Scifest Africa: Frequently Asked Questions

What’s on offer at Scifest Africa?

Scifest Africa, the biggest science festival in sub-Saharan Africa, is a fun-filled event specially styled to make science, technology, engineering and mathematics accessible to and of interest to every-day people. Each year Scifest Africa offers close to 550 events and activities, including exhibitions, lectures, hands-on workshops, excursions, laser-shows, quizzes and whiz-bang science shows. Proof of the support Scifest Africa now enjoys is that the 2009 Festival was attended by more than 68 000 people.

Is Scifest for a special age group- say, high-school learners only?

No, not at all. Scifest Africa is for anybody from age 5 to 105! This is not a joke because the Festival offers interesting events and activities for all ages.
For pre-schoolers there is SciKidz, a special, hands-on, ‘intro-to-science’ programme run by pre-school teachers under the auspice of Rhodes University’s Centre for Social Development. At the other end of the scale – so to speak - the Festival offers high-school learners, university students and those already in the workplace a wide range of fascinating lectures and talkshops covering a welter of popular subjects.
However, it must be said that the bulk of the Festival programme is aimed at learners – both primary and high school – and their educators.

What does Scifest cost?

The cost of attending Scifest Africa could not be cheaper. Entrance to the stimulating, inter-active exhibits – 50-plus every year – is totally free, and for any of the many lectures, workshops and other exciting events the going price is as little as R10.

How do we book for the Festival?

It is important to note that you only need to book for events at the Festival, and not for the Festival as a whole. As stated above, access to all the Festival exhibitions is totally free.
To book for shows (lectures, talkshops, workshops and films) you need the Festival Programme and Booking-kit, which are placed on this website 6-8 weeks before the Festival. Having selected what you wish to attend you submit your list to the Festival Booking Office. Call our ticket office manager on 046 603 1170.

Where do we stay for the Festival?

The Makana Tourism Office supports SciFest Africa in providing expert advice on available accommodation in and around Grahamstown. Contact them on 046 622 3241, email them at: info[at]grahamstown.co.za or visit their website: www.grahamstown.co.za or contact the Grahamstown Hospitality Guild via their website: www.grahamstown-accommodation.co.za.

How do I organise my transport?

Avis car hire is offering you excellent service for getting around at the Festival, whether you need transport from the Port Elizabeth airport or for your every day travel around Grahamstown. Contact the Grahamstown office on 046 622 4222 or follow this link.

How do I become a Scifriend?

This group of very special people are vital for the smooth-running and success of the Festival. Application forms for 2010 are available on our homepage.

Can we join the mailing list to get the Official Programme as soon as it is available?

Yes, all you need to do is send us an email: cath[at]scifest.org.za or phone us your request and we will add you to our mailing list. You will get the information first!
Please note that if you would like a hard copy of the programme, you will need to deposit R22 (R12 for programme and R10 for postage) into our account, fax your proof of deposit to 046 603 1143 and let us know your postal details. Otherwise, the programme will soon be available online free of charge at the end of January.

Our company would like to exhibit at Scifest Africa – how do we do that?

The easiest way to find out if there is exhibit space available is to contact us on: 046-603-1106 or email: info[at]scifest.org.za. We will get in contact with you and let you know if there is still exhibition space available. Look out for the 2010 application forms on our homepage from May.

How do I go about presenting a lecture or talkshop at Scifest Africa?

If you a scientist, engineer, work in any field (from space craft design to embalming) and would like to present a lecture or talkshop, please contact us on: 046-603-1106 or email: info[at]scifest.org.za. We will get in contact with you and let you know if there are still lecture or talkshop spots available.