The Wild Orchidsof Southern Africa (WOSA) is a society that aims to conserve the wild orchid species in southern Africa. This year WOSA organised their third national conference in Dullstroom, Mpumalanga from 19-21 January 2018. The conference focused on the propagation and conservation of endangered and endemic orchids in southern Africa. Botanists and conservation biologists from the South African NationalBiodiversity Institute (SANBI), Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, Rhodes University, University of Pretoria, University of KwaZulu-Natal and many others presented their researches and updates on the indigenous orchids. The conference included two field trips focused to explore the wild orchids from the region. 

FABIans Mr. Tanay Bose, Ms. Modjadji Makwela and Dr. Almuth Hammerbacher presented their research on the first initiative to metabarcode mycorrhizal fungi associated with an endemic orchid, Habenaria barbertonii. This research was a part of the Honours dissertation submitted by Ms. Modjadji Makwela at the University of Pretoria.