ABOUT US
The Transplant Games Association of South Africa (TGASA) was established in April 1994 by a small group of organ recipients who felt the need for an organization that would promote an active lifestyle and an involvement in various sporting activities to transplant recipients.
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These goals have been pursued ever since and a South African Team has been to every World Transplant Games since 1995. In September2006 the Associations name was changed to South African Transplant Sports Association (SATSA) and a new Constitution adopted.
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SATSA is a member of the World Transplant Games Federation and is recognised by the Department of Sport and Recreation in South Africa, is a non-profit organization and are exempt from paying income tax (Fund- raising (NPO) No: 004-595).
SATSA is an Affiliated Member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC).
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SATSA has established Regional Structures in the following Provinces:
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Eastern Cape
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Gauteng – also include the North West, Free State, Mpumalanga & Limpopo provinces
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KwaZulu-Natal
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Western Cape
SATSA’S VISION
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Our vision as a purpose driven sports organisation, is to be a leader in optimising the quality of life of organ transplant recipients, and through sports and other physical activities, promote organ donation and transplantation.
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SATSA’S OBJECTIVES
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To demonstrate the improved quality of life following transplantation through participation in sports activities – National & World Transplant Games
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To facilitate the participation of persons from previously disadvantaged communities, in the activities of SATSA;
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To show recipients’ gratitude towards and recognition of living donors and families of deceased donors;
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To promote awareness, educate and inform the general public with regard to the need for organ and tissue donation and transplantation and;
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To facilitate co-operation between persons and organisations concerned with and involved in organ donation and transplantation like the Organ Donor Foundation Patient Support Groups
EASTERN CAPE TRANSPLANT SPORTS ASSOCIATION (ECTSA)
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The ECTSA was established on 5th March 2015 as an official Region of SATSA and also embraces the same vision and objectives as SATSA.
Although we are a small Region with regard to active athletes, they exhibit the true “Frontier” spirit!
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Five athletes (all kidney recipients) qualified and was included in the SA National Team that participated in the World Transplant Games in Malaga, Spain during June & July 2017. These athletes came back with 4 gold medals and 2 silver medals.
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TRANSPLANTATION IN SOUTH AFRICA
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Although South Africa has a rich transplantation history, the current transplantation rate is 7.82pmp and the donor per million population rate is only 1.7pmp. There is a significant difference in organ donation within South Africa: African 13%, Coloured 16%, White 69% and Indian 2%. Religious objections account for a very low percentage of lost donors, and interpreters assist with language barriers. Black South Africans are reluctant to give consent for donation due to fear that body tampering might bring them in disfavor with their ancestors. Organ donation and transplantation are also not supported by traditional health care practitioners. The impact of these cultural practices has had a significant negative effect on organ donation rates in South Africa.
We believe that, not only will the hosting of the National Transplant Games in Port Elizabeth be a wonderful opportunity for all the participants and supporters to experience the hospitality and diversity existing in Port Elizabeth and the Eastern Cape Province, BUT it will also assist in:
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demonstrating how sport can promote the health of transplant recipients;
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educating the public with regard to organ donation and transplantation and through that address cultural views and practices and increase the currently low transplantation rate.
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promoting sports tourism in Port Elizabeth;
