Irene’s love for animals extends beyond the SPCA
Irene is the receptionist at the SPCA in Polokwane and her love for animals overflows in every conversation she has.
POLOKWANE – The Bible teaches that what the heart is full of, one’s mouth will speak. In Irene Kekana’s case, this is 100% true. Irene is the receptionist at the SPCA in Polokwane and her love for animals overflows in every conversation she has. This, she says, motivates her to always give 100 percent.
“I grew up in Mokopane and halfway through my business management studies, I realised I was wasting time and money as I hated it. In 2011, I met with a man working for the SPCA in Mokopane who rescued a kid (goat) that fell in an old borehole. I was extremely impressed with his work. We started talking and I realised there are actually people out there who look out for the welfare of animals.”
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Irene then enquired about the SPCA and later met Jerry Seemise, who encouraged her to visit his manager, Johan Joubert. She was appointed as a volunteer and she says she loved every second of it. “I started by cleaning the kennels, folding blankets, and feeding the dogs. I was on a three-month volunteer basis, not receiving money and after a month, Johan asked me to become part of the team.”
Working at the SPCA for a few years gave Irene an opportunity to work on many different projects and also allowed her to travel. In 2014, she spent a month in Kenya for a donkey project, which she called an eye-opening experience. “It was the first time I flew in an airplane and I enjoyed the workshop a lot. Donkeys are being mistreated, overloaded and experience a lot of cruelty, even in South Africa. The SPCA has made me a better person,” she told Review.
Irene says she hates that there are animals who suffer and to educate others about their health and safety is paramount to her passion. She has attended grooming school with the SPCA and has offered mobile dip stations for the animals.
Exactly seven years after her first day at Mokopane SPCA, Irene joined the team in Polokwane and says she thoroughly enjoys visits to schools or when children visit the SPCA.
“I love education and educating a child is impactful as they are likely to take the message further, ” she added.
