ABOUT US

About DIGNITYSA

The registered Non-Profit Organisation DignitySA was founded as a consequence of Professor Sean Davison’s arrest in New Zealand in September 2010 on an attempted murder charge. In a leaked book manuscript, he admitted to giving his terminally ill mother Patricia Ferguson, 85, a lethal dose of morphine. During his High Court jury trial, Davison was cleared of attempted murder after agreeing to plead guilty to a lesser charge of assisted suicide, for which he was sentenced to a five-month house arrest.

On his return to South Africa, Professors Sean Davison and Willem Landman officially founded DignitySA.

Meet the leadership

Our vision

A South Africa that recognises the constitutional right of individuals to choose medical assistance in dying that is ethical and appropriate for their circumstances.

Our mission

  • Persuade the High Court to decriminalise assisted dying – physician-assisted suicide and physician-administered euthanasia – by removing the current general common-law prohibition;

  • Persuade the High Court to instruct Parliament to legalise and regulate assisted dying; and

  • Serve as a resource for anyone seeking a dignified death.

“He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother.”
— Neil Diamond

WE VALUE

  • DIGNITY - We HONOUR AND RESPECT the dignity and worth of all SOUTH AFRICANS.

  • FREEDOM OF CHOICE - We work to create a future in which all SOUTH Africans have the freedom to make their own end-of-life decisions.

  • TRUST - We build trust by being open, protecting patient privacy, keeping our promises to supporters, and sharing accurate information with the public.

  • FINANCIAL STABILITY - We ACCEPT ACCOUNTABILITY FOR the resources ENTRUSTED to us by donors AND WILL MANAGE IT RESPONSIBLY to ensure our organization's long-term VIABILITY.

  • MORAL COURAGE - We stand TALL for the fundamental human right of individuals with terminal illnesses to decide how they die.

  • DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION - We celebrate and welcome diverse perspectives in our movement and workplace, making sure everyone feels valued and included.