MUNICIPALITY HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL YOUTH APPOINTMENT AS PART OF RENEWED ANIMAL-CARE SERVICES
Published: February 06, 2026<< BACK TO NEWS
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Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is proud to announce the appointment of a qualified, home-grown young animal health professional through the new municipal animal-care service provider, a milestone that represents both service continuity and local economic empowerment.
Ms Usisipho Funde, a KwaZakhele resident and final-year Diploma in Animal Health student at the University of South Africa (UNISA), joins the new service provider with more than three years of hands-on veterinary and animal-welfare experience. Her appointment forms part of the Municipality’s broader commitment to professionalising municipal animal services while creating opportunities for skilled youth from historically disadvantaged communities.
Funde is registered with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC Student Registration CH25/20885) and brings practical expertise in animal handling, clinical preparation, surgical support, post-operative care, vaccinations, and community animal-welfare outreach. She previously served as an Animal Welfare Assistant at AACL Port Elizabeth, where she worked directly with veterinarians and animal health technicians in high-pressure clinical and outreach environments.
At a time when Nelson Mandela Bay continues to face severe youth unemployment challenges, the appointment signals a deliberate shift toward investing in scarce and specialised skills within the Metro. Animal health and veterinary support are nationally recognised critical skills that directly impact public health, humane treatment of animals, and community safety.
Her appointment also demonstrates that transformation, professionalism and competency are intertwined, and that the unfounded myth that transformation compromises competency and professionalism is unfounded and mischievous in our democratic dispensation.
MMC for Public Health, Cllr Buyeye, said the appointment reflects the Municipality’s intention to stabilise services while ensuring transformation is not symbolic, but practical and measurable. "This is the kind of transformation residents should expect to see, qualified young people from our communities entering specialised professions and serving the public with competence and compassion. We are strengthening animal-care services with trained personnel while also addressing unemployment through real opportunities. The focus is humane, professional service delivery that residents can trust”.
The Municipality further confirms that all outstanding financial matters relating to the previous service provider (SPCA) have been processed in accordance with internal financial management policies and standard payment procedures. Administrative transitions are being handled responsibly to ensure continuity of service while honouring institutional obligations.
Funde, who grew up in KwaZakhele and completed her schooling locally, said the opportunity allows her to apply her training in service of her own community.
"Animal welfare is not just a job for me, it’s a calling. Being able to serve the community I come from is something I take seriously. I want residents to feel confident that their animals are treated with care and dignity.”
The Municipality reiterates that the transition to a new service provider prioritises professional standards, humane animal treatment, and community accountability. Additional appointments and capacity improvements will be communicated as services expand.
Residents are encouraged to engage constructively with the Municipality as the new system is stabilised and strengthened.
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