UCT academic chairs SciFest Africa

New era: Prof Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan, second left, with Brian Wilmot, director of SciFest Africa, as well as her vice-chair, Prof Tebello Nyokong, and Colin Singarum of Denel Aviation

UCT paleobiologist Professor Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan has been elected as the new chairperson of the SciFest Africa National Advisory Committee at the organisation's recent annual meeting.

SciFest Africa, formerly known as Sasol Scifest, is South Africa's national science festival held annually in Grahamstown. The event features over 550 events, including lectures, interactive exhibitions, workshops, educational theatre, field trips, high school quizzes, tours and a FilmFest.

In her three-year term as chair, Chinsamy-Turan will head the 25-member committee, made up of scientists, researchers, administrators and science communicators from the private and public sectors, as well as academia. They will provide advice and guidance in the structuring of the festival programme, and assist with networking, lobbying, publicising and with the presentation of the festival.

Chinsamy-Turan said she was delighted at being elected. "I hope I will be able to continue the good work that the previous chairs have done through their excellent leadership".