IFAASA, the Infertility Awareness Association of South Africa NPC, established in 2013, is a non-profit organisation with the aim of supporting Southern Africans living with reproductive health issues through education, research and advocacy, and to educate the public about reproductive disease.
Southern Africa has never had an infertility awareness association. Statistics show that one in six couples suffer from some form of infertility. Yet the general public, numerous medical practitioners, and many infertiles themselves are unacquainted with and ignorant of the journey infertiles follow in their quest to achieve their families. Our vision is to be the leading Southern African infertility awareness association while also driving public and industry awareness and understanding of infertility. We will act on behalf of the infertility community as advocates by lobbying for fair support and change and equal access to public and private sector treatment.
IFAASA will not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, creed, colour, national origin, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, disability or any other classification protected by law.
OUR VALUES
- Honesty and Trust
- Integrity and Respect
- Service excellence and expertise
- Approachable and transparent
- Passionate and courageous
- Collaboration with our Community
We intend to break the silence for those suffering from infertility by supporting Southern Africans living with reproductive health issues through education and advocacy, and by educating the public about reproductive diseases.
OUR HISTORY
In February 2011, a submission was made to the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) to place on record that the majority of medical aids in South Africa are not affording Infertility the cover that it is due. This submission included a petition with nearly 500 signatures. On the 20th June 2013, representatives from IFAASA went to the Discovery Health AGM, with over 240 signed proxies. The intention was to present the case of infertility as a PMB to the AGM, and submit a motion stating it is our opinion that Discovery unfairly discriminates against infertility when compared to other PMB’s and disease categories.
ACTING MEMBERS
We are a group of South Africans who feel compelled to build awareness and support of infertility. Through our own experiences with infertility, we have come to realise that even though there are support structures in place, there is a need for information, education and advocacy, both within the community and in the general public. Infertility offers many unknowns and it is our desire to share resources with our community that will offer hope, insight, support and encouragement.
OUR IFAASA MEMBERS
Saskia Williams
Founding Director and CEO
Saskia is the founding Executive Director and CEO of IFAASA.
Her desire to help start IFAASA, stemmed from many years of Infertility. She completed her family via adoption and lives with her 11 year old boy, Husband and 3 dogs.
Her day job is managing a property company but, her absolute passion, is her work with IFAASA.
Molatelo Mainetje-Bossman
Director
Molatelo is a television news and current affairs producer and documentary filmmaker. She produced and starred in the groundbreaking and award-winning “When Babies Don’t Come”. She is a Non-Executive Director of IFAASA.
Michelle Groenewald
Director
Michelle has been handling IFAASA’s creative designs for the past few years and became Creative Director in 2022.
She suffered with Secondary Infertility, taking 5 years to fall pregnant with her 2nd child.
She works closely with many Fertility Clinics, handling their social media campaigns.
Dr Antonio Rodrigues
Non Executive Board Member
Dr Rodrigues is a Reproductive Medicine Specialist / Director Medfem Fertility Clinic. Dr Rodrigues is available for us to run ideas and campaigns past and keeps us accountable as a patient advocacy association.