More than five decades of service to livestock farmers have earned Dr Faffa Malan, affectionately known as Doc Faffa, a well-deserved industry accolade.

By Marisa Beeton, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad

The Michael Bradfield Award has been presented this year to Dr Faffa Malan for his lifelong contribution to the South African livestock industry.

This award is presented annually by Landbouweekblad, our sister publication, to someone who embodies Dr Michael Bradfield’s vision for advancing South Africa’s livestock sector.

Chris Burgess, editor-in-chief of African Farming and Landbouweekblad, handed the award to Doc Faffa, as he is widely known, at the prize-giving ceremony of the national Sheep Farmer and Cattle Farmer of the Year competition, held recently in Muldersdrift, Gauteng.

“Doc Faffa is as close to a legend as one could get,” Burgess said during the handover. “He has served the livestock sector for more than five decades with incredible dedication to South Africa’s farmers, with deep professional insight, boundless passion, unwavering enthusiasm and a touch of humour. All of this reflects his lifelong admiration for the country’s farmers and his love for their animals.”

Also read: Celebrating the legendary veterinarian Doc Faffa

More than Five Decades of Service to the Livestock Industry

Malan received his veterinary science degree from the University of Pretoria’s Onderstepoort faculty in 1968. His first veterinary post – in Vrede in the Free State – sparked an interest in research.

Later, while working in Malelane, Mpumalanga, his research on parasites led to the development of the world-renowned FAMACHA system, a simple eye-colour chart that helps farmers assess anaemia in sheep and goats caused by wireworm. He developed the system alongside his colleagues and lifelong friends Dr Gareth Bath and Dr Jan van Wyk. The name FAMACHA is an acronym derived from FAffa MAlan CHArt.

The system allows farmers to determine the level of wireworm infection in small stock by examining the colour of the mucous membranes in the eyes. This enables the selective treatment of individual animals, helping to slow down resistance to deworming remedies.

As manager at RuVASA, Malan developed the national monthly disease reporting system, which gathers information from almost 160 veterinary practices and other institutions. It was the first system of its kind in South Africa.

“His passion for sharing knowledge is further evident in his popular ‘Ask Faffa’ column, which has received more than 12 million visits on the Landbou.com website. Over the years, it has made an enormous contribution to transferring knowledge to farmers,” Burgess said.

Also read: Doc Faffa’s new livestock disease book belongs in every farm bakkie

Malan was also involved in hundreds of episodes of Landbouweekblad’s television programme Landbouweekliks.
His knowledge continues to reach farmers through his various Ask the Vet books, and through the leading reference work Vaccines and Immunisation of Farm Animals, which he co-authored with the late Dr Jan du Preez.

“All of these have become indispensable resources for the agricultural sector and will continue to serve farmers for many years,” Burgess said.

“Doc Faffa’s dedication, expertise and tireless commitment have created a lasting legacy that will inspire farmers for generations.”

Malan’s deep care for farmers shone through in his speech after receiving the honour: “For those who are struggling [because of foot-and-mouth disease], we’re thinking of you. We see who is affected. When one is hit, it affects us all. We pray for you, and I appreciate each one of you.”