Thicket Forum 2025 at Nelson Mandela University

CHANGE OF VENUE: The Forum will be held in the South Campus of Nelson Mandela University (we have had to move away from Addo Elephant National Park due to a shortage of accommodation due to mass refurbishments taking place in June).

The Thicket Forum has an annual meeting, which is on the 3th-5th of June 2025 this year and all are welcome to attend. Researchers, managers, farmers, rural communities and other interested parties discuss the sustainable management of Thicket, with the aim of conserving our natural heritage for future generations of South Africans.

Attention SACNASP members: The Thicket Forum is SACNASP registered and has 2.5 CPD credits.

The Thicket Forum – formed in 2004 by a group affectionately known as "Thicketeers" – is an affiliation of people from all walks of life with a shared interest in Subtropical Thicket and biodiversity. Thicket - also known as Valley Bushveld - is one of South Africa’s major ecosystems, and contains exceptionally high numbers of different plant species compared to other ecosystems. Many of these plants are found nowhere else in the world. Thicket provides habitat for many animal species, and provides people with food, medicines, fuel-wood, culturally-important plants and beautiful landscapes for recreation. More than 70% of Thicket has been degraded or removed, so many of these unique plant species and their valued uses are under threat.

The ticket price includes lunch on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, but does not include dinners.

Please note that the ticket does not include accommodation, and we advise that you find accommodation in Gqeberha in the suburb of Summerstrand or Willows Lodge on Marine Drive.