What a week it’s been at the NSPCA!
From launching our groundbreaking Rein in the Pain campaign at the Durban July, which challenges the dark realities behind horse racing and trended multiple times on X, to bidding farewell to our fearless leader Marcelle Meredith after nearly five decades of service to animals. We’re also celebrating Mandela Day with powerful art that tells stories of resilience and hope, while continuing to build a kinder future through training over 300 frontline professionals in 2024. Dive into this week’s highlights and join us in driving real change for animals across South Africa.
Glamour, Grit, and Gut Punch: NSPCA Campaign Challenges the Dark Side of Horse Racing
While the Durban July dazzled with fashion and festivities, the NSPCA used the high-profile event to launch its bold new campaign, Rein in the Pain, spotlighting the hidden cruelty endured by racehorses. The campaign aims to raise awareness and push for urgent reforms in the horse racing industry, particularly by the National Horseracing Authority (NHRA).
Actress and activist Nirvana Nokwe took centre stage in a haunting wearable artwork that honoured the animals discarded by the industry. Designed to provoke, the outfit delivered more than just shock value: it unexpectedly won First Place in the Durban July’s official Fashion Category for Exceptional Raceday Hat/Fascinator – a powerful twist that turned the industry’s own spotlight back on itself.
The NSPCA has proposed a set of amendments to the NHRA Rules, calling for a ban on harmful equipment, early racing, and performance-enhancing substances. We are urging all stakeholders to prioritise the welfare of horses and to commit to genuine, lasting change.
👉The public can join the call to action by signing the petition at nspca.co.za/ReinInThePain. The campaign made waves online, trending on X at #5 for #ReinInThePain, #6 for #StopAnimalAbuse, and #7 for NSPCA.
Let’s rein in the pain and demand a more compassionate future in horse racing.
Your voice on social media
- “For me it is the whipping that gets me every time. No other animal industry deems it acceptable to whip an animal to make it run faster/lift it’s legs higher/jump bigger fences (and it’s not limited to racing, it’s every equestrian sport). If competitors were allowed to whip a dog 12 times around an agility course there would be an uproar, but because it is a horse, 12 whip strokes is within the rules so it is ok? No. It is not ok. Humans have a long way to go.” — Facebook/Tammy Silva
- “You did very well boo. You helped create awareness to some of us who were not even aware of the cruelty on horses, while we glammed up. This is brave. Your interview was bold.” — Instagram/@vinolia.mabele
- “Easily one of the most powerful looks at Durban July. The way Nirvana turned fashion into a form of protest is absolutely brilliant. Every detail of that outfit carried weight, and a whole lot of truth.”— X/@_itskayboo
Photo of the Week
Nirvana Nokwe sporting her impactful outfit during an interview at the Durban July.
End of an Era: NSPCA’s Fierce and Fearless Leader Bows Out
After an extraordinary career spanning nearly five decades, Marcelle Meredith officially retired as Executive Director of the NSPCA on 30 June 2025. Known for her fierce advocacy and fearless leadership, Marcelle has been at the helm since 1992, guiding the organisation through some of the most critical milestones in animal welfare history.
Under her leadership, the NSPCA became a statutory body through the SPCA Act 169 of 1993, gaining the legal authority to act on behalf of all animals in South Africa. From grassroots inspections to international influence, including 16 years on the board of the World Society for the Protection of Animals, Marcelle’s impact has been profound and far-reaching.
But her ethos was always grounded in humility: “It has always been about the animals,” she said. “About doing yourself what you expect your team to do in the trenches.”
Marcelle leaves behind a legacy of compassion, courage, and conviction.
📌 Stay tuned next week as we introduce the NSPCA’s new CEO.
Celebrate Mandela Day with Art That Speaks for the Voiceless
Two powerful watercolours by South African artist Mareli van Zyl are available on the NSPCA Online Shop, honouring resilience, courage, and the urgent fight against animal cruelty.
The Daybreak Chicken captures the heartbreaking aftermath of one of South Africa’s largest animal welfare disasters: Over a million chickens abandoned to starve on state-funded farms. This haunting piece shines a light on the hidden cost of industrial farming and the NSPCA’s ongoing mission to end suffering and pursue justice.
Bruce, the Military Horse – The Soldier Who Never Signed Up tells the moving story of Bruce, a once-neglected army horse rescued by the NSPCA and given a new life of peace and dignity. This hopeful tribute celebrates the healing power of compassion and the possibility of a better future for all abused animals.
All proceeds support the NSPCA’s continued rescue efforts and legal battles. Through your purchase, you become part of the change, honouring Mandela’s legacy of compassion and justice.
Building a Kinder Future Through Training
In 2024, the NSPCA trained over 300 professionals, from Field Officers to Stock Theft Officers, to strengthen animal protection across South Africa. These training programmes equip key frontline workers with the skills and knowledge to prevent cruelty and enforce animal welfare laws effectively.
To learn more about this important work and other milestones, read the NSPCA’s 2024 Annual Report .
That’s a wrap for this week’s Week in Review! If these stories resonated with you, check out the full articles and join the conversation on our social media pages.
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This work is relentless. The challenges are immense. But with more hands, hearts, and resources, we can do even more.
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