The South African Medical Association ("SAMA") was established in 1927 and became known as it is today through the unification of a variety of doctors' groups on 21 May 1998 that had represented a diversity of interests.

SAMA is a non-statutory, professional association for public and private sector medical practitioners. SAMA is registered as a non-profit company in terms of the Companies Act. SAMA is a voluntary membership association, existing to serve the best interests and needs of its members in any professional and all healthcare-related matters.