SAVC 2021 Annual Indaba
DATE: 3 September 2021
SAVC ANNUAL INDABA
DATE: Friday 03 September 2021, 8:00 to 16:00
VENUE: Birchwood Conference Centre (Hybrid meeting)
THEME: The Future of the Veterinary Professions and the necessary Transformation required to Sustain the Professions
Honourable Thoko Didiza
Ms Angela Thoko Didiza served as Minister for Public Works of the Republic of South Africa from 22 May 2006 until 2008. Prior to her appointment, She was Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs from 17 June 1999 until 22 May 2006 and as Deputy Minister of Agriculture from May 1994 until June 1999.
Ms Didiza holds a BA degree majoring in Sociology and Politics 2003; Honours degree in Politics 2007 and she obtained a Diploma in Personnel and Training Practice at Executive Education College in Durban 1989; a Diploma in Journalism with Birnam Business College, Johannesburg 1991 and Diploma in Business and Financial Management at Executive Education College, Rosebank in Johannesburg. She also obtained a Certificate in Secretarial Course at Sached, Durban 1981; and a Certificate in Public Relations, Executive Education College, Durban 1990. She Matriculated at Ohlange High School, Inanda, Durban in 1981.
Ms Didiza worked as a Programme Officer for Diakonia’s Social Action Network unit from 1987 to March 1989; a Co-ordinator of National Youth Programme, South African Council of World Affiliated Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) from March 1989 until 1993; a National Deputy General Secretary, South African Council of YWCA from 1993 until 1994. Ms Didiza also served as a Treasurer, Natal Women’s Organisation in 1986; as Women’s Advisory Committee member of South African Council of Churches (SACC) in 1987; as an Executive member of Inter-church Youth, SACC in 1989; Associate member of the Women’s Development Bank in 1991 and National General Secretary, Women’s National Coalition from 1992 until February 1994. She was also a Facilitator of International Youth Leadership Training, Oslo in Norway in 1992; Alternative member, Executive SACC and a member of Council, National Youth Development Forum in 1993. She served as an Executive member, SACC Development and Training ministries in 1993 and a Young Global Leader in 2005.
Titus Makgato
Personal Information: Born and bred in Limpopo Province. Qualified and hardworking AHT who is dedicated and maintain professionalism at all times and well vest in Animal Health matters.
Employment: 35 years of experience in Veterinary Services. Currently employed as a Control Animal Health Technician at Polokwane State Vet office under Capricorn District, responsible for supporting and coaching nine AHTs.
Education and Qualification: University of the Free State – Master’s Degree in Sustainable Agriculture, Unisa – B Tech Degree in Agricultural Management, TUT – B Tech Degree in Rural Development and Extension, Unisa – National Diploma in Animal Health and Tompi Seleka Agric College – Diploma in Animal Health.
Career Highlights: Presenter of imperative topics within my field such as: Positioning AHT in the 21st century- SAAAHT National conference, Work Stress in the Animal Health sector- SAAAHT National conference, Strengthening Rural Livelihood through Animal Health – Capricorn District Agricultural Extension conference, Role of AHT in PAHC- SAVC Indaba. Chaired Limpopo Rabies Advisory Group (team awarded 2nd price in best service delivery team) and participated in various disease outbreak campaigns and border control (Vioolsdrift, Oshoek and Beite Bridge border posts).
Membership: Executive member and Chairperson of the South African Association for Animal Health Technicians, member of UNISA advisory committee on Animal Health and member of the Polokwane Epidemic response team.
Hobbies and interests: Reading and running (long distance runner).
Passion: Restoration and strengthening of AHT as professionals.
Buyani Zwane
Buyani Zwane is an inspirational communicator, network builder, business and life student, educator and leadership development facilitator. He has been engaged in the Human Resources (Capital) Management, Business and Leadership Development for over 30 years with local and international companies. He was co-owner, and served as executive chairperson and director of FranklinCovey Southern Africa, a leadership, training and development company with a presence in 14 Southern African countries and Indian Ocean Islands, for over 7 years and 5 years, respectively.
He has served as Human Resources Practitioner, Executive, Director, as well as CEO, in the oil & energy industry, financial services, business consulting, gaming and public sectors organisations. He has coached key talent and C-Suite executives in pharmaceutical industry, tertiary education, financial services, private and public sectors, plus social and for profit entrepreneurs.
Dr Fhumulani Rachel Munyai
Dr FR Munyai currently serves as a Councillor of the SAVC. She is the Chairperson of the Heritage and Transformation of the Professions Committee.
Dr Munyai is a seasoned professional researcher and strategist in business operations both in public and private sector environment and has spent more than 30 years of her work life making a contribution in a number of senior management roles at Government. She also worked for various institutions, amongst others, Public Entity, University, College and boasting the following qualifications from various higher learning institutions:
- MBA
- PhD (Agriculture) completed University of Free State. South Africa
- MSc Agriculture University of Pretoria, Pretoria South Africa
- BSc Agriculture (Hons) University of Fort Hare, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- BSc Agriculture. University of Fort Hare, Eastern Cape, South Africa
She is passionate on transformation, people development and corporate governance.
Dr John Adam
Qualified as Veterinarian 1972 at University of Pretoria.
State Veterinarian Stellenbosch 1972 to 1974
Mixed Practice Veterinarian Ceres and Stellenbosch 1974 to 1982.
Mixed Practice Veterinarian TAH Durbanville Cape 1983 to 2016.
Managing Partner TAH 2008 to 2016.
Consultant and Board member TAH 2016 to 2021.
Served on SAVC since 2004.
Chairman of LHPG of SAVA 1989. Awarded LHPG Medal.
Current Chairman of the Review Committee of the SAVC. Member of Committee looking into Composition of SAVC and Transformation.
Prof Mulunda Mwanza
Prof Mwanza is a veterinarian by profession, passionate with teaching, research and community engagement. He has earned experience and expertise in food microbiology, mycotoxicology, food residues and toxicology, public health and epidemiology.
Currently Prof Mwanza is heading the Department of Animal Health in the School of Agriculture at the North West University. In addition to lecturing, he is involved in many projects. Particularly on food safety in regard to fungi and mycotoxins. Currently he is focussed on the impact of climatic change on fungal behaviour and mycotoxins production and impact on food security and safety.
Prof Mwanza is also a Fulbright Scholar 2020-2021
Dr Botlhe Michael Modisane
Dr Botlhe Michael Modisane qualified as a Veterinarian in 1989 and was appointed State Veterinarian. He is currently the Chief Director of Animal Production and Health in the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development and a Chief Veterinary Officer for South Africa. Dr Modisane was elected President of the World Organisation for Animal Health in 2015 for a three-year term ending in May 2018 and finished his term.
Dr Carin Boshoff
Carin Boshoff is currently the Head of the Department, Biomedical Sciences at Tshwane university of Technology. She’s been involved with the training of Veterinary technologist for the past 15 years. She has extensive experience and knowledge in the profession of Veterinary technologist as she qualified as a Veterinary Technologist from the former Technicon Pretoria in 1995, followed by working at various laboratories, involved in diagnostic and research work for 12 years before venturing into academia. She is passionate about training of students and to ensure that Vet Techs are trained according to high standards and meet the expectations of industry.
Dr Megan Esterhuysen
She has had a lifelong passion for all things four-legged and had a dream to be a “vet” since early childhood. This lifelong ambition came to fulfilment when she qualified as a veterinarian in 2012 and subsequently joined a small animal practice.
In 2017, her passion for geriatrics, pain management and physical rehabilitation began to grow and she undertook her CCPR practical. She began to apply what she had learnt to her private practice patients and subsequently in 2019, she decided to take a break from veterinary practice and joined a physical rehabilitation center. It was during this time that she realized a multi-modal approach was vital to her patients.
Currently, Dr Megan locums three days a week and the other two are used to grow her physical rehabilitation practice Pins & Paws. She has found that with the experienced gained as a veterinary physiotherapist it has made her into a better veterinarian who can offer her patients so much more.
In 2020, she was also elected the president of SAAPRA and is currently working on several projects to unite veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and veterinary physiotherapists. She has also been blessed with a very supportive husband and two precious girls, Isabella and Emily who are the light of her life.
Ziyanda Majokweni- Qwalela
Dr Ziyanda Majokweni-Qwalela holds a degree in veterinary science and completed the Management Advancement Programme through the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa.
She has over fifteen years’ experience in senior and executive management in both government and the private sector.
Her career has seen her work in diverse environments giving her a wealth of experience and knowledge in research, the pharmaceutical industry as well as in the management and support of farmer associations, working for an agency of the South African Poultry Association.
She has held various animal health and research board memberships and has been the Chairperson of the National Animal Health Forum, a liaison forum, best described as a public private partnership between veterinarians, animal production groups and government, focused on animal disease control and other related food safety and security matters.
She began her career as a State Veterinarian and clinician in a mixed veterinary practice. She has also worked in the pharmaceutical industry in various risk management as well as farmer support roles.
Johann Müller
After graduating as a Veterinary Technologist from the Tshwane University of Technology in 1985 my professional career included work experience working as a forensic Scientist at the South African Police’s Forensic Science laboratories
After this I was privileged enough to start up my own Veterinary laboratory in 1989 called Golden City Laboratories (Golden Vetlab) which was based in Sandton Johannesburg providing a diagnostic laboratory service to Veterinarians. I was the managing partner of this Veterinary diagnostic laboratory until it was acquired by IDEXX Laboratories an international Veterinary Diagnostic company based in the USA during 2006 whom appointed me as General and Regional Manager for IDEXX Reference laboratories Southern Africa. Currently I am employed at PathCare Laboratories based in Cape Town where I head the Veterinary section. I have been author and co-author of Veterinary technology related scientific articles.
I serve on the SAVC as an elected member of my profession, representing Veterinary technologists as well as serving on three committees within council. I am a member of the South African association for Veterinary Technologists and serve on the central management committee. I have also served on the advisory academic committee of the Tshwane University of Technology.
In my community I am involved in the sporting discipline of swimming and serve on the Swim Board and executive of the Cape Winelands Aquatics District swimming executive as well as the Western Cape Aquatics Swim board. I am a senior official (Judge and Starter) and have done duty at District, Provincial, National and International events.
I am married to my wife Linda and we were blessed with twins. My hobbies include fly fishing and spending quality time with my family. We love travelling and seeing/experiencing different areas of our country and its people.
Mrs Busisiwe Mogodi
Mrs. Busisiwe Mogodi is a Laboratory Animal Technologist who is currently employed by the University of Cape Town as an Experimental Unit Manager at the Research Animal Facility. She was previously employed by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Sandringham, Johannesburg, Gauteng.
She received her National Diploma in Laboratory Animal Technology from Technikon SA, Institute of Animal Technology (IAT) Level 3 Diploma in Laboratory Animal Science and Technology through Venture Forward UK and is currently studying IAT Level 4 Diploma in Laboratory Animal Science and Technology through the College of Laboratory Animal Science and Technology (CLAST).
She is an Executive member of the South African Association for Laboratory Animal Science (SAALAS) and the chairperson of the LAT Working Group.
She worked for the National Institute for Communicable Diseases for 24 years as a Chief Animal Technologist. She has been part of the team of Scientists and Technologists working in the Biosafety Level 4 Laboratory, the only one in Africa working with hemorrhagic Fever viruses and Arthropod borne viruses. She has been highly involved in Antigen production and diagnostic work in Arthropod borne viruses. She has also been part of a fieldwork team doing surveillance working on Fruit Bats and insect eating bats for Marburg and Ebola virus research in caves in Limpopo. She was part of the South African team that went to Sierra Leone for the Ebola Outbreak diagnostic relief.
Dr Nandipha Toyota Ndudane
Nandipha Toyota Ndudane, has 15 years’ experience as a community developer working in rural areas focusing on sustainable holistic livestock development, animal health, veterinary public health and as well as contributing meaningfully to the teaching and learning agenda of the country inclusive of training, participatory rural appraisals and research.
She is a graduate of University of Fort Hare (BSc Agriculture in Animal Science) and Medical University of Southern Africa (Medunsa) (Veterinary Medicine and Surgery) with post graduate masters’ qualification from Utrecht University in the Netherlands and a certificate in Executive Leadership Development Programme from Nelson Mandela University. She is busy with a certificate programme in stakeholder engagement in natural resource management with the Rhodes University currently.
Prof Dietmar Holm
Dietmar Holm was born in Pretoria in 1973, and matriculated at Hartbeespoort High School. After his qualification as a veterinarian in 1998 (U.P.), he worked as mixed animal veterinarian in South Africa and from 2000 as a rural practitioner in Hampshire, England. He returned to South Africa in 2003 and joined the Department of Production Animal Studies at the Faculty of Veterinary Science, where he is currently employed as senior lecturer. He received an MSc(VetSci) (cum laude) in 2006 on Reproductive Tract Scoring and synchronisation in beef heifers, and is currently busy with a PhD on early determination of reproductive performance in beef heifers. In 2008 he received a Laureate Award for Education Innovation from the University of Pretoria for the Onderstepoort Feedlot Challenge. He is actively involved in the South African Veterinary Association’s Livestock Health and Production Group (LHPG) where he currently serves on the central committee. He is a part-time farmer and member of the Bonsmara Breeders’ Association. Dietmar is married to Katrien, has two young sons, and enjoys music making, sailing and woodwork in his free time.
Dr Alfred Tlotlo Kgasi
Dr Alfred Kgasi qualified as a veterinarian over 25 years ago and dedicated his career to various sectors of the animal health industry and veterinary profession in both private and public sectors. He strengthened his business administration & leadership skills and graduated with a Master’s degree in Business Leadership (MBL) from the University of South Africa (UNISA). He has a specific interest in law and its application; and went further to complete a Bachelors of Laws (LLB) degree. He has been involved in management and leadership roles in research, business strategy development, community engagement and professional veterinary advancement. He is an author and has published a book on legal issues related to pet ownership rights, titled “My Pet and the Law”. He currently serves as Chair in Primary Animal Health Care at the University of Pretoria, Faculty of Veterinary Science and has been elected SAVC president for the term of 2019 – 2022.
Dr Paul Van Der Merwe
23 July 1986: Appointed in the SA Defence Force as veterinarian after completion of my studies
December 1986 – September 1988: Veterinary Officer – South West Africa.
October 1988: Mounted Infantry Battalion – Transkei Defence Force.
November 1988 – January 1989: South African Defence Force Equestrian Centre.
February 1989 – March 2000: Wildlife veterinarian to oversee all wildlife for the SADF.
Appointed as the Deputy Director Animal Health for the SA Defence Force in November 1995.
Appointed to the Transformation Steering Committee of the Defence Force in 1998
March 2000 – March 2004: Appointed as the program manager (SSO Guidance) of the Area Military Health Formation.
April 2004 – November 2005: Appointed as Director Animal Health.
Appointed as the Chairperson of the International Committee of Military Medicine’s Veterinary Technical Commission.
April 2012: Appointed as Chairperson of the Disaster Management/One Health Committee of the SA Veterinary Association (SAVA).
November 2015: Appointed by the SA Veterinary Council as the Monitor for the One Health module for pre-graduation training.
October 2019: Elected as President-Elect of the South African Veterinary Association
Prof Simon Nemutandani
He also serves as the Head and CEO of the School of Oral Health Sciences at the University of Witwatersrand and Chairperson of the Association of Deans of Dental Schools in Southern Africa.