The Eastern Cape is set to receive a welcome boost in animal health capacity as 38 Animal Health Technicians graduate from the Tsolo Agriculture and Rural Development Institute (TARDI), at a time when the province continues to battle outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and other serious livestock illnesses.
By Lebogang Mashala, editor at African Farming
Significantly, women make up 63% of the graduating class, reflecting encouraging progress in transforming the animal health and veterinary support sector.
According to TARDI Principal, Dr Nandipha Ndudane, the new graduates arrive at a critical moment for both the province and the country’s livestock industry.
“Their entry into the sector injects much-needed capacity into our veterinary defence systems,” she said, noting that South Africa is facing heightened threats from diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, rabies, African swine fever and Avian influenza.
Ndudane emphasised that the impact of these diseases extends far beyond animal health.
“When livestock are affected, rural economies suffer, families lose income, and communities face food insecurity. When zoonotic diseases spread, they endanger both animals and people. This is why your role is so critical – you are the frontline defenders of biosecurity,” she told graduates during the ceremony.
Many of the newly qualified technicians are expected to play a vital role in rural areas, where veterinary services are often limited. Their work will include disease surveillance, farmer support, and improving response times to outbreaks.
Funding Unlocks Access for Rural Students
In a major development for the institution, Ndudane announced that TARDI has secured a revised bursary allocation of R15.4 million from the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA). The funding will support students for the full duration of the diploma programme.
This is complemented by R1.57 million from the Agriculture Sector Education and Training Authority (AgriSETA), funding 20 students, and an additional R790 000 in emergency provincial support, enabling 10 more admissions.
Through these partnerships, TARDI now ranks among the few institutions in South Africa offering fully funded agricultural training – covering tuition, accommodation meals and monthly stipends, primarily benefiting students from disadvantaged rural communities.
Also read: UFH to establish South Africa’s second veterinary academic hospital
Practical Training for Real-World Impact
Since its establishment in 2015, TARDI has produced 412 graduates who are contributing to veterinary public health, livestock production, animal welfare, disease control and rural development.
To maintain quality, the institute has reduced class sizes in recent years, allowing for more intensive, hands-on training.
“Our qualification is highly practical. Smaller groups ensure that each student gains the experience needed to deliver meaningful services to farmers and communities,” Ndudane explained.
Students also benefit from collaborations with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and the Allerton Provincial Veterinary Laboratory, where they receive both laboratory and field-based training.
Creating Pathways to Entrepreneurship
Beyond technical skills, TARDI is equipping graduates with entrepreneurial capabilities. Many have completed training in new venture creation, positioning them to establish primary animal healthcare facilities.
Recent legislative changes now allow qualified animal health technicians to operate such facilities, opening new opportunities for self-employment and expanding access to animal healthcare services in rural areas.
The institute also supports graduates transitioning into the workforce through job-readiness programmes, including assistance with applications, interview preparation and professional registration.
Also read: How 24-year-old Lesego Mpho Mohube built a farming business without land or family connections
A Personal Milestone
In a heartfelt moment during the ceremony, Ndudane revealed that one of the graduates was her own daughter.
“As a mother, I am profoundly moved to witness her walk across this stage and to know that she will join her peers in serving our communities with competence, compassion and commitment,” she said.
“I stand here with two hats, as Principal of this institution and as a proud parent, filled with gratitude and joy.”
Also read: 50 women graduate from Corteva’s SoilSistas programme in Limpopo
