Sasol Scifest 2004The National
Festival of Science, Engineering and Technology (Sasol SciFest) was
launched in 1997 as an annual festival which promotes a culture of
science in South Africa in a festive way. It is a high-profile event
during which scientists popularise science, engineering and technology.The Festival was made possible by anchor sponsorship from Sasol Limited, sub-sponsorship from the Department of Science & Technology, and many other donations and donations-in-kind. The 582 events on offer were arranged into a Main Programme (organised by Sasol SciFest) and a Fringe (planned, hosted and staged by outside parties). The festival took place from 17 to 23 March. The Main Programme presented free Science Olympics, Playfair sessions, Sunset Shows, Sport ‘n Science events, cannon firing sessions, a church service and 34 interactive exhibitions. For other events a ticket system (basic price R5) enabled visitors to plan their programme carefully. Included were 20 lectures (by four international and 16 SA scientists, with one international and one local cancellation); two discussions (led by panels of international and SA scientists); ten Talkshops or lecture/demonstrations; two high school quizzes; 16 presentations of educational theatre; three robotics competitions; daily laser shows; and 262 workshops. There were 37screenings of films (tickets R5 to R10) and daily veld-walks, night-drives and nature reserve visits at R15 and R80 respectively. The Fringe programme expanded compared to 2003. Contributors included Rhodes University (11 exhibitions, 34 workshops and 30 other events); the SA Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (five talkshops, six workshops and two other events); St Andrew's Preparatory School (23 workshops); Christ Church (daily miniature railway rides); Reptile World (mobile exhibition); the Jane Goodall Institute (a fund-raising event and promotion of youth club to schools); and MadLab, Australia (16 workshops). Promotional publications included a flyer, poster and the official programme - all of which were full-colour and produced in print form and electronically on the website. More than 15 press releases were issued and appeared in local, regional and national newspapers as well as on various electronic news websites. Die Burger (Oos-Kaap), Daily Dispatch and Mail & Guardian produced special supplements, while the Rhodes University Department of Journalism and Media Studies cooperated with Grocott's Mail to produce three four-page inserts over the duration of the Festival. SAfm was subsidised to provide extensive coverage of the Festival. Positive TV coverage was received as the SABC 2 Morning Live crew produced a live broadcast from the Monument and the Festival featured regularly on SABC Africa. Good publicity was received on local, regional and national radio. A media launch was held in Grahamstown. A total of six presentations were made in shopping malls in four centres around the Eastern Cape to give the Festival advance publicity, while the Festival's national outreach programme, Sasol SciFest-on-the-Road reached approximately 7 500 people. Five permanent staff members were advised by the Sasol SciFest National Advisory Committee and assisted by financial, technical and administrative personnel of the Grahamstown Foundation. During the Festival, 134 temporary staff worked including 90 science students performing interpretive functions. Main Programme Festival venues were the 1820 Settlers National Monument, the City Hall, the Albany Museum, whilst the St Andrew's College & DSG Design and Technology Centre, Public Library and VGHS were used for one series of workshops each. Fringe venues were mainly located at the premises of the presenting organisation. It is estimated that more than 30 000 people attended the Festival. A Visitor Survey was conducted to determine the demographic profile, economic impact and needs of Festival visitors. |
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