The formal aims of the Society are to promote and support interest in, knowledge of, and appreciation for mineralogy, geology and other sciences, and arts relating to lapidary craft, and to pursue appropriate initiatives in furtherance of such objects.
The motto of the club is Omnem Movere Lapidem – leave no stone unturned!
The Mineralogical Society of Southern Africa was founded in 1962 by a small group of enthusiastic mineral collectors. The prime movers in the formation of the Mineralogical Society of Southern Africa were George Swanson and his mother, Edith, who in 1961 had a lawyer draw up a constitution. On the evening of 5th January 1962, several interested people gathered at the El Sombrero Restaurant in Claremont and formed a committee of the following office-bearers: President, George Swanson; Vice-Chairman, W.H. Linnington; Treasurer, Mrs E. Swanson; Secretary, Mrs I. van der Meulen, and committee members, D. Greef, M. Connor and E. Sawyer. The club first had its meetings at the Athenaeum, and then established workshops at the Montebello complex in Newlands. The first field trip was in March 1962, to the tin mine at Kuils River, followed by an Easter trip to Springbok and Henkries.
The club moved to its clubhouse to Bothasig in 1993. In 2005 it changed its public operating name to The Cape Town Gem & Mineral Club, which is easier to pronounce and remember. The club achieved Non-Profit Organisation status in 2008, but still falls under the auspices of FOSAGAMS (The Federation of Southern African Gem & Mineralogical Societies), the national parent body which was established in 1966.
An Open Day is held on the first Saturday of every month. Members and the general public are invited to attend. Minerals are discussed, swopped or purchased according to whim, along with other items of mineralogical or gemmological interest.
CONTACT DETAILS
Malcolm Jackson | jacksonhome@telkomsa.net
Secretary/Newsletter Editor:
Jo Wicht | joanna.wicht@kingsley.co.za