VN May 2021

Vetnuus | Mei 2021 2 SAVA, with our key stakeholders, the SAVC, DALRRD, BVF and the para- veterinary associations, can be proud of how we have handled the challenges presented to us in the last year and a bit.We have ensured that veterinary services were declared essential, set up COVID-19 lockdown practice guidelines and changed thewaywemeet and learn.We have also engaged and collaboratedon several disease control campaigns andother importantmatters.Vets have once again demonstrated their resilience and ability toadapt and innovate. Thankyou toKatyaof nFluenceMediaaswell asDaleParrishandherV-tech teamforfacilitatingandsponsoringsignificantmediaexposurerespectively. We were able to conduct radio interviews on Channel Africa, KFM and RSG, as well as a TV interview on eNCA, where we could celebrate World VeterinaryDay, andhighlight thecrucial roleourprofessionplays insociety. SAVA has submitted input on the draft guidelines on the shipping of livestock to the DALRRD at the end of April. We maintain our position that the long-range shipping of livestock for slaughter in country of destination poses an unnecessary risk to the animals and humans involved, as once againhighlighted in the recent SuezCanal blockadedrama. However, we accept that future shipments may occur. It was therefore crucial that SAVA provide input to optimise the health and welfare of the animals should these translocations take place. Of particular concern is the stocking density.We have advocated for far more space for each animal, as well as supporting a ban on shipments to the Middle East between May andAugust andaffirming thenecessity for independentmonitors to report conditionsduring thevoyages. It appears that colleagues have grown accustomed to virtual meetings and congresses. Our autumn BoD and FedCo hybridmeetings on the 26th and 27th of March were predominantly attended in a virtual capacity. We were able to tackle and provide feedback on several issues involving the associationand theprofession. For our VetNews magazine to continue to be relevant we must ensure sufficient and appropriate content. We have asked SAVA Director of Groups and Branches, Dr GrahamTedder, to set up a roster for scheduled contributions from the FedCo members. We have also asked FedCo to provide input on the future structure of VetNews so we can map the way forward for our important publication. Thank you to our Directors and FedCo members for giving of their precious time to attend and to serve the association. We are all busy, however, SAVA and the profession will battle to function efficiently if colleagues don`t offer themselves to serve. We particularly appreciate Dr`s Ivan Lwanga-Iga and Nandipha Ndudane volunteering to assist Dr Tom Spencer with EduCom. The proposal of a second veterinary faculty was discussed at length. There seems to be a need for a secondFacultyor anexpansionof Onderstepoort, as thepresent facultyisover-capacitywithstudents.However,asusual,fundingisthemajor concern.ThisleadsusintotherecentvirtualvisitationmeetingoftheFaculty. It is clear that our Faculty is insufficiently funded, whichmakes it difficult to retainourlecturersandoffertheoptimumacademicandpracticalexposure toour students. Thank you to our SAVA Visitation team of Dr`s Tom Spencer, Ziyanda Majokweni, Bevin Meyer and Paul Reynolds who attended the visitation as observers. It is going to take considerable collaboration between the various stakeholders and the Department of Higher Education to plan the way forward. However, where there is a will there is a way, as evidenced by NorthWest University’s initiative topromulgate SouthAfrica`s 11thmedical faculty! An extremely excitingdevelopment inApril was the launchof our SAVAD6 communicator App. Vets are notorious for neither reading nor responding toemails, yetwecheckour phones regularly.TheD6Appprovides youwith an excellent interactive opportunity to receive important general as well as specific tailored information from SAVA, as well as optimise your member benefits. All members should have received SMS`s to register, as well as an email detailing download instructions. Please sign up and see what more SAVAcando for you. Thankyoutoallourmembersandcolleaguesforyoursupport,commitment and valued input into our association and profession. It is crucial that we collaborate in unity in these challenging times. Our animals, people and environment are relying on us for One Health. Let us remain true to the tenetsof our credoand theguidanceof our Lord. v Yours in faith, Leon From the President Greetings Colleagues! Leon de Bruyn At the time of writing this we are on the brink of World Veterinary Day on the 24th of April 2021. On this day we celebrate the crucial role that veterinarians and para-veterinarians play in society. This year in particular we will celebrate the work of veterinarians to protect animal and human health during the COVID-19 pandemic.