WEB Vetnews May 2015

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From the President I Van die President
Iappeal to each and every one
of you to carefully pick your
words before you speak. Take
care not to speak in anger and,
by doing so, hurt your listeners.
Be warned that, by denigrating others,
you often also break down your own
character. I realise that we all need to
unload somewhere and that it is easy
(and often meant without malice) to
complain in a group or at a meeting
about people and issues that bother
you. Sometimes it is necessary to
speak your mind. But irresponsible and
unnecessary comments often grow a
tail or lead to assumptions that cause
massive problems.
Recently Ms Madaleen Schultheiss was
on the receiving end of this. On behalf
of the SAVA, our apologies for the
wrong perceptions that were created,
mostly as a result of assumptions. We
had a long talk with her on this and
hope to work together positively in
advancing the profession.
Let us make sure that our outlook on
life is positive. Approach problems with
boldness and sensitivity and resolve
them. Recognise need and provide
an outcome. Be enthusiastic about
change. Look for and recognise the
gold in others, develop it and rather
talk about that! I can think of some
great news items that can be shared
with others!
In the area of the compulsory
community service I can share truly
exciting news. This is now a reality
and will commence in 2016. The
closing date for applications for 2016
has already passed. Thank you to
those who applied! If you are still
considering, please take your time to
think about it. There will be another call
for applications during 2016, for the
2017-cycle. I am very excited about this
change, as it will lead to the provision
of veterinary services to areas where
it was not possible before. It will
create an opportunity to educate all
communities and a great opportunity
to control disease as a team.
Another aspect to be excited about is
the work done in the area of veterinary
wellness. Join these discussions and
help to build our profession! The
vets involved in the SAVA-hotline, as
well as others who are interested in
becoming involved in either the hotline
or mentorship, will be provided with
information and taught some skills
during the weekend before the SAVA
congress, at Champagne Sports Resort.
This is a great opportunity to make
sure that aspects of veterinary wellness
will be approached with responsibility,
ethical consideration and excellence.
Should you be interested to become
involved, please contact dr. Paul van
Dam )
On this note, the upcoming SAVA
congress in July in the Drakensberg
is also worth getting excited about!
Various interesting topics will be
covered. It is a great area of our
country, quiet, with an abundance of
fresh air. Join us there, spend time
and have fun with colleagues and
rediscover your passion for this great
occupation. As a bonus, you will earn
CPD-points!
Let us take hands, control our tongues
and take ourselves, our colleagues and
our occupation to even greater heights!
It is worth to be positive and dig for the
gold in others. Your positive digging
might bring you much more than you
bargained for. v
Henk Basson
Positive thinking
Mei/May 2015 3 vetnuus•news
There is a saying in Afrikaans that “the strongest poison comes in the smallest containers”. In the case of
the tongue, this is very true. I have seen the tongue speak beautiful, uplifting truths and truly bless people,
but I have also seen it cause severe damage. Sometimes I wonder if the reason why a dog is man’s best
friend, is because dogs can’t talk!
SOUTH AFRICAN VETERINARY ASSOCIATION
NOTICE TO MEMBERS
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND
AWARDS/GALA DINNER
Notice is hereby given that the 110th Annual General
Meeting of members of the South African Veterinary
Association will be held at 16:30-17:30 on Tuesday 28 July
2015 at the Champagne Sports Resort, Drakensberg, Natal.
The Awards/Gala Dinner will be held on
Wednesday 29 July 2015 at 19:30. Dress Code: Formal
For further enquiries regarding the Gala Dinner,
contact Petrie Vogel /
Tel: 012-346 0687 or 012-346 1674
By order of the Board
Registered office: 47 Gemsbok Avenue,
Monument Park, Pretoria, 0181
April 2015
SUID-AFRIKAANSE VETERINÊRE VERENIGING
KENNISGEWING AAN LEDE
ALGEMENE JAARVERGADERING EN
GALA-TOEKENNINGSDINEE
Kennisgewing word hiermee gegee dat die 110de Algemene
Jaarvergadering van lede van die Suid-Afrikaanse Veterinêre
Vereniging om 16:30-17:30 op Dinsdag 28 Julie 2015 gehou
word te Champagne Sports Resort, Drakensberg, Natal.
Die Gala-Toekenningsdinee word gehou op
Woensdag 29 Julie 2015 om 19:30. Dragkode: Formeel
Vir verdere navrae aangaande die Gala-dinee,
kontak Petrie Vogel /
Tel: 012-346 0687 of 012-346 1674
In opdrag van die Direksie
Geregistreerde kantoor: Gemsboklaan 47,
Monumentpark, Pretoria, 0181
April 2015