The Massage Therapy Association - South Africa (MTA) - formerly known as the Holistic Massage Practitioners Association - was founded in 1989 to work towards the professional recognition of Therapeutic Massage Therapy in South Africa. MTA is managed by an annually elected Committee and is a non-profit making organisation with its own Constitution, Code of Ethics and Conditions of Membership to govern the conduct of its members. It is to date, the only professional association representing the interests of Therapeutic Massage Therapists in South Africa.
A Brief History of MTA's Involvement in the Profession
- Motivated Therapeutic
Massage Therapists to work as a cohesive group to foster respect of
the profession by developing and adhering to uniform standards, codes
of practice and conduct.
- Raised the profile
of Therapeutic Massage Therapy amongst the health professions, the public
and the government departments.
- Negotiated with
the Chiropractors, Homeopaths and Allied Health Services Professions
Interim Council on behalf of Therapeutic Massage Therapists in South
Africa.
- Successfully lobbied
for the registration of Therapeutic Massage Therapy as a statutory recognised
profession.
- Participated in the rewriting of the amended Allied Health Professions Act No. 63 of 1982 to protect the interests of Therapeutic Massage Therapy and Therapeutic Massage Therapists.
The passing of this Act on 12 February 2001 has had, and will continue to have a profound effect on the profession for years to come. The primary benefit of belonging to MTA, is knowing that there is the powerful, collective and unified voice of a recognised professional association advising, monitoring and negotiating with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA) to ensure that the best interests of its members are considered. It is only as a collective, recognised body that we can effectively market and promote our profession and thereby effect the necessary changes in other health professions and the publics' perception of our profession. Now, more that ever before, there is a role that MTA can play to assist you achieve your goals in this, your chosen profession.
Function
of the AHPCSA
The mandate of the Council is to ensure public safety and to act in an
advisory capacity to the Minister of Health.
Function
of MTA
The function of MTA is to uphold and to further the interests of registered
Therapeutic Massage Therapists in South Africa.