Monday 26 September: Informal cocktail party on campus for those attending the workshops. Dress Smart Casual. Transport provided to and from the hotels.
Tuesday 27 September:

Official Welcoming Cocktail Party to be held in the conference centre. This is where you get to meet your colleagues from around the world and start networking. Dress Smart Casual. Transport provided to and from the hotels.

Buffet Dinner at a restaurant nearby. For those who would like a quick dinner after the function. The buffet offers a wide variety of food with just the right amount for the hungry – and the not so hungry! Beer and wine included. Transport cost included in the package.

Wednesday 28 September: Traditional South African “Braai” (Barbeque) With our wonderful climate lending itself to an outdoor lifestyle, no visit to South Africa is complete without a “braai” (rhymes with fry and means to grill) The package includes transport to and from the venue. Drinks are separate. Dress casual – it could become cool in the evening so bring something warm, just in case!
Thursday 29 September: Gala dinner. This is the highlight of the social events and the most lavish of the functions. Food will be fairly international and chosen to please even the most jaded palate. Although the more formal of the social events, the main idea is to relax and enjoy yourselves! Dress smart casual. Transport cost included.
Friday 30 September: Moyo – modern, sophisticated, African. Taking inspiration from all four compass points Moyo serves primarily an African menu with influences from all over the continent. Dishes , both traditional and contemporary, will tease and tantalise your senses. Dress smart casual. Situated in Johannesburg the cost includes the transport to and from the restaurant.

Accompanying persons programme

Monday 26 September: Afternoon City Tour
Half Day
Drive to the Voortrekker Monument situated on a prominent hill south east of the city. Inside is a series of magnificent marble bas-relief sculptures depicting the journey of the pioneers to the interior of the country in the 1830’s. It also houses superb petit point tapestries telling the same story from the women’s perspective. Visit historic Church Square with its imposing Palace of Justice and Raadsaal (Old Parliament Building) both of which were built in the 19th century. Nearby is the house of Paul Kruger, President of the Old Transvaal Republic in the late 19th century. Paul Kruger Street leads from Church Square to the Pretoria Station, the main buildings designed by Sir Herbert Baker. Melrose House, also built in the 19th century is where the Peace of Vereeniging was signed, ending the Anglo Boer War. After driving through the residential suburbs with their lovely homes and gardens, stop at the grand Union Buildings. Designed in neo classic style by the prolific Sir Herbert Baker, the gardens and buildings form a harmonious whole.
Tuesday 27 September:

Afternoon Cullinan Mine and Sammy Marx House
Drive eastward to Cullinan and the Premier Diamond Mine. It was here that the largest of all diamonds was found in 1905. It weighed over 3 000 carats and the 9 main stones cut from it are now in the British Crown Jewels. Visit the surface workings and see a day’s production of gem quality stones. Drive on to Zwartkoppies Hall, a sumptuous example of Victorian life-style, built for the renowned entrepreneur, Sammy Marx. It houses exquisite examples of Victorian silver, glass, porcelain and furniture. The rose garden has been restored to the way it was set out by his wife, Bertha. After the tour, return to your hotel.

Wednesday 28 September: Full day Johannesburg, Soweto and Gold Reef City
Take the N1 motorway south to Johannesburg, the “city of gold”, founded after the discovery of some of the richest gold reefs in the world in 1886. Although all the mines near Johannesburg are mined out, the city is still the financial and economic heart of the country. Drive through the affluent northern suburbs with magnificent homes and gardens, and the downtown high-rise centre.

Soweto is situated about 20 kms to the South West – drive through some of the older suburbs with their “matchbox” houses, past the Hector Peterson Memorial, along Vilakazi Street with the homes of two Nobel Laureates (Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu) and through the upmarket areas.

A visit to Johannesburg would not be complete without a tour of Gold Reef City. Constructed around the old 14 shaft of Crown Mines, most of the buildings are copies of those found in early Johannesburg around the turn of the last century. Go down the mine and experience the underground workings. Back on the surface see a bar of gold being poured. For the adventurous and young at heart there is a variety of rides and thrills at the theme park.
Thursday 29 September: de Wildt Endangered Wildlife Research Station
The Magaliesberg Mountains to the north of Pretoria form the southern rim of the Bushveld Igneous Complex, an area which saw much volcanic activity about 2000 million years ago. Very rich in minerals such as the platinum group and ferro-chrome, it is also known as the Springbok Flats because of the vast herds of springbok which once roamed here. The de Wildt Cheetah and Endangered Wildlife Research Centre is situated on the northern slope of this mountain range. It was here that cheetahs were first bred in captivity. The fascinating tour includes, not only cheetahs, but other endangered species such as brown hyena and Cape hunting dog. After the tour return to Pretoria via Haartebeespoort Dam.
Friday 30 September: Tswaing Meteorite Crate & Mapoch Village
North of Pretoria lies the crater formed by a meteorite colliding with the earth some 220 000 years ago. During the first half of the 20th century salt and soda ash were produced here commercially. About 10 years ago the whole site of 2 000 hectares was bought by the National Cultural History Museum in Pretoria and is being developed as an Enviro-Museum.
After the guided visit, drive to the nearby Mapoch Village, settled by Ndebele people some 60 years ago. The Ndebele are renowned for the free-hand geometric decorations of their homes – painted by the women – and for their magnificent bead work. In times gone by the women wore thick beaded collars, bracelets and leggings but these days such finery is only worn on special occasions. The village is a photographer’s dream and there are a number of the villagers selling their beautiful beaded craft work.