Onderstepoort Centenary Celebration

From the 6-9 October Onderstepoort will celebrate the centenary of its establishment in 1908 and a century of achievements in the field of veterinary science which was crucial in the development of South Africa. The event is organized as a joint initiative by the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute of the Agricultural Research Council (ARCOVI), the Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP), the Department of Agriculture and the South African Veterinary Association. The inauguration of the new Institute at Onderstepoort in 1908 was accompanied by a Pan-African Conference and the organizing committee of the present festivities decided it was fitting to celebrate the centenary with another Pan-African event. The intention is to celebrate accomplishments of the past century but also to look into the future and plan the way forward. The focus will be on research achievements and needs but due consideration will be given to the important contributions of training institutions, veterinary field services and the role of technological developments such as design and production of vaccines. In addition to the scientific conference other events on the programme include the launching of a commemorative postage stamp, the opening of a National Veterinary Museum, the launching of a book on the history of Onderstepoort and a gala dinner with the President as guest of honour. Still referred to as ‘Sickline’ by the local population, Onderstepoort can be regarded as the hub of veterinary science in Africa. However, few people realize, let alone acknowledge that Onderstepoort is a world class contributor to veterinary science. It is home to the only veterinary faculty in South Africa, to OBP, a leading vaccine producer, and to the ARC-OVI, which is eminent in veterinary research in Africa. In the past economically important animal diseases such as rinderpest, lamsiekte, nagana and East Coast fever have been eradicated or brought under control whereas present research includes diseases such as avian influenza and foot and mouth disease. It all started back in 1896 when an outbreak of rinderpest, the worst pandemic animal disease the country has ever experienced, occurred, eventually destroying almost half of the total livestock population and even more wildlife. The crippling economical consequences of this outbreak finally convinced the authorities of the importance of veterinary services and research. The then Z.A.R appointed a young Swiss veterinarian, Dr Arnold Theiler, with the specific brief to combat the disease. With the support of other workers a vaccine was developed which was instrumental in the complete eradication of rinderpest by the end of the century. During the rinderpest campaign a first veterinary ‘laboratory’ was erected at Daspoort in Pretoria in 1897. However, the disaster firmly established the economic necessity of veterinary research and after the interruption of the Anglo-Boer War a modern laboratory was built at Onderstepoort. The new laboratory was officially inaugurated in 1908 with Theiler as first Director. Many generations of scientist have made outstanding contributions to veterinary science since Theiler’s time, giving Onderstepoort international acclaim for research and vaccine production and the generations of world class veterinarians trained at the Faculty of Veterinary Science. The conference is open to all who have a particular interest in veterinary science and all the former employees of the above mentioned organizations. Please contact Zandile Mabena on 012 346 1150 or [email protected] for further information

More from

• IVC Evidensia assembles expert team to run new £10m referral hospital
• Home delivery service can increase pet health plan sign-ups by 25%
• Research reveals vital clues to help fight anthelmintic resistance
• Lifetime Achievement Award recognises Harrogate vet’s dedication to improving the health and welfare of rabbits
• Bake sale at Leicestershire vet practice for good cause