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UFS to establish South Africa’s second veterinary training facility

16 June 2025 | Story Martinette Brits | Photo Supplied

The University of the Free State (UFS) is advancing plans to establish a new veterinary science programme – set to become only the second of its kind in South Africa. This initiative includes the development of a professionally accredited Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) degree and a state-of-the-art veterinary teaching hospital on the South Campus in Bloemfontein. It will also leverage the university’s Paradys Experimental Farm, home to advanced agricultural infrastructure and established production animal herds.

“The UFS is planning a new veterinary programme, strategically supported by the unique infrastructure and resources of its South Campus,” says Prof Johan van Niekerk, Vice-Dean of Agriculture in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. “Located in close proximity to the Paradys Experimental Farm, the campus provides an ideal environment for practical veterinary training. The farm’s real-world livestock systems will offer students invaluable experiential learning opportunities in animal care, disease management, and sustainable agriculture.”

In her installation address delivered on Monday 9 June 2025, Prof Hester C. Klopper, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS, highlighted the importance of this development, noting that it will position the university as a key contributor to veterinary science education in South Africa. "The establishment of a veterinary science programme at the UFS reflects our commitment to transdisciplinary research and addressing national priorities through innovation in higher education. This initiative not only strengthens our role in advancing food security, animal health, and sustainable agriculture, but also positions the UFS as a pivotal contributor to the continent’s development goals in these critical sectors."

This move comes in direct response to the country’s pressing need for more veterinary professionals, a shortage that poses risks to food security, animal welfare, public health, and agricultural productivity.

According to a report by the Western Cape Government (South Africa is Bleeding Veterinarians, February 2023), South Africa has only 60 to 70 veterinarians per million people – far below the international norm of 200 to 400 per million. This critical gap underscores the urgency of expanding veterinary education and training opportunities.

“This initiative directly addresses a national priority while aligning with continental and global aspirations towards sustainable development – especially in the areas of modern agriculture, food security, and environmental sustainability,” says Dr Nalize Scheepers from the Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development.

Building a foundation for veterinary excellence

Although still in the early stages, the project has received in-principle approval from the Minister of Higher Education and Training, the Department of Agriculture (DoA), the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), and the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC).

The university has been exploring the feasibility of this programme for the past five years, involving consultations with various stakeholders in the higher education and veterinary sectors. "As a public higher education institution, we are subject to national regulation and will confirm commencement dates once final approval and accreditation of the qualification are secured," says Dr Scheepers.

As part of this initiative, a veterinary academic hospital is planned on the South Campus. “The facility will feature clinical training facilities – providing students with supervised, hands-on experience in animal diagnosis, surgery, and treatment; public veterinary services – offering essential care to local farmers, livestock owners, and pet owners in the surrounding communities; and research support – enabling applied research in critical areas such as animal health, epidemiology, and public health,” says Prof van Niekerk.

Beyond supporting academic excellence, the planned hospital will play a vital role in serving the wider agricultural community. “The hospital will address the urgent shortage of veterinary services in the region and contribute to the province’s animal health and food security goals,” he adds.

Initially, the BVSc degree will be offered within the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, with plans to establish a dedicated School of Veterinary Science as the programme develops. The initiative also supports the UFS One Health Initiative, creating broad opportunities for research and development.

News Archive

Nat Nakasa the inspiration behind UFS academic’s PhD thesis

2017-01-09

Photo: Supplied

“I’m interested in alternative ways of approaching things, so I wanted to look at how journalism can be used in an unconventional way to contribute to a developing society.”

This is why Dr Willemien Marais, a lecturer in the Department of Communication Science at the University of the Free State (UFS), decided to title her thesis: Nat Nakasa as existential journalist, describing a form of journalism that places emphasis on the individual’s experiences.

“Existentialism is a philosophy that provides scope for an individual approach to life, and I like Nat Nakasa’s writing because of his excellent sense of humour despite his horrific circumstances as a black journalist during apartheid,” she says.

A practical approach to writing

Dr Marais analysed Nat Nakasa’s approach to journalism through articles he wrote in the early 1960s. She searched for relevant themes of existentialist philosophy in Nakasa’s work in order to prove that he could be read as an existential journalist.

She mentions that in terms of contemporary relevance, Nakasa’s approach to journalism suggests that existentialism could provide the journalist with a practical approach to writing, especially for those journalists working in developing societies.

“The relevance of this approach lies in the fact that any society is always between things – the old and the new – which might require the journalist to operate outside the boundaries of conventional journalism.”

This study was qualitative in nature because of the interpretation required. She mentions that it was basically one of many possible interpretations of Nakasa’s work; with this one using existentialism as a lens.

An intellectually stimulating thesis

Dr Marais quotes French existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre, who said that interpreting someone’s work, especially someone who was no longer alive, was open to “thousands of shimmering, iridescent, relevant meanings”, and her research represents one of these possible meanings of Nakasa’s work as a journalist.

When asked how long she had worked on her thesis, Dr Marais simply answered “too long!” She mentions that her thesis was initially more of an intellectual exercise. Whereas the actual act of writing took about four months, she spent many years thinking about the topic. “Now that all is said and done, I realise I had to grow into the topic. It took me a while to realise that true understanding does not come overnight!”

Dr Marais mentions that other than herself and the work of Nat Nakasa, there were no other roleplayers involved. “For many, many years it was just Nat Nakasa and I. It was frustrating and exhilarating all at the same time.”

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