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‘Dr D’arcy’s life and career have been a testament to resilience, excellence and an unwavering commitment to making a difference.’
By FARID SAYED
Sixty-two years after graduating as a medical doctor at University of Cape Town, Dr Mohammed Cassiem D’arcy returned to be conferred with an honorary Doctor of Medicine degree.
On Tuesday, September 9, family, friends, members of the UCT medical school staff and convocation gathered in the Sarah Baartman Hall (formerly Jameson Hall) and heard about the challenges that Dr D’arcy had to overcome to pursue and complete his degree.
https://x.com/UCT_news/status/1965335438241226990
In its citation, UCT noted that the DMed (honoris causa) was being awarded to Dr D’arcy in recognition of his determination in ‘overcoming racial discrimination’ and for his contribution to ‘groundbreaking research in pathology, educating the next generation and serving his community’. It added that his service extended ‘to his cross-disciplinary writings and work in the arts’.
For over 30 years Muslim Views provided the platform for Dr D’arcy, through his ‘Arts for All’ column, to connect the community to its arts’ legacy. His engaging style of writing drew readers into the richness of art as a medium of expression.
Dr D’arcy’s experience as a student at UCT was recorded in a research study by Professors Gonda Perez and Leslie London of 75 black students at UCT’s medical school between 1945 and 1994. The survey revealed that black students experienced widespread racial discrimination. The quality of their training, the respondents declared, was adversely affected by the Apartheid regime’s racially discriminatory measures which UCT enforced, particularly on the medical campus.
As a black student, Dr D’arcy was denied access to white patients in wards and, until 1985, black students were required to sign a declaration agreeing to excuse themselves from classes where white patients were present.
Dr D’arcy did not only experience discrimination as a student at UCT but the institution also denied him a teaching post after he had specialised.
In some respects, the conferment of the honorary degree – which is a rare honour – was an act of reconciliation, and an apology in some form, by UCT.
Dr D’arcy attended Alexander Sinton High School until 1955 and was focussed on becoming a teacher. After his father persuaded him to consider medicine as a career, he enrolled at Harold Cressy High where he matriculated in 1957.
Dr D’arcy completed his medical degree at UCT in 1963, and because of limited opportunities in Apartheid South Africa for him – as a black graduate – to pursue his chosen speciality, pathology, he took up residency in that discipline in North America.
According to UCT’s citation, ‘this experience ignited his passion for the field, particularly in the emerging area of electron microscopy and neuropathology.
‘In 1968, Dr D’arcy was appointed senior registrar in the Department of Surgical Pathology at the prestigious Barnes Hospital, part of Washington University. He worked under Professor Lauren Ackerman, one of the foremost experts in the field, and conducted significant research on kernicterus, a serious complication of untreated jaundice in babies.’
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He declined several offers to remain abroad, instead choosing to return home to teach and practice pathology.
The citation continues: ‘Dr D’arcy’s hopes were dashed when he was denied the opportunity to utilise his expertise in electron microscopy and surgical pathology in a teaching position at UCT. He went on to establish a general medical practice in Cape Town, serving disadvantaged communities in Gleemoor and Lansdowne between 1970 and 2000. Over this 30-year period, he provided access to world class medical attention, and selfless and compassionate service and assistance to the deeply disadvantaged communities he served. In addition to his general practice, Dr D’arcy also worked at a local day hospital and provided clinic services in Langa, a predominantly black area where labourers were often separated from their families under apartheid law.’
The Gleemoor and Lansdowne surgeries also served as emergency treatment centres during the uprisings in the seventies and eighties. Students who were injured by Apartheid police who attacked peaceful demonstrators with live ammunition were brought to his rooms to avoid arrest at government clinics and hospitals where police often waited to pounce.
One incident that he vividly recalls was when, during the 1985 uprising, the late Nabil Swart, a teacher at Alexander Sinton, brought a student to his house in Penlyn Estate, Athlone for treatment.
‘Working with whatever instruments I had at home, I remember painstakingly removing almost 50 birdshot pellets from this young man.’
When he retired from general practice at the end of 2000, Dr D’arcy was able to pursue his initial passion – teaching.
He was a part-time lecturer in anatomical pathology at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) Dental Faculty.
The citation describes Dr D’arcy as ‘an avid educator, who believed in the power of knowledge and hands-on experience. His impact extended beyond medical students to dental hygienists and alternative medicine students, further cementing his legacy as an educator.’
Beyond his medical career, Dr D’arcy ‘made significant contributions to South African arts and culture. He was a prolific writer, publishing short stories that were used as set works in South African schools.’
His column in Muslim Views explored arts, culture, and history.
‘He also contributed to South Africa’s national heritage policy by helping draft documents for United Nations ratification,’ according to the UCT citation. ‘His artistic pursuits extended to visual art as well, with his paintings being exhibited in the Iziko National Art Gallery in Cape Town and the National Art Gallery of Malaysia.’
The citation concluded: ‘In sum, Dr D’arcy’s life and career have been a testament to resilience, excellence and an unwavering commitment to making a difference. His pursuits, accomplishments and intellectual offerings define a life dedicated to the betterment and growth of our society.’
