Vetnews | Desember 2025 2 « BACK TO CONTENTS I trust that members have had a fruitful year, and as we approach the close of 2025, may we all find renewed purpose and pride in the vital role we play in society. This season in the life of our profession reminds us that veterinary service in South Africa is both a privilege and a profound responsibility. Each month brings new challenges and opportunities, and with them, renewed appreciation for the contribution veterinarians make in safeguarding animal health, public health, food security, and the trust our society places in us. Over the past month, several important engagements took place, including the SAVA Annual General Meeting. At the AGM, the SAVA financial statements were formally presented, and more importantly, SAVA received a clean audit opinion. My sincere thanks go to the team from our accounting firm who worked tirelessly to ensure that all required information was provided to the auditors within the agreed timeframes. Receiving a clean audit report affirms our commitment to transparency, accountability, and sound governance — principles that remain central to the confidence our members place in both the SAVA Board and the Association. We also welcomed new members to the SAVA Board: • Dr Melvyn Greenberg, President-Elect • Dr David Pretorius, Finance Director • Dr Jana Prinsloo, Elected Member • Dr Didi Claassen, Elected Member • Dr Erik Verreyne, Elected Member I extend my warmest congratulations to each of them and look forward to the leadership, insight, and energy they will bring. At the same time, we express deep gratitude to our outgoing members — Dr Jono Savadier, Dr Tom Spencer, Maryke Badenhorst, and Dr Paul van der Merwe. It has truly been a pleasure serving alongside you. Your dedication, wisdom, and commitment have strengthened the Association in immeasurable ways. Notably, certain amendments to the Memorandum of Incorporation (MoI) of the Association were adopted, while others require further engagement. These will be discussed and refined for presentation either at a Special General Meeting or at the next AGM. The relationship between SAVA, its Special Interest Groups, and its branches once again came into strong focus,a reminder of the importance of cohesion, clarity, and collaboration within our organisational structures. I must share, however, that it has come to my attention that some groups and branches have recently used the SAVA letterhead in communications on matters that were neither discussed with nor endorsed by the SAVA leadership. This practice undermines the democratic processes, accountability structures, and the spirit of openness and governanceconscious leadership on which SAVA is built. I wish to gently but firmly remind all structures that the SAVA letterhead represents the official position of the Association, and its use must reflect duly authorised communication channels and decisions. That said, we continue to battle a protracted Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak, which has placed immense pressure on veterinarians, farmers, and provincial veterinary services alike. The recent press statement issued by the Minister of Agriculture signals a significant policy shift, endorsing mass vaccination of cattle beginning in the affected provinces: North West, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga. As SAVA, we welcome the ongoing evaluation of national disease-management policy and trust that the weeks ahead will bring further engagement and clarity on the pathway South Africa will adopt regarding FMD control. It remains our hope that this direction will align with the WOAH Progressive Control Pathway for FMD, ensuring an evidence-based, sustainable, and internationally credible approach that focuses on enabling industry growth and sustainable enterprises for both the commercial and emerging sector. Rabies also remains a serious scourge in our country, continuing to claim preventable human and animal lives. Let us continue to encourage our clients, communities, and the broader public to adhere to essential control measures — most importantly the vaccination of pets, early reporting of suspicious cases, and rapid response to potential exposures. The recent detection of rabies in Cape Fur seal populations remains a major concern, highlighting the evolving nature of this disease and reinforcing the need for sustained surveillance, intersectoral collaboration, and strong public awareness. This issue of Vetnews places special focus on small animals, spotlighting the critical work being undertaken across companion-animal practice, community outreach, and welfare organisations. Small-animal clinicians play an indispensable role in strengthening the bond between people and their animals, improving public health, and contributing to the broader One Health agenda. Their work is often deeply personal, profoundly impactful, and at the heart of many communities — and we are proud to highlight their contributions in this edition. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the SAVA personnel. Your professionalism, resilience, and commitment have carried the Association through an exceptionally busy and demanding year. Despite the challenges of recent years, you have continued to serve our members with dedication and excellence. Thank you for your hard work, patience, and unwavering support to the Board and the broader profession. I would also like to thank the Pig Veterinary Society leadership for their generous donation of an overhead projector for the SAVA Boardroom — a gesture that is sincerely appreciated. As we approach the festive season, I wish all our members, partners, and their families a peaceful and restorative holiday period. May it bring rest, joy, and meaningful time with loved ones. May the close of 2025 be marked with gratitude, and may 2026 greet us with strength, clarity, and shared purpose. v Groetnis! Ziyanda From the President Dear members, What a year!
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