YMG CONGRESS FEEDBACK REPORT
SAEVA CONGRESS 2020
20 - 23 February | Skukuza, Kruger National Park
Written by Zarah Vermeulen
Youth Member Representative
The 2020 SAEVA Congress took place in Skukuza, Kruger
National Park from the 20th to the 23rd of February. The
Congress hosted some wonderful international speakers
including Dr Evita Busschers, Dr Pam Wilkins, Dr Dave
Goodrow, and Dr Nicole Du Toit. 11 Onderstepoort
students ranging from 3rd to final year arrived excited
to learn and network with the older Vets. Thanks to
Zoetis we were invited to a Mentor-Mentee braai where
we were able to meet and socialise with the vets signed
up as Mentors. This was a great opportunity to find out
more about the Mentor-Mentee programme as well as
chat to many of the delegates presenting at the trade
fair.
Donning our Arco 360 shirts and Stride caps we started
the first day directing vets to registration and selling
raffle tickets in aid of the recent Australian bush
fires, with a lot of help from Dr Terry Casey. The well-
respected Prof Bath kicked things off with an interesting
lecture on the history of Vets in South Africa, going all
the way back to the 1800s. The rest of the day passed
in a blur of stimulating lectures, great conversation and
absolutely delicious food. During the tea and lunch
breaks the students broke into different groups that
rotated between advertising, socialising and assisting
with any administration matters, including getting vets
to take part in the Radiology quiz set up by Dr Hoepner.
A cocktail evening sponsored by Epol was a great way
to continue to network and connect with the vets. The