Star of Italy Order for Wits alumnus
- Wits Alumni Relations
Dr Giovanni Coci honoured as knight for promoting excellence and good relations.
Wits alumnus and consulting physician in Plettenberg Bay, Dr Giovanni Coci (MBBCh 1968), was recently appointed “Cavaliere” Knight in the Order of the Star of Italy (Ordine della Stella d’ Italia) by the president of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, in recognition for the work he has done as an Italian expatriate in South Africa.
The prestigious award was conferred upon him on 6 May 2022 by the consul of Italy in Cape Town, Dr Emanuele Pollio. Initially established as the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity in 1947, it was replaced as The Order of the Star of Italy in 2011. The full list of international 2022 recipients can be viewed here. The honour is bestowed on those who have promoted friendship and collaboration between Italy and other countries. Last year 160 Italian expatriates throughout the world received this prestigious award. 
“I find my work as a clinician interesting and challenging. I enjoy what I do, and it keeps me active and busy. I like to think that I do some good for our community and because of this I have no intention of retiring," said Dr Coci, who will be 77 years old in September. "I will carry on working for as long as I can."
He was born in Naples and when he was 15 his parents settled in South Africa. After matriculating from Northview High School, he obtained his medical degree in 1968.
After graduation Dr Coci worked for a while in a mission hospital in Swaziland and then went on to specialise in Internal medicine. He worked in several teaching hospitals around Johannesburg such as Chris Hani Baragwanath and Donald Gordon Hospital. For many years he was the medical consultant to the Embassy of Italy in South Africa and to ENI, the Italian Oil Company, looking after their staff in sub-Saharan countries.
“I went to work in London and became a member of the Royal College of Physicians of the UK. I could have stayed on in England or gone to Italy or many other countries," he said. "Instead, I decided to come back to South Africa, where I have had the opportunity to practice good medicine both in the public and private health sectors.
"I enjoyed my life in our beautiful country. I like to think that I made a small contribution towards building healthier race relations. I certainly have no regrets about my decision to stay in South Africa,” he said.
Dr Coci moved to the Garden Route in 2012 and established a respected private practice in Plettenberg Bay. Over the past two years, he was actively involved in the care of COVID-19 patients and published his experience in a paper in the South African Medical Journal. He is passionate about the history and culture of Italy and has given talks much to the delight of the community.
“I have very fond and happy memories of my time at Wits,” he said. “Academically I had the privilege of being mentored by foremost scientists and clinicians such as professors PV Tobias, TH Bothwell, S du Plessis, H Seftel, L Schamroth and many others. Socially at Wits I had a great time, made many friends and met my wife,” he said.