Our Upcoming Speaker

Africa Forms The Key

Nick Norman, whom you may recognise as the co-author with Gavin Whitfield of the fascinating book Geological Journeys, will address U3A Helderberg on Wednesday, 3 June 2026 at 10.00 at the DR church, 82 Firmount Road, Monte Sereno, Somerset West. The title of his talk will be ‘Africa forms the Key’.

When Nick, an exploration geologist by profession and a keen birder, was drawn to investigate further the distribution of flora and fauna around the globe following his observations of species’ similarities between (South)Africa and South America, he was amazed by the number of ‘light bulb’ revelations he encountered.

From what started as his noting the striking likeness of a woodpecker in Brazil to those he knew in South Africa, and then similarities in some species of flora and fauna he had seen while working in Africa and South America, it became evident that these continents and the Atlantic Ocean between them provide a perfect stage on which to demonstrate how global phenomena in the world of biogeography are played out.

Nick quotes Sherlock Holmes: ‘When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.’ This axiom became increasingly valid for Nick as he discovered extraordinary travelogues of trees and birds for which, given enough time, a wide ocean was no barrier. It is a story of astonishing epiphanies – ‘light bulb’ moments.

While his previous talks have been extremely well received, in this talk for the first time he will cover new material he aims to include in a proposed completely revised edition of his book.

‘Africa Forms The Key’ is taken from the title page of the magnum opus on continental drift, Our Wandering Continents, by its all-time champion, South African geologist Alex du Toit. Nick’s research shows that not only did Africa form a key in the architecture of the continents as supercontinent Gondwana broke into its various fragments, but has continued to play a central role in both world history to this day and in the ongoing distribution of flora and fauna around the globe. We live on a remarkable continent!

Entrance for members is free; visitors pay R20 at the door.

Enquiries: Denise Fourie: 072 2111173