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
Oonagh is a PhD candidate focused on improving rural livelihoods in southern Africa through a One Health approach to disease control. She completed her master’s degree in Tropical Animal Health in 2020 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 spent six years providing animal health services to impoverished communities in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, where agronomic development is constrained by controlled animal diseases. This experience inspired her to pursue a PhD in Epidemiology at the University of California, Davis, aiming to contribute to Afro-centric disease control policies on the global stage.
Her research interests include infectious and wildlife disease epidemiology and modelling, with a current focus on surveillance and control of African Swine Fever in South Africa.
Oonagh’s goals for her ExCo term are to develop regional epidemiological capacity for Africa and facilitate training on new technologies for modern African epidemiologists.
- Contact number: +27 83 457 6296
- SASVEPM Email: vicepresident@sasvepm.org
- Alternative Email: oonaghpretorius@gmail.com
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 in Veterinary Technology from Tshwane University of Technology.
He worked as Senior Researcher and Head of the Laboratory at the Agricultural Research Council: Onderstepoort Veterinary Research in South Africa. His expertise includes veterinary diagnostic services, 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. He has over five years of experience in teaching and learning at tertiary institutions and contributes as a reviewer, external examiner, and moderator for various universities.
Dr Matle currently serves as a lecturer at UNISA.
- Contact number: +27 12 523 137
- SASVEPM Email: treasurer@sasvepm.org
- Alternative Email: ItumelengMatle@gmail.com
Capacity Training Officer: Prof. Nkululeko Nyangiwe
Professor Nkululeko Nyangiwe is a C-rated NRF researcher and a registered 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, an MSc (Veterinary Sciences) Cum Laude from the University of Pretoria, and a BSc (Agric) in Animal Science from the University of Fort Hare.
He previously worked as Senior Animal Researcher and Acting Livestock Director at Döhne Research Institute in the Eastern Cape Province, where he also served as Chairperson of the Animal Research Committee. He was awarded a Bronze Medal for his meritorious PhD study by the South African Society of Animal Science in 2017 at the 50th SASAS Congress held in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape.
He currently supervises postgraduate students (MSc and PhD), mentors junior Animal Scientists, and Postdoctoral Fellows. His research focuses on veterinary parasitology, acaricide resistance, climate change impacts on Ixodid ticks, tick-borne diseases, and helminthology.
He is a member of the FAO Community of Practice and 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”.
Professor 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
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
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.
- Contact number: +27 10 345 1237
- SASVEPM Email: secretory@sasvepm.org
- Alternative Email: ndobenitn@gmail.com