A day in the life at the University of Pretoria. 07 October 1943

On this "Day in the life of the University of Pretoria" the first professor in Surgery, Prof H. J. Besselaar, was appointed in the Department of Surgery in the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Prof Besselaar had his is own practice in Pretoria and was also employed as the railway surgeon. Prof Besselaar built up a reputation as a hardworking, trust worthy and honest surgeon. He specialized in general surgery, neuro surgery, orthopedics, urology and gynecology. Although Besselaar had little academic experience (he worked for six month as under the leadership of prof Clairmont at the University of Zurich) and insisted that he had  full autonomy in running and appointment personnel in the department, his stellar reputation awarded him the  Head of the Department of Surgery in 1943. Prof Besselaar appointed the first four lectures in the department including Dr CAR Schulenburg (a young major in the Military Hospital) Dr Julius Bremer, Dr James Jordaan and Dr Johan du Toit. The four doctors regularly held discussions at Dr Besselaar’s residence where they devised the first curriculum and activities for the department. Under his guidance, each of the four doctors were assigned three or four students that had to attend all the lecturers, consult patients and assisted with operations alongside them. In 1949 prof Besselaar resigned as Head of Department and Dr Julius Bremer was appointed in his position. Prof Besselaar continued in to serve part time lector in the department.  

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