Physics experts put Phalaborwa on the map
2008-08-29
The International Conference on Atomic Collisions in Solids (ICACS) is an important biannual event for physicists across the globe. Previously travelling to cities such as Paris, Berlin and Beijing, the ICACS delegates headed to the relatively unknown town of Phalaborwa in South Africa this year (17 to 22 August).
Prof Malherbe says that ICACS’ choice of South Africa as the venue this year is significant. He said, “It is a big honour for South Africa to host a major conference on this [very large] field of physics. It demonstrates that there is expertise in the country”. He explained that although South Africa is still relatively small in terms of its contribution to this branch of physics, there have been some valuable and significant contributions from this country. He hopes that hosting the conference will stimulate research in South Africa and perhaps spawn collaborations with experts in other countries.
Phalaborwa might seem a surprising choice following the illustrious cities of previous years. However, with Kruger National Park on its doorstep and an excellent conference centre at Hans Merensky Golf Estate, the ICACS-23 organisers felt that it was the best South Africa had to offer. An exotic location, golf-in-the-wild, game drives, a warm winter and competitive rates all swayed the decision.
Talking about the success of the conference this year, Prof Malherbe pointed out that a conference held in India four years ago attracted only 70 delegates, more than half of them from India. This year 150 visitors attended the conference, the majority from places as far-flung as Australia, Europe, South America and Japan. The European venues generally attract larger numbers because of the cheaper flights, but the scale of this year’s conference was surprisingly large. The venue certainly had an influence on the turnout, with delegates willing to spend more money to enjoy a wild location with excellent facilities. He reported that the delegates had expressed a high level of satisfaction. Thanks are due in no small part to Susan Loubser, the conference organiser and initiator of the whole event, as well as Palabora Mining Company/Palabora Foundation.
Palabora Mining Company/Palabora Foundation were involved in ICACS-23 primarily because of their involvement in developing tourism to the area, but also because over a hundred learners on their Programme for Technological Careers (PROTEC) attended part of the conference. Two delegates, Dr Walter Meyer and Prof Rafael Garcia-Molina, agreed to present a morning of physics fun to the grade 11 and 12 learners. The sessions were a great success and learners are sure to show off their new “magic tricks” to their friends and family, promoting the message that physics is fun.
The delegates enjoyed organised activities including game drives, wine and beer tasting competitions, choral verse from the local Mhala Mhala Primary School, and tribal dancing. Photographs were taken throughout the week and posted on the conference room wall for all to admire, and will no doubt be shown off to friends and family when the delegates return to their home countries. It seems highly likely that the conference will produce return visits and word-of-mouth recommendations.
ICACS-23 was organised in association with Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality, Palabora Mining Company/Palabora Foundation, Phalaborwa Trade and Tourism Council and Kruger to Canyons Birding Route by the University of Pretoria and the University of the Witwatersrand.
Palabora Mining Company, Foskor Ltd and Sasol Nitro are the major sponsors of the PROTEC programme in Phalaborwa. The other sponsors are Standard Bank, Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality, Lepelle Northern Water, GAGE Specialists, Professional Career Consultants, Mopani South-East FET College, Phalaborwa Chamber of Business, Eskom and the Department of Education.
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Run with assistance from the European Union