AfAS Elects New President, Vice President and Executive Members

The African Astronomical Society (AfAS) General Assembly has elected a new President, Vice President and executive committee. The elected President is Professor Thebe Rodney Medupe with Naomi Asabre Frimpong as Vice President. Professor Jamal Mimouni, the outgoing President, gave a speech and lauded the transparency of the election. He also bade good luck to the elected officials.

During his inaugural address, the president-elect thanked the voters and undertook that the organization would strive to reach its target during his tenure. He also expressed gratitude to the outgoing president and executive. He also appreciated the conference’s organising committee for their excellent work. The president-elect also appreciated the IAU-OAD for their work in Africa’s astronomy sector and noted that his tenure would fully support the Office. He also noted that he would facilitate cooperation between AfAS and other international astronomy organizations. He also remarked that his tenure would improve AfAS’s visibility globally, and establish local astronomy institutions within African countries.

The GA was held within the auspices of AfAS’s Annual Conference and General Assembly. The event was hybrid and held from 14 to 18 March 2022. Furthermore, the in-person meeting took place at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) in Cape Town, South Africa.

The election started as a general election into the executive committee with the GA electing the president and vice president from the committee. Consequently, the nominees for the executive committee included, Ahmed Ammar, Claudio Paulo, Oyirwoth Patrick Abedigamba, Elizabeth Naluminsa, Manasse Mbonye, Shambel Sahlu Akalu, Maram Kaire, Mirjana Porvic, Noorali Tayabali Jiwaji, Sinenhlanhla Precious Sikhosana, Stabhile Kolwa, Thebe Rodney Medupe, Ramotholo Sefako, Yosry Ahmed Azzam, Zouhair Benkhaldoun, and Naomi Asabre Frimpong.

The GA consequently selected the top seven executive committee nominees into the executive council with 80 votes. They included

  • Mirjana Porvic;
  • Sinenhlanhla Precious Sikhosana;
  • Stabhile Kolwa;
  • Thebe Rodney Medupe;
  • Naomi Asabre Frimpong;
  • Alemiye Mamo; and
  • Elizabeth Naluminsa.

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