2012–2025
No official medical policy listed.
What the law allows
Medical care for minorsAffirming
NEMLC listed testosterone and oestrogen for gender dysphoria; there is no age restriction.
Parliament (PMG) — Minister of Health reply NW1207 (25 Oct 2024)
Key dates2019–2025
2019–2025: NEMLC listed testosterone and oestrogen for gender dysphoria; there is no age restriction.
Parliament (PMG) — Minister of Health reply NW1207 (25 Oct 2024)
Official sources
Africa. Life Orientation includes official CSE.
- University of Cape Town News — Gender Identity Development Service at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital →
- South African Journal of Psychiatry — GIDS case series (Red Cross, under-18s, endocrinology referral) →
- UCT Department of Psychiatry — Groote Schuur Transgender Clinic →
- Southern African HIV Clinicians Society — gender-healthcare guideline (puberty blockers from Tanner 2) →
- Department of Basic Education — Comprehensive Sexuality Education →
- DBE — CAPS Senior Phase Life Orientation (PDF) →
Full official record
No official medical policy listed.
The Gender Identity Development Service sits in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, a public children’s hospital affiliated with the University of Cape Town. UCT News and a South African Journal of Psychiatry case series describe assessment of gender-distressed youth up to 18 and referral to endocrinology. Groote Schuur Hospital’s official psychiatry page lists a Transgender Clinic. The Southern African HIV Clinicians Society guideline discusses puberty blockers from Tanner stage 2. There is no nationwide statutory ban.
Schools detail
The Department of Basic Education’s official CSE page states that comprehensive sexuality education has been part of Life Orientation and Life Skills since 2000, covering sex, sexuality, gender, and relationships, and that CSE is not a separate subject. CAPS Life Orientation documents include sexuality, sexual behaviour, and sexual health. That is official national curriculum CSE.