VN November 2020

Vetnuus |November 2020 2 Our decision to conduct our October board of directors, AGM and FedCo meetings in a hybrid format worked well, apart from some minor initial technical glitches. The virtual platform we used was however rather fussy about updated software for those logging in via Apple devices. Those that wished to attend in person at VetHouse could do so, while those who wished to attend in a virtual capacity were catered for technologically as we set up the boardroom for the hybrid meetings. It was also great to see one another in person and fellowship after almost 7 months apart! The meetings all proceeded well with worthwhile interaction and contributions from both those present at VetHouse and those attending virtually. One of the many matters discussed was the SAVA SAVC combined mentorship programme to assist the CCS vets employed by the Department. As mentioned previously, the success of our pilot program this year has led to increased funding from HW SETA for the next two years. This will enable us to mentor all next year`s and the following year`s CCS Vets. In the future, as our funding hopefully continues to increase, we intend to extend the mentorship programme backward to include the last few years of students and forwards to the first few years of practice. Although the mentorship program has been hugely successful, some of the CCS vets have experienced some major challenges. Those that our CCS manager Annalie McCallum is unable to resolve, SAVA MD Gert Steyn, president-elect Paul van der Merwe and I will address in a meeting with senior DALRRD management later in November. Following the successful #RabiesEndsNow campaign at the end of September, SAVA is looking at how we can collaborate further with the SAVC and DALRRD to control rabies. The Director of Animal Health, Dr Mpho Maja, was heartened by our enthusiasm and participation, and has requested that SAVA nominates experts to serve on the Rabies Advisory Group (RAG). Mpho has also noted that we should extend our collaboration to combat other problematic controlled diseases like brucellosis. This is where former NAHF chair Dr Ziyanda Majokweni`s initiative for SAVA, it`s groups and branches to provide more veterinary specialist input, could play a vital role. SAVA representativeswill attend theFacultyAdvisoryBoardmeeting on the morning of 12th of November. SAVA has also been invited to a stakeholder workshop that afternoon on the workplace readiness of new veterinary science and veterinary nursing graduates. Please send your comments on these “day-1-skills” to SAVA that we may provide feedback to the Dean and other faculty members so that they may optimise the training of our future vets and nurses. Another reason to celebrate was Prof Gareth Bath receiving the World Veterinary Association Animal Welfare award from our WVA Representative for Africa, Clive Marwick at VetHouse on the 15th of October. Prof Bath was meant to receive this award at the WVA congress in Auckland in April but we all know what happened to that event! Well done Gareth on your achievement, we are truly proud of you! Many people have looked at 2020 and dismissed it as a year we should write off. I think we should focus on what we achieved during the COVID-19 lockdown and celebrate how we worked in unity to keep vets working while protecting them, their staff and their clients. Many industries that were locked down for longer are beginning to recover and some are really booming. As our youth pastor sagely stated prior to October; don`t write off the whole of 2020, look at the final quarter as an opportunity to really achieve something. May we finish the year with a positive attitude as we continue to serve the people and animals of our Lord`s creation. v Yours in veterinary vigour Leon From the President Dear Colleagues, Leon de Bruyn Our country and our profession really seem to be getting back into the swing of things as the restrictions owing to the COVID-19 pandemic have been relaxed. Our ability to endure and bounce back is testimony to our resilience and our faith.