Speaking notes for the Minister of Science and Technology,
Mrs Naledi Pandor, MP, at the meeting with the South
African National Editors Forum, SKA offices, Rosebank,
Johannesburg
29 Mar 2012
Introduction
1. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I would like to thank the South
African National Editors Forum (SANEF) for agreeing to this briefing.
Thank you to the SANEF Executive Director, Ms Femida Mehtar, and
Professor George Claassen, who is joining us with other journalists from
the SKA offices in Pinelands.
2. Our last briefing to SANEF was in May 2011. Today we want to update
SANEF and science journalists on developments in the Square Kilometre
Array (SKA) bid process. Last year SANEF, the Department of Science
and Technology and Stellenbosch University also hosted a workshop on
science communication, which was one of the recommendations from our
last meeting. I have been informed that two similar workshops will be
held this year.
KAT-7 is a seven-dish prototype interferometer array in the Karoo - photo SKA
Recent developments in radio astronomy
3. I am pleased to announce that our investments and achievements in
radio astronomy initiatives, both in South Africa and the rest of the
African continent, were recognised when the European Parliament
recently adopted declaration No. 45 on "Science capacity building Africa:
strengthening European-African radio astronomy partnerships".
4. This is a truly encouraging development which demonstrates that key
partners from European governments and industry share the perspective
that "not only does Africa have compelling geographic advantages for the
hosting of radio astronomy facilities, but that our continent is an
attractive and valued partner for science and innovation."
5. The Africa Union Summit in January 2012, held in Addis Ababa,
reconfirmed its support for the SKA and called for radio astronomy to be
a priority focus area of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy’s Science,
Information Society and Space Partnership.
6. Furthermore, in his 2012 Budget Speech, Minister Pravin Gordhan
confirmed that the SKA project would qualify for VAT relief, which gives
us an added edge for winning the bid.
7. The South African Cabinet last week expressed its confidence that Africa
is ready to host the SKA and urged all parties to accept the results when
the decision is announced.
Progress on public-private partnerships
8. We are also gearing up for strategic partnerships with private sector
companies on developing scientific human capacity. Included in this is
infrastructure linked to various priority areas and to the information and
communication technology (ICT) sector.
9. In this regard, engagements with ICT multinationals are expected to
continue to grow in line with the implementation of the ICT roadmap.
There is also keen interest in the development of next-generation
technologies for the SKA and other radio astronomy initiatives. Several
agreements have been concluded with multinational companies such as
Microsoft, Nokia and SAP.
Human capital development
10.
Since 2005, 398 SKA SA postdoctoral fellowships and PhD and MSc
and undergraduate bursaries have been awarded 70 to Africans from
outside South Africa. In the same period, 24 PhD and 53 MSc students
have graduated. To date R55 million has been spent on the human
capital development programme. From 2012 to 2017 an additional R200
million plus will spent.
11.
The African bid to host the SKA is led by South Africa. It includes
eight partner countries, namely, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar,
Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia. Astronomy is taught in five
of these countries, at least at undergraduate level. Madagascar and
Mauritius offer postgraduate studies in astronomy. The remaining
countries are launching undergraduate programmes in 2012.
Astronomy infrastructure for Africa
12.
Tenders for the construction of the MeerKAT have been submitted
for construction to begin in December 2012. MeerKAT will be the
Southern Hemisphere's largest radio telescope and one of the world's
biggest and most powerful telescopes.
13.
The five first years of the MeerKAT's operations have already been
allocated to 10 major international observing programmes.
14.
The KAT-7 array is already operating and producing results.
15.
Next I would like to mention the Multifrequency Interferometry
Telescope for Radio Astronomy – MITRA, or the "Friendship Telescope"
(in Sanskrit Mitra means "friend"). The University of Mauritius and the
Durban University of Technology are building stations with low-frequency
antennae.
The University of Zambia has also expressed an interest in being a
partner in this project. Low-cost stations can be erected all over Africa.
16.
Also underway is the African Very Long Baseline Interferometry
Network (VLBI), or in short AVN. South Africa is proposing building radio
telescopes or converting existing telecommunications antennae and
connecting them to a network for astronomy/geodesy purposes. In South
Africa, the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory, KAT-7 and
MeerKAT will be part of the AVN. Ghana is converting an antenna and
Nigeria is erecting a 25-metre telescope that will be included in the AVN.
Why is the SKA an Important Project?
17.
It will attract highly accomplished researchers.
18.
It will significantly strengthen our existing astronomy science
achievements.
19.
It will create a global hub for astronomy in Africa.
What are the benefits of the SKA?
20.
Developing large-scale astronomy facilities such as the MeerKAT
and the SKA can become powerful drivers of socio-economic
development in the region.
21.
The main benefits will be in the area of human capital
development.
22.
Telescope construction and infrastructure will generate construction
employment in South Africa and the African partner countries.
23.
Expanding the number of Africa's scientists and technicians will
allow South Africa and Africa to play an increasingly important role in the
global knowledge economy.
24.
The location of a premier facility such as SKA will draw thousands
of scientists to do research in Africa.
Conclusion
25.
The Director-General of Science and Technology, Dr Phil Mjwara,
and Dr Bernie Fanaroff, Director of the SKA project team, will take you
through the presentation, including the steps in the SKA site selection
process.
26.
In conclusion, I wish to emphasise that Africa is indeed ready to
host the SKA.
I will also be handing you a media statement that I hope you will use in
reporting on our discussions.
Enquiries:
Lunga Ngqengelele
Tel: 012 843 6802
Cell: 082 566 0446
E-mail: lunga.ngqengelele@gmail.com
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
29 Mar 2012