Vetnews | Augustus 2025 30 « BACK TO CONTENTS 2023/24 SAVA AWARDS Soga Medal - 2024 Awarded in recognition of exceptional community service rendered by a veterinarian registered with the SAVC or a veterinary student enrolled at a South African veterinary faculty. In addition to veterinary- related services, other forms of community service may be considered to support the nomination. DR MARIJKE HENTON Soon after graduating BVSc at Onderstepoort in 1968, Marijke found her calling in diagnostic microbiology in 1970 when she joined the Bacteriology Section of the OVI. Here she faced a myriad of diagnostic problems emanating from all over South Africa, testing and expanding her skills and knowledge on a wide spectrum of organisms. As a key member of diagnostic teams, Dr Henton was able to help unravel a wide range of diseases and deaths in all domestic species, as well as several exotic animals. The organisms ranged from aerobes, anaerobes, mycoplasmas, protozoa to mycotoxins, each demanding different diagnostic techniques and expertise for successful and reliable identification of the pathogen. The excellent services rendered to the full array of animal industries and interest groups made Marijke Henton a byword for outstanding contributions to the communities that benefitted from her expertise over her 32 years of service at OVI, where she eventually served as Head of the Section from 1997 until her resignation in 2002. Contributions continued with IDEXX (2002 to 2016) and to date with Vetdiagnostix. Apart from diagnostic microbiology, Marijke made time to assist knowledge in the veterinary community by writing 24 sections of the authoritative book Infectious of Diseases of Livestock, nearly all as first or sole author. She also ensured that the Bacteriology Section was the first at OVI to become SANASaccredited. Her postgraduate studies culminated in the conferral of the degree M.Med.Vet (Bacteriology) in 1997, and she was registered as a Specialist with the SAVC in 2001. Her expertise has been recognised by the Registrar, Act 36 of 1947, to serve as Technical Advisor. She has been regularly invited by Veterinary Groups and Branches to deliver practical, scientific papers on a wide range of microbiological issues and is a major contributor to establishing standards for antimicrobial stewardship. In a career that spans over half a century, Marijke Henton has rendered exceptional services to the veterinary community and is rightfully recognised as the best veterinary bacteriologist in South Africa, with an international reputation. She richly deserves the recognition of the SAVA by the conferral of the Soga Award for 2024. v SAVA AWARDS 2024 AWARDS Dr Marijke Henton receiving her Soga Award with Dr Ziyanda Majokweni and Prof Gareth Bath
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