Darren and Justin Oats - Alternative Fuels

Roll on June and we were introduced to Darren and Justin Oats, exploring a tried and tested greener internal combustion engine fuel option. The future seems green !

Darren and Justin Oates hold BEng degrees from the University of Pretoria. 

They specialised in Vehicle Dynamics and Vehicle Engineering and finished top of their class.

Justin has been involved in the motorsport industry in South Africa for more than 10 years, gaining valuable technical knowledge and experience and building valuable relationships. He has conducted numerous research studies and tests on motor vehicles, the majority being race cars, for both motorsport and general research and development purposes. Justin is also a member of Total Excellium Racing as a driver and director, where he is involved in the management and technical development of the vehicles.

Darren is a director and part of the management team at Total Excellium Racing, one of the largest motorsport teams in South Africa. The team has successfully competed in the Volkswagen Polo Cup and is currently building a Mercedes Benz GTC 1 car to compete in the most challenging Motorsport series in South Africa.

Darren has more than 10 years of experience and knowledge at the top level of the South African motorsport industry, which includes hands-on testing of road vehicles and race cars. This involvement has provided valuable relationships with key players in the industry.

 

 

Dr J David Reinecke - Ballistics

On May 5th we were (not literally) blown away by Dr. Reinecke's insight and ability to convey in laymen's terms the impact, forces and varied characteristics of all things going BOOM!  

We were treated to an introduction into traditional ballistics (internal / external / Terminal), map onto energetic material (explosive) "ballistics" of detonic, blast impact loading and structural response quantification.

Dr J David Reinecke has been involved in military domain his whole career, starting in aviation but spending the last seventeen years developing capabilities and executing blast impact research at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Dr Reinecke completed his graduate, honours and masters degrees in mechanical engineering and engineering management at the University of Pretoria and then went on to complete his PhD at Cranfield University (Defence) in the UK. Though his work Dr Reinecke has developed a number of blast impact technology demonstrators focussed on researching blast impact and structural response as well as related trauma biomechanics. In addition to collaborating extensively with local defence industry, local and international tertiary education institutes and defence research organizations, Dr Reinecke is privileged to serve on several international research task groups related to protection and mobility.

BRAAI !!

Yoh !! We had so much fun interacting at the Quiz Night we promptly arranged a social braai for the whole family on 12 April. 

Catered for by PHSOB in the open-air venue we were entertained by Grant and Theo performing original songs and a few of our favourite covers. 

Feasting with old friends and new - this braai was a absolute hit and definite future tradition!! 

Quiz Night

7 April launched our first quiz night for 2021, right into orbit and the participants felt an hour or two of weightlessness - high above the blue globe and its troubles.

Dr. Zané Lombard - Human Genetics

On March 3rd we had the distinct pleasure of listening to the insightful Dr. Lombard discuss population genetics and how we can use information contained in our DNA to learn more about population history and our health. (Webinar)

 

Zané Lombard obtained her PhD in Human Genetics and Bioinformatics in 2008. She is currently a Principal medical scientist and Associate professor in the Division of Human Genetics, where she oversees the Research laboratory and is a member of the Research & Development team in the Department. Before this she worked as a Senior Lecturer in Bioinformatics in the School of Molecular & Cell Biology, also at Wits. Her research interest areas are genomic medicine and rare diseases. Zané is passionate about promoting science in Africa, and therefore participates in several academic service domains at University, national and international level, like the SA Society for Human Genetics and the H3Africa Consortium.

 

 

 

 

 

What a year, what a night, what a year-end bash !!

Ready to AGM!

No need to elaborate on the surreal year we were fortunate enough to survive. Our thoughts and condolences are with each and every Mensan and friend of Mensa touched by the circumstances experienced in 2020.

Our NAG 2020 was rebranded NAG 2021 and we are as fired up as ever to welcome you to our neck of the woods early August 2021 !! Look at our teaser video !

Mr. Tim Knights

As the world reinvents itself Mensa Pretoria had a few historic moments too - our first dual medium AGM took place on 2 December. 

As is tradition Tim Knights, founding member of Mensa Pretoria facilitated the election process albeit remotely via Zoom. 

His charm, professionalism and wit undiluted: a very smooth and quick election process concluded with each 2020 committee member being re-elected. 

Grant me a moment to introduce the:

 2021 Mensa Pretoria Committee:

2021 !!

Chairperson: Kolver 

(Not a noun - his name!) a realistic man of strong conviction, respectful in debate and always ready for a social! Kolver busies himself as a urban farmer, prefers another helping of main course to dessert and would like to play the violin to "win the golden fiddle against the devil"! 

Treasurer: Peter 

A pragmatic Mensan, sensible in his conduct and consideration with room for opinions not his own, and more sociable than even he thinks he is! By day Peter is a GIS Systems Analyst opting for lemon meringue desert and wish to master the tomato...wait.. sorry the otamatone

Secretary: Jean

Right up there for title of most comments ever for a Mensan on social media, Jean is well versed in a myriad of topics, has heard of far to many obscure - and reputable - humans both dead and alive. Jean is an Architect, they mos trump engineers!? (Runs and hides) When not debating Jean enjoys crème brûlée with aspirations to play trompie.... on his harmonica.     

Membership Officer: Matthys 

Serious about life and seriously motivated, Matthys is a Software Engineer and carries a wise head on his younger shoulders, likes chocolate mousse for dessert but his preferred instrument being a church organ I again start doubting his real age...maybe he is 70 but found the fountain of youth?   

Testing Officer: Pierre 

A Minister by day Pierre is the proverbial swiss army knife of life with such an amazing wealth of experience and real world knowledge. Humble and resolute, the only time the word trifle is used in connection with Pierre it is to describe his favourite dessert ! Interestingly Pierre would like to play the keyboard - Pierre the name of French origin, as is Jean-Michel Jarre...coincidence...? 

SIG Co-ordinator: Luette 

The name that instantly stuck in my head, we make weird connotations as Mensans and the Alouette (helicopter) proves my point, as does the fact that special interest groups can be weird to say the least. Luette is an entrepreneur who loves malva pudding en would love to play the slightly larger violin, the viola - possibly to help Kolver in his quest?

Events: Duan 

Is larger than life, not only because he is extremely tall, he managed to reinvent himself and now as a Pilot Instructor he refers to his day job as playing not working - wow! Most of us can't figure out what we want to do least of all how to do it! Crème brûlée is his dessert of choice and the electric guitar his next challenge.  

Public Relations and Marketing: Martie 

A lady of many talents, straight shooter without a lazy bone in her body. Her profession as Marketing Manager ties in perfectly with her committee role and it shows. No sweet tooth in her jaw she would like to play the cello.

Newsletter / Blog: Jaco

Proud husband, father and son, here to contribute to Mensa Pretoria. By day I work on legacy IT systems and prefer oysters to any other dessert. I dream of playing the guitar much better and the piano at all.

Chairmans Unite!

We had the distinct privilege to give back to the PHSOB club for hosting our monthly speaker evenings since forever. We donated wooden benches and was able to commemorate the donation by meeting the Chairman of PHSOB and afixing the first brass plaque.

Tim Allen?

A year-end would not be a year-end without a proper social in the Mensa Pretoria tradition. We charged our glasses, drank a toast to the well-being of Mensa and Mensans world-wide and had our fill on scrumptious platters and wine, to ready us for the Quiz!!

The Quiz Master's skill was second to none. We thoroughly enjoyed his humour and the variety of well researched questions! 

We had to rush to be home before curfew - happy and content after a splendid evening.

May I on behalf of Mensa Pretoria wish you all a Blessed Festive Season and safe travels. 

See you in 2021 !!      

To Mensa !

 

"L"ast Place 

Smoove Mooves!

Prost!!

Siesta?

Wat maak Oom Kallie daar?

To infinity and beyond!

Free food, wine, and a few Harry Potter puns are all you need to have a good time. This time-tested formula was proven again at the Mensa Pretoria Annual General Meeting 2018. After the refreshments were served, the 2017/2018 Committee members reported on their respective portfolios. Unfortunately, Beverley van der Merwe announced her decision to step down as Chairperson after 10 long years in the position. She will be dearly missed as chair. A new committee was elected when enough wine had been drunk and all were happy with the report for 2017/2018.

The new Mensa Pretoria committee members (2018/2019) are as follows:
Kolver Kruger was elected as the new chairperson for Mensa Pretoria. Bernard Grobler will fulfill the PR/Marketing role, Peter Smythe will continue as treasurer, Liesl Kok will be heading Events, Helen Pinkham will still do the blog, Simone Deyzel-O'Brien is the new secretary and membership person, Pieter van der Vyfer will organise the SIGs (as before), and last but not least, Pierre Naude will continue as testing officer. The new committee is pictured above.

On a warm Saturday morning, 1 September 2018, wine lovers gathered in the lovely outdoors at the Sammy Marks House Museum in Bronkhorstspruit for a celebration of Spring!  Symbolic of the new season, flowers adorned all the tables where tasty treats were consumed, including quiche, apple crumble and, of course, bubbly. If you didn't join us, you definitely missed out.


No less than NINE sparkling wines (including one actually named Mensa) were tasted and graded by our discerning members. The tasting started with the still wines, the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Once some of the aromas and flavours were identified, they were tried together in a blend, seeing how the balance and impact of the whole was more impressive than the parts. 
Then, the same blend fermented a second time into a 'champagne' was tasted. It was wonderful tasting the way each change enhanced and developed the wine.


After a light lunch, the Villeria Tradition Brut, Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel, and Pongeacz champagnes were tasted, ending with the Pinot Noir. Either green apple or apple pie was present on the nose and palate of each. The Chardonnay showed lemon, lime, and grapefruit. As the Pinot Noir quantity increased, hints of liquorice, brioche, strawberry, and shortbread were revealed.

To cap off the tasting, the sweet Krone Night Nectar Rose was drunk as the sort of 'pudding wine'.
It was a wonderfully fresh and refreshing wine tasting, in more ways than one, proving once again, that flowers and bubbly make a great combination.

It is finally Spring!  There is a playful mood in the air, and we are capitalising on it big time!  

Bring along your favourite board games for a relaxed evening of 30 Seconds, Battle of the Sexes, Trivial Pursuit and any other games you think might be a hit with your fellow Mensans.  To our newcomers, this might sound like a strange outing for a Wednesday evening, but don't be fooled:  our Games Evenings have consistently been the most well-attended (and fun) events through the years.

If board games aren't your cup of tea, you are always welcome to join us at the ladies bar for drink and a good chuckle.

Date/Time: Wednesday, 5 September 2018, 19:00

Venue: Pretoria Boys High School Old Boys Club, 378 Queens Crescent (c/o Queens Crescent and Kings Highway), Lynnwood

See you there!

PSST!!! If you haven't yet booked your place for the Spring Wine Tasting event, you can still do so! Email pta.treasurer@mensa.org.za now to secure your place!

More info:
You are cordially invited to join Mensa Pretoria for an "Out of Africa" Garden Party and tasting of South Africa's very best Méthode Cap Classique Wines (better known as "Champagne" to anyone who lives OUTSIDE of France...)

Enjoy a welcoming glass of Bubbly on arrival and Morning Tea in the garden of the historic Sammy Marks House Museum, before a guided tasting of a number of award-winning sparkling wines and the still-wine cultivars that they are made from... the best Bubblies to come "Out of Africa".

Those with creative flair will want to come dressed for the occasion, in keeping with the theme ("Out of Africa" or "Spring Day", you decide). Prizes will be awarded (Bubbly, of course) for the Best Dressed and the Most Interestingly Dressed people.

The tasting will continue into the mid-afternoon after a break for a light lunch and awarding of prizes.

ESSENTIAL INFO:

DATE:
SPRING DAY, Saturday 1 September 2018

TIME:
10:30 for 11:00

PLACE:
Sammy Marks House Museum

GPS:
25° 44' 59.41″ S 28° 22' 48.16″ E

ADDRESS:
Bronkhorstspruit Rd, Savannah Country Estate, Donkerhoek, Pretoria
DIRECTIONS:
Take the N4 East from Pretoria
Take Exit 11, Solomon Mahlangu Drive
Turn left at the traffic island
After 800 m turn right on the R104 towards Bronkhorstspruit
After about 1.2 km turn left to Sammy Marks House Museum (white sign board)

FOOD:
Upon arrival you will be treated to some milk tart, coffee and tea. Brunch will be quiche and salad, finished off with apple pie and cream.

COSTS:
R125.00 for paid-up Mensa-members (same price for adults and children); R150.00 for non-members.
This cost covers the food and wines to be tasted.

ADDITIONAL INFO:
The venue is child-friendly and has ample parking.
There is no a la carte menu on that day. If you have special dietary requirements, please let us know in advance, so that we can notify the venue and arrange the necessary with them.
There is a cash bar available for soft drinks and other refreshments.

BOOKINGS: Please e-mail the below information to pta.treasurer@mensa.org.za to secure your booking:
Your name and membership number
Number of bookings
Your cellphone number (in case we need to reach you beforehand)
Proof of payment. Payment details are: Mensa Pretoria, FNB Lynnwood, Branch code 252 045, Account number 5103 0053 626, Ref: Name and membership number

Booking is essential!

Got something you need to get off your chest? Then you should be excited for the next "Open Mic" evening! The advantage of Open Mic evenings is that anyone can join in the conversation on the evening's topic, which means it's much more interactive than listening to a speaker and you might just change on mind on an issue or broaden your worldview.

Mensa Pretoria hosted another Open Mic evening on Wednesday 7 August and the topic was Fake News. 

You are cordially invited to join Mensa Pretoria for an “Out of Africa” Garden Party

and tasting of South Africa’s very best Méthode Cap Classique Wines

(better known as “Champagne” to anyone who lives OUTSIDE of France!)

Enjoy a welcoming glass of Bubbly on arrival and Morning Tea in the garden of the historic Sammy Marks House Museum, before a guided tasting of a number of award-winning sparkling wines and the still-wine cultivars that they are made from... the best Bubblies to come "Out of Africa".

Those with creative flair will want to come dressed for the occasion, in keeping with the theme ("Out of Africa" or "Spring Day", you decide).  Prizes will be awarded (Bubbly, of course) for the Best Dressed and the Most Interestingly Dressed people.

The tasting will continue into the mid-afternoon after a break for a light lunch and awarding of prizes.

ESSENTIAL INFO:

DATE:	SPRING DAY, Saturday 1 September 2018
TIME:	10:30 for 11:00
PLACE:	SAMMY MARKS HOUSE MUSEUM GPS: 25° 44' 59.41″ S 28° 22' 48.16″ E ADDRESS: Bronkhorstspruit Rd, Savannah Country Estate, Donkerhoek, Pretoria
DIRECTIONS:	Take the N4 East from Pretoria Take Exit 11, Solomon Mahlangu Drive Turn left at the traffic island After 800 m turn right on the R104 towards Bronkhorstspruit After about 1.2 km turn left to Sammy Marks House Museum (white sign board)
FOOD:	Upon arrival you will be treated to some milk tart, coffee and tea.  Brunch will be quiche and salad, finished off with apple pie and cream.
COSTS:	R125.00 for paid-up Mensa-members (same price for adults and children);  R150.00 for non-members. This cost covers the food and wines to be tasted.
ADDITIONAL INFO:	The venue is child-friendly and has ample parking. There is no a la carte menu on that day.  If you have special dietary requirements, please let us know in advance, so that we can notify the venue and arrange the necessary with them. There is a cash bar available for soft drinks and other refreshments.
BOOKINGS:	Please e-mail the below information to pta.treasurer@mensa.org.za to secure your booking: Your name and membership number Number of bookings Your cellphone number (in case we need to reach you beforehand) Proof of payment.  Payment details are:  Mensa Pretoria, FNB Lynnwood, Branch code 252 045, Account number 5103 0053 626, Ref:  Name and membership number
	Booking is essential!  Please let us have your complete booking information by WEDNESDAY, 22 AUGUST 2018, as we need to confirm the number of attendees with the venue and wine guides.

We are looking forward to seeing you there!