physics and astronomy 3
P H Y S I C S A N D A S T R O N O M Y
provided an opportunity for the subject to was needed, the decision was reached un-
readjust itself within rapidly changing na- der the leadership of the SAIP council. Sec-
tional priorities. tion 3.8 describes how the National Laser
Centre (NLC) was also established under
3.2 The role of the South Afri-
the auspices of the SAIP.
can institute of Physics (SAIP)
The promotion of education has always
been a central concern of the SAIP. Along-
A
natural consequence of the post-
side the education specialist group, where
World War II flourishing of scientific
the emphasis is on research and teaching
activity was the establishment of
practice, the council has always had its own
professional scientific societies. The first at-
education portfolio to ensure that national
tempt to establish such a society for physics
and provincial strategies are implemented.
happened in 1948, but did not succeed. A
A special feature has also been the annual
second attempt, launched in 1953 by C B van
heads-of-department meeting during the
Wyk, eventually led to the establishment of
annual conference. While this forum has
the South African Institute of Physics (SAIP)
never had any decision-making powers, it
on 7 July 1955, at the University of Pretoria,
has fostered sufficient debate and activity
with S Meiring Naudé as its first president
to ensure that all physics degrees awarded
(see http://www/saip/org/za). The attend-
in the country have always been recognised
ance register was signed by 102 practising
by all institutions.
physicists. The institute organised itself into
a number of specialist groups that repre-
Even during the apartheid era, SAIP mem-
sented the main themes of physics prac-
bership was open to all, and its constitution
tised in the country. Solid state physics and
never differentiated on the basis of race
nuclear physics were natural strongholds.
or gender. It is also true, however, that the
The institute rapidly grew to a membership
SAIP could have been more pro-active to
of between 300 and 400, and its core activ-
promote change and to extend its mem-
ity was the annual three-day conference in
bership. In an exchange of letters between
July to provide a forum for progress reports
institute presidents in 1987, the American
in the various disciplines.
Physical Society expressed concern about
the effects of apartheid on South African
Growth was so healthy that a South Afri-
physics, and proposed joint actions “to
can Journal of Physics (SAJP) was launched improve access to physics for all talented
in 1978, as well as a quarterly newsletter persons in South Africa”. The SAIP president
called Meson. The SAJP was subsidise by at the time responded immediately and
the newly established Bureau for Scientific positively, closing his letter in the hope that
Publications. The SAIP also played a facilitat- “this could very well be the beginning of a
ing role in respect of other developments in useful and effective collaboration”. The ac-
physics. For instance, when a decision about tual benefits of this positive exchange are
the site for the National Accelerator Centre hard to identify, however. Towards the end
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