Remembering Prof Elna McIntosh

The Society mourns the passing of one of our founders and Past President and member of the National Executive from 2000 – 2004.

The words penned by the team at “mysexualhealth” are worth repeating.  

Prof Elna McIntosh was a matriarch of sexual health in South Africa and far beyond.She mentored generations of practitioners, lectured at Wits, UNISA and Sefako Makgatho, co-created landmark television including InterSEXions and Sex Etc, served as Sexpert for Health24 for over a decade, founded SASSERT, and sat on the board of PinkDrive. She published more than 200 articles. Ran seven Comrades. Climbed Kilimanjaro twice. Rowed countless Dusi Marathons.But what no credential captures is the way she gave her time. To the field, to individuals, to the people and communities who needed her most. She opened doors. She made introductions. She believed in people long before they believed in themselves, and she encouraged a generation of practitioners to take up space in a field that needed them.She had a way of presenting hard truths plainly enough to shift how rooms thought. And, by every account, she made people laugh.Her own words defined her purpose: to tell the truth about sexuality, support people in feeling sexually normal and powerful, and promote healthy sexual expression for everyone.She survived breast cancer twice. She never truly retired. And we have lost someone irreplaceable.To her family, her colleagues, and the many she shaped, we are holding you today.