FIELD TRIPS

South Africa has a wealth of policy advisory bodies, funding agencies, higher education institutions, science and technology performing institutions which paints our country’s collective efforts towards fostering technological innovation. Institutions that are well positioned to provide field trips, scientific tours and engagements during the WCSJ 2025.

The Organising Committee will be putting together exciting field trips that can be taken prior to, and after, the conference. Herewith a taste of the possibilities with more to follow in subsequent newsletters (details will be released once the programme has been finalised and registration opens).

THE SQUARE KILOMETRE ARRAY (SKA) MID TELESCOPE

Travel through South Africa to visit the remote site where the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) mid-frequency telescope is being constructed around the existing MeerKAT radio telescope in the Karoo. The SKA is an international radio telescope project, with SKA-Mid hosted in Meerkat National Park, 80 km northwest of Carnarvon, Northern Cape. Featuring 197 parabolic dishes, SKA-Mid will open new windows into the Universe, from pulsar timing and gravitational wave tracking to searching for signs of extraterrestrial life. The existing MeerKAT telescope, with its 13.5m dishes, will be integrated with the larger 15m SKA dishes. With receiving stations extending up to 3 000 km, SKA-Mid will provide the highest-resolution images in astronomy. Afterward, continue to Cape Town, home to the MeerKAT’s digital operations and the future Science Operations Centre, featuring a supercomputer-powered Science Processing Centre.

HARTEBEESTHOEK RADIO ASTRONOMY OBSERVATORY

The Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) is located just outside Pretoria in the scenic Magaliesberg hills. Established in 1961 as Deep Space Station 51 by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), it featured a 26-metre antenna used for data collection and commanding unmanned US space probes. These included Ranger, Surveyor, and Lunar Orbiter missions to the Moon, Mariner missions to Venus and Mars, and Pioneers measuring solar winds. After NASA, HartRAO transitioned to focus on radio astronomy research. In the 1980s, a new science, Space Geodesy—using space techniques to study Earth’s shape and gravity—developed at the site. Today, HartRAO’s radio telescopes are used for both astronomy and space geodesy, alongside other dedicated space geodesy instruments at the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory site.

mRNA Hub

The Centre for mRNA Technology Development and Transfer Hub aims to build capacity in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to produce mRNA vaccines through a center of excellence and training. Located at Afrigen in Cape Town, South Africa, the hub collaborates with partners across LMICs and is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), Medicines Patent Pool, and ACT-Accelerator. The initiative enables these regions to respond to pandemics and develop vaccines for diseases specific to their needs, often overlooked by major pharmaceutical companies. The South African hub consists of Afrigen Biologics, the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), and Biovac, a vaccine producer. Within this consortium, Afrigen develops mRNA vaccine technology, while SAMRC coordinates regional research and development efforts.

SCI-BONO DISCOVERY CENTRE

The Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, Southern Africa’s largest science centre, is affiliated with the Gauteng Department of Education and supported by various science, engineering, industry and diplomatic bodies. Its main purpose is to inspire and teach the public about the nuclear sciences and to encourage students to pursue a career in science. This world-class science centre implements the Gauteng Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education Strategy and offers a wide range of science-related events, activities, and programmes for the public and schools. There are regular seminars at the Centre to give the public a better understanding of how nuclear science really works. Located in the historic Electric Workshop in Newtown, Johannesburg, Sci-Bono is one of Gauteng’s top leisure and educational destinations, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.

NECSA VISITOR CENTRE

The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) is responsible for processing source materials, including uranium enrichment, and collaborating with local and international institutions on nuclear and related matters to promote socio-economic development in South Africa and advance R&D in nuclear energy and radiation sciences. The Necsa Visitor Centre is a modern walk-through exhibition facility designed to educate the public about nuclear science and technology and dispel myths and misconceptions. It covers five major topics: Nuclear Energy, Nuclear Science, Radiation, Reactors, and Nuclear Waste. The Centre offers guided tours and hosts workshops on various nuclear topics of interest. There are regular seminars at the Centre to give the public a better understanding of how nuclear science really works. Everyone enjoy’s the exhibits with hands-on and touch screen activities.

CRADLE OF HUMANKIND WORLD HERITAGE SITE

The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site (COHWHS) is a 53,000-hectare area of global significance in South Africa, featuring over 400 diverse offerings for visitors. The official visitor centre, Maropeng, along with the Sterkfontein Caves, owned by Wits University, forms the COHWHS Interpretation Centre. Maropeng provides an architectural journey from Earth’s birth to human history and the future. It includes a fossil display, education and conference facilities, a boutique hotel with stunning views, and a restaurant. Sterkfontein Caves attract many visitors with its exhibition and guided tours. The site blends science, conservation, community development, and tourism. Maropeng’s Face-To-Face exhibit, featuring reconstructions of Homo naledi and Australopithecus sediba by palaeoartist John Gurche, offers a unique opportunity to compare these ancient hominins up close for the first time in South Africa.

DINOKENG GAME RESERVE – CONSERVATION IN ACTION

The Dinokeng Game Reserve is the only Big 5 reserve in Gauteng. Just 40 minutes from Pretoria and malaria-free, the reserve offers an extraordinary adventure close to the city. Celebrating its first decade of conservation success, Dinokeng is a model for urban wildlife harmony. The reserve’s name, derived from the baTswana and baPedi languages, means “a place of rivers.” Unlike vast ecosystems like Kruger or Kgalagadi, smaller reserves require constant management to maintain healthy gene pools, predator-prey balance, and control alien species. This includes collaring animals, applying contraceptives, and exchanging big cats to prevent inbreeding. Dinokeng offers a unique chance to witness these rehabilitation and conservation efforts up close. Watch a video about rhino collaring at the Reserve. At Dinokeng, we believe that if we take care of nature, nature will take care of us.

 

The World Conference of Science Journalists (WCSJ) will take place at the CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa from 1 – 5 December 2025, with the theme “Science Journalism and Social Justice – our role in promoting resilience”.

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