Page 35 - VHSA - Onderstepoort 100 Years - Part 1

being financed by the Department of Agriculture, whereas four remained part-time, making use of Institute staff on a part-time basis. Hermann Graf, who was Deputy Director of the Institute, was also Dean of the Faculty from 1956-1960. This unique arrangement ensured the highest possible
standard of both research and training, exposing students at an early stage to research as they had been in the past.
Another milestone in 1955 was the com- pletion of the insectarium at the Institute, enabling the entomologists to establish breeding colonies of insects and ticks of veterinary importance. The last outbreak of East Coast fever in South Africa was controlled in the same year. This marked the end of a successful campaign, which had lasted for more than half a century, to eradicate the disease from South Africa at an estimated cost of R100 million.
In 1958 the Institute also celebrated its first half-century. An interesting picture of its growth can be obtained by comparing some available statistics from 1908 with their equivalents 50 years later. The value of buildings and fixed installations had increased from R160 000 to more than R3 million and the Institute’s budget from R17 294 to R1,28 million, both in real terms. More importantly, the professional
The Insectarium, completed in 1955, enabled the Institute to establish breeding colonies of various external parasites for research purposes
staff in 1958 counted 66 compared to 6 in 1908 and non- labour auxiliary personnel 206 against 17.
At this stage the Institute earned some R925 000 for the government from its vaccine sales, i.e. 72% of its budget.”
35
ONDERSTEPOORT 100
The second mobile field laboratory, 1950s
In 1908 there were no sub-divisions whereas in 1958 activities were organized in 17 sections, including the five full-time faculty departments. In 1908 there were six vaccines on the market of which 400 000 doses were issued. By 1958 sales had risen to 55 million doses of 20 different vaccines. At this stage the Institute earned some R925 000 for the govern- ment from its vaccine sales, i.e. 72% of its budget. At the time very little finan- cial support was obtained from outside sources, an exception being the second mobile laboratory for field use, which was funded by the newly established Stock Diseases Research Fund and built by the
CSIR at a cost of R4 800.
“By 1958 sales to 55 million
had risen
doses of 20 different vaccines.
Post-war recovery (1948-1961)
1908-2008
Years