South African Pharmaceutical Students' Federation Conference, Cape Town, 1961

SAPSF CONFERENCE, CAPE TOWN, 1961

In 1961 I was elected as secretary of the Natal Pharmaceutical Students’ Association (NPSA). When that year’s annual conference of the South African Pharmaceutical Students’ Association took place in Cape Town, three committee members of NPSA attended, and they were Tito Sello-Rolando, chairman, Trevor Becket, vice-chairman, and myself.

The conference took place from Monday 3^rd July till Friday 7^th July. In order to get there we three delegates left Durban station on Thursday 29^th July on the 4 pm train to Cape Town, arriving at our destination at 11 am on Saturday 1 July. The main towns the train travelled through were Pietermaritzburg, Bloemfontein, and Kimberley. This was my first ever pharmacy conference, as well as my first visit to Cape Town. The President of SAPSF that year was Rubin Birin, and Johan Offermeier was elected into office at the conference for the following year.

Marie Dreyer (now McKenzie), a delegate from Rhodes University, and I were the only two female delegates, and what an amazing time we had. What wonderful hosts the Cape Town people were. To illustrate how welcome we were made, Mike Gibbons from the host branch boarded the train in Bellville and accompanied us on the last few miles of the journey to Cape Town.

Dave Abromowitz was at the station to meet us, and he drove us to the Hotel Avalon, in Gardens, where the conference was to take place and where we would be staying. After checking in and leaving our luggage in our respective rooms, we strolled downtown and had some lunch. Bertie Young, another member of the team of hosts took us for a drive to the Yacht Club, thereafter we were taken to a succession of parties being held at various venues, and ended up at a flat, which in those days could be described as “beatnik” in Clifton .The time was 2.30 in the morning when we were finally deposited at the hotel.

At this juncture let me make it quite clear, that my notes of that memorable conference comprise brief references to all the social events we attended, but nothing about the business side. I have no printed matter such as agendas or financial statements or minutes of meetings. But what a wonderful social programme it was! The Cape Town Branch of SAPSF did us proud.

After a late breakfast a trip up Table Mountain was on the agenda. Bertie was our tour guide once again. When we arrived back at the hotel, many more delegates were arriving and the place was a hive of activity. Supper was eaten at the hotel and all the delegates got to meet each other. Marie had also arrived and of course we shared a room.   

I cannot remember the names of all the delegates, but those that come to mind are Natie Finkelstein, Dave Sieff, Len Ortlepp, Ronnie Hill, Jeremy Whysall, and Markus.

Monday and Tuesday were spent in conference   proceedings, but with a special lunch in the hotel’s Vinery Restaurant on Tuesday. Some lectures took place during the evening.

On Wednesday morning the delegates were taken on a tour of popular tourist spots, including Constantia, Bertrams, Hout Bay, with a stop for tea at a restaurant “Red Sails”. Conference proceedings continued during the afternoon and evening.

There was an opportunity for those who so wished to see a movie on Thursday afternoon after a morning session of conference.   Another evening of visiting pubs and restaurants ensued, with bedtime sometime after midnight.

The last formal session of the conference took place on Friday morning, and then the official conference photos were taken. The official formal dinner took place at Constantia Nek Restaurant. Roy Anderson, a delegate from Port Elizabeth and I travelled to the venue with Mr and Mrs Harold Zets. Mr Zets was an active member of the PSSA in Cape Town for many years. It turned out to be a most congenial evening, with lively and entertaining conversation, excellent food, and good wines.

The climax of the conference was the ball which was held in the hotel on Saturday evening. Most delegates left for home the next day, Sunday. However the Natal delegation was only due to depart on Monday.

Marie’s parents lived in Hermanus, and the folk from Natal were invited to spend Sunday in Hermanus with her family. We all enjoyed a picnic on the beach. Mr and Mrs Dreyer were wonderful hosts and had no qualms entertaining a bunch of students.

Many long-standing friendships were forged at that conference. I have visited Cape Town a number of times since then, but my first visit to attend the SAPSF conference will always be looked upon as being very special.