Launch of our Additive Manufacturing Campaign

Over the past month we have been working hard to be ready for this day (Jan 27th 2012). The Deputy Minister of Science and Technology along with other dignitaries including representatives from Boeing and Airbus were going to be in attendance. The launch was our chance to highlight all the efforts we are doing at the National Laser Center (this is where I work) to ensure the future of advance manufacturing continues to grow in South Africa.

I got in rather early to make sure all the final details were in place! I also like seeing things before the madness begins.

This system called "LENS" made by OPTOMEC in USA is an additive manufacturing system. It is the first one in South Africa. We will use this tool to help supoprt industry as well as Universities within South Africa so they become familiar with the technology.

We had a nice tent and had our intital speaches in it...I gave one that highlighted another one of our programs which we call "Aeroswift" this is a first of its kind additive manufacturing system that will be able to build large aerospace components.

Here my boss (Dr. Cingo) was introducing the Deputy Minister of Science & Technology so he could cut the ribbon and officialy start the launch. I was then asked to give an explanation about the LENS. All the cameras and mics were shoved in my face and it was a bit intimidating but well I think I survived okay.

I was then interviewed by E-News to higlight the launch and what it means to South Africa, I did no expect that at all....

Then it was just great having all the visitors seeing us working hard and I think we left a great impression with those who visited. I was proud of my group and hope this increases our visibility and allows us to grow. We are ready for it!!!

This is the Aeroswift room which was the other part of the launch. Here my colleauge Dr. Esser is explaining the objective of this project! We are all excited to get to work in this lab! I mean when you have the chance to be the first in the world to do something that is motivation enough...let alone trying to create opportunities for South Africa.

Cricket....

We went to a 1 day test match that featured South Africa vs. Sri Lanka. In fact it was the last 1 day test match South Africa was leading the series 3-1. I was told it would be about 8 hours long (This is the short version). It was actually quite fun and finally feel a bit more comfortable understanding the game.

It was a perfect day to start out we got there just about 10 am for the start of the match!

We had pretty good seats...okay so basically each team takes 1 turn at batting they get 50 0vers (an over is like an inning in baseball but it is defined by 6 legal picthes). So essentially you get 300 attempts to score runs...If it flys out of the park it is 6 runs, if it hits the wall it is 4 runs, then if it clears the fielder they can run for one. You can get a batter out by catching it or hitting the wicket. They get 10 outs. Now you can see why this would take 8 hours....

That green patch over there would be crickets version of the bleachers. Looked like they were having fun particularly when the rain came down....

Well at the end the game was really close. South Africa batted first so they had to defend their lead. They were up by 5 runs and there were only two pitches left. The video shows this last pitch in which this guy that just came up to bat and after wiffing he then knocked it out of the park on the next pitch for the Sri Lanka Win! It was a tough loss... but it was fun to see it live!

Lion & Rhino Park

Just a few miles away from the caves is the Lion & Rhino Park, about 10 bucks per preson to go in and it is a small enclosed park but they also have some lion's that are caged.

At the entrance we saw some Zebra's and Ostrich, outside of some Bokie we saw that was about it for wild life. When we finally got to the lion area we walked over to get a ticket for Steph so she could spend some time with the cubs, it is about 3 bucks for 5 minutes. She went in with a big smile on her face and took the camera to get some close ups....they were sleeping.

When she walked out with the guide I asked if she managed to get a job here because I am sure she could spend all day with them. She smiled and said not yet!

In fact we must have come around nap time because most of the cats were sleeping, here are some more shots.

That looked like Sasha sleeping!

Well he was up but just not moving...it was a hot day.

Then we met Eddie the cheetah, it was pretty cool to see him so close. Very mellow cat. They do a show with him where they have a piece of meat tied up on a string that is pulled by a mechanical device and try to make him chase it, we were lucky that he did....FAST!!!!

On the way out we drove past Vulture's bay...

The Caves at Sterkfontein

This is the area they also call the cradle of civilization, where they found Mrs. Ples one of the oldest ~ 2 million years in the region and perhaps a distant relative of ours. Funny thing is they recently found out it is actually a young boy but the kept the name Mrs. Ples.

This was my third visit and Steph's first! The tour guides are well versed and make the trip worth it!

Here we start our descent...about ninety some stairs down and then about one hudred and twenty up. Also some very narrow passages you have to get through, either by squatting or crawling. Not for those who don't feel comfortable in tight spaces.

Also did not take any pictures inaside as I tried the two other times and it is just too dark, you need a proper camera. After about an hour we finished and then we were heading over to the Lion & Rhino Park!!

January 14th - Steph's B-Day Weekend!

This was Steph's first birthday in warm weather! She was obviously very happy and it couldn't have been a nicer day!

Here is Steph with her boy! So handsome....

We wanted to visit the apartheid museum and so we went into Jo'burg!

When you purchase your tickets you randomly get classified either as white or non white and you must then enter through the appropriate gate. The tone was set and it was a bit strange having to enter a specific gate.

The entrance shows the different kinds of signage that South Africans lived with for 60 plus years

This was truly shocking to me!

After this point we were not allowed to take any more pictures within the museum. The exhibiton was truly detailed and allowed you to get a feel for the difficult times that all South Africans experienced, the worst ofcourse was for the black South Africans and the horrors they endured. Now more than 16 years after Mandela became president there are still huge issues with health and education, the struggle continues but now it is a truly united country!

After the museum we went to the law office where Mandela practiced!

We were advised to do something fun after the apartheid museum and so we went to the other specturm when we visited the SAB world of beer!

Here we learned about the history of beer making in South Africa, we even got to see this great original beer truck from the 20's. It actually still runs and they take it out for promotional events.

This is a replica of a famous bar that was in "Newtown" near this museum...so they invited us in for a beer!

Birthday celebratrion with Steph! To good health!

After the tour we drove around the city a bit more to soak up the atmosphere...

Reminded us of that great Marley song....

We then crossed the Mandela bridge and were heading home after a great day!

Botanical Garden

We spent one morning at the Durban Botantic Garden. Established in 1851, it is the oldest surviving botanic garden on the entire African continent.


Here's Steph in front of a fig tree that was planted in 1934.

This is called a "cannonball" tree, for obvious reasons.

The Garden has a few pieces of public art. This piece is called "The Greatest Shoal on Earth." Ha, ha.

An Acacia tree - popular in the cities here.

Aren't these wild? Some kind of fig trees.

Waterlilies...

This is "Wood's Cycad." It is one of the rarest in the world and completely extinct in the wild. This species was discovered by John M. Wood in 1895, and only male plants are known (who knew?).

Some kind of palm tree and some beautiful flower photos following....

Christmas-themed flower statues.

Photos from the orchid house.

Pelicans are common visitors to the Botanic Garden.

These nests are built by Bishop and Weaver birds. The males build the nests and the females rearrange them.

More waterlilies...

Here's a cute little Bishop hiding out in the lagoon.

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This is an African Spoonbill.