By Mzwandile Ndlovu

Fewer than 10% of registered veterinarians in South Africa are black – and that is just one example of how black people are underrepresented in the agricultural and veterinary sectors.

As a contribution towards transformation, the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the North-West University (NWU) School of Agricultural Sciences have joined forces to encourage NWU animal health graduates to become entrepreneurs.

The FAO and the NWU recently hosted their first entrepreneurship training for animal health graduates at the Mahikeng Campus in an effort to develop their employability and to contribute to the transformation of the agricultural and veterinary sectors.

“After this workshop, I want for you to do something as an entrepreneur,” said Prof Mulunda Mwanza, head of the subject group Animal Health, in his opening remarks.

The training sessions, held from 29 September to 10 October, focused on business thinking, business planning and steps to start and run agri-businesses. Through workshops and discussions, participants explored topics including value chain roles in animal health, livestock practices, conduct and access to finance and markets for start-ups.

Speaking on the need for change in the veterinary sector, Mongezi Menye, registrar at the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC), said: “There are about 4 000 veterinarians registered with the Council. But if you look at the blacks there, they are less than 10%, and the majority of that 400 is working for government.”

Thami Mvunyiswa, deputy director for investigations at the SAVC, said graduates must understand the standards required to work in the primary animal health care (PAHC) sector. He outlined the structural requirements for PAHC facilities, including the availability of a permanent structure for PAHC activities, complete with proper lighting, ventilation and fire-extinguishing equipment.

Through workshops such as this, the NWU’s School of Animal Science continues to build partnerships that support innovation, knowledge transfer and community development.

Animal health graduates, keynote speakers and members of the School of Agricultural Sciences pose together after the successful conclusion of the Animal health entrepreneurship training.