Champagne Sports
& Convention Centre

Drakensberg, South Africa

15 - 18 August 2013

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM CONGRESS CHAIRMAN

The Bloemfontein organizing committee has great pleasure in inviting you to attend the 51st SAGES Congress to be hosted at the magnificent Drakensberg Champagne Sports Convention Centre situated in the Drakensberg mountains.  The Drakensberg mountains (Mountain of the Dragons) are called uKahlamba by our Zulu people – “their barrier of upturned spears” forms the backdrop to our exciting programme. International faculty, gastroenterologists, endoscopists, endoscopy nurses, trainees and industry partners will network, learn and socialize during a stimulating long weekend in one of the six world heritage sites in South Africa. We trust that all SAGES members will join us to renew acquaintances and update our knowledge and skills.

The organizing committee has assembled an impressive faculty for a programme consisting of eponymous lectures, practical gastroenterological topics and free papers to cover the spectrum of gastroenterology. The golden thread through all this will be practical gastroenterology for academics and private practitioners. The uniqueness of SAGES will be reflected in the programme where surgeons and physicians alike will learn and share the practicalities of the practice of gastroenterology.

Prof Jan van Zyl
2013 Congress Chairman