Veterinarian honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award

After working as a veterinarian for over 30 years, Dr. Lubabalo Mrwebi was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award celebrating by his work.

“I received an award at the South African Society of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, honouring the work that I have done in 37 years,” explained Mrwebi.

He said this award focuses special attention to his contribution to the veterinary service, and chemical preventative efforts to animals.

“I became a veterinarian in 1991, I studied at the Medical University of Southern Africa (Medunsa). I spent my whole life working in the community services in the Eastern Cape,” said Mrwebi.

Since 1991 to 2000, Mrwebi helped emerging livestock farmers in municipalities including Mnquma, Mbashe, Alfred Nzo, Chris Hani and Joe Gqabi.

Mrwebi is a native of Cumakala, Cacadu (formerly Lady Frere) in the Emalahleni Local Municipality. He comes from a home that produces doctors.

“In 2000 I was given the opportunity to manage the department responsible for Animal Health in the Eastern Cape, where I worked until 2017,” said Mrwebi.

As a result of his implementations and dedication to animal health, he changed the lives of sheep farmers in the Eastern Cape.

“In my efforts I have been able to improve the quality and average of wool that came from rural farmers, I did this after making a positive influence, making recommendations to the department,” said Mrwebi.

For his commitment to the animal health service, rural farmers have extensive knowledge of livestock farming that are modern because of his assistance.

“In the history of my working life, I played a major role when there was an emergence of three diseases that negatively affected the Eastern Cape and South Africa. These diseases include the foot and mouth disease in 2001, the outbreak of Avian Influenza in Somerset East in 2004 and swine flu in 2005. All these diseases were successfully controlled after a two-year battle,” said Mrwebi.

He said he is really proud when looking back on the work he has done that opened doors for other veterinarians.

“I am really proud of the efforts that made it easier for other doctors to go study abroad, some of them come back and work in the Eastern Cape,” said a proud Mrwebi.

Dr. Jotelo Soga was the first Black veterinarian after studying in Scotland and later returned to work in South Africa.

Like all shepherds, the shepherd herds, nurtures and protects the flock and in the afternoon, carries his jacket over his shoulder and goes home.

“I retired in 2019,” said Mrwebi.

The growth of wool production, the improvement of herds including cattle for emerging farmers in the Eastern Cape, is one of the fruitful works done by Dr. Mrwebi.

Because of his work to care for animals, Mrwebi was affectionately called ‘Pig Doctor’ in his native village, Cumakala and many other villages in Cacadu.

As a result of his efforts and encouragement, the number of Black youths studying Veterinary Science has grown in the Eastern Cape and in South Africa.