"Third years, if I ever find out one day that you have made a blood smear and not stained it!!! Wherever you are in the world, I will find you…"
It was this unforgettable ‘warning’ — delivered to their third-year class by retired senior lecturer Prof Banie Penzhorn — that prompted an alumnus of the BVSc class of 1995, Dr David Da Silva to write a heartwarming email letter to Prof Penzhorn.
This letter also served as a tribute to Prof Penzhorn when the OP class of 1995 recently celebrated their 30th anniversary reunion at the Faculty of Veterinary Science’s Onderstepoort campus.
During the reunion visit on 22 April the attendees were welcomed by Prof Vinny Naidoo, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science whereafter Prof Rhoda Leask, Deputy Dean: Teaching and Learning delivered an address to the 29 guests who attended the event. A 30th anniversary lunch, and tours of the faculty’s Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital (OVAH), Skills Lab and OP Village Residence all formed part of the proceedings.
One of the highlights of the day was a lecture given by Prof Penzhorn - also Lecturer of the Year in 1989 - titled 'Canine and Feline Babesiosis Revisited' which brought a lot of memories back to the alumni present. Fittingly, Dr Da Silva then thanked Prof Penzhorn by reciting the email that he has written previously to Prof Penzhorn. It was a tribute to a former staff member and parasitology expert that has left a memorable legacy at the Faculty of Veterinary Science.
Following is a full text version of the tribute by Dr Da Silva:
"Third years, if I ever find out one day that you have made a blood smear and not stained it!!! Wherever you are in the world, I will find you…"
"It is this statement made by you to my class at OP which has prompted my writing you.
Almost three years ago, I emigrated to Australia and have since been working with a practice on the beautiful south coast of New South Wales, doing some cattle work, primarily with dairy herds.
We’re situated in a region or belt where Theileria orientalis is becoming increasingly prevalent. Interestingly, there seems to be a reluctance among many local vets to engage in microscope work. As a result, the skills I gained at OP—particularly my microscopy training—have earned me a surprising amount of “street cred” here.
The learning curve has been steep since I arrived in Australia, and I’ve picked up many new skills from my Aussie colleagues. But at no point have I ever felt that my qualification, earned in a far-off African land, was in any way inferior.
In fact, I often find myself examining bovine blood smears (all of them stained, I might add!) in the quiet of the clinic, scanning for Theileria orientalis and distinguishing it from Howell-Jolly bodies and other artifacts. And time and again, in those moments of focused solitude, your voice comes back to me—repeating that famous threat about unstained smears!
This brings me to the heart of my message.
When it comes to producing a quality veterinary degree, you and your colleagues—especially Ivan Horak, Fred Reyers, and Andrew Leisewitz, in my personal experience—have truly excelled. You have every reason to hold your heads high among the global veterinary community.
If, after 24 years, I still remember your words to us as third years… if I still recall those tricky bonus-point exam questions… if I still reflect on your interactions with students—that is surely evidence that you went far beyond the role of a parasitology lecturer. You became a mentor, a motivator, and a lasting influence on young veterinary minds.
I know OP has its annual lecturer awards to honour the outstanding educators of each year. But aside from that, there’s no tangible, long-term measure of the impact a lecturer has made. I cannot speak for other graduates, but I can say without hesitation that you enriched and influenced my own journey profoundly.
And for that, Prof Penzhorn, I thank you."
The day was concluded with a spitbraai and during the day there was also time for a group photo.
The class of 1995
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