MEDIA RELEASE
Friday, 25 March 2022
Att: Editors
All Journalists
All media houses
The National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development together with the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development welcomed the veterinary graduates at the Potchefstroom College of Agriculture (PCA) for the twelve (12) months Compulsory Community Service (CSS) intake programme. The nine (9) newly qualified vets have been placed across the North West province to render their services to rural communities, as well as to gain valuable experience and knowledge through the mentorship of seasoned vets from the department.
CCS is a national programme that aims to capacitate graduate vets with practical clinical experience on prevention of disease, rendering ambulatory services and providing education on
livestock production. Veterinary Services Director, Dr Langa Madyibi said these new appointees are coming at an interesting time when the province has its first outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease which will give them exposure to disease control and management. “The programme will be offering a wide range of experience and challenges that will demand them to meet community demands even after hours and think strategically. They will also need to embrace working in villages and execute quality services with limited resources as they have to uphold the public service mandate at all times”
Anien Bezidenhout (26) from Lichtenburg in the North West said she is looking forward to working in rural communities. “I want to learn more and build my confidence because when you are studying it is different than experiencing the clinical cases and seeing firsthand how treatment will unfold. Every consultation is different and there is so much that one is exposed to that we also learn from the people we render services to” Narissa Naicker (27) from Springs, Gauteng who has been placed in Mothutlong State Vet
encourages young black females to study veterinary as it is a regarded as a predominately white industry. “There is ample opportunity to make a difference in our communities because we have
been afforded the privilege that our parents previously didn’t have as black people in South Africa. Young girls who have a passion for the sector should pursue a career in this field because
there is an enormous impact that they can make in the primary health care of animals and the industry at large”
Ms Morongwa Senyatsi, a CSS Coordinator from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development conducted an extensive induction which included with a code of conduct which the vets have to maintain as public servants for the duration of their programme.
Issued by the Communication Services Directorate
Enquiries: Ms Emelda Setlhako
Tel: 018 389 5684 / 5719
Cell: 060 745 4020
Email: ESetlhako@nwpg.gov.za
Website:www.nwpg.gov.za/Agriculture/
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Twitter: @nwpg _dard