Introduction
Since 2024 NWU BEd honours students have been involved in the annual Rabies Day event in the Potchefstroom area (South Africa). We have been the sole initiator and organiser of this event; thus, we are using this event in the NWU Educational Psychology calendar to reflect, and this year (2025), document this initiative. This initiative will be planned and executed within our community on the 9th September 2025. Thus, my training and information PowerPoints will be included to document this initiative as the event was planned, role-players trained and implemented.
Background and community
Potchefstroom (North West Province South Africa) has a diverse and vibrant community with a mix of communities and residents from various backgrounds. The town serves as a hub for commuters from Gauteng who are drawn to the quality of life, educational institutions, and proximity to their businesses. This results in many commuters who often (daily) drive from Potchefstroom to Gauteng. Potchefstroom is a Category B municipality situated within the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District in the North West Province. It is the largest municipality of the three in the district, making up almost half its geographical area (JB Marks, 2025). It was established by the amalgamation of the Ventersdorp and Tlokwe City Council Local Municipalities in August 2016, and with this, it is an area with high unemployment and poverty, leading to many social (including animal) welfare needs.
Need for this community engagement project
Dogs are a popular pet in South Africa, and Potchefstroom, like many cities, faces the challenge of animal overpopulation, particularly among dogs and cats, especially during their breeding season. In the township areas of the town, there are often many stray animals, and many of the pet owners are not aware of sterilisation or vaccination. Furthermore, the need for rabies education is very important as P.A.W.S. Haven, a local animal rescue organisation, estimates that they handle around two to three rabies cases annually in the district.
As this campaign presents a necessary initiative, training will be done beforehand to ensure smooth implementation on the day of the initiative. Thus, all NWU students will have already been trained in this initiative to function as community supporters for the initiative. (Training PowerPoint slides can be enclosed).
Venue for the campaign: It will take place at West Acres Shopping Mall in Potchefstroom
The venue has already been earmarked as this event is held on a yearly basis with various stakeholders. It will be held on the 9th of September 2025 and only runs for this one day from 07H00 to 18H00.
The North West University's involvement with the planning of the initiative
As mentioned, this initiative is an annual event that is undertaken with the students in fulfilment of their community engagement aspects of their honours degree (BEd honours Educational Psychology Community engagement module). This year, 2025, we have planned and will implement this initiative with the assistance of professionals. These NWU students and my colleagues will implement this initiative in a real-life scenario.
The process begins with the training of the students in implementing a community engagement project (which will be the 2025 Rabis Day initiative). This training will take the form of two sessions ( PowerPoints can be attached), after which they will be further informed regarding general issues regarding health and diseases of dogs and cats (as these are the only animals that attend the Rabies Day, as seen last year). Furthermore, information regarding feeding, shelter and medical requirements will also be provided along with typical behaviours.
6th September NWU Rabies Day Programme
As this is a community-driven initiative, there is no formal programme.
· Stakeholders arrive and pack out their equipment (+- 07H00- 07H30)
· NWU students assist with setting up the lanes for the vaccination drive-through
· A general welcome will be done for all role players
o SANDF colleagues are in attendance for clients
o Dept of Agriculture is in attendance with vaccines, notebooks for recording data and veterinary equipment.
· Once set up, the public starts to arrive from about 08H00 with their animals. (It is a drive-through set-up, so animals are vaccinated in the owner's car)
· Students will note the owners' and animals' names in a book provided by the Department of Agriculture for data purposes and to keep a record of the vaccinations given.
· Lunch is provided when there is an opportunity for a break
· The day continues as the community arrives with their animals, so there is no set timetable.
· The day ends at about 18H00 after the last client has left.
How the vaccination process works on the day
We usually have a drive-through service for the public; therefore, there is no need to remove the animal from the vehicle. As the client arrives, the student asks them to fill in the vaccination certificate that is provided by the Department of Agriculture. If the client cannot, then the student assists. After this has been done then one of the veterinary professionals comes to the car and injects the animal. Animals are usually held or restrained by their owners for easy handling. If the animals have VET cards, these are then filled in and signed off by the veterinary professional. Cats are usually brought in their baskets and then vaccinated in the car to limit the chance of escape. At times, farmers also come and ask for rabies vaccines for farm animals, and these are given in certain cases. After a client has been helped, they simply carry on driving through, and the next person in line repeats the process.
Professionals who are active on the day.
· Veterinary technologists +- 3-4 from the SANDF
· 1 Full-time private veterinarian (Private practice)
· 1 Part-time veterinarian (SANDF)
Media used to advertise
· Local Newspaper (Potchefstroom Herald)
· Posters are put up around the town
Funding of the event
All medical supplies are provided by the Department of Agriculture, North West, as rabies is a requirement for all pet owners. The private veterinarian offers her time voluntarily, and the other role players (SANDF and NWU) do it out of their required community service efforts.
Explain the proposed interaction with communities that will take place.
This day includes the NWU, the Department of Agriculture, and private veterinarians in the Potchefstroom area.
· NWU: This institution adds value to this initiative as the students who are involved will also provide information to the public on aspects of the human/animal/mental health relationship. These students will assist in administering the event by writing up the owner and the animal’s information for the Department of Agriculture on the certificate they provide.
· Department of Agriculture: This institute provides all the vaccines and personnel to assist with the administration and control of the vaccines.
· Veterinarian in private practice: This person will be present on this day and take the lead in administering and overseeing all veterinarian activities.
· SANDF: This organisation will assist with vaccinating and also provide qualified veterinary professionals.
· NWU lecturers: These personnel will be on call/standby for all students who encounter challenges.
Highlights regarding the value of the campaign
When considering the 2024 effort, this initiative was hugely successful as the students, as well as the community of Potchefstroom, benefited from this day. The 2024 day went off without any major incidents, and we expect the 2025 initiative to also be a fruitful and positive experience for the community and the role players involved.
Conclusion
As this initiative is a unique free service that is provided for the community of Potchefstroom, I feel that this year we can try and reach even more pet owners and positively reach out to everyone, especially those I less privileged areas where pet care services are really needed.
Furthermore, this initiative is directly aimed at the educational aspect of pet ownership and pet care and the impact that the human/animal relationship has on One Health in South Africa. One Health is a collaborative approach that recognises and promotes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. This initiative, in unison with the One Health approach, aims to optimise health outcomes by working across various sectors and disciplines within the Potchefstroom area by addressing the issue of rabies by including broader health and well-being of community members.