Wilmot James is fascinated by science: by the people who do research, by their results and by the implications of their efforts for creating a just society. In this book, he discusses ideas, people and history and does it with elegance, skill and a deep human sympathy.
David Baltimore, Emeritus President of the California Institute of Technology

The modern scientific discipline of genetics has in recent years helped us to understand the nature of humanity, both biologically and behaviourally, and Wilmot James has played a key role in promoting a popular understanding of it.

With examples replete from Africa and especially South Africa, in his new book, Wilmot James draws on established biological science to tell some compelling stories about the genome, why we have different skin colours, how blood tells a special story of human history, why the brain likes music, how smell works, the nature of rock art, why kids love bugs and the teaching of evolution.

James also gives an account of a great South African scientist called Eddie Roux who was known more for his politics, and of an extraordinary naturalist Eugene Marais who became known more for his Afrikaans poetry.

Wilmot James is a sociologist by training, the author moved over to genetics through his association with the Africa Genome Education Institute, of which he was founder and director. He writes fluently and convincingly and is spectacularly well-read in subjects ranging from biochemistry to music to literature and anthropology.

Nature’s Gift is published by Wits University Press, and is due to be released at the Cape Town Book Fair on the 01 August 2010 from 16:00. Dr Mamphela Ramphele is a guest speaker.

The Netherlands share with South Africa the need to involve more women in the fields of science and technology. The University of Utrecht will host the first group of Grade 11 girls from Mitchells Plain to receive the Girl Power mentorship awards. 

Girl Power is a mentorship programme led by the Democratic Alliance's Dr Wilmot James MP - whose constituency is Mitchells Plain - that takes talented Grade 11 girls from Mitchells Plain and exposes them to an overseas experience, mentors them through Grade 12 and a 3 year long university degree in science and technology.

The University of Utrecht together with Dutch National Platform Science & Technology and VHTO (the expertise centre for girls in science & technology education) will host the first cohort of the Democratic Alliance’s Mitchell’s Plain Girl Power initiative.

Our Dutch hosts will put together and fully fund a 7 day programme of visit.  Together with Dutch students the Mitchell’s Plain girls will follow an educational programme and will be introduced into the exciting world of cutting edge science & technology.

The Netherlands share with South Africa the need to involve more women in the fields of science and technology. The Girl Power groups will meet up with woman employed in the field of science, technology and mathematics in the Netherlands.

Girl Power is a mentorship programme led by Dr Wilmot James MP that takes talented Grade 11 girls from Mitchells Plain and exposes them to an overseas experience, mentors them through Grade 12 and a 3 year long university degree in science and technology.

Girl Power will be launched by the DA Leader Helen Zille and Dr Wilmot James MP on 20 May 3pm Colorado Community Centre, Weltevrede Parkway, Mitchells Plain.