Meet The Locals: St Francis Bay Vet, Nerine Botha.

BY CRAIG JARVIS

We are incredibly blessed and lucky to have someone like Nerine Botha as our vet. We chatted to her about her work, her family, and life in the village.

The Family

"I have been married to my husband Marius for 15 years. If anyone knows the ups and downs of a career in veterinary medicine, it's him. He always made sure there was always fresh coffee for late nights and early mornings studying or working in the academic hospital. Edward, our son, just turned 13 and is off to high school next year. He adores animals and has a special connection to them, but it not considering a career in Vetmed at this stage."

"My stepson Duvall, now 21, moved to Australia with his mom when he was young and completed his school career in Sydney. Duvall is currently in his third year of veterinary medicine at James Cook University in Townsville and loves every minute."

Marius and Nerine

Why a vet?

"At age 9, a career involving animals is what I wanted. By age 11, I reported to our local vet clinic to have my first look around."

Why St Francis?

"My husband’s family had a holiday home in Cape St Francis as he was growing up. On our honeymoon, we stayed in Knysna, and he brought me here to show me. We moved here two years later."

What is the coolest experience you have had here, at work, being a vet in our village?

"The first time the bridge washed away, I had an emergency. With my assistant stuck on the other side, I called on Trudi Malan to assist with the surgery, holding, helping to lift etc. She was then called to assist somewhere else, and Dr Malan took over. Being assisted in surgery by a medical doctor was a pretty rare and cool experience."