Brand South Africa proud of South Africa’s competitive bid for SKA

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Created on 25 May 2012

Brand South Africa would like to congratulate the Department of Science and Technology; the SA SKA bid team, and Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor, on their success in hosting the Square Kilometre Array, in partnership with Australia.

Brand South Africa CEO, Miller Matola, says that South Africa is thrilled with the opportunity to share the hosting of the SKA as the partnership with Australia will open up new avenues for skills development as well as ideas and cultural exchange.

"The SKA will bring advancements of astro-sciences to both countries and facilitate knowledge sharing between young and older astronomy and cosmology experts. The opportunity to share the SKA with Australia will also highlight the benefits of partnerships on a global scale, and will improve industry cohesion and co-development in astronomy and other related fields."

In addition to the SKA, South Africa’s plans to focus on developing the field of astronomy will be enhanced by the MeerKAT project in the Northern Cape. The MeerKAT is a powerful scientific tool in its own right and it will attract the best scientists and engineers to work in Africa and will provide unrivalled opportunities for scientists and engineers across the continent and the country.
Matola adds that the building of the MeerKAT will also spearhead the Department of Science and Technology’s campaign to introduce astronomy to scholars and students across the country, and develop and retain human capital in the field of science and engineering.

"We thank the bid committee for giving us and our African partners the platform to bring the stars and the universe closer to the leaders and explorers of tomorrow. SKA funding and infrastructure will encourage our scholars and students to take up science and technology subjects, and a new class of scientists will be developed. The SKA will showcase the innovation from African communities and will embolden career interest in the diverse field of physics and cosmology."