affidavits – namely, the Ministers of Justice and Health, the NPA, and the HPCSA.
DignitySA will then have an opportunity to file an answering affidavit, a court date will be set, and arguments will be heard on the documentation alone.
The losing party is sure to appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in Bloemfontein and, in turn, the losing party there is sure to appeal to the Constitutional Court in Braamfontein. Thus, this process could take years even without deliberate delaying tactics by respondents.
Even with a pro-bono team charging a fraction of their normal fees, legal proceedings are a costly and lengthy exercise requiring ongoing funding.
To this end, DignitySA needs all the assistance it can muster. We act in the public interest, a mission explicitly recognised by the Stransham-Ford appeal.
The Exit Interview
Dignity Matters poses some questions to:
Dieter Harck has been a prominent and active advocate for assisted dying in South Africa for almost a decade now. He was diagnosed with slow progressing Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2013 and still enjoys a good quality of life. However, death and dying remain forefront on his mind and when the time comes he is hopeful that our laws will make it possible for him to have a dignified and peaceful ending.
If calories and indigestion were no object, what culinary indulgence would be your last?
Oven-baked crispy whole potato coated in salt with lots of real butter, coarse salt and pepper; fresh garlic accompanied by a juicy lamb chop, or two 😊. Greens will consist of broccoli, cauliflower and roasted carrot and butternut. Cucumber, dill salad in a sweet full cream dressing to accompany the above. The dessert must be an expertly made affogato.
Ideally, how would you like to go?
In half-shade underneath a beautiful tree somewhere in nature and surrounded by my family. As an alternative, at home with my family present.
Imagine your memorial service. What music would be playing? What band or artist would be grateful for the opportunity to perform?
Four Seasons (Vivaldi)
Burial or cremation? If transport, permissions and expense were no problem - where would you like to be buried, or have your ashes scattered?
Cremation, and the ashes scattered in any beautiful spot in nature.
If you could choose one object to be buried or cremated with, what would it be and why?
Naked I was born, and naked I will leave.
If you were to haunt someone after your demise, where would it be and why?
I have no reason and no ambition to haunt anybody.
Who is in your will? And is there anything that you are leaving that may cause a fight?
My family and loved ones. I hope that I have shared fairly and don’t expect any fights.
What do you still need to do before you kick the bucket?
Lots of living and loving!
Finally, is there anything you've secretly wondered about death, but been too polite to ask?
There is no secret for me. Death is like falling asleep… a transition of energy of one to another. What that ‘’other’’ is, I don’t know, but will surely find out??
EXPERT Input
Why People of Diverse Faiths Could Embrace Medically Assisted Dying
Reverend Berry Behr
Global Interfaith Ambassador, Emissaries of Divine Light
When we speak about death, we step into sacred territory. Yet too often, silence surrounds the choices people face at the end of life. Last month, DignitySA invited me to help convene a dialogue on medically assisted dying with interfaith leaders. I welcomed the opportunity—not only because DignitySA will soon be going to court and the issue will be in the public eye, but also because I know that as religious leaders we must be ready to hold these conversations with compassion and clarity.
Gathering for Honest Conversation
Leaders from many traditions accepted the invitation, even though end-of-life issues are often considered contentious. Many admitted they joined because conversations about death and dying rarely happen in families or communities, and they themselves sometimes feel ill-equipped to guide or to connect people with helpful resources. Their willingness to show up with open hearts was deeply encouraging.
To create a safe and respectful space, we chose a World Café format. This allowed participants to move between four small-group tables, each holding a guiding question:
It is important to have conversations like these because…
People of my faith would not embrace medically assisted dying because…
People of faith would embrace medically assisted dying because…
I would like to learn more about…
Insights Shared
While reasons for resistance were predictable—concerns about morality, tradition, or “playing God”—the reasons participants gave for potential acceptance were especially striking. Responses clustered around four strong themes:
1. Compassion and Relief of Suffering
Leaders agreed that no one can fully inhabit the body or soul of another in pain. The most faithful response is to walk alongside with empathy and allow each person to choose the path that brings them peace. As Archbishop Desmond Tutu reminded us: “In refusing dying people the right to die with dignity, we fail to demonstrate the compassion that lies at the heart of Christian values.”
2. Autonomy and Agency
Many spoke of honoring free will, the God-given right to make decisions about one’s own body, and the dignity of discernment. For some, this included practical tools such as advance directives and living wills.
3. Justice and Responsibility
Some linked assisted dying to broader social concerns: preventing unnecessary medical costs, avoiding burdening loved ones, or acknowledging that medicine can sometimes prolong life beyond what a person or family desires. Others saw it as part of healing the social fabric and practicing restorative justice.
4. Faith and the Cycle of Life
Several reminded us that traditions differ: African leaders noted that healers may assist with medicines; Bahá’í participants emphasized consultative clarity; Christians spoke of presence and honoring the wishes of the suffering person. Underneath these differences lie a shared recognition that life is situational, nuanced, and deeply shaped by one’s view of death—whether as something feared or as a gateway to hope.
The Spirit in the Room
Across the tables and in our final checkout, words such as connection, surprise, breakthrough, possibility, collaboration, and collective responsibility echoed. Leaders valued the safe space, the honesty, and the sense that they were not alone in navigating such tender ground.
I left humbled, touched by the quality of servant leadership present, and hopeful that we can continue to hold these courageous conversations.
An Invitation
These dialogues are only a beginning. Let us keep talking—openly, compassionately, and with courage—so that together we may bring dignity and compassion to life’s final chapter.
POPCORN TIME
REVIEW: Blackbird
Reviewed by: Dawid van der Merwe
Rating: ★★★★½
Blackbird – A Poignant Look at Dignified Choices
In the realm of cinema that dares to explore the deeply personal and often challenging topic of end-of-life choices, Blackbird, starring the incomparable Susan Sarandon, stands out as a tender and thought-provoking film. For our "Dignity Matters" readers, this movie offers a compelling lens through which to consider the complexities surrounding a chosen, dignified farewell.
The film centres on Lily (Susan Sarandon), a matriarch who, facing a terminal illness, has made the decision to end her life on her own terms. She gathers her family – her husband, daughters, and their partners and children – for one last weekend together at their beautiful beach house. What unfolds is not a morbid affair, but a rich tapestry of family dynamics, unspoken resentments, profound love, and the raw emotions that surface when faced with such a monumental decision.
Blackbird excels in its sensitive portrayal of a family navigating an intensely emotional period. It doesn't shy away from the difficult conversations, the tears, or even the moments of levity that punctuate such a gathering. Sarandon delivers a powerful and nuanced performance as Lily, embodying both strength and vulnerability as she prepares for her final act of autonomy. The ensemble cast beautifully captures the varied reactions and struggles of those left behind, highlighting how each individual processes grief and acceptance differently.
For those interested in the principles of dying with dignity, Blackbird serves as a poignant exploration of what it means to have agency over one's own death. It prompts viewers to consider the importance of respecting individual choices, the role of compassion in supporting loved ones through this journey, and the enduring power of family bonds, even in the face of profound loss.
Without revealing specific plot points, we can say that Blackbird is a film that encourages dialogue about a subject many find uncomfortable. It reminds us that while death is inevitable, the manner of our dying can be imbued with dignity, love, and personal choice. It’s a film that will resonate deeply and spark important conversations within our community.
Recommendation: Highly recommended for its sensitive handling of end-of-life choices and its powerful performances.
good reads
Review: “Being mortal”
by Atul Gawande
Reviewed by: Dawid van der Merwe
Rating: ★★★★½
Being Mortal – Medicine and What Matters in the End
For the "Dignity Matters" newsletter, we often seek resources that illuminate the complex journey of aging, illness, and dying, always with an eye towards preserving individual autonomy and quality of life. Atul Gawande's profound and deeply empathetic book, Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End, is precisely such a resource – an essential read that challenges conventional approaches to end-of-life care and champions the very dignity we advocate for.
Dr. Gawande, a practising surgeon, brings a unique perspective to this topic. He doesn't just critique the medical system; he delves into the personal stories of patients, families, and medical professionals, including his own, to illustrate how modern medicine, despite its incredible advancements in prolonging life, often falls short in ensuring a good life, especially as we approach our final chapters. He argues that our societal inclination to fight death at all costs can inadvertently lead to prolonged suffering and a diminished quality of life, rather than a dignified end.
The core of Gawande's message resonates powerfully with the mission of DignitySA. He champions the idea that the goal should not simply be a longer life, but a better life – one that prioritises what truly matters to the individual. This includes:
Valuing Quality of Life over Quantity: Gawande eloquently shows how aggressive, often futile, medical interventions can strip individuals of their independence, comfort, and joy in their final days. He advocates for care that focuses on alleviating suffering and enabling people to live as fully as possible for as long as possible, rather than merely existing.
The Importance of Conversation: A recurring theme is the critical need for open, honest, and early conversations between patients, families, and doctors about end-of-life wishes. These discussions, often avoided due to discomfort or fear, are crucial for ensuring that individuals' values and priorities are respected when difficult decisions must be made.
Embracing Palliative Care and Hospice: The book highlights how these approaches, often misunderstood, are not about giving up, but about enhancing comfort and quality of life for those facing serious illness. They are about living well until the very end, with dignity and support.
Assisted Dying as a Choice: When these interventions are no longer appropriate in maintaining a level of dignity and comfort acceptable to some terminally ill patients.
Gawande's writing is remarkable for its clarity, compassion, and intellectual honesty. He weaves together medical history, personal anecdotes, and compelling research to create a narrative that is both informative and deeply moving. He doesn't offer easy answers but encourages a fundamental rethinking of how we approach mortality, urging us to embrace our finitude not as a medical failure, but as an inherent part of the human experience.
For anyone grappling with their own mortality, caring for an aging loved one, or simply seeking a deeper understanding of what it means to live and die with dignity, Being Mortal is an invaluable guide. It empowers us to advocate for choices that honour our values and to redefine what a "good death" truly means. It's a book that will undoubtedly spark meaningful conversations and strengthen our collective commitment to dignified living and dying.
South African Update
There have been encouraging developments as DignitySA has ramped up efforts to promote access to a range of choices at the end of life and foster collaboration with diverse special interest groups in South Africa.
Dignity has gathered robust and compelling evidence from 19 international experts in preparation for the case of assisted dying that we are currently preparing. Respected local medical experts are in the process of providing inputs too and then we will be ready to take the case to court, hopefully before the end of 2025.
Public interest in the relationship between assisted dying and palliative care was ignited with the publication of an article by Leigh Meinert, Operations Manager at DignitySA, in the Daily Maverick in June.
Some doctors responded in the same publication and were interviewed by MIke Wills on Cape Talk about the matter.
Leigh Meinert's subsequent interview with John Maytham on Cape Talk is available here.
To watch the seminar that we held in May that sparked these engagements please visit https://www.youtube.com/@DignitySouthAfrica
DignitySA attended the national Palliative Care Conference that was held in Durban from 18- 21 June and supported the Durban Declaration that was signed at the conference.
Vuya Kabanyane, an Advisory Trustee to DignitySA, was interviewed in a wide-ranging and fascinating for the podasct Still Uncaptured on Advocating for Dignity and Choice. To watch video shorts from this highly engaging interaction, please visit https://www.youtube.com/@DignitySouthAfrica/shorts
Joseph Ramondo, DignitySA's Secretary, was interviewed on PowerFM in June alongside a traditional healer.
Global News Round-Up
In recent months, campaigns to legalize assisted dying have seen significant developments, particularly in the UK and France.
France: In May 2025, the French National Assembly passed a bill allowing some people in the last stages of a terminal illness to access assisted dying. This bill will now move to the Senate before a second reading in the lower house. In parallel, another bill on palliative care was adopted unanimously on the same day.
Scotland: A bill on assisted dying is also being considered in Scotland. It passed an initial vote in May and is awaiting further parliamentary scrutiny.
UK: On June 20 lawmakers approved the bill to allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to choose to end their lives. This marked a significant step towards legalization, with a vote of 314-291 in the House of Commons. The bill now proceeds to the unelected House of Lords for further scrutiny, amendments, or delays, though it cannot be overruled by the lower chamber.
New Zealand: The New Zealand Ministry of Health published its annual report on Assisted Dying in July 2025. Under section 27(7) of the country's End of Life Choice Act, which became effective in 2021, the Registrar (assisted dying) must report on the assisted dying service under section 27(7) of the Act.
Italy: Several recent cases have directed attention and significant debate around physician-assisted suicide in Italy, where currently no effective legislation exists.
More articles from our website
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Poetry Apothecary
Words can be a powerful balm for body and soul. This month, we share “Die Doodsengel” (The Death Angel), a poem in Afrikaans by Aneta Shaw.
Die doodsengel -Aneta Shaw
Mei 2025
Sy klop nie aan die deur nie.
Sy ruk die handvatsel uit
Skop die deur in
En bars die huis binne
Soos ‘n eenman S.W.A.T squad
Met ‘n bodybag oor die skouer
Sy land op jou bors
En vat jou asem met haar heen.
Die doodsengel is vernuftig
Soms swaai sy haar saber of scimitar
In die lug
En met een stroke
kloof sy haar slagoffer middeldeur
Van kop tot tone
Sodat net ‘n halwe person oorbly
sy los sy asem vireers.
Die doodsengel is geduldig
Sy kom soos ‘n dief in die nag
Bekyk jou slapende lyf
En wonder wat kan sy nog vat
Sy het reeds al die nie-essensiele organe uitgepluk
Sy tik jou voorkop met ‘n tevrede grynslaggie
Sy hou van ontsteekte sinusse
Druk teen jou maag met haar lang benerige vingers
En is eweneens tevrede
As ‘n windjie ontsnap
Die een weet nog nie hoe om reg te eet nie
Dan skroef sy jou mooi hande af
En prop ‘n paar gehawende hande in hul plek
Die een sal nie weer ‘n mooi ring kan dra nie
Sy het reeds een knie uitgepluk
En wag vir die volgende
Haar boodskap op die nagtafel lees
“ek kom weer”
Sy doen ‘n vinnige skandering van die brein
Alle liggies brand deurmekaar en paniekerig
in die sentrum wat verlore goedere moet opspoor
maar die geheuesentrum toon min aktiwiteit.
Die doodsengel het Lene saggies weggeneem
Daar waar sy in haar hospitaalbed gele het
Was sy reeds tussen hier en daar
Het sy moeisaam teruggekom
Om diep in my oe te kyk
En my te groet
“Ek dink my tyd het gekom”
Ja, knik ek.
“Ek dink ek moet dit aanvaar”
Ja, knik ek weer.
En skielik moet sy dringend toilet toe gaan.
Die laaste keer.
Ek het heelnag saam met haar gewag,
In my bed en
Net voor sonop het ‘n skare engele
Haar kom haal.
En Johann bel my uit die Karoo
met die nuus
Maar ek het reeds geweet
Ek hoor nog haar laggie
Haar lakoniese opmerkings
Wat alles in plek laat val
Maar ek is bly haar lyding is verby.
𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝
For many of us with degenerative illnesses like Parkinson’s, MND, ALS, or advanced cancer, the worst suffering isn’t always physical pain. Medicine can dull pain. It cannot dull the terror of watching yourself disappear piece by piece.