About

Our History and Activities

Our Founder Members - Dr Ebrahim Mahomed and Prof Zhang Yi – with a group of enthusiastic practitioners during their 2011 China tour.

A trip to China in 2011 inspired Dr Ebrahim Mahomed and Prof Zhang Yi to lay the foundation of a dynamic professional association for practitioners of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture in South Africa – an association that would not only bond local practitioners but also connect the profession to international associations and expertise.

In preparation for the launch meeting of the SA Association of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture (SAACMA), Dr Mahomed took the initiative to form a Working Committee in Gauteng. The vision: to promote TCM by striving to serve and be transparent, practice ethically and lobby support from Council and Government. The Working Committee contacted the AHPCSA Registrar stating their intent, drew up a draft Constitution, had a logo designed and became a co-host for an international conference in Cape Town on 24 and 25 March 2012 - organised by Prof Zhang Yi and the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS). About 25 practitioners attended the launch meeting in Johannesburg on 27 November 2011.

The Association applied for WFCMS membership in March 2012 and in March 2014 SAACMA hosted its second international Conference, presented by WFCMS in Cape Town.

SAACMA Branches were also established in Cape Town and KZN.

Since the introduction of CPD, SAACMA has been a major supplier of CPD events. Apart from seminars and conferences in Gauteng, Cape Town and KZN, SAACMA has offered online events such as Webinars and Case Studies - accessible to all members via the internet.

Strengthening our international ties, SAACMA became a member of the World Federation of
Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) in April 2017.

SAACMA has been and will be very active in offering its members opportunities to expand their awareness, raise their skills and become professionally more empowered.