A tribute ceremony in honour of Dr Natheem Jacobs, a veterinarian murdered earlier this month, was held at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA in Grassy Park on Wednesday 8 March.
Jacobs was killed at his home during load shedding when he allegedly confronted a thief stealing tyres from his wife’s vehicle on Thursday 2 March.
Belinda Abraham, communications manager at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, says Jacobs’ compassion for animals knew no bounds.
“Dr Jacobs was a committed welfare veterinarian. He was gifted, kind, humble, funny and principled. His compassion for animals knew no bounds and while he loved animals, there was no doubt that he had a heart of service for humanity too. The animal welfare sector has lost a great veterinarian. The world has lost an incredible human being.”
Friends and family gathered at the SPCA to remember Jacobs and to plant a tree as a tribute to his legacy.
“A tribute ceremony was held at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA this morning to honour the life of Dr Natheem Jacobs. It was a heartfelt and emotional event and we were honoured to have his family in attendance.
“During the service, a lemon tree, which will serve as a living tribute to his legacy, was planted in Dr Jacobs’ honour. It represents the strength and resilience of his character and, in time to come, will serve as shelter for wild birds, just as he provided a safe space for animals in need.
“As it grows, may it represent the growth of what Dr Jacobs would have wanted most of all, a kind and more compassionate world for all animals.”
Jacobs, who worked under the supervision of SPCA board member Dr Ayoub Banderker in the capacity of CCS veterinarian, completed his one-year community service between the Wingfield Animal Health Centre and the Cape of Good Hope SPCA and had just signed a contract for permanent employment with the SPCA on 1 March.
In a statement, the faculty of veterinary science at the University of Pretoria expressed their shock at the loss of Jacobs.
Deputy Dean Prof Dietmar Holm said Jacobs will be remembered as someone who was always friendly and still had so much to offer.
“The faculty of veterinary science is deeply saddened by the tragic loss and brutal death of Dr Natheem Jacobs from Cape Town who was fatally stabbed in the early hours of Thursday morning (2 March) outside his house while trying to prevent a thief from stealing the wheels from his wife’s car during load shedding.
“Dr Jacobs will be remembered by the faculty and our alumni as a highly competent and always friendly colleague who still had so much more to offer, both personally and professionally.
“Our sincere condolences to his wife, Iman Levy, parents, Ms Zulykha and Mr Ridwaan Jacobs and the rest of his family and all his friends.”
