MAGWAI ALVIN SHADUNG
Polokwane
Summary
Experienced Veterinary Technologist with over 11 years in laboratory settings, including 4 years in a SANAS-accredited diagnostic lab and 1.5 years in forensic genetics. Led establishment of a molecular diagnostics laboratory and validation of seven PCR diagnostic assays, contributing to SANAS accreditation. Registered veterinary technologist compliant with SAVC regulations for legal practice in South Africa.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Veterinary Technologist
Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Makhado, Limpopo
07.2019 - Current
- Coordinated veterinary diagnostic laboratory activities to support animal disease surveillance, diagnosis, control, and eradication programmes within the Limpopo Province.
- The role involves performing advanced diagnostic testing, supervising laboratory personnel, implementing quality management systems, maintaining laboratory equipment, managing procurement processes, and ensuring compliance with ISO/IEC 17025, Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), departmental policies, and applicable legislation.
- Coordinate the daily operation of the veterinary diagnostic laboratory to ensure the efficient receipt, registration, processing, testing, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of veterinary specimens.
- Perform advanced diagnostic testing in Microbiology, Bacteriology, Serology, and Parasitology using standardised laboratory methods and standard operating procedures.
- Ensure laboratory test results are technically valid, accurate, reliable, and reported within agreed turnaround times.
- Support provincial disease surveillance programmes by providing quality laboratory diagnostic services for controlled and notifiable animal diseases.
- Verify sample integrity and ensure compliance with laboratory acceptance criteria before analysis.
- Supervised and guided junior veterinary technologist, laboratory assistant, cleaner, and five veterinary technology internship students, ensuring adherence to laboratory procedures, quality standards, and workplace safety.
- Allocate daily laboratory workloads based on operational priorities and available resources.
- Monitor staff performance and ensure compliance with laboratory quality procedures and safety requirements.
- Mentor junior personnel through practical training, competency assessments, and continuous professional development.
- Foster teamwork, accountability, and a culture of continuous improvement within the laboratory.
- Implement and maintain laboratory quality management systems in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 principles and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).
- Ensure laboratory activities comply with departmental quality policies, laboratory SOPs, and regulatory requirements.
- Participate in internal quality control programmes to monitor analytical performance and ensure the reliability of laboratory results.
- Investigate laboratory non-conformances and contribute to Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA).
- Participate in internal audits, management reviews, and external quality assessments.
- Maintain accurate laboratory records and ensure complete traceability of diagnostic samples and analytical results.
- Capture, verify, and maintain laboratory information using the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
- Compiled and presented monthly, quarterly, and annual laboratory performance reports for management to inform decision-making and enhance operational oversight.
- Maintain laboratory documentation, including SOPs, quality manuals, technical records, and equipment files.
- Ensure proper document control and record retention in accordance with departmental quality management procedures.
- Prepare technical specifications for laboratory equipment, reagents, consumables, calibration services, and maintenance contracts.
- Obtain supplier quotations and coordinate procurement processes in accordance with departmental procurement procedures.
- Monitor laboratory inventory levels and ensure uninterrupted availability of critical laboratory consumables.
- Liaise with suppliers and service providers regarding equipment servicing, calibration, repairs, and preventative maintenance.
- Assist with budget planning by identifying laboratory resource requirements.
- Coordinated equipment installation, qualification, calibration, verification, servicing, and preventative maintenance programmes to uphold operational readiness and compliance.
- Ensure laboratory equipment remains compliant with operational and quality requirements.
- Maintain equipment calibration schedules and service records.
- Investigate equipment failures and coordinate corrective actions to minimise operational downtime.
- Promote compliance with laboratory biosafety, biosecurity, and occupational health and safety requirements.
- Ensure safe handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of biological samples, chemicals, and laboratory waste.
- Maintain compliance with departmental policies, veterinary laboratory regulations, and statutory requirements.
- Successfully supervised one Junior Veterinary Technologist and five internship students, contributing to staff competency development and improved laboratory performance.
- Strengthened laboratory procurement systems through the preparation of technical specifications and coordination of equipment, calibration, and supplier management.
- Supported the implementation and maintenance of laboratory quality management systems and audit readiness.
- Contributed to improved laboratory operational efficiency through effective coordination of equipment maintenance, calibration, and quality assurance activities.
- Maintained reliable laboratory information and reporting through effective use of the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
- Supported continuous improvement initiatives through participation in internal audits, quality investigations, and CAPA implementation.
Laboratory Analyst / Head of Molecular Diagnostics Section
Capricorn Veterinary Laboratories
01.2015 - 01.2019
- Appointed Head of the Molecular Diagnostics Section (2016–2019), reporting directly to the Quality Manager.
- Established Molecular Diagnostics (PCR) Laboratory to enhance diagnostic capabilities.
- Developed, validated and implemented seven PCR diagnostic assays.
- Successfully developed and implemented seven PCR assays.
- Led activities supporting the extension of the SANAS ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation scope to include PCR methods.
- Contributed to extending SANAS accreditation to include molecular diagnostic testing, enhancing laboratory credibility.
- Acted as SANAS Technical Signatory for 11 Microbiology methods, 7 Molecular Diagnostic methods, and 1 Serology method.
- Led a team of six laboratory personnel responsible for molecular diagnostic testing.
- Managed a team of six laboratory personnel to ensure efficient workflow.
- Performed analytical method validation in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry and Serology.
- Coordinated equipment qualification, calibration and preventive maintenance.
- Engaged in proficiency testing and maintained approximately 90% performance.
- Maintained laboratory quality records, SOPs and LIMS documentation.
- Led investigations, root cause analysis and CAPA implementation to ensure compliance and quality control.
- Established a fully operational Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory.
Education
Postgraduate Diploma - Pharmaceutical Sciences
Tshwane University of Technology
08-2026
Brucellosis National Proficiency Testing Training - Biosafety and Biosecurity in a diagnostic laboratory, Method Validation and Proficiency testing
ARC-OVR TAD laboratory
01-2022
SASVEPM National Training - Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity
ARC-OVR TAD laboratory
01-2021
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 -
Food Berve
01-2020
Method Validation and Measurement of Uncertainty - Veterinary Laboratories
JGK Lab AfriQA
01-2017
ISO/IEC 17025:2005 -
SANAS
01-2015
National Diploma - Veterinary Technology
Tshwane University of Technology
01-2014
Skills
- Molecular diagnostics (PCR) proficiency
- Veterinary microbiology techniques
- Serological testing methods
- Quality control and assurance
- ISO/IEC 17025 compliance
- SANAS accreditation expertise
- LIMS administration and optimization
- Lab management
- SOP development
- Equipment calibration and maintenance
- Lab procurement
- Root cause analysis
- CAPA processes
- Internal audit execution
- Good laboratory practice (GLP) adherence
- Lab safety practices
- Continuous improvement
- Staff supervision
Reference
- Dr. Cindy Harper, Director, Onderstepoort Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, 012 529 8240
- Mrs. C.I. Boshoff, Head, Dept. of Veterinary Technology, TUT, 012 382 6246
- Mr. Thomas Machete, Head of Laboratory, Capricorn Veterinary Laboratories, 015 295 6666
- Ms. Litshani Jama, Control Veterinary Technologist, Makhado Veterinary Laboratory (LDARD), 076 026 2646
Personal Information
Profession: Veterinary Technologist
South African Veterinary Council (SAVC): Registered Veterinary Technologist
SAVC Registration Number: T14/10732
Year of Registration: 2014
Driver's Licence: Code C1 (Valid)
Timeline
Veterinary Technologist
Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
07.2019 - Current
Laboratory Analyst / Head of Molecular Diagnostics Section
Capricorn Veterinary Laboratories
01.2015 - 01.2019
Postgraduate Diploma - Pharmaceutical Sciences
Tshwane University of Technology
Brucellosis National Proficiency Testing Training - Biosafety and Biosecurity in a diagnostic laboratory, Method Validation and Proficiency testing
ARC-OVR TAD laboratory
SASVEPM National Training - Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity
ARC-OVR TAD laboratory
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 -
Food Berve
Method Validation and Measurement of Uncertainty - Veterinary Laboratories
JGK Lab AfriQA
ISO/IEC 17025:2005 -
SANAS
National Diploma - Veterinary Technology
Tshwane University of Technology