FIELD TRIP
Pioneering Animal Healthcare
Field trip date: 1 December 2025
Organisation: University of Pretoria (UP)
City: Pretoria
Tour capacity: 12 people
Itinerary
08:30 Pick up at the CSIR International Convention Centre (CSIR ICC)
09:15 Arrival at the University of Pretoria’s Onderstepoort Campus
09:20 Briefing by Onderstepoort officials
09:30 Tour of Onderstepoort facilities
11:15 Transfer to Moja Gabedi
12:00 Arrival at Moja Gabedi
12:05 Welcome and lunch at Moja Gabedi, hosted by the University of Pretoria (UP) Vice-Chancellor and Principal
13:00 Guided walkthrough of Moja Gabedi gardens
14:30 Transfer to the CSIR ICC
15:00 Drop off at the CSIR ICC
Please advise regarding any mobility challenges or special needs.
A field trip to the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Veterinary Science Onderstepoort Campus, and to Moja Gabedi, a vibrant community engagement hub.
Faculty of Veterinary Science
As the only veterinary faculty in South Africa and one of the oldest in Africa, UP’s Faculty of Veterinary Science at its Onderstepoort Campus leads in animal healthcare, education and research. Established in the early 1920s, the faculty is responsible for training all veterinarians and veterinary nurses in the country.
Journalists on this tour will explore cutting-edge facilities, including the Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital (OVAH), home to South Africa’s largest CT scanner for veterinary practice. This advanced equipment, featuring a sliding gantry, enables detailed imaging of large animals such as horses and buffaloes, improving diagnosis and treatment. OVAH also recently attained a gold-status Cat Friendly Clinic ranking, recognising its high standards in feline care.
With 34 NRF-ranked researchers and more than half its academic staff holding doctorates, the faculty combines world-class expertise with hands-on experience across diverse animal species. It plays a critical role in supporting food security by advancing animal health and livestock production, vital to sustainable agriculture in South Africa and across the continent. In 2024, it was ranked in the top 51–70 band globally by QS World University Rankings.
Story: Marathon surgery by UP vets breathes new life into white rhino
Video: Gorilla is airlifted by helicopter to the Faculty for a CT scan of his nose
Moja Gabedi community engagement hub
Once a neglected rubbish dump and hotspot for crime, Moja Gabedi in Hatfield has been transformed into a vibrant community engagement hub and green urban oasis.
The site now thrives as a space for learning, social impact and environmental regeneration—embodying the spirit of Ubuntu, the belief that “I am because we are.” It is a truly African experience that reflects UP’s commitment to making a difference beyond the lab and lecture hall.
Delegates will be hosted by Prof. Francis Petersen, UP’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, and will explore lush gardens, therapy spaces and innovative community projects born from collaboration between students, staff and local residents.
Story: Moja Gabedi: From waste to a thriving community engagement hub
Video: UP Cares: Moja Gabedi