When Imasa Sammy Qwayede, a 28-year-old from Mount Ayliff in the Eastern Cape, graduated with a Diploma in Animal Health from Tsolo Agriculture and Rural Development Institute in 2020, she didn’t wait for a job — she created one.
Armed with passion and purpose, she founded ANIMEDS Primary Animal Healthcare Pty Ltd, a company dedicated to bringing essential animal health services and products to rural farmers who had long been overlooked.
A Big Problem Sparked an Even Bigger Vision
After graduation, Qwayede noticed a painful gap in her community — farmers were struggling to find veterinary medicine and reliable animal care.
“There were so few animal healthcare services in rural areas. Farmers had to travel long distances just to get basic medication,” she recalls.
That realization became her mission.
“I decided to bring these services closer to farmers. I saved every cent I could and opened a shop to sell veterinary medicines and provide healthcare services they couldn’t easily access.”
A One-Stop Hub for Farmers
Today, ANIMEDS is more than a business — it’s a lifeline for farmers.
At her walk-in retail store, farmers can find:
- 🐄 Veterinary medicine (dips, antibiotics, dewormers, vaccines)
- 🌾 Feed and crop production aides
- 🐑 Parasite control and supplementation
- 💊 Treatment for clinical cases
Beyond retail, the company also offers advisory and on-site services — with Qwayede personally traveling to remote villages to assist farmers.
“We also provide animal identification services like branding, ear tags, and tattoos,” she explains.
“Our team handles synchronisation for artificial insemination, sheep shearing, wool sorting, and castrations too.”
Training the Next Generation
Qwayede’s passion doesn’t stop at service — she’s also building future agricultural leaders.
Her company provides training in Animal Production (NQF Level 3), accredited by the Agricultural Sector Education Training Authority (AgriSETA).
“We currently have 20 students in training, including those doing work-integrated learning,” she says proudly.
From Volunteer to Visionary
Before launching ANIMEDS, Qwayede built experience the hard way — through volunteering.
In 2018, she worked as an animal healthcare technician at the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, and later joined a pharmaceutical company as a sales agent.
She also volunteered with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), experiences that gave her a deep understanding of both animal welfare and community needs.
From Dreams to Funding and Growth
Her dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed.
- 💼 In 2021, the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) supported ANIMEDS with branding materials.
- 💰 The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) later signed a funding contract with her company.
- 🐮 The Alfred Nzo District Municipality (ANDM) provided funding for animal identification equipment.
- 🌍 And in 2023, the Eastern Cape Government also came on board to help grow her business.
Changing Lives, One Farm at a Time
What started as one woman’s dream has become a movement — empowering farmers, creating jobs, and inspiring young people in rural areas to believe in the power of agriculture.
With her drive and vision, Imasa Qwayede is not just treating animals — she’s transforming lives across the Eastern Cape.
📞 ANIMEDS Contacts:
📱 Cell: 061 050 2239
📧 Email: info.animeds20@gmail.com
📘 Facebook: Animeds
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