Scifest Africa rocked Grahamstown as organisers of South Africa’s annual National Science Festival welcomed 65,000 local and international visitors to the city from 14-20 March 2012. 

ASSAf once again made use of this opportunity to raise awareness of Quest, Science for South Africa. Under the auspices of the Department of Science and Technology, ASSAf exhibited in the Department’s section. 

The 2012 theme for the festival was “Science Rocks!”, and explored earth sciences, paleontology, archaeology, astrobiology, civil engineering, music… and any other -ology or -graphy you can think of that has anything to do with rocks! The festival programme supported the 2012 International Year of Sustainable Energy for All by hosting interactive programme items that highlighted the effects of climate change and the research and innovations that will provide solutions for a sustainable future. 

Sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology, and the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), in collaboration with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands, Scifest Africa is the largest science festival in sub-Saharan Africa.

The festival also formed part of Makana Municipality’s celebration of the bicentennial of the existence of the city of Grahamstown.