Limpopo Agriculture MEC signs memorandum of understanding (MOU) with student veterinarians

The Limpopo Department of Agriculture (LDA) under the leadership of MEC Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba signed a memorandum of understanding with student veterinarians on Tuesday, 7 September 2010.

Twenty student veterinarians granted the opportunity to study veterinary science or veterinary medicine at Universities of Pretoria and Nairobi respectively, entered into an agreement with the LDA that they will serve the nation on completion of their studies.

The involved student veterinarians are in their first, second, third and fourth year levels of study. The Limpopo Department of Agriculture has identified scarce skills that are required to increase the capacity of farmers in various fields. This is in accordance with the provincial human resource development strategy's long term plan alongside the skills baseline.

Both MEC Letsatsi-Duba and the Head of Department (HOD), Professor Edward Nesamvuni embrace this endeavour to address scarcity of veterinarians, especially in the public sector.

The MEC said during the signing ceremony at LDA headquarters in Polokwane: "We are looking forward to see you joining us for the betterment of our country. It is encouraging to see young men and women taking this career. Our hopes are in you as you can see most of us are ageing".

Encouraging her fellow youth to consider veterinary science as a career, Ms Priscilla Tshugulu from Vhembe district, a fourth year student at the University of Pretoria, says: "the course is very interesting, hard work and passion for animals will help you make it".

Another student veterinarian in her second year at the University of Nairobi, Martin Chauke from Waterberg district, indicates: "The course is challenging and adventurous. One finds that there are deeper issues like animal behaviour that one must acquaint himself or herself with".

The MEC and the HOD also asked the recruitment staff of the LDA to ensure more intakes of female student veterinarians in the next academic year. They raised this, as of the twenty student veterinarians, only seven were female.

For more information contact:
Kenny Mathivha
Cell: 082 450 1331