Grahamstown acclaimed Scifest Africa is on the hunt for a new director after a festive season advertisement for the top job attracted few applicants.
After five years heading up Africa’s premier science festival, current director Anja Fourie confirmed she would be moving on after the 20th edition in March.
Fourie said even though she was leaving Scifest she would still be involved in science.
“I have wanted to be involved in the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope since it was announced that South Africa would bid to host the telescope. The right position at SKA became available at the right time.”
Fourie confirmed she had accepted the position of science promotion co-ordination at SKA in Cape Town.
“I don’t believe that a project director should be in place for more than five years in order to allow both the individual and project to grow.”
Fourie will use the skills she honed at Scifest to design projects, science events and resources to encourage and facilitate general public engagement with the SKA. Although she admits her years at Scifest have not been without challenges and long hours, the job satisfaction, friendships and wonderful memories made it worthwhile.
According to Fourie, finding science buffs from around the world to participate was easy.
“I have found that most speakers are passionate about the public awareness, understanding and appreciation of science, and recognise the role of science festivals in the general public engagement with science.
“To be honest, we also appeal to a speaker’s sense of adventure and make sure they know we are in South Africa, which usually seals the deal.”
A major highlight was convincing Nasa to participate in Scifest 2014 and then being hosted the following year in four American field centres including the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral.
Determined the show must go on despite challenges such as the Grahamstown water shortages maybe kicking in when 60000 people are in town, Fourie said keeping everyone positive helped.
“When the paw paw hits the fan, I say to my staff: ‘Has someone died? No. Will someone die? No. Then it will all be alright in the end’.”
From humble beginnings in 1996 when it was established to promote public awareness, understanding and appreciation of science, technology and innovation, Scifest has evolved into an acclaimed event that attracts participants from around the world.
The post was advertised late last year but the response was poor.
The Grahamstown Foundation last week circulated an e-mail requesting Friends of the Foundation to assist.
Foundation friend Penny Howarth sent out a group e-mail appealing for help.
“In one way or another most of us have had a long association with Scifest Africa which over the past 20 years has provided a fantastic platform from which we have variously shared our work and promoted effective science communication in its myriad forms.
“Please can you help in this important quest to find the best possible candidate to keep this unique, proudly South African event alive and kicking,” she wrote.
An email from Grahamstown Foundation executive director Louisa Clayton to friends said few applications had been received over the festive season when the post was advertised.
She said they decided not to proceed with full adjudication of the applications.
“The position is being re-advertised with a view to reaching a wider audience now that people are settling back into their work spaces.”
Search on for new Scifest Africa director
After five years heading up Africa’s premier science festival, current director Anja Fourie confirmed she would be moving on after the 20th edition in March.
Fourie said even though she was leaving Scifest she would still be involved in science.
“I have wanted to be involved in the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope since it was announced that South Africa would bid to host the telescope. The right position at SKA became available at the right time.”
Fourie confirmed she had accepted the position of science promotion co-ordination at SKA in Cape Town.
“I don’t believe that a project director should be in place for more than five years in order to allow both the individual and project to grow.”
Fourie will use the skills she honed at Scifest to design projects, science events and resources to encourage and facilitate general public engagement with the SKA. Although she admits her years at Scifest have not been without challenges and long hours, the job satisfaction, friendships and wonderful memories made it worthwhile.
According to Fourie, finding science buffs from around the world to participate was easy.
“I have found that most speakers are passionate about the public awareness, understanding and appreciation of science, and recognise the role of science festivals in the general public engagement with science.
“To be honest, we also appeal to a speaker’s sense of adventure and make sure they know we are in South Africa, which usually seals the deal.”
A major highlight was convincing Nasa to participate in Scifest 2014 and then being hosted the following year in four American field centres including the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral.
Determined the show must go on despite challenges such as the Grahamstown water shortages maybe kicking in when 60000 people are in town, Fourie said keeping everyone positive helped.
“When the paw paw hits the fan, I say to my staff: ‘Has someone died? No. Will someone die? No. Then it will all be alright in the end’.”
From humble beginnings in 1996 when it was established to promote public awareness, understanding and appreciation of science, technology and innovation, Scifest has evolved into an acclaimed event that attracts participants from around the world.
The post was advertised late last year but the response was poor.
The Grahamstown Foundation last week circulated an e-mail requesting Friends of the Foundation to assist.
Foundation friend Penny Howarth sent out a group e-mail appealing for help.
“In one way or another most of us have had a long association with Scifest Africa which over the past 20 years has provided a fantastic platform from which we have variously shared our work and promoted effective science communication in its myriad forms.
“Please can you help in this important quest to find the best possible candidate to keep this unique, proudly South African event alive and kicking,” she wrote.
An email from Grahamstown Foundation executive director Louisa Clayton to friends said few applications had been received over the festive season when the post was advertised.
She said they decided not to proceed with full adjudication of the applications.
“The position is being re-advertised with a view to reaching a wider audience now that people are settling back into their work spaces.”
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