The 24th edition of South Africa’s National Science Festival will be celebrated from 15-21 April 2020 in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown), Eastern Cape.

The theme “Take root…nurture!” celebrates the International Year of Plant Health as proclaimed by the United Nations. The theme recognises that plants constitute the foundation for all life on Earth, ecosystem function, food security and boosts economic development. The theme feeds into the 2030 agenda for sustainable development and recognises that plants are relevant in various disciplines. In 2020 we encourage our contributors to recognise the importance of plant health and how this is a pipeline for technologies, innovation, economy and products in their field of research and expertise. 

The 2019 festival attracted 44,511 visitors, including learners from 233 schools from around the country, and offered an interactive festival programme that consisted of 60 exhibitions and 465 events, presented by contributors from 70 organisations in South Africa and the international STI sector. The National Science Festival received media coverage to the value of ZAR 3.7 million from 1 December 2018 – 30 April 2019.

Scifest Africa identifies and designs unique interactive events and educational resources with scientific integrity to advance science, facilitate learning in an informal and non-threatening way, and provide learners with an opportunity to discover science outside the classroom.

With continued support from the Department of Science and Innovation, the festival makes science accessible to the public, encouraging parents and schools from across the country to bring learners to the event. Scifest Africa provides a platform for leading scientists, both locally and globally, to engage with the youth and inspire them to embark on careers in science and become leaders in these fields.