Scifest Africa, the national science festival which takes place in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape from 24 to 30 March, is joining 2010 World Cup fever by choosing a sport-related theme.
Scifest Africa, the national science festival which takes place in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape from 24 to 30 March, is joining 2010 World Cup fever by choosing a sport-related theme.
“Our theme for the 2010 festival is Science in Motion which many people will associate with sport and movement,” said Scifest director Vera Adams. “However it isn’t limited to soccer and sport only,” she said. “We want our visitors to expand their view of motion and movement outside of the sport arena to nature and technology as well.”
“Space tourism, ecology, 2010 stadium building and crime scenes are a few topics that come to mind that will be covered during the festival week,” says Adams said. The dynamic director experienced her first Scifest as director this year and is ready to welcome thousands of visitors of all ages to the 2010 festival. “We are expecting over 70 000 visitors as well as contributors from as far as India, the US and Australia,” she said.
Some of the sport and movement-related events include Rene Naylor speaking about her experiences as the Springbok rugby team’s head physiotherapist and Louise Cole talking and exhibiting about how technology has evolved the way a ballet dancer’s pointe shoe is made.
“On the whole, we have made our fourteenth festival especially diverse so there really is something for everyone,” said Margaret Wolff, Scifest manager. “We are also trying something new by running the last few days of the festival over the school holidays. By doing this, more accommodation is available as visitors are able to use Rhodes University residences in the holidays,” Wolff said.
Sanda Mankayi, Scifest’s administration clerk, is packing piles of programmes into envelopes ready to send to people who have already placed orders. “We are lucky to have the programmes so early so people can get excited about Scifest over their December holiday,” she said.
The official seven-day programme detailing all 440 events and 56 exhibitions will be available from next week. Contact the Scifest Africa office on 046 603 1106 or email info@scifest.org.za to order yours. Scifest Africa is sponsored by Sasol Limited and Old Mutual South Africa.
