Jotello Festiri Soga : his significance today

Abstract

Jotello F. Soga was the first South African to qualify as a veterinary surgeon (Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh 1886). “Dr Soga played an important role in combating rinderpest and lung-sickness in the country as the first qualified South African veterinarian. He also laid a foundation for veterinary education in South Africa. But he is better known in veterinary circles as a pioneer researcher in the study of toxic plants and their effect on animals – both for their poisonous and curative effects.” (Prof Gerry Swan, Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria)