Insight18 October 2022

Black History Month

David Plant

This Black History Month, we are reflecting on the life and work of Jotello Soga, the first Black member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Jotello Festiri Soga (1865-1906) was born in the Transkei, South Africa, the fifth son of the Reverend Tiyo Soga. Reverend Soga had been educated in Scotland and it followed that all his surviving sons were sent to the Dollar Academy in Fife. Soga then went to the Dick Veterinary School in Edinburgh to study, graduating in April 1886. Upon graduation he become the first Black member of the RCVS and also the first South African-born qualified veterinary surgeon.

RCVS Knowledge archives hold the official record of the veterinary professions in the UK. However there are huge gaps in our knowledge of the experiences and contribution of Black veterinary professionals to our history.

This has to change.

If you’re a member of the Black veterinary community, with a story or information to share from the past, we’d love to hear from you.

Please contact us at archives@rcvsknowledge.org