Generating heat and light

Science festival ‘vital first step in beating technical skills shortage', says an article written by Mike Loewe for The Herald newspaper in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape.

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ESKOM‘S lack of capacity has highlighted the need for technical skills and given new impetus to the national goal of creating a culture of science and technology, Scifest Africa director Brian “Bugs” Wilmot says.




The accepted view was that industry in South Africa faced an enormous shortage of professionals, skilled artisans and workers, and that promoting public awareness of science and technology was one of the starting points in addressing the crisis, he said.

Countries such as India and Finland had turned their lagging fortunes around by investing in technology and developing a culture of science which was as powerful as South Africa‘s culture of sport.




Meanwhile, Scifest Africa, which is based in the monument building above Grahamstown, continues to draw more private sector support, with Old Mutual on board and more corporates taking an interest.




The main sponsors are Sasol, Old Mutual and the science and technology department.




Wilmot said annual sponsorship for the festival was sitting at R2,8-million, which included a growing outreach programme.

The programme took Scifest around the country, particularly to rural areas.

“Fund-raising efforts are ongoing and our expectations are high that we might receive a few more million next year.”

He said the festival had created direct earnings of R5,7- million for Grahamstown last year, which would be matched or increased this year. “We book out every B&B in this town,” he said.

While Eskom‘s blackouts were a worry, years ago someone at the monument had been “sensible enough” to install a huge D4 Caterpillar tractor engine as a generator, which kicked in after 40 seconds.

Scifest runs from April 16 to 22 and offers 500 shows, including a “star-studded” cast of international and national speakers.

The festival‘s comprehensive 60-page programme will be published next month.




Original online at http://www.theherald.co.za:80/herald/news/n23_30012008.htm