Veterinary History (History Society of the South African Veterinary Association)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/6851
Collection of biographies, news articles, curriculum vitae's, obituaries, presentations, etc to highlight and preserve the veterinary history of Southern Africa. It is managed and maintained by a project committee, consisting of The Veterinary History Society of the SA Veterinary Association and personnel of the University of Pretoria.
| Subjects |
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| Veterinary biographies | Presentations | Awards |
| Obituaries | General history | Tributes |
| Curriculum Vitae | - | VetNews articles |
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For inquiries regarding this collection or items in the collection, please contact Myleen Oosthuizen
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Item VETERINARY HISTORY SOCIETY: 2019-2024(Article originally published in VetNews, January 2025, 2025-01) Gareth; Marsh; South African Veterinary Association. Veterinary History SocietyThe article highlights the achievements of the Veterinary History Society (VHS) of South Africa during the period 2019–2024 under the leadership of Gareth Bath and Susan Marsh. It describes the Society’s conversion from a committee to a formal organization, its collaborations with SAVA, ARC-OVR, and the Faculty of Veterinary Science, and its participation in major congresses and webinars. The piece also mentions the digitisation of historic film archives, publication of biographies and obituaries, and establishment of awards recognizing contributions to veterinary history in South Africa.Item OP Class of 1976 class reunion(2025-01) Louw, Graham; South African Veterinary Association. Veterinary History SocietyThe Onderstepoort Veterinary Class of 1976 held their 48th reunion from 11–15 November 2024 at the Fairy Knowe Hotel in Wilderness. Organised by Graham Louw, the event brought together 22 veterinarians and their partners for outdoor activities, social gatherings, and shared memories. Attendees honoured absent classmates and remembered ten who have passed away, parting with plans to reunite for their 50th anniversary in 2026Item In memoriam: Margaret Hiza: A Tribute, 9 March 1947 – 17 September 2024(2025-01) Ardington, Peter; South African Veterinary Association. Veterinary History SocietyMargaret Hiza was born in New York, USA, on the 9th of March 1947. She finished her veterinary studies in Pennsylvania, in the bovine hospital of the University Veterinary School she met a young South African intern, Peter Ardington. Together, she and her husband, Peter, built a Veterinary Practice and expanded a cattle farming enterprise. They had 2 daughters. She has been a practising veterinarian for 45 years. Every working day, she poured her kindness over animals and the people who owned them. She was disturbed by the severe industrial pollution of the air and water in the Mandeni area. She formed an organisation called ROMP (standing for Reduce Our Mandeni Pollution). ROMP worked with the paper and other industries, the Department of Water Affairs, and other government agencies to make improvements in our air and water quality and ensure compliance with laws. Margaret’s cancer relapsed in 2019, and she died on the 17th of September 2024Item In memoriam. Bruce Harold Fivaz: 1946-2025(2025-08) Bath, Gareth, Gareth; South African Veterinary Association. Veterinary History SocietyBruce was born in, the then, Salisbury, Rhodesia, in 1946. In 1964, he proceeded to the University of Natal in Pietermaritzburg before being accepted for the BVSc degree at Onderstepoort from 1966-1969. He then served as Government Veterinary Officer at Rusape, moving to the Diagnostics Section of the Central Veterinary Laboratory (Salisbury), after which he went to private practice with Crispian Trace. In 1983, he moved into a small practice in Hillcrest, Natal, with Lawson Cairns. He joined the Tick Research Unit at Rhodes University in Grahamstown in 1988, where he became Head and Professor until 1993. He was awarded a Master of Science degree by the University of Birmingham (UK) in 1979 and a Doctorate in Philosophy by the Faculty of Science, University of Zimbabwe in 1985. He authored a book, "Tick vector biology: medical and veterinary aspects," in 1992 and published 37 scientific articles, and received the SAVA Research Award in 1992. A multifaceted man, Bruce set up an ostrich farming venture on the Dawson family farm and was the consultant vet for the Malilangwe Conservancy, where he was also involved in breeding buffalo, and was appointed as a Veterinary Consultant to Pfizer in Zimbabwe. He was a talented sportsman and did an epic marathon, cycling from Harare to Cape Town to raise funds for destitute pensioners in Zimbabwe. He was married to Jane Dawson and together they have two daughters, Nicola and Angela. Biography of the .... The biography includes information about his/her education and career, scientific contributions and writings, homages and distinctions.Item In memoriam: Hermanus Eduard (Eddie) Scholtz: 1937 - 2024(South African Veterinary Association, 2025-01) Clive Marwick; VetNews editorial team; South African Veterinary Association. Veterinary History SocietyThis obituary honors the life and legacy of Dr Hermanus Eduard (Eddie) Scholtz (1937–2024), a distinguished South African veterinarian, academic, and agricultural leader. Educated at Onderstepoort, he graduated in 1960 with the Sir Arnold Theiler Medal for Diligence and Merit. He specialized in large animal medicine, beginning his career in private practice in Clocolan and Senekal, and later lectured at the Department of Medicine, Onderstepoort, during the late 1960s. Dr Scholtz went on to shape veterinary pharmaceuticals in South Africa and abroad, holding leadership positions at AS Ruffel Research Unit Terenure, SmithKline Animal Health, Vleissentraal, and Millborrow Animal Health. He contributed to veterinary science through teaching, mentorship, and industry innovation, and was active in the Vets-in-Industry Group. In recognition of his service, he received honorary lifetime membership from the South African Veterinary Association in 1995. Beyond veterinary science, he was a council member of the SA Hereford Society and director of the OVK Agricultural Company. Even after his retirement in 1992, he remained active in farming, producing Herefords, SA Mutton Merino, wheat, and maize. Remembered for his integrity, humour, and dedication, Dr Scholtz’s professional contributions and family legacy continue to inspire future generations.Item In Memoriam - Crispian Garth Newbon Trace: 1936 – 2024(2025-01) Bath, Gareth; South African Veterinary Association. Veterinary History SocietyThe biography includes information about his/her education and career, scientific contributions and writings, honors and distinctions. His primary schooling was in the Western Cape (1945-1949), and his secondary schooling was at Michaelhouse, Natal (1950-1953). He then proceeded to Natal University for a BSc degree (1954-1956) and the University of Pretoria (1957-1961) for the BVSc degree. Cris initially worked for the De Beers Shangani Ranch near Bulawayo (1962-1965) and then at the Abrey, Sugden and Wright mixed practice in Salisbury (1966-1969) before Cris struck out on his own, building the first of his purpose-designed practices in Newlands and Avondale. These were staffed by recent graduates who Cris mentored and encouraged in their development (1969-1976). Cris also later ventured into an airline business, Plett Air, an AI station at Ogies, and a large bakery in Soweto and Johannesburg. The family moved back to Zimbabwe in 1981, where Cris started Pet Aid and the first 24-hour service practice. He established the Nyazengu Private Nature Reserve in the eastern highlands, operating as a trout farm and eco-tourism destination. He also obtained a private pilot licence, used for recreation as well as providing veterinary services. Two holiday homes were built in Mozambique but later lost, and the Nyanzengu farm was confiscated in 2005. He then returned to South Africa where he lived in Simonstown where he investigated and then marketed a novel copper/zinc dermatological regeneration product before retiring to the Helderberg Village.Item In memoriam: Tobias George Spies: 1958 – 2024(2025-01) Schutte, Peet; South African Veterinary Association. Veterinary History SocietyTobie earned his BVSc degree in Veterinary Science in 1988, after completing a BSc and BSc Honours in Nature Conservation Management. For nearly two decades, Tobie owned a mixed veterinary practice in Witbank. In 2015, he sold his practice to focus on game farming, a pursuit that also allowed him to engage in wildlife-related veterinary work. In 2018, he returned to the Highveld, where he ran a small-animal and mixed practice in Middelburg for four years. In the last three years of his life, he worked as a rural veterinarian in the Middelburg area, continuing to leave an indelible mark on the community.Item OP class of '72, fifty third year reunion(2025-05) Anonymous; South African Veterinary Association. Veterinary History SocietyDue to the success of the previous reunions the Class of ’72, under the leadership of Buzz Bowker, recently held a get-together at picturesque Kogel Bay close to Kleinmond in the Western Cape. Thirteen classmates attended with twelve accompanying partners. This was out of an original class of forty-five second years in 1969.Item SAVA Awards 2024(South African Veterinary Association, 2025-07) SAVA. South African Veterinary Association; South African Veterinary Association. Veterinary History SocietyThis article covers South African Veterinary Association members who have been awarded for outstanding service to the veterinary profession, best research output, commendations in recognition of specific achievements or contributions to the veterinary profession, and veterinarians who excelled in applied veterinary practice. A SAVA commendation 2024 was received by Dr Katheryn Kotze for her service in unplanned breeding and sterilization of animals in poor conditions. The SAVA Young Veterinarian of the Year 2024 was presented to Dr Rowan Leeming for his involvement in rhino capturing and translocation, becoming an expert early in his career. Ms Elize Nicholas received SAVA Honorary Associate Life Membership 2024, for her outstanding, dedicated service to veterinary science and the profession as a non-veterinarian. Dr Gareth Zeiler was honoured with the SAVA Research Award 2024 for his internationally acknowledged expertise in anaesthesia and immobilisation.Item SAVA Awards 2023(South African Veterinary Association, 2025-06) SAVA. South African Veterinary Association; South African Veterinary Association. Veterinary History SocietyThis article covers South African Veterinary Association members who have been awarded for long and outstanding service to the veterinary profession, best scientific article or series of articles recently published, citations in recognition of specific achievements or contributions to the veterinary profession, and veterinarians who excelled in applied veterinary practice. Citations 2023: SAVA Citation 2023 were awarded to two veterinarians, Dr Rosemary Peter for her meritorious contributions to the veterinary profession in her fields of expertise, and the second SAVA Citation 2023 to Dr Morne de la Rey for his ground-breaking and sustained meritorious contributions to Veterinary Science and the profession. The Boswell Award was presented to Dr David Gerber as a highly regarded contributor to the veterinary profession through the SAVA and its Groups. The SAVA Gold Medal went to Dr Roy Bengis. Dr Bengis’s awards include the President’s Award of the SAVA, the Sir Arnold Theiler Memorial Medal, and the Gold Medal of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Roy Bengis has had a 49-year career as an internationally recognised, very eminent veterinary wildlife scientist and is a most worthy recipient of the SAVA Gold Medal for 2023.Item Curriculum Vitae of Nicolaas Petrus Jacobus Kriek(2025-01) Bath, Gareth; South African Veterinary Association. Veterinary History SocietyCurriculum Vitae of Nicolaas Petrus Jacobus Kriek. The CV includes information about his/her education and career, scientific contributions and writings, homages and distinctions. The CV was compiled by Prof Gareth Bath, january 2025.Item Scribbling for Success, Volume 2, issue 5(2025-05) Naidoo, Vinny; South African Veterinary Association. Veterinary History Society; Mashitisho, NeoItem In memoriam :Johan Krige: 1 September 1937 - 21 April 2021(2024-09) Brückner, Gideon; South African Veterinary Association. Veterinary History SocietyJohan Krige was born in Pretoria and was a pupil of Afrikaans Hoër in Pretoria. He obtained his BVSc at Onderstepoort in December 1962. After a short try at private veterinary practice, he joined the government service as a state veterinarian – first in Potgietersrus and then in Lydenburg where he met Tessa Buys. They got married in 1966 and was blessed with 4 children and 4 grandchildren. He worked as state veterinarian thereafter in Standerton, Louis Trichardt, Greytown to finally end up again as state veterinarian in Lydenburg. In Lydenburg, Johan established himself as one of the most capable, experienced and knowledgeable state veterinarians on foot and mouth disease control in the South African veterinary services. He was responsible for the management, control and containment of several outbreaks of the disease in the Lowveld area where he worked closely with surrounding state and private veterinarians – including the state veterinary service in the Kruger National Park. In 1981, Johan was transferred to the headquarters of veterinary services in Pretoria where he was promoted to Deputy Director in the veterinary services and made responsible for overall national animal disease control and animal health legislation. During this period he was offered the chance to write a new Act on Animal Disease Control for South Africa to reflect the needs of animal disease control within the new democratic Constitutional environment of the country. For almost three years he dedicated himself to this, resulting in the eventual signing of the Animal Health Act (Act 7 of 2002) by the then President, Mr Thabo Mbeki. He was also a active member of the Veterinary History Society.Item Old Res at Onderstepoort: 100 years old(Article originally published in VetNews, December 2024, the monthly magazine of the South African Veterinary Association, 2024-12) Boshoff, Annette; Heyne, Heloise; South African Veterinary Association. Veterinary History SocietySir Arnold Theiler, who was the first Director of the Onderstepoort Veterinary Research Institute (established 1908) and also the first Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science (established 1920), inaugurated a brand-new student residence on 14 April 1924. Old Res, as the hostel has become known, celebrated its 100th anniversary this year. A music festival, reunions and other events were hosted in April this year to honour the day (See the VetNews issues of May, June and October this year). This is the last of a series of twelve articles in VetNews to commemorate the history of Old Res and the Onderstepoort residences. From Huis Onderstepoort to OP Village Old Res was built to house 40 students and has been home to nearly four thousand students over the past century. Today, OP Village offers a living space for close to 700 students in 20 residential blocks (and in the old OVI houses). Very few women were admitted to the BVSc course in the beginning. As a matter of fact, only ten of the nearly 400 graduates were women during the first 40 years of the existence of the Veterinary Faculty. However, 75% of the residents of OP Village today are female.Item In memoriam: IBJ (Sakkie) van Rensburg: 1940 - 2024(South African Veterinary Association, 2024-11) Kriek, Nick; South African Veterinary Association. Veterinary History SocietyAfter completion of a degree in agriculture, Sakkie started his degree in Veterinary Science and graduated in 1965. He joined the Department of Pathology at the then 'Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute' which was at the time responsible for the training of veterinarians. After obtaining the M Med Vet degree in Pathology, and registering as a specialist veterinary pathologist with the South African Veterinary Council, he was promoted to Professor and filled this position till retirement in 1994. He was a beloved teacher and committed to the elucidation of the causes of lupinosis and "geel dikkop" in sheep.Item In memoriam: Riaan Tolken 5 Mei 1965 - 18 September 2024(South African Veterinary Association, 2024-11) Van Niekerk, Johann; South African Veterinary Association. Veterinary History SocietyThe personal life and caring personality of Riaan Tolken is celebrated in this piece written by Johann van Niekerk.Item Huis Onderstepoort in the 1960s(Article originally published in VetNews, November 2024, the monthly magazine of the South African Veterinary Association, 2024-11) Boshoff, Annette; Heyne, Heloise; South African Veterinary Association. Veterinary History SocietySir Arnold Theiler inaugurated a new student residence on 14 April 1924. This grand old building became known as Old Res when additional accommodation blocks were built. The number of beds available grew from 40 in Old Res to close to 700 at the OP Village complex as of today. To commemorate the historic event, a reunion was held on 5 April 2024 that included a visit to the South African National Veterinary Museum, CPD talks, a tour of the state-of-the-art skills laboratory at the Onderstepoort Faculty and a dinner at the OP Village Clubhouse on Friday 5 April (see VetNews May 2024). The festivities continued the following day with live music and food and drinks stalls on the sports fields of OP Village on Saturday 6 April (see VetNews June 2024). The celebrations included a chance to visit an exhibition in the Common Room where memorabilia was put on display and a timeline of traditions depicted on a 9-meter-long banner created by Cecilia van der Walt and Sarah Biesman-Simons of the Centenary Committee (see VetNews September 2024). In this edition of VetNews, two students of the 1960s share their memories of yesteryear at Onderstepoort. This is the second last of twelve articles to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the inauguration of Old ResItem Faculty hosts yet another successful Faculty Day(South African Veterinary Association, 2024-11) UnknownThe Faculty of Veterinary Science annually hosts its Faculty Day on the Onderstepoort campus. It is a proud tradition which aims to highlight the research activities of the faculty as well as expose young researchers, post-graduate and final-year undergraduate students to a conference environment when presenting their research in the form of oral presentations and a poster session.Item In memoriam : Leslie Walter Marshall: 1944 – 2024(Article originally published in VetNews, November 2024, the monthly magazine of the South African Veterinary Association, 2024-11) Turner, Vincent; South African Veterinary Association. Veterinary History SocietyLeslie Marshall was born on 27 September 1944 in Benoni, Gauteng where he lived with his parents and two sisters. He began his schooling at the Northmead Primary School, Benoni and later attended the Groot Marico Primary and Secondary Schools, North-West Province. Leslie matriculated at the Klerksdorp High School. Leslie attended the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education for his first year of study and then went on to study Veterinary Science at Onderstepoort, Pretoria University where he graduated as a veterinarian in 1967. After graduating, Leslie served as a State Veterinarian in Kroonstad for a year. In 1969 he moved to Welkom where he started is own small animal practice as a service to the community. In 1970 he built a large, modern veterinary hospital which was known as the OFS Animal & Avian Hospital. When Leslie first started practising in Welkom he worked closely with the local SPCA as an additional service to the community. A few years later Leslie established a satellite practice, also known as the OFS Animal & Avian Hospital, in the neighbouring mining town of Virginia, Free State Province. Early in his career, Leslie was married for a relatively short period with the marriage ending in a divorce and with no children being born from the marriage. In September 2014, Leslie married Juanita Barnard. They had no children. Leslie’s entire career was dedicated to providing the highest possible quality of professional service to the community and their animals.Item In memoriam : Alain John Carter: 1959 – 2024(Article originally published in VetNews, November 2024, the monthly magazine of the South African Veterinary Association, 2024-11) McKenna, Jeremy; South African Veterinary Association. Veterinary History SocietyAlain went to Saint Stithians College, matriculating there in 1977, going on to study at Onderstepoort and qualifying as a veterinarian in 1983. He achieved his M Med Vet in 1996, specializing in medicine, and taking over the reins from George Frost and establishing Fourways Veterinary Hospital as a state of the art referral facility of world class standard. For a number of years he was an external examiner for the medicine department at OP, and he lectured at numerous symposia both locally and internationally, in various topics. He will be sorely missed by his family, recently becoming a grandfather to Lyra, daughter of Greg and Desi.