The SAVA Free State & Northern Cape Branch
invites you to their
2025 Annual Mini-congress
17-18 October 2025
On behalf of the SAVA Free State & Northern Cape Branch, I am pleased to invite your participation at our 2025 Branch Congress, to be held at Goose Hill Guest Farm in Bloemfontein.
I am looking forward to a productive and interactive congress and am confident that you will all enjoy and contribute to the Branch Congress.
You are welcome to contact our Congress Organisers to discuss your requirements for your participation at the Congress.
Dr Jacques de ViIlliers
Southern Free State & Northern Cape Branch Chairperson
- SAVA Members – R2,350.00
- Non-Members – R3,350.00
- Veterinary Nurse or Vet-Tech – R1,850.00
- Pensioners or Students – R1,500.00
(Fee includes full congress attendance, including Gala Dinner)
To register, click here.
DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAMME
FRIDAY 17 OCTOBER 2025
- 12h00 – Registration and light lunch
- 13h00 – Welcome and Introduction (Dr Jacques de Villiers, Southern Free State & Northern Cape Branch Chairperson)
- 13h10 – Cutting edge research in giraffes (Dr Francois Deacon)
- 13h50 – Sponsor Showcase (MSD Animal Health)
- 14h05 – This corneal ulcer is not healing what now (Dr Izak Venter – sponsored by VetScripts)
- 15h00 – Introduction to corneal surgery – (Dr Izak Venter – sponsored by VetScripts)
- 15h40 – Afternoon refreshments & exhibitor networking
- 16h00 – PRACTICAL WORKSHOP: Corneal Surgery (Dr Izak Venter – sponsored by VetScripts)
- 17h30 – Branch AGM – Branch Members only
- 18h15 – Congress Dinner
SATURDAY 18 OCTOBER 2025
- 08h00 – Arrival refreshments
- 08h30 – Welcome by the Branch Chairperson (Dr Jacques de Villiers, Southern Free State & Northern Cape Branch Chairperson)
- 08h35 – Vets in Crisis – A Round Table discussion (Dr Paul van der Merwe)
- 09h20 – Rumen hypoplasia in South African feedlot lambs (Dr Jarred Morris)
- 10h05 – Mid-morning refreshments
- 10h45 – Is maternal interference an issue? (Dr Mats Abatzidis)
- 11h45 – The use and abuse of the Veterinary Aesculapian Authority (Dr Paul van der Merwe)
- 12h30 – Lunch & Exhibitor Lucky Draws
- 13h30 – Approach to the patient with cranial trauma (Dr Vanessa McClure)
- 14h30 – Bovine respiratory disease with a focus on pre-weaning calf immunology, metaphylaxis and therapeutic options (Dr Jarred Morris)
- 15h15 – Update on Fluid Therapy (Dr Vanessa McClure)
- 16h00 – Congress Closes.
Goose Hill Guest Farm
Nestled at the foot of a hill only 8km outside Bloemfontein on the road to Kimberley, lies the perfectvenue to start your new journey in life with a down to earth farm experience.The buildings are surrounded by red grass, karee trees and have a sandstone finish. Experience the serenity and peace of a spectacular Free State sunset from the wide stop and watch the lights of Bloemfontein twinkling in the distance.
ACCOMMODATION
There is no accommodation available at the venue. Kindly contact any of the following alternative establishments:
- 7de Hemel Guest Farm – [email protected]
- De Stallen Guesthouse – https://destallen.co.za/ or [email protected]
- Two Bells Guesthouse – https://www.twobells.co.za/ or [email protected]
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION
Your completed registration and successful payment will be acknowledged via email with confirmation of your requirements according to your registration form. Your registration will only be processed or confirmed once payment has been made. Please contact us at [email protected] if you do not receive your confirmation as this may effect future communications from us.
All registrations must be paid by the closing date.
NAME BADGE
Each delegate will receive a name badge when they check in at the registration desk. The badge will be your official pass to obtain entry to all sessions and social functions. You are responsible for having your badge clearly visible at all times and must be clearly visible at all times to obtain entry to all sessions and to social functions.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
Credit Card
Please note online payments can be made directly after registration. Accepted credit cards: MasterCard, Visa.
EFT
Electronic Bank Transfers can be made to:
Account Name: Savetcon (Pty) Ltd
Bank Details: Standard Bank
Branch: Brooklyn (051001)
Account Number: 011846496
Currency: ZAR
Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ
REF: INVOICE NUMBER
CANCELLATIONS
Cancellations must be notified in writing to the Congress Secretariat at [email protected] or [email protected]
Cancellations before 24 April 2025 will incur a ZAR 300.00 cancellation fee.
Cancellations from 25 April 2025 will incur a 50% cancellation fee.
Cancellations on or after 24 June 2025 will receive no refund.
DISCLAIMER
The programme is correct at the time of publishing. The organisers reserve the right to delete, modify or alter items from the programme or to delete, modify or alter any aspect of the congress time tabling and delivery at their sole discretion and without notice. Neither the host organisation(s) nor the Congress Secretariat will accept any liability for any loss or inconvenience caused to any party consequent to such changes.
INSURANCE
Registration fees do not include insurance. It is strongly recommended that at the time you register for the Congress and book your travel you take out an insurance policy of your choice. The policy should include:
- Loss of fees/deposit through cancellation of your participation in the Congress or through cancellation of the Congress
- Loss of international/domestic air fares through cancellation for any reason
- Loss of tour monies through cancellation for any reason including airline or related services strikes within South Africa
- Failure to utilise tours or pre-booked arrangements due to airline delay
- Force Majeure or any other reason
- Medical expenses (including sickness and accident cover)
- Loss or damage to personal property
- Additional expenses and repatriation should travel arrangements have to be altered
- Medical expenses.
Although every effort will be made to ensure your health and safety, the Organizers cannot accept any liability for personal injuries or for loss or damage to property belonging to the delegates, either during, or as a result of the meeting. Please ensure that your property is insured for any eventuality and that you do have adequate personal insurance, medical cover and life insurance.
INDEMNITY
The Participant agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless, the Congress Organisers and/or any of their appointed suppliers to the Congress, its affiliates, officers, employees, and agents from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, arising out of or in connection with the Participant’s attendance at the congress, including but not limited to any injury to persons or property, or any violation of applicable laws or regulations. This indemnity obligation shall survive the termination of this agreement and the Participant’s attendance at the congress.
Congress Secretariat
SAVETCON Event Management
Melanie Pretorius
[email protected]
+27(0)71 587 2920