They also announced that they will be awarding no less than 60 Veterinary Science and Veterinary Nursing bursaries.
Internationally the norm is to have between 200 and 400 vets per million of the country’s population, while South Africa has around 60 to 70 vets per million.
There is a shortage not only of vets, but also of paraveterinary professionals in the country.
HWSETA’s Chairperson, Dr Nomfundo Mnisi said, “To give you an indication of the lack of transformation, the University of Pretoria produces around 160 veterinarians in a year and of that number only around 14 are students of colour. HWSETA, together with the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation are committed to addressing this concerning issue.”
Speaking at the launch, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Buti Manamela said some learners are matriculating without mathematics core and sciences which limits career opportunities. “Why is it that learners with good results in mathematics and sciences, especially black young people are not entering the veterinary sciences career path? Is it about misplaced perceptions of the veterinary sciences? It could also be about access to information and the myth that this profession is one that is reserved for young white people. We must work together to correct this wrongly held perception,” Manamela said.
HWSETA’s career guidance awareness programme is part of a broader campaign called Breaking Barriers – Encouraging Black Youth to Take up Veterinary Professions.
The programme will be visiting numerous schools in rural areas across four provinces – the Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, Free State and Limpopo to encourage learners to consider a career in veterinary services.
The school visits will, amongst other things, feature talks by guests promoting the sector and an opportunity to see the career in action through a mobile veterinary clinic.
Dr Mnisi believes that key to tackling the issue, is reaching out to students in rural areas where there is less awareness around animal health.
As part of the full bursaries announced by HWSETA, high school learners at the schools involved who meet entry requirements into the faculty of Veterinary Science and have a keen interest will also be awarded bursaries by HWSETA towards achieving their veterinary ambitions.
HWSETA also announced at the launch that all students of colour who are accepted to study Veterinary Science and Veterinary Nursing at the University of Pretoria in 2023 by June 30this year will also receive bursaries.
