SAIMM Johannesburg Branch: family visit to the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens

3 December 2011

This year's December family day was spent at the beautiful Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens located in Roodepoort. These gardens are without doubt one of Gauteng's hidden gems, providing a magnificent recreational space for Johannesburg's stressed-out residents. The gardens are always a hive of activity, offering a variety of ecologically related courses and events to suit everybody. In addition, the gardens support important academic research programmes.

The SAIMM families arrived in the morning and were offered a choice of activities. It was a scorcher of a summer's day. The enthusiastic few tackled the Geological Trail which consisted of a challenging hike over and around the hillside. Hikers were rewarded with magnificent vistas and geological landscapes of the Witwatersrand. An alternative and considerably gentler tour of the gardens was also undertaken, which focused specifically on edible and herbal flora.

After completing their walks, the 'Gardeners' and the 'Miners' met up at our temporary HQ under a thorn tree for a delicious and lingering picnic lunch. Many thanks to Ginette Oliver and Anne-Marie McCrate for organizing such a lovely day.

SAIMM Johannesburg Branch Committee dinner: hosted by professor Nielen van der Merwe

30 September 2011

On Friday evening 30 September 2012, SAIMM President Professor Nielen van der Merwe hosted a scrumptious supper for the Johannesburg Branch Committee. A party of 24 gathered at the Pomodoro Restuarant in Morningside and enjoyed an evening of delicious fare.

Professor van der Merve was accompanied by the lovely Hantie. Attendees included branch Chairman Vaughn Duke, committee members, their partners, and a strong student delegation from the University of Johannesburg. Particular thanks was given by Vaughn Duke to our hard-working 'backroom girls' Ginette Oliver and Anne-Marie McCrate, who continue to help keep the branch events running smoothly. Finally a toast was made to Professor van der Merve with best wishes for his SAIMM Presidency.

Click to enlarge