Dear Colleagues

It is both my privilege and pleasure to invite you to participate in GeoAfrica 2009, the first African Regional Conference on Geosynthetics, to be held in the exciting City of Cape Town, South Africa, from the 1st to 5th September 2009. The conference is being organized by the Geosynthetics Interest Group of South Africa (GIGSA), under the auspices of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS), and is supported by the Geotechnical Division of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering.

The conference will provide a forum for engineers, manufacturers, installers, academics and other experts in the geosynthetics field to exchange information about current and potential applications for geosynthetics in Africa and elsewhere in the world.

Each day of the conference will commence with a keynote address delivered by an eminent international authority on geosynthetics. Thereafter there will be parallel technical sessions for the presentation of technical papers covering recent developments in the use of geosynthetics and case histories of their various applications. Poster papers are also invited for presentation at the conference.

An important part of GeoAfrica 2009 will be the exhibition, where various companies may exhibit their products and capabilities, and where the delegates can network. In order to provide maximum exposure to the exhibitors and sponsors, the welcome reception as well as all tea and lunch breaks will be held in the exhibition area.

There is an exciting social program including a day visit to Spier Wine Estate, as well as a comprehensive program of activities and tours for accompanying persons.

Cape Town is ideally suited to provide an atmosphere of true international spirit.  Today, the city is a modern, lively, vibrant, fascinating place at the tip of Africa with historic, cultural, scientific, and modern achievements, a city you will enjoy visiting. ...

GeoAfrica 2009 will be an event that covers the whole of geosynthetics in an exciting social environment that expands our knowledge, improves on our practice, and widens our friendship networks. We do hope that you will make it a priority to attend and experience South African hospitality.

Come and enjoy!

Peter Legg
Conference Chairman, GeoAfrica 2009