The department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) is praising one their own Principal of Tsolo Agriculture and Rural Development Institute (TARDI) Dr Nandipha Toyota Ndudane for being nominated to the World Veterinary Association (WVA) to represent Africa and of course the country and the province.
“I was nominated by South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) based on my contribution to the council,” said Dr Ndudane.
DRDAR is pleased that Dr Ndudane flew the provincial flag high by being the first female SAVC president and she worked hard hence the nomination.
The department congratulates and wishes her good luck as she aims to represent Africa if elected, where she will coordinate veterinary issues of Africa.
She views this voluntary non-paid work as part of her social contribution to the growth of veterinary services.
In her motivation to the Association after being nominated , Dr Ndudane expressed “my strong desire to serve as Councillor-Africa region on the World Veterinary Association.”
She worked hard as the SAVC President since 2022 , a position she says has immense responsibility to about 6000 registrees, and interacts with diverse stakeholders (industry, government, associations and academics, as well as the public) whilst ensuring the protection of the environment, animals and humans.
“Being the SAVC president has provided a unique opportunity to understand intimately the needs of the veterinary profession and para-professions. Through honouring invitations to the conferences and congresses and through representing the SAVC on key animal health platforms (national animal health forums and livestock welfare coordinating committee), media and government portfolio committee, I have contributed the voice of the professionals we are representing and championed their needs,” she said.
She is a founding principal who played a role in accrediting TARDI, providing access to para-veterinary animal health qualifications, being one of two institutions offering face-to-face veterinary animal health qualifications in South Africa.
Dr Ndudane has Master’s degree in Veterinary Pathology and a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery and has devoted 19 years to public service, with a specific focus on veterinary education, community disease prevention, and training veterinary and para-veterinary professionals.
Dr Ndudane secured funding for veterinary and para-veterinary students, breaking down financial barriers and this includes veterinary students enrolled at the Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Pretoria.
She formed a collaboration with Food and Agriculture Organisation on providing opportunities for reskilling and upskilling of unemployed paraprofessional graduates.
She is championing community animal health workers and para-veterinary professionals in Zoonotic Disease control.
“My vision for the World Veterinary Association is to serve it with honour and integrity and represent the members to my utmost ability. The extensive network and international collaborations I have amassed and my leadership at the South African Veterinary Council will aid and contribute to growing the organisational impact of WVA. Also, coming from a country that has the highest incidents of discriminatory practices and unfairness and having the privilege to experience these inequalities first hand, I am very accommodating, and fair minded to allow participation, as well as understanding and accommodating differing views,” she said.
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