The guest speaker at Mensa Winelands’ monthly speaker evening, on Thursday July 21, at 7.15pm, is Dr Roger Chennells.
He will share some of his knowledge of ethnobotany, and specifically his observations and experiences whilw representing the San people in a legal matter regarding indigenous peoples’ rights to be compensated for the use of their lore to develop pharmaceutical and other commercial products.
Dr Chennells is a legal advisor to the South African San Institute (SASI), as well as to the Working Group of Indigenous Minorities in Southern Africa (WIMSA).
He is a founding trustee and legal advisor to IPACC (Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee) Trust, formed in 1997 in order to coordinate the international and human rights of indigenous peoples of Africa.
He is also a founding trustee of the Centre for Rural Legal Studies in Stellenbosch.
His primary interest remains the exploration and promotion of law and human rights in practice, particularly with an emphasis on the rights and interests of indigenous peoples.
Dr Chennells has assisted the San with traditional knowledge and heritage rights for over a decade.
If you would like to attend as a guest (entry is free), or would like more information about Mensa, email wnl.secretary@mensa.org.za, or WhatsApp/SMS 083 462 9585
* Do you qualify for membership of Mensa, the high IQ society? The Winelands chapter of Mensa South Africa is conducting a membership eligibility testing session in Somerset West, open to the general public, on Saturday July 23, at 9.30am.
The cost of participating is R130 (discounted to R100 each, for groups of four or more people).
To register, or to find out more about Mensa, send an email to admin@mensa.org.za
