Professor Andries Jacob Brink, FRCP (London), FACC
(USA), Dr Sc Med, Stellenbosch
29 August 1923 ‒ 17 October 2012
It is with great regret that we announce the death
of our Editor-in-Chief, Prof Andries Brink, former
Dean of the Medical Faculty and Head of Cardiology
at Tygerberg Hospital, University of Stellenbosch
and previously the President of the South African
Medical Research Council.
Prof Brink was among the modern pioneers who brought
South African cardiology to the attention of the
worldwide medical community. He achieved this
through his own original research and later in his
career by creating opportunities for others to
conduct research which enhanced patient care
throughout our Continent.
In South Africa, he was a founder of the Faculty of
Medicine, University of Stellenbosch; first
President of the South African Medical Research
Council and a driving force in establishing the
South African Heart Foundation.
He contributed further to the development and
subsequent success of more than 25 organisations
including the South African Medical and Dental
Council, the South African Council for Scientific
Research (CSIR), the Prime Minister’s Scientific
Advisory Council and the Council of the University
of Stellenbosch.
Prof Brink’s many achievements were recognised by
academic institutions, professional organisations
and societies. These honours included an Honorary
Doctorate from the University of Stellenbosch, the
Havenga Prize from the Suid Afrikaanse Akademie vir
Wetenskap en Kuns, the Claude Leon Harris Merit
Award, the SA Decoration for Meritorious Service and
the Wellcome Trust Gold Medal.
Throughout his career, Prof Brink was a prolific
author of many widely cited scientific papers.
Additionally, he was a passionate believer in the
academic development of Afrikaans as a modern
medical language. After more than two decades of
intense work, this resulted in the publication with
co-workers of the authoritative Woordeboek van
Afrikaanse Geneeskundeterme, which at last provided
healthcare professionals and patients with the
medical terminology which is now commonly used
throughout South Africa.
More recently Prof Brink dedicated himself to
bringing cardiology in Africa to a global audience.
As always he led from the front. In 1990, he founded
the Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa which he
was determined should be “world class”. As a result
of the standards he set, the Journal achieved full
Medline recognition within 10 years. Then, as South
Africa became a member of the African cardiology
community, Prof Brink with the support of the Pan
African Society for Cardiology opened this Journal
to the Continent, creating another unique
contribution to the development of medical education
in Africa.
For nearly seven decades, Prof Brink’s tireless
energy, dedication to scientific excellence and
innovative spirit inspired generations of
cardiologists. This Journal will always be immensely
proud to be one of the unique achievements of this
remarkable man.
The Editors and Editorial Team
18 October 2012