Recorded Presentations
In February 2021 we began live-streaming presentations to YouTube.
Below are the recordings of those presentations.
Towards South Africa's Tipping Point
Chris Hattingh
A strategic intelligence briefing from the Centre for Risk Analysis – South Africa’s leading political, social, and economic risk advisory group.
The presenter is Chris Hattingh who is Senior Policy Analyst at the Centre.
Chris has a special interest in trade and economic policy and is a member of the advisory council of the Initiative for African Trade and Prosperity, as well as a Senior Fellow at African Liberty. He holds an MPhil degree from Stellenbosch University.
Mucus and its Role in the Gastrointestinal Tract
Professor Anwar Mall follows up last year's very successful and popular presentation with this talk which begins with a background to the thinking and decades of research leading to the realization that mucus has a very important role in the protection of the gastric mucosa from acid, pepsin and the sheer forces associated with digestion. The role of mucus in health and disease is also touched upon.
Climate Change: Are We Reaching The End Of The Road?
Dr Leonard Suransky
This past year we have received cascading reports of extreme weather experiences around the world. In the light of Glasgow’s December COP 26 meeting, this is a subject which should pique our interest if we are concerned for the future existence of life on Earth as we know it. Have we gone too far? Can we turn the situation around, and if so, how? Are the scientists wrong? How much time do we really have in which to act?
These are some of the questions that are addressed by Dr Leonard Suransky during his live-streamed presentation to the members of U3A.
In his presentation, Dr Suransky shows short clips from 3 videos. If you would like to watch the videos in full, simply click on these links;
https://www.ted.com/talks/countdown_the_55_gigaton_challenge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo_-mxvGnq8
Genetically Modified Crops and the Global Divide
Professor Jennifer Thomson
The detrimental impact that historical European attitudes to past colonial influences, aid, trade and educational involvement have had on African leaders and their people continues to be of growing importance in agricultural productivity and food security, especially in light of climate change, drought and the potential rise in sea levels – the effects of which could be mitigated by the cultivation of GM and gene-edited crops.
Jennifer Thomson unravels the reasons behind these negative attitudes towards GM crop production. By addressing the detrimental effects that anti-GM opinions have on nutrition security in developing countries and providing a clear account of the science to counter these attitudes, she hopes to highlight and ultimately bridge this global divide.
Thinking The Future
Clem Sunter
Thinking the Future - The latest global and South African scenarios by Clem Sunter, the well known Scenario Planner, is based on a book published by Penguin at the beginning of July 2021 and co-authored by Mitch Ilbury.
The Psychology of Living Well, Life Balance ...and Aging Less
Dr Helgo Schomer
Dr Helgo Schomer talks about the mental and behavioural factors that can enable us to achieve our best, so that we can shine, even in the face of adversity. He discusses the elusive, yet highly desirable state of life balance – where things make sense, where life is good, where we are energised and strong, so that we have a chance to age gracefully.
Lasers
Dr Hubertus von Bergmann
Prof von Bergmann touches on the history of laser technology; explains how lasers work and how laser light differs from that of conventional light sources. He also discusses the different types of lasers and some of their most important applications ranging from industrial materials processing, medical diagnostics and treatments, environmental management, communications technology to the military.
US Priorities in South Africa
Will Stevens
Will Stevens, Acting U.S.Consul General outlines the US Government's priorities in South Africa
How The HERD Elephant Orphanage Came To Be
Adine Roode
Adine Roode saw a need for a dedicated elephant orphanage (a first for South Africa), and thus she established HERD where orphans could be rehabilitated and eventually released into the welcome safety of a herd that they could call their own, thus giving them a second chance at life.
Adine's is a really heart-warming success story of a person who has made her life’s calling the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned and displaced young elephants and rhinos.
Living Shores
George and Margo Branch
George and Margo Branch describe themselves as “beach bums par excellence,” in actual fact…they are prolific writers and teachers in the marine community of South Africa.
A Wilder Life
Dr Joan Louwrens
If you have ever used the phrase, “Been there - done that”, you might revisit those thoughts when you meet our April speaker, Doctor Joan Louwrens.
Let’s travel with her very far & very wide as she relives her professional & personal life story.
What drove her to travel to all of these places? Easy! Joan responded in kind, wherever she and her medical skills were needed.
The Complex Life Of The Gut, Our Second Brain
Professor Anwar Mall
If you’ve ever “gone with your gut” to make a decision or felt “butterflies in your stomach” when nervous, you’re likely getting signals from an unexpected source: your second brain.
Hidden in the walls of the digestive system, this “brain in your gut” is revolutionizing medicine’s understanding of the links between digestion, mood, health and even the way you think.
100 Bushveld Trees
Megan Emmett-Parker
Ardent naturalist, conservationist and environmental manager, Megan Emmett Parker, shares her vast knowledge on the trees of the bushveld with us.
Megan’s talk focuses on tree identification and some other mysteries related to trees. A peep into this magical world may just open up a whole new field of interest for some of our members. Perhaps it may even inspire some local tree identification, if not some actual tree hugging.