The University of the Free State has the privilege of hosting the Annual Conference of the South African Association of Botanists (SAAB) for the second time, and for the first time on its Qwaqwa Campus (7-10 January 2020). The unique setting of this 46^th SAAB conference in the shadow of the Maloti-Drakensberg Mountains highlights the Qwaqwa Campus as a fantastic base for interdisciplinary montane studies, especially as it is the home of the Afromontane Research Unit. Delegates will also have an opportunity to explore a treasure trove of botanical diversity on a post-conference tour to the top of the Amphitheatre in the Northern Drakensberg.

Given the high regard in which South African plant sciences is held internationally, and the uniqueness and richness of our flora, this event is regarded as prestigious. It will be attended by approximately 250 delegates representing at least 10 countries.  We are very excited to host two international and two national plenaries, namely Prof Peter Linder (University of Zürich), Prof Felipe Amorim (São Paulo State University, UNESP), Prof Annah Moteetee (University of Johannesburg), and our Young Botanist award winner from SAAB 2019, Mr Ryan Rattray (Genelethu Laboratories).

SAAB 2020 is open to all researchers, industry partners, and citizen scientists from any botanical field. The theme embraces Qwaqwa’s cultural heritage by using the Sesotho phrase ‘Dimela ke bophelo’, which translates as ‘Plants are life’, emphasising the dependence of all earthly life on plants. Delegates are offered the opportunity to book residence accommodation adjacent to the conference venues, and our conference organisers, XL Millennium, are eager to help with registration and any travel arrangements.
It promises to be an exciting event and all interested parties are encouraged to submit abstracts for poster/oral presentations, and to register as soon as possible via our SAAB 2020 conference website!

Important dates:

For any queries, contact:

XL Millennium

info@saabconference.co.za

Tel: +27 21 590 7900

Dr Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen

Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee

Department of Plant Sciences

SteenhuisenS@ufs.ac.za

Tel: +27 58 718 5330