News and Events

The Ninth International Fermi Symposium was meant to take place in 2020 at Misty Hills, however, it had to be postponed to 2021, and was held virtually. The lifting of bans and easing of restrictions has allowed for the Tenth International Fermi Symposium to be held in person for participants from around the world at Misty Hills Country Hotel, Conference Centre, and Spa from the 9th-15th October 2022. Visit the Tenth International Fermi Symposium’s Indico page here.

Please take note of the important deadlines for the Tenth International Fermi Symposium below. Abstract submissions are now open from the 1 May 2022 – 31 July 2022 here. To avoid any confusion when uploading abstracts or poster submissions, please ensure that you are using the same email address you made use of when registering for the conference. Make use of the ‘Indico Help Guide‘ to help you with this. Registration opens from the 1 June 2022 – 2 September 2022.

The Tenth International Fermi Symposium will be held at the Misty Hills Country Hotel, Conference Centre & Spa. Misty Hills is one of Gauteng’s most popular hotels and conference locations, nestled in the foothills of the Swartkop mountains on the outskirts of the lovely Kromdraai Valley in Muldersdrift. The ethos of Africa is embodied in this wonderful stone-built hotel, set in a magnificent botanical park of about 60 acres.

The hotel is home to the world-famous Carnivore Restaurant, which offers a genuinely authentic African dining experience with a delectable selection of game and domestic meats. Read more about the hotel and conference centre here.

Travelling from O.R Tambo International Airport? Click here for directions to Misty Hills.

Travelling from another destination? Click on the image above or link below for directions:

69 Drift Boulevard (R114), Muldersdrift, Gauteng, South Africa

To have an idea of the weather as we approach the date you can read an overview of South Africa’s weather in October here or click the image below:

Information regarding the expected weather for Johannesburg will be posted closer to the time. In the meantime, pack your best umbrella and comfiest shoes for Joburg’s weather and terrain.

Citizens from most countries do not require a visa to visit South Africa. For more information on which countries do not require a visa, you can click the following link: Visa Information

For more information on which countries do require a visa, you can click the following link: Visa Information

To request a Visa Letter please click the link below:

Request visa letter

For car rental take a look at the following car rental companies: Avis, Thrifty Car rental, Europcar, Hertz, Bidvest car Rental, Budget, First Car Rental.

If you would prefer to catch an Uber the fee from O.R. Tambo to Misty Hills for an UberX is expected to be R565,00. Use the Uber app or contact them for a ride here.

Alternatively, you can contact Tshuku’s Transport and Tours South Africa. They can provide transport from O.R Tambo to Misty Hills Conference Centre for the following prices.

Click here to check for some direct flights by typing in your city. You can also search and book cheap flights here.

The sighting activities and excursions for the Tenth International Fermi Symposium is still to be confirmed. Please see the schedule for the originally planned conference below:

Participants that registered for the official excursion will be divided into two groups: Red and Blue. Both groups will depart Misty Hills at 11h00. The two groups will go to the Sterkfontein Caves and Rhino and Lion Park separately (before and after lunch) and meet at HartRAO in between where they will have a picnic lunch and a short tour of the facility. Both groups will arrive back at Misty hills around 17:00 just in time for dinner at the Carnivore.

A warm farewell to one of our visiting research associates, Mr. Feraol Dirirsa. We hope to see you soon, and have safe travels!

Also in the picture: One of our new Masters students, Ms. Dimakatso Maheso (Left) and Dr. Dirirsa’s wife, Mrs. Agitu Minkefu Duresse (Middle).

A warm welcome to Ms. Dimakatso Maheso (DJ) who graduated in 2021 with her Honours degree at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. DJ will be pursuing her Master’s studies under the supervision of Professor Soebur Razzaque. Your CAPP family welcomes you with open arms, and wishes you the best of luck towards pursuing your studies of astro-particle physics.

The Postdoctoral Excellence Awards recognizes Postdoctoral Research Fellow’s who have distinguished themselves by their research outputs and academic citizenship at the University of Johannesburg. 

Dr. Ushak Rahaman was awarded the Postdoctoral Excellence Award in 2021 for his research in neutrino oscillation, CP violation in neutrino sector, neutrino mass and mixing models.

Ushak was awarded with a gift voucher in honour of his award, which he graciously donated to the centre. The centre was able to buy astronomy and physics books for the students to read.