Members of the TPCP and CTHB at FABI gathered at the Uitspan Personnel Centre at the University of Pretoria’s LC de Villiers sports grounds for a day of discussions, feedback and sports on 3 February. The assembly was a culmination of two days of meetings with members of the management committee to map the way forward in 2017 for the TPCP and CTHB regarding research, funding, administrative issues and student projects. The management committee reported back to the team on matters such as student bursaries, access to campus as well as safety in the laboratories and on fieldtrips.

The team was also introduced to Esna du Plessis, Ginna Granados, Rachel Mkandawire and Emeldah Rikhotso, who form part of the 2017 cohort of students working in the TPCP/CTHB Diagnostic Clinic. Members also had the opportunity to brainstorm and present suggestions on improving the running of the TPCP and CTHB programmes. The occasion furthermore served as a team-building exercise. After the day’s formal proceedings, staff and students battled it out in soccer and volleyball. There was painting for those who preferred a more laid back afternoon and a pub quiz closed the day’s proceedings.