Structure
President’s Welcome (list of Presidents current & past below)
Welcome to the Royal Society of South Africa
Scientific knowledge – the collection, understanding and interpretation of evidence and data – is the dynamic of any healthy and progressive society. Reliable and accurate knowledge drives the economy, encourages research, fosters good governance and high standards of education and develops a nation that can hold its own on a global scale.
Independent of government or any other formal institution, the Royal Society of South Africa has a long and prestigious history of contribution to the scientific eminence of South Africa.
The Society is based in Cape Town and there are branches throughout the country. Formally established in 1908 it is a merit-based organisation whose influence and renown is founded on the achievements of its Fellows and Members , men and women who represent a wide range of disciplines from Archaeology to Zoology – with Astronomy, Biology, Botany, Chemistry, Engineering, Geology, Historical Studies, Ichthyology, Mathematics, Mining, Physics and many others in between.
The principal aim of the Society is to promote and develop scientific ideas and knowledge and to focus on research, scholarship, education and communication. We therefore have links with other similar societies and organisations both within South Africa and internationally. We publish an outstanding interdisciplinary journal, The Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa to showcase significant work, we hold conferences, lectures, workshops and discussions and we award prizes and other honours to outstanding South African scientists as well as to learners at school and university who show promise and ability.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information concerning membership, publications and activities such as lectures, conferences and other programmes.
PRESIDENTS: CURRENT AND PAST
The current President: 2011 – Prof. D A Cowan
PAST PRESIDENTS FROM 1908 |
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1908 Mr S.S. Hough
1912 Dr L. Péringuey 1918 Dr J.D.F. Gilchrist 1923 Dr A. Ogg 1928 Dr W.A. Jolly 1933 Dr A.W. Rogers 1936 Prof. L. Crawford 1942 Prof. A. Brown 1946 Prof. R.S. Adamson 1949 Dr. J.Jackson 1950 Prof. R.W. James 1953 Dr S.H. Skaife 1955 Dr S.H. Haughton |
1957 Prof. E. Newbery
1959 Prof. A.J.H. Goodwin 1960 Dr S. Meiring Naudé 1962 Dr M.R. Levyns 1964 Dr W.S. Rapson 1966 Prof. W.J. Lutjeharms 1968 Dr G.G.Campbell 1970 Prof. P.V. Tobias 1972 Prof. N. Sapeika 1974 Prof. W.J. Talbot 1977 Prof. A.W. Sloan 1979 Prof. A.C. Brown 1981 Prof. B. Warner |
1983 Prof. E.S.W. Simpson
1984 Prof. R.C. Bigalke 1987 Prof. W. Gevers 1989 Prof. F.R.N. Nabarro 1992 Prof. G.R.F. Ellis 1997 Prof. O.W. Prozesky 1999 Prof. J.P.F. Sellschop 2002 Prof. L.R. Nassembeni 2004 Prof. D.E. Rawlings 2006 Prof. J D Skinner |