Ian von Memerty’s death sparks debate on choosing to die while being healthy

Entertainer Ian von Memerty died last month, having shared publicly why he wanted to leave life on his own terms.

His reasoning, that he wanted to avoid old age, financial struggle, and being a burden to his loved ones, has sparked strong debate.

The popular entertainer had argued that he didn’t want to grow old and poor, and wanted to exit life while still fully capable.

Professor Willem Landman, co-founder of Dignity SA, says in the assisted dying debate, one of the key issues is around eligibility criteria.

"What makes one a candidate for assistance with dying, such that the State protects that choice that we make, so we can co-opt the help of someone else?"

Landman explains that the standard test is the individual's ability to make a 'rational' choice.

"Also, that there are certain conditions of suffering, of ill-health that qualify one as a candidate to be assisted legally with dying."

ALSO READ: Ian von Memerty dies after publicly advocating for end-of-life choice

Many people say ending one’s life makes sense for someone who is terminally ill, but Von Memerty was healthy and relatively young.

Landman explains that this is what makes his case so controversial.

“Ian's reason for choosing death is somewhat different from those of his parents, so that's where some confusion comes in."

Von Memerty had previously spoken about how his father's passing had been drawn out over twelve years, and his mother, who died recently, was unrecognisable from the woman he had once known.

Landman adds that, as a society, we are still grappling with whether personal choice alone is enough to justify taking our own lives.

He says there is a marked difference between a person who wants to end their own physical suffering brought on by terminal illness and someone who wants to avoid getting old or facing financial hardship.

"I think when suffering becomes intractable and unbearable, overwhelming, and there's no respite, and it consumes our lives, those people have a legitimate reason for assisted dying."

The difference in Von Memerty's case, suggests Landman, is that the decision made by the entertainer could rather be viewed as wanting to avoid the inevitable 'challenges' of life.

"We have responsibilities to others, and we need to take that into account. In Ian's case, he seemed to be thinking of the future and future scenarios that he could not identify with and that he wanted to depart before any of those scenarios became a reality."

Landman says these discussions are uncomfortable but necessary if South Africa is to have an open debate on the right to die.

ALSO READ: Right to die? UCT Summer school tackles assisted dying debate

To listen to Landman in conversation with CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit, use the audio player below: