New UP Veterinary Science graduate had no pets and was terrified of animals for years

Abstract

Dr Zandile Mbonxa was terrified of animals as a child and never had pets – but despite this she recently qualified as a veterinarian when she was awarded a degree from the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Faculty of Veterinary Science. Dr Mbonxa, who was raised in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg, is one of 11 000 UP graduates who were awarded their qualifications in absentia earlier this month during a virtual ceremony necessitated by the global COVID-19 pandemic.