Dear Members,

The Embassy of Mexico has proudly advised that it is once again bringing two of Mexico's leading maize experts to South Africa to participate in a series of seminars to which SAAFoST Members have been cordially invited by Ambassador Mr Mauricio Escanero. Under discussion will be; food technology in ancient Mesoamerica, nixtamalization from household to industrial possibilities and indigenous traditional knowledge and food security.

Two of the half-day events will be held from 09:00 on the mornings of Tuesday 7 & Wednesday 8 November at the Embassy of Mexico in Pretoria. One afternoon event will be held on Thursday 9 November, from 15:40 to 18:15 at the University of the Witwatersrand.

More information on CV's, programmes and booking procedures follows - we're spoilt for choice but not for time so please look at the programmes, make your decision and book your places with Irene or Najibha today or tomorrow but definitely no later than 09:00 on Friday morning. If you cannot make it at the last minute please send a colleague in your place in order not to disappoint our generous hosts.

Looking forward to having a large, interested SAAFoST delegation at these unique events.

Regards,

OJF
Owen Frisby
Tel/fax: (012) 346 2091
Executive Director:

Member Website: www.saafost.org.za
Consumer Website: www.foodfacts.org.za
NPO 013-075

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Visiting guest speakers:

Dr Luis Alberto Vargas. Anthropology Research Institute, National University of Mexico
Dr Sergio Serna Saldivar. Biotechnology Dept., Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education
View CV's: click here

Three seminars to choose from:

1. The Culture of Maize and Sustainable Agriculture - building bridges between Mexico and South Africa. Part one: Roundtable Discussion presentations of academic, industrial and general interest. Tuesday Morning 7 November, 09:00 - 12:45 Embassy of Mexico, Pretoria. Programme 1
   
   
2. The Culture of Maize and Sustainable Agriculture - building bridges between Mexico and South Africa. Part two An open and general discussion with South African maize growers and an exhibition of audio-visual materials. Wednesday Morning, 8 November, 09:00 - 13:00. Embassy of Mexico, Pretoria. Programme 2
   
   
3. The Culture of Maize: a bridge between Mexico and Africa - a keynote presentation and expert panel discussion. Thursday Afternoon 9 November, 15:40 - 18:15. Wits Institute for Social an Economic Research (WISER). Richard Ward Building, East Campus, University of the Witwatersrand. Programme 3

Venue:	Mexican Embassy in Pretoria 570 Fehrsen Street, Parkdev Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn, Pretoria (Click here to view map) Wits: http://wiser.wits.ac.za/page/contacting-wiser-10284
Cost:	Free of charge but no shows will be invoiced for a R250 donation to the SAAFoST student fund
Booking:	Pretoria: Although free of charge, booking is essential in order to gain access to the Embassy, e-mail Irene Burke: saafost.irene@telkomsa.net or phone her on 012-349 2788 Johannesburg: booking is essential, do it through Najibha Deshmukh: najibha.deshmukh@wits.ac.za, or tel: 011-717 4234
Cancellation:	If you cannot make it, please cancel by end of business Thursday 2 November - or, preferably, send someone in your place.