Dr Gideon Bruckner during his acceptance speech
The World Organisation for Animal Health, at the side-lines of the of South Africa’s Budget speech parliamentary debates in Cape Town, facilitated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development event, dubbed “Budget Vote”, awarded the 2020 recipient of the OIE Gold Medal Award Honoree, Dr Gideon Bruckner.
The Gold Medal of the OIE is a mark of international recognition awarded to persons who have distinguished themselves by their outstanding services in the field of veterinary science, and by their outstanding contributions related to veterinary science and/or animal health as mandated by the OIE. This award is granted annually to key personalities to recognise their contributions.
In her remarks, delivered via video, the OIE Director General, Dr. Monique Eloit, congratulated and recognised Dr. Bruckner for winning the Gold Medal, for his contribution to the Organisation and the international science community. She further thanked the Government of South Africa for its continued support of the World Organisation for Animal Health during previous events like the Africa Regional Commission Conference and the 88th General Session, both of which were held virtually.
Dr Bruckner was recognised at annual General Session where he was announced as the recipient of the award. However, he could not physically receive his medal due to the implications of the COVID 19 pandemic, which saw the General Session being held virtually.
He qualified as a veterinarian from the University of Pretoria (Onderstepoort) in 1972 and obtained post-graduate degrees in Public and International Administration in 1981 and 1986 respectively. He started his career as a state veterinarian in Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal in 1972.
Also present during the ceremony, were OIE Sub-Regional Representative for Southern Africa, Dr. Moetapele Letshwenyo and OIE Delegate for South Africa, Dr Botlhe Michael Modisane.
OIE Director General, Dr. Monique Eloit delivering her remarks via video during the award ceremony
Ms Angela Thokozile Didiza, MP, Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development of South Africa during her speech.
In 2002, Dr. Bruckner was elected as a member of the Scientific Commission for Animal Diseases (SCAD) of the OIE and he is also a certified OIE expert, conducting several PVS missions as well as served in numerous ad hoc expert groups of the OIE. He retired as the Deputy Director General of the OIE in 2009.
He was subsequently elected by the OIE World Assembly as President of the OIE Scientific Commission for Animal Diseases – a position he held for 9 years until his final retirement in 2018
Ms Angela Thokozile Didiza, MP, Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development of South Africa during her speech.
Dr Brückner has spent his entire career of 47 years as a veterinarian within provincial, national and international veterinary services. He was responsible for the management of several major animal disease outbreaks in South Africa such as foot and mouth disease, rabies, avian influenza, tuberculosis, brucellosis, African swine fever and corridor disease.
