University of Pretoria (UP) alumnus and state veterinarian Dr Nyeleti Manganyi tells us about her role, what motivates her and why community work is paramount.

Can you provide a summary of your education and professional experience? 

I enrolled in three degrees at UP. I completed a BSc in Veterinary Biology (graduated in 2011), a BVSc in Veterinary Science (graduated in 2016), and an MSc in Veterinary Science (graduated in 2022). I am looking forward to enrolling for a PhD in the future.

I was a community service veterinarian immediately after graduation for a year. I then worked as a state veterinarian for the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, now known as the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, for a few years. Then I joined the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and am currently with the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform.

What motivated you to pursue this career trajectory? 

I have always wanted to help where I could. I realised that some communities needed veterinary services at affordable rates, if not free. As a result, I decided to work for the state to reach that goal.

In what ways did participating in community engagement initiatives at UP contribute to your professional growth? 

My involvement in community engagement activities at UP contributed positively. I got to understand the planning, effort, time and teamwork that goes into executing a community engagement project and making it a success. I understood that, at times, the involvement of third-party stakeholders, such as sponsors, was essential. I learned more about people skills when engaging with the communities, which involved respecting and knowing when to listen and address the community. I got better at these skills every time I got the chance to engage with the community. As a result, I have improved a lot in my stage presence and public speaking. In 2022, our state veterinary office held a World Rabies Day event for the province of Eastern Cape. I could utilise the skills I learned to make the event a success. Both internal and external stakeholders such as the media were involved. This proves that “if you want to go far, go together”.

Describe a few community projects in which you actively participate. 

As a state veterinarian, I engage a lot with communities, especially in rural areas, where I work with groups of clients such as farmers or pet owners, especially during vaccination campaigns. Veterinary officials such as animal health technicians greatly assist. I can safely say that every state veterinarian needs and appreciates the involvement of animal health technicians. That is where the skill of planning and working as a team to execute projects comes in.

What advice would you offer present students who are interested in engaging in community service initiatives? 

Grab it with both hands if you can participate in community engagement projects. You will realise how much the community appreciates your meaningful efforts and sometimes sees you as their only help. This will boost your confidence and make you proud of yourself one day when you are older and qualified. 

Can you highlight specific community involvement initiatives that you take pride in from your time at UP? 

The one that stands out is Veterinary Student Community Outreach (VETSCO), founded by a group of veterinary students over a decade ago. This was the brainchild of a classmate who entrusted us by making us part of the executive team. As a team, VETSCO helped many communities with essential veterinary services under the supervision of a qualified veterinarian, and exposed students to fieldwork. This helped many students like me who lacked an animal handling background. As a result, students gained experience and confidence in animal handling and people skills. It became one of the organisations the University and many third-party stakeholders were proud of. That way, it received sponsorship from various veterinary product companies. It got a free advertisement from displaying material with their company logos.

Are there skills or attributes you feel would have been valuable to learn while volunteering in your community, in order to enhance your preparation for your career? 

Ironically, I wish I could have learnt that the more you do right by the community, the more your services will be in demand. As a result, it becomes challenging to reach everyone who needs your services. Consequently, that increases the vacancy rate in your team. As a state veterinarian, you must know when to take time out without feeling guilty, as the demand can be overwhelming. If you do not prioritise your health, you will burn out.

Can you point out any notable accomplishments or significant milestones in your career that you would like to emphasise? 

I have participated as a facility inspector at the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC). I decided to get exposure to various categories of veterinary facilities to study more about what is required for a facility to comply with the minimum standards of SAVC. As a result, this ensured that veterinary and para-veterinary professionals offered quality veterinary services as best as possible. By exposing myself to this, I got the opportunity to improve our facility, too.