Sydney Skaife

South African entomologist

Sydney Harold Skaife ('Stacey') D.Sc.FRSSAf. (12 December 1889 – 6 November 1976) was an eminent South African entomologist and naturalist.His career and educational publications covered a wide field.

Especially in his later years his main research interest was in social insects and the transitional phases in sociality, particularly in the Hymenoptera and Isoptera.

He was also a school inspector, prolific author of scientific and popular books, broadcaster, and conservationist.Of his many achievements his greatest was probably his leading role in the creation of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve between Cape Town and Cape Point.

He lived for most of his life in Hout Bay on the Cape Peninsula.