Friends of Iziko South African Museum - May2016

FRIENDS OF IZIKO SOUTH AFRICAN

MUSEUM Non-Profit Organisation 052-511-NPO Postal address: P O Box 61 Cape Town 8000 South Africa Physical address: 25 Queen Victoria Street Cape Town SA Phone: 021 481 3913 Fax: 021 481 3993 Cell: 072 225 6893 E-mail: samfriends@iziko.org.za Website http://www.iziko.org.za/; http://www.iziko.org.za/ static/page/friends-of-the-south-african-museum

NEWSLETTER – MAY 2016 As autumn has arrived, we have endeavoured to plan some indoor outings to accommodate the change in weather. Please look out for exciting events and lectures.

We welcome suggestions from members, please contact us should you come across anything of interest.

DONATION TO TH BARRY LECTURE THEATRE As you will be aware, the data projector in the TH Barry Lecture Theatre has reached the end of its life. Thanks to you, the Friends, we have been able to purchase a new and superior replacement which has been received with great excitement.

Tuesday 31 May Speaker: Dr Jill Weintroub Title: Colonial Adventurer or Loyal Follower?

Re-visiting the life and scholarship of Dorothea Bleek How has history treated Dorothea Bleek? Was she a scholar in her own right, or did she merely follow in the footsteps of her famous father, and her aunt and mentor Lucy Lloyd? In much of current scholarship on the BleekLloyd research project Dorothea’s oeuvre rarely warrants close attention. But a close reading of her field notebooks, personal correspondence and published and unpublished work reveals a complex character whose scholarship and research is complicated by idiosyncratic personal and intellectual agendas. The written record of Dorothea’s fieldwork shows her engaging with the landscape and the people in a myriad of complex and contradictory ways.

This presentation looks at Dorothea’s biography, her childhood in Mowbray, her schooling and tertiary education in Europe, and her fieldwork in southern Africa, and evaluates her research and scholarship in light of these.

Tuesday 28 June Speaker: Dr Simon van Noort, Curator of Entomology Iziko South African Museum Title: Wasps for Africa Wasps are super-diverse with almost 20 000 species described from Africa alone, but hundreds of thousands of species await discovery and description entailing exciting field expeditions into remote areas of this vast continent. The talk will showcase the microscopic lives of this biologically diverse group of insects as well as the field work and research undertaken to discover and document Africa’s wasps. Fascinating biological interactions will be highlighted, including the life styles of maritime parasitoid wasps, fig wasp pollinators and gall wasps.

An extract from the thank you letter from Theo Ferreira, Planetarium Manager/AV Coordinator: ‘The projector has been installed in the TH Barry Lecture Theatre, it is great to see a bright crisp image on the screen. I have seen how hard the Committee work to raise funds and am honoured that they made the decision to donate the equipment for use in Iziko.’

LECTURE PROGRAMME 2016 Lectures are held in the TH Barry Lecture Theatre at 18:00, unless otherwise advertised. Entrance is free to members on presentation of a valid 2016 membership card. Visitors are asked for a donation of R30 per lecture.

Above: Close-up of the cuticle of the Splendid Cuckoo wasp, Chrysis splendens (Chrysididae). Photograph by Simon van Noort.

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Tuesday 26 July Speaker: Professor Mike Bruton Title: The life and death of the dodo The dodo is known to most people as a bird that was designed to go extinct. But what is the truth about this remarkable bird? Where did it originate? How did it get to Mauritius? What kind of bird was it? What did it look like? How did it breed and feed? Also, why is the Dodo so well known to us whereas many other birds that have gone extinct have disappeared from our memory? Most importantly, why did the Dodo (and many other large island birds) die out, and what lessons does its extinction teach us? These and many other questions will be answered and discussed in this fascinating illustrated talk.

Professor Mike Bruton is an Honorary Research Associate of the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity and a Life Time Achievement Award winner with the National Science & Technology Forum. He now runs a museum design company (Mike Bruton Imagineering) in Cape Town and recently published his autobiography, ‘When I was a Fish. Tales of an Ichthyologist’ (Jacana Media). He has a passionate interest in fishes, birds, lizards, fossils, evolution, extinction, islands, bicycles, edutainment, Alice in Wonderland and unexplained phenomena, and likes to share his passion with others.

OUTINGS 2016 Booking and advance payment to secure your booking is essential for all outings.

Friday 13 May 10:30–12:30 Iziko Social History Centre

As a follow up to Dr Samantha Masters’ lecture on Pottery (and Poetry) from the Ancient Greek Symposium, a visit to the Iziko Social History Centre to view the pottery in the Iziko collection discussed in her lecture has been arranged. We will be accompanied by Dr Masters and Esther Esmyol, the Curator Social History Iziko.

Thursday 26 May 10:30–12:30 The Round House restaurant

Gwen Fagan will give us the history of The Round House restaurant and Camps Bay at The Round House.

Tea/coffee muffins will be served on arrival.

12-16 October 2016 Fossil hunting with Dr Roger Smith: Melton Wold

For those who love the outdoors and wide open spaces, are fascinated by all things natural and have a curiosity to learn, the annual Friends fossil trip to the Karoo is for you.

Once again we are privileged to have Dr Roger Smith ably assisted by Georgina Farrell lead us on a fossil dig in the Victoria West area where we will be staying at Meltonwold Guest Farm. We can’t guarantee that you will find fossils but we can assure you that a world-class scientist will teach you how to go about finding them.

We can also guarantee lots of clean, fresh air, congenial company and an opportunity to escape the pressures of daily life in the city. An extra bonus is to enjoy the Karoo off the beaten track. We will visit isolated farms far from anywhere with few signs of life.

Although finding fossils is not easy, once one gets the hang of it this becomes much easier. Even amateurs have a chance of making a major discovery. However, if you don’t find anything, wandering around isolated koppies, seeing all manner of different plants and insects with the only sound being birds or the occasional sheep makes this a unique experience.

We begin the trip on Wednesday 12 October. In the evening Roger will give a brief talk on what to expect.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday are spent in the field on different farms in the area. Each day starts with a hearty breakfast after which we head out for the day. Lunch will be enjoyed in the field.

The drive from Cape Town takes about six and a half hours and is tarred all the way. As we prefer to minimise the number of vehicles, please contact Charlotte if you require or are able to offer a lift.

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REPORT BACKS HOTEL VERDI

The Friends visit to the carbon neutral Hotel Verde was an interesting experience where we discovered the many and ingenious ways in which the hotel saves and provides energy while clients and visitors enjoy the benefits of a top class hotel facilities.

This 4 star hotel, hidden away in the industrial area only a few minutes from Cape Town International Airport, is an impressive example of the multiple energy saving practices which can be successfully used in a modern attractive hotel.

From lighting controlled by occupancy sensors to power generating gym equipment, Photovoltaic Panels on the roof providing 78000 kWh/year while some panels also provide shade. The vertical axis wind turbines at the entrance not only provide renewable energy but are also an attractive landmark.

Efficient storage and use of rainwater and a grey water recycling system along with low-flow water fittings are all measures ensuring maximum water saving measures.

A very attractive outdoor feature is the Eco Pool which is completely free of chemicals and is crystal clear giving the impression of swimming in a clear mountain pool.

The Hotel Verde is not only Africa’s Greenest Hotel but is one of only 7 hotels in the world to be certified with Platinum for New Construction.

There are a number of incentives to guests and staff providing added interest and an element of fun. Whilst we usually only have Earth Hour once a year it is celebrated every Wednesday at the hotel, open to everyone, with music, candles, solar powered jars and an ‘electricity free’ buffet and à la carte menu.

Our visit ended with a delicious lunch – all ingredients either grown on the property or sourced within a 165 km radius of the hotel.

Thanks to Rosemary Smythe for organising this very successful and enjoyable visit. There is so much to see and learn, it is an outing we will definitely repeat.

Maxine Davies

Above: Friends on Saturday 12 March spider safari. Photo by Dan de Langristin

NIGHT SPIDER SAFARI NEWLANDS FOREST MARCH Following his very popular lecture in February, Norman Larsen held two spider safari outings in Newlands forest.

Both outings were well attended by enthusiastic participants of all ages.

It was a wonderful experience to be in the forest at night, the well-known surroundings look very different in the dark. Luckily the weather cooperated which added to the magic of being out at night.

Norman had planned a route which ended in the river bed. We were fortunate to find several spiders and soon learnt how to tell the difference between the male and female spider as well as the different species. The spider webs of varying sizes were beautiful, these looked like lace with different insects and leaves clinging to the strands.

A scorpion caused great excitement when the ultra violet light was shone on it highlighting how well it was camouflaged against the trunk of a tree. A toad in the river added to the species of wildlife seen.

On the first outing, some very eager youngsters delighted the group with their joy and excitement, calling to Norman to look at ‘these guys’ or finding ‘families’ for Norman to look at.

The second outing too was a success, this time attended by some really young children, part of a smaller group. The same route was walked, spider hunting along the way. A scorpion was found, we have to wonder whether the same scorpion was seen on both nights!

Charlotte Honiball

CONSOL GLASS FACTORY VISIT

Regrettably Consol Glass had to cancel our visit at very short notice. They have now given us a new date of Tuesday 12 July and we look forward to this outing.

Photo by Sherry Woods

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HERMANUS/STANFORD ADVENTURE Despite the erratic and turbulent weather, the Friends group of 21 enjoyed an interesting and varied two days in the Stanford/Hermanus area beginning at the beautiful Grootbos Private Nature Reserve with its wonderful fynbos covered hills.

Knowledgeable guides drove us in safari vehicles through the reserve along winding jeep tracks with frequent stops to discover the wonders of nature in the fynbos often hidden from view. An interesting and enjoyable drive through sunshine, mist and finally rain. Once back at the Lodge we quickly warmed up around a welcoming fire and were treated to a delicious lunch.

Overnight was at the Stanford Valley Guest Farm where we had time to explore the surrounding hills in glorious sunshine before dinner.

The final day was spent in Hermanus where we spent a fascinating morning at the SA National Space Agency where a team of scientists monitor space weather and the Earth’s fluctuating electromagnetic field. This well-equipped facility is staffed by highly trained experts in various fields monitoring earths’ magnetic field, planetary phenomenon and solar flares, in real time, that could affect electricity grids and digital information. A completely new and enjoyable experience.

Rounding off our multi faceted visit was a tour of the Heart of Abalone aquaculture facility where abalone is cultivated in strictly monitored conditions from beginning to marketable size. It was so interesting to see how abalone is farmed in vast quantities and to realise just how long it takes to reach maturity and a marketable size. The one in the image below is only 2 years old. At the same time the community is empowered and different job opportunities for development are created. Once again a new and very interesting visit.

Thanks to Rosemary Smythe for her considerable research and hard work in putting this outing together.

Maxine Davies NEW MEMBERS Welcome to the following new members: Ann Baker Mickey Lowther Charl Cilliers Jenni Pietersen Dale Dunbar Sherry Woods Jo-Anne Friedlander 2016 MEMBERSHIP Your 2015 membership expired on 31 December. If you have not already done so, please remember to renew your membership. It is helpful to complete and return the membership renewal form to assist in record keeping. Some deposits have been made without a reference being given which means we have been unable to identify who made the payment.

If you have paid and not yet received your 2016 sticker, please email proof of payment to arrange for your renewal to be processed.

See the Iziko website to download the membership form: http://www.iziko.org.za/static/page/friends-ofthe-south-african-museum Charlotte Honiball Friends of Iziko South African Museum

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