In Memoriam: Michael John Versfeld (22 April 1942 - 19 August 2023)

Abstract

Michael John Versfeld was born in Barberton in 1942. He qualified from Onderstepoort in 1966, where he initially was a State Veterinarian in Pretoria and also a Junior Lecturer in Gynaecology at the Faculty. He was appointed as Production Veterinarian to Rainbow Farms in Worcester in March 1986. In April 1994, he moved from Rainbow Farms to National Chicks as Group Veterinarian, which position he held until 2001. National Chicks were supplying 1,5 million broilers into the South African broiler market a year. During this period, Mick was also a Consultant Veterinarian in poultry production in Africa and the UAE. He attracted public attention with his role in the rehabilitation of a six-month-old female leopard which was publicised on many public media platforms.