Celebrating Milestones and Expanding Impact
The Journal of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (JCMSA) has reached an exciting milestone: inclusion in PubMed Central as of October 2025.
This achievement comes just over two years after the journal’s launch in July 2023, a pace that surpasses typical timelines for new journals, which often take several years to meet indexing criteria. Being listed in PubMed Central reflects the quality, consistency, and international relevance of the research published by JCMSA. In 2024, JCMSA was also included in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), securing DHET accreditation. Together with the PubMed Central listing, these milestones enhance the journal’s visibility, credibility, and impact on the global stage.
Since its establishment in 2023, the journal has received 265 submissions, of which 94 works have been published, attracting active readers from across the globe. As the official journal of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA), the JCMSA platform for high‑quality research and clinical insights relevant to South Africa and the broader African continent, promoting academic excellence, postgraduate education and open access to knowledge. The partnership with AOSIS ensures rigorous peer review, smooth publication processes, and broad international visibility.
At the helm of the journal are Editor‑in‑Chief Prof Soraya Seedat and Deputy Editor Prof Clint Hendrikse. Their leadership is supported by an editorial board of 15 expert members and a wider editorial team of 46 representing all 29 constituent colleges of CMSA, thereby ensuring breadth of disciplinary representation and institutional reach. The partnership with AOSIS ensures rigorous peer review, smooth publication processes, and broad international visibility. Looking ahead, JCMSA is planning to establish a Young Specialist Review Board, comprised of early‑career specialists and sub‑specialists, to build a pool of skilled reviewers while upskilling the next generation of clinicians and academics in the peer‑review process.
JCMSA is committed to supporting early‑career authors, particularly those from low‑ and middle‑income countries (LMICs). In May 2024, the journal launched the Author Assist Program to help authors refine manuscripts and prepare them for publication. The initiative provides mentorship, writing support, and guidance throughout the submission process, thereby contributing to equity and inclusion in scientific publishing.
The Bongani Mayosi Award for the best paper published by a trainee has been established in honour of Professor Mayosi’s legacy. Awarded for the first time in 2025 to Dr Diana B. Dickinson, this annual prize recognizes the outstanding contribution of a trainee‑author in JCMSA. Professor Mayosi (1967–2018) was a South African cardiologist, former Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Cape Town, a renowned researcher in cardiovascular genetics, and an inspiring mentor and leader in African medicine.
This award is significant because it encourages excellence among early-career researchers, highlights the contributions of trainees to medical science, and provides recognition that can enhance professional development. By celebrating high-quality research from emerging academics, the Bongani Mayosi Award helps cultivate a culture of mentorship, rigor, and innovation in medical research, reflecting the values that Professor Mayosi championed throughout his career.
Looking ahead, JCMSA plans to broaden its reach and enhance its offerings. As Prof Soraya Seedat notes, “Our first steps will focus on increasing the number of submissions, and in the near future, we plan to publish special themed issues.” The journal’s scope continues to emphasize collaboration and dialogue among healthcare professionals and researchers across different specialties and fields, supporting its mission to provide accessible, relevant research that strengthens healthcare and medical education on the continent.
In just over two years, JCMSA has established itself as a credible, visible, and impactful publication. Its rapid progress reflects the dedication of its editorial team, authors, reviewers, and the broader CMSA community. These achievements set the stage for ongoing growth, innovation, and contribution to medical research in South Africa and globally.
