The Athlone branch of the University of the Third Age will be hosting a general meeting at the Belthorn recreation centre on Thursday at 10:30. At the meeting JP van Niekerk will speak on “Understanding the mysteries of Iran”.
Van Niekerk became an emeritus professor at UCT after retiring as the dean of UCT’s faculty of Health Sciences. He was also the managing editor of the South African Medical Journal while overseeing several specialist medical journals and other publications. He has written widely on medical-related topics and started three new journals, including the South African Journal of Bioethics and Law.
Recently Van Niekerk and his wife formed part of a private tour to Iran and he will speak from his own observations and his knowledge of history.
Iran is an Islamic republic strategically situated in the Middle East with vast resources of fossil fuels and the potential to become a nuclear power country. This potential led to its relative isolation from the world due to sanctions.
It has had a tumultuous history of conquests and being conquered and its greatest empire was in the sixth century during the time of Darius the Great.
The mysteries of what comprises the present Iran can be ascribed to its geography, events since the discovery of its oil, the world wars and the competing interests of the great powers that have shaped its people and its politics.
V For more information contact Jacki Lange on 021 696 5212 or 083 642 2567.
