Veterinary toxicologist Dr Luningo reflects on perseverance, gender barriers and the essential role women play in protecting livestock, controlling diseases and educating communities.
By Maile Matsimela, Digital Editor at African Farming
As part of Women’s Month, Dr Asive Luningo, veterinarian and lecturer in veterinary toxicology at the University of Pretoria’s (UP’s) Faculty of Veterinary Science shares her inspiring path to becoming a dedicated veterinarian, guided by purpose and persistence.
“My formative years were marked by a lack of exposure to veterinary professionals, which fuelled my determination to alleviate the suffering of animals,” says Dr Luningo. “I obtained a Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree from the University of Pretoria in 2019, and am currently pursuing a master’s in veterinary medicine, specialising in toxicology.”
Dr Luningo also serves as a lecturer in veterinary toxicology at UP, the only institution in South Africa offering veterinary science programmes. “Admission to the university’s veterinary programme came after perseverance and dedication. I was accepted after my third application, three years after finishing high school,” she recalls. “My acceptance was a step forward in a profession where women continue to rise and contribute to the future of animal health.”
Breaking Barriers
Reflecting on the history of women in veterinary science, Dr Luningo notes: “Joan Morice, the first South African woman to graduate as a veterinarian from Onderstepoort, broke new ground and paved the way for generations of women to follow in a field once dominated by men. Despite facing barriers and discouragement, a strong foundation was laid through resilience and determination. Today, women make up more than 50% of registered veterinary professionals.”
Overcoming Field-specific Challenges
“The challenges women encounter in veterinary science are often field-specific, varying across sectors like small-animal practice, large-animal medicine, and regulatory, wildlife, rural and research,” Dr Luningo explains. “When I was working in a rural setup, I encountered challenges like isolation, long-distance travelling, rough terrain, gender-based discrimination by traditional farmers and poor handling facilities, which posed a risk of injuries.
“Large-animal and wildlife women veterinarians have spoken about being overlooked or underestimated, as many communities are more accustomed to seeing male veterinarians in these roles. Regulatory women veterinary professionals have encountered resistance from clients when enforcing regulations such as stopping illegal animal slaughter practices, as most would question their qualifications and not take instructions from women.”
Safeguarding South Africa’s Food Security
Despite these challenges, Dr Luningo emphasises the critical role women play in the field. “Women in veterinary science play vital roles in South Africa’s food security, animal health and welfare, which extends beyond clinical practice to include meat inspection, disease surveillance, export certification and the development of policies and research,” she says. “I started my journey as a community service veterinarian working in export facilitation services. My role was to attest to the requirements and conditions of the importing countries and provide for inspection of export facilities for approval by the South African authorities.
“I moved on to serve as an animal health state veterinarian, focusing on primary animal healthcare. This involved clinical services as well as animal disease surveillance, especially dealing with controlled diseases and controlling animal movement. Early detection and control of diseases reduce the risk of large-scale outbreaks, which can decrease livestock productivity and cause significant financial losses for farmers.
“Critically, current outbreaks such as foot-and-mouth disease can also lead to the loss of a country’s disease-free status with the World Organisation for Animal Health, affecting trade and market access,” she points out.
“In addition, my other role in veterinary public health involved the Meat Safety Act (No. 40 of 2000), ensuring that animal products are safe, traceable and produced under hygienic conditions to protect both public health and the economy.”
Also read: Dr Yvonne Maila’s marula enterprise empowers rural women
Community Engagement And Rural Development
Dr Luningo is passionate about community engagement. “Women in veterinary science demonstrate passion in community engagement and rural development support. I have participated in community engagement activities, including school visits to educate children, particularly about rabies, a deadly zoonotic disease,” she says.
“I have organised sterilisation campaigns to help control dog populations, because more than 90% of human rabies cases result from dog bites, and overpopulation often leads to large numbers of stray dogs living in poor conditions, without food or shelter.
“Additionally, I have collaborated with agricultural extension services to educate farmers on diseases like sheep scab and heartwater, as well as animal handling training,” says Dr Luningo. “Furthermore, I have reached a wider audience through radio interviews and newspaper articles to promote animal welfare advocacy.”
Research And Specialised Contributions
On the importance of research, Dr Luningo says: “The involvement of women in research further supports sustainable agricultural practices through the development of effective vaccines, diagnostics, discovery of emerging diseases, treatment strategies and dealing with issues like antimicrobial resistance and emerging toxicological hazards.
“As a woman in veterinary toxicology, I play an important role in integrating veterinary medicine, pharmacology, pathology and environmental science to address challenging toxicological issues to protect animal health and prevent livestock losses,” she explains.
“Through my research, I have created awareness of new emerging toxic plants through podcasting and publishing articles to veterinary and farmers’ news media. South Africa is facing a critical shortage of antivenom. I have contributed to raising awareness, first aid and the safe handling of venomous snakes, driven by the need to explore alternative approaches to managing snakebite cases.”
Leadership And Professional Governance
Dr Luningo acknowledges the progress in leadership roles. “Women veterinarians are playing an increasingly influential role in shaping veterinary regulations and policies. The appointment of Dr Nandipha Ndudane as president of the South African Veterinary Council (https://savc.org.za/) also highlights the growing presence of women in veterinary leadership and professional governance.”
Balancing Professional And Personal Life
“A healthy work-life balance remains a significant challenge, especially for women juggling full-time work, postgraduate studies and caregiving responsibilities,” Dr Luningo admits. “As a mother of two young children, I often find it difficult to prioritise my wellbeing. Flexible continuing education, working hours and family-friendly conference arrangements could help support women in similar roles.”
