Tukkievaria sat down with Professor Cheryl McCrindle of UP’s Department of Research and Innovation – who is affectionately known as “the village granny” – to discuss her extraordinary career and her reflections on unity in diversity.

As a guiding mentor to upcoming researchers in the University of Pretoria's (UP) Department of Research and Innovation (DRI), Prof McCrindle’s wisdom and experiences are invaluable to those she nurtures. With over 40 years of experience, she is an inspiring figure, sharing her knowledge and insights with the next generation of researchers.

Prof McCrindle firmly believes that breaking down the barriers of diversity is essential for building stronger communities – “let’s unite to serve our community by embracing our differences”, she says. According to Prof McCrindle, it is only by working together that we can address common challenges and create a more inclusive society. By fostering mutual respect and understanding, she argues, communities can transform diversity from a source of division into one of strength.

“I worked in peri-urban and rural communities during the Ga-Rankuwa riots in the North-West,” she recalls. “We were assisting small-scale farmers in the middle of a war. The community helped keep us safe and we, who were academics, helped them improve their farming systems and livestock health.”

Her work during that time was a testament to the power of unity. Despite the volatile conditions, she and the veterinary students formed strong relationships with community members, who were from diverse social and economic backgrounds. The aim was to train the students to help farmers maintain food security, test cattle for diseases that are transmissible to people and help with difficult calving.  

“I am a real cowgirl,” Prof McCrindle says. “We worked together to provide food security through healthy poultry, swine, sheep and goats. Taxi drivers used to signal which roads were safe to travel on and which weren’t. This mutual trust and respect allowed us to support one another as a team during chaos.

Prof McCrindle emphasises the importance of teamwork rather than a top-down approach. Respecting the social level, age and gender of everyone in a village were important for achieving community goals.

“Respecting diversity ensures that everyone’s voice is heard,” she explains. “Valuing different perspectives allows for more comprehensive solutions, addressing the unique needs of all community members.”

It is through this approach, she believes, that stronger, more resilient communities can be built, where collective progress is possible because of cooperation, not despite it.

Prof McCrindle began her career in veterinary science in 1969, after obtaining a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from UP. Since then she made significant contributions to the field, particularly in One Health, epidemiology, animal welfare and livestock behaviour. Her passion for these areas has driven her remarkable career, earning her recognition for her work in veterinary science, food safety and security, globally.

Currently, her research interests focus on One Health zoonoses, epidemiology, health systems and academic editing. In addition to her academic contributions, Prof McCrindle has also had a diverse career in media, having worked as a radio presenter, and as a columnist for Farmers Weekly and a columnist on animal behaviour for Beeld newspaper. Her scientific writing is recorded on Research Gate, where she has an h-score of 18.

“I wear many hats,” she says with a smile, reflecting on her multifaceted career. Her expertise spans a wide array of fields, including research communication, epidemiology, zoonotic diseases and veterinary public health. Beyond her impressive professional credentials, it’s her unwavering commitment to community service that stands out.