Steynbergh bids farewell to Boksburg SPCA
It is time to stop and smell the roses; to explore life.
These are the words of Boksburg SPCA manager Wilma Steynbergh, who’s leaving the society after three years and four months.
On April 30, she said her final goodbyes.
“It is with nostalgia that I made the decision to leave the Boksburg SPCA; it is with enormous gratitude that I say goodbye to the community – their love and support is commendable,” she said.
“I wish the Boksburg SPCA and the amazing staff with whom I had the privilege to work all the success and happiness they deserve – keep up the good work!”
Sitting behind her desk, with a faraway look in her eyes and a smile on her face, Steynbergh shared her SPCA journey with the Advertiser.
About 25 years ago, she was working as a bookkeeper when she picked up a stray Maltese terrier in Vereeniging, where she resided.
“It caused me to phone the Vereeniging SPCA every five minutes to find out whether the owners of the Maltese had in touch with them,” said Steynbergh.
“Little did I know that my journey with the SPCA started at that moment.”
After a few days of having to attend to Steynbergh’s calls, the Vereeniging SPCA offered her a chance to join them, as a bookkeeper.
“The control freak I am, I got more involved with all aspects of the society, which led to my qualifying as an inspector and taking up the position as manager at Vereeniging SPCA, in the liaison and also the farm animal unit,” she explained.
Her journey then took her to the Tshwane SPCA, and from there she eventually ended up at the Boksburg SPCA.
Regarding challenges, Steynbergh said the lack of funds available limits what the society desires to offer.
“Should we have more funds available, we would be able to do so much more,” she added.
Since the SPCA’s main objective is to prevent cruelty where animals are concerned, it has proven tough over the years for her to perform cruelty investigations and to prosecute when necessary.
An aspect of concern for Steynbergh is the misconception that the SPCA is responsible for medical treatment when the owners cannot afford it.
“Although we sympathise with the owners, the society simply does not have the financial resources expected,” she said.
She also pointed out, as part of her advice on departing, that it is good to sterilise one’s pets, as this is another form of prevention of cruelty.
Regarding highlights of her SPCA career, she said that even though the work at the society is extremely demanding, nothing compares with the reward of saving an animal from suffering.
Steynbergh’s colleague and friend for the past 14 years, Christina Masemola (Boksburg SPCA inspector and kennel manager), said: “Wilma is such a loving and caring individual. The SPCA is her life – I am going to miss her.”
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Support the SPCA’s official tin man
Boksburg SPCA thanks student volunteers
