SASVEPM Exco 2025/2027
President: Prof. Chris Marufu
Prof Chris Marufu is an Associate Professor of Veterinary Parasitology in the Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria. He holds a PhD from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, an MSc from the University of Fort Hare, and a BVSc from the University of Zimbabwe. With extensive experience as a state veterinarian and in academia in South Africa’s Eastern Cape and Gauteng provinces, Chris brings expertise in animal health, public health and research. His work focuses on the epidemiology and control of parasitic diseases in livestock, particularly in low-resource and smallholder farming systems across sub-Saharan Africa. Chris’ interests include helminth zoonoses, One Health approaches, and the socio-economic impacts of parasitic infections. As a committed supervisor of MSc and PhD students, he actively contributes to capacity building and promotes sustainable parasite control initiatives, strengthening veterinary epidemiology networks in Southern Africa. Chris currently serves as the President of the Southern African Society for Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine (SASVEPM).
- SASVEPM Email: president@sasvepm.org
Vice President: Dr Oonagh Pretorius
Dr Oonagh Pretorius is a PhD candidate committed to the improvement of rural livelihoods in southern Africa through a One Health approach to disease control.In 2020, she completed her master’s degree in Tropical Animal Health through the University of Pretoria and the Institute for Tropical Medicine, Antwerp. She also holds bachelor’s degrees in Veterinary Biology and Veterinary Science from the University of Pretoria.
As a State Veterinarian, she previously spent six years providing animal health services to the impoverished communities of Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, where agronomic development is consistently constrained and threatened by controlled animal diseases. This experience inspired her to pursue a PhD in Epidemiology (University of California, Davis) so that in future she might contribute to the development of more Afro-centric disease control policies on the global stage.
Her research interests include infectious and wildlife disease epidemiology and modelling, currently focusing on surveillance and control of African Swine Fever in South Africa.
Dr Pretorius’ goals for her ExCo term are to further develop regional epidemiological capacity to tackle the unique challenges faced by animal health on the African continent; and facilitate training on new technologies for the modern African epidemiologist.
- SASVEPM Email: vicepresident@sasvepm.org
Secretary: Dr Tandile Ndobeni
Dr Tandile Ndobeni is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Agriculture and Animal Health at the University of South Africa. She is a Golden Key International Honour Society member and holds a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Pretoria, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture: Animal Production from the University of Fort Hare. Her professional experience includes roles within the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, and the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development, where she served under the Veterinary Services Directorate providing clinical primary animal health care services, while also supervising and co-ordinating compulsory community service veterinarians as the Gauteng Provincial Coordinator. Dr Ndobeni is actively involved in academic capacity building as a supervisor of Honours and MSc students. Her research interests include public health and epidemiology. As the Secretary of the society for the 2025–2027 term, she is dedicated to ensuring effective governance, administration, communication, coordination, and compliance with reporting standards.
- SASVEPM Email: secretory@sasvepm.org
Treasurer: Dr Itumeleng Matle
Dr Itumeleng Matle holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Agriculture from the University of South Africa (UNISA), an M-Tech in Environmental Health from the Central University of Technology, and a B-Tech degree in Veterinary Technology from Tshwane University of Technology. He worked as a Senior Researcher and Head of the Laboratory at the Agricultural Research Council: Onderstepoort Veterinary Research in South Africa. His expertise lies in veterinary diagnostic services, including veterinary bacteriology, food microbiology, genomic epidemiology of foodborne bacterial pathogens, and laboratory administration. As an NRF Y-rated researcher, he has mentored numerous postgraduate students. Furthermore, he has dedicated over 5 years to teaching and learning at tertiary institutions and contributes as a reviewer, external examiner, and moderator for various universities. Dr Matle currently works as a lecturer at UNISA.
- SASVEPM Email: treasurer@sasvepm.org
Communications officer: Dr Nyeleti Manganyi
Dr Nyeleti Manganyi is a committed veterinarian with a strong background in animal health, public service, and veterinary leadership. She holds a BSc in Veterinary Biology, a BVSc, and an MSc in Veterinary Science from the University of Pretoria. She is also graduate of the Emerging Leaders in Public Service Course.
Currently serving as a State Veterinarian in the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture, Dr Manganyi oversees disease surveillance, clinical services, and regulatory compliance under the Animal Diseases and Meat Safety Acts. Her role includes leading veterinary teams, coordinating community outreach clinics, and conducting animal welfare inspections in accordance with the Performing Animals Protection Act.
Her previous roles in the Gauteng and National Departments of Agriculture involved shaping national animal welfare legislation, developing veterinary policy, and managing the Compulsory Community Service (CCS) programme. She has also contributed to the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) as a Facility Inspector and Committee Member, upholding excellence in veterinary standards.As Communications Officer, she supports the society’s mission by enhancing member engagement, promoting veterinary epidemiology, and fostering Southern African regional collaboration.
- SASVEPM Email: communications@sasvepm.org
Capacity Training Officer: Prof. Nkululeko Nyangiwe
Prof Nkululeko Nyangiwe is a C rated NRF researcher who is registered as Professional Natural Scientist (SACNASP). He is currently appointed as Distinguished Professor at UNISA in the Department of Agriculture and Animal Health. He holds a PhD from the University of Stellenbosch, MSc (Veterinary Sciences) at University of Pretoria, BSc (Agric) in Animal Science at the University of Fort Hare. Previously working as Senior Animal Researcher and Acting Livestock Director at Döhne Research Institute in the Eastern Cape Province where he also served as Chairperson of Animal Research Committee. He was awarded a Bronze Medal for the meritorious PhD study by the South African Society of Animal Science in 2017, on the 50th SASAS Congress held in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. He is currently supervising postgraduate students (MSc & PhD), mentored junior Animal Scientists and Postdoctoral Fellows. His research interests are mainly on veterinary parasitology, elucidating the acaricide resistance, climate change impact on Ixodid ticks, tick-borne diseases and is recently advancing in helminthology. He is a member of Community of Practice under FAO and has contributed to the revised guidelines published as “FAO. 2025. Guidelines for sustainable tick control and acaricide resistance management in livestock. FAO Animal Production and Health Guidelines, No. 38. Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/cd4964en”.Prof Nyangiwe currently serves as the Capacity Training Officer for the Southern African Society for Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine (SASVEPM).
- SASVEPM Email: training@sasvepm.org