Dave Pepler ponders about the alchemy of life – from the kitchen sink to your wineglass – when he engages with scientists from Stellenbosch University (SU) at this year's Science Café Stellenbosch which will take place from 6 to 9 March 2017 at Woordfees.

This time he is going to peep into your kitchen sink, examine the complex compounds in your glass of Pinotage and engage with specialists on the complex topic of substance abuse and addiction.

Science Café Stellenbosch is an initiative of the SU's Faculty of Science to encourage public discussions on science. Entrance is free, but arrive early in order to ensure you find a good seat.

The conversations take place every evening from 18:30-19:30 at Die Plataan behind the Sasol Art Museum. The line-up looks as follow:

Chemicals at home – Monday 6 March 2017, 18:30-19:30

Is chemicals in and around your house an evil necessity? Prof Delia Haynes and chemistry students from the Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science at SU will take a look at chemistry from a household perspective. But aren't we all chemical compounds anyway?

What is it with the little captain?

Your early morning cup of coffee. A friendly relationship with Johnny Walker and Captain Morgan. You pop in at the pharmacy for sleeping pills or herbal tea. Some of these are so embedded in our culture as rugby, sunshine and Chevrolet. Dave Pepler engages with various experts on the topic of substances, drugs and what happens to body and spirit when you lift that elbow again and again and again.

On stimulants and supplements – 7 March 2017, 18:30-19:30

Prof. Hans Strijdom, medical doctor, physiologist and heart researcher from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, explains how popular and readily available drugs and drinks could have a detrimental effect on our hearts and vascular system. At the table will also be Prof. Carine Smith, a stress immunologist in the Faculty of Science. She warns against the excessive use of "natural" substances, just because they are "natural

Abuse versus addiction – 8 March 2017, 18:30-19:30

What is the difference between abuse and addiction? Is addiction a disease or a moral weakness? Dr Lize Weich, a senior psychiatrist in addiction psychiatry at the SU's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and Prof. Lou-Marie Kruger, a clinical psychologist and lecturer at the SU tackle this complicated topic. 

The alchemy of wine – 9 March 2017, 18:30-19:30

While philosophers have pondered over truth and wine ever since the Roman times, analytical chemists develop innovative methods to distinguish between the complex compounds in natural products such as wine. We will taste wine in the company of oenologist Prof. Wessel du Toit, and sensory expert Jeanne Brand, both from the Department of Viticulture and Oenology at SU. Prof. André de Villiers from the Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science will explain the chemistry behind each of the sensory aspects.