[AstroNet] Fw: Minister Pandor outlines steps to enhance SA Investiment in Astronomy

[Case Rijsdijk]

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Case

*Minister Pandor outlines steps to enhance South Africa’s investment
in Astronomy *

In October 2010, the Department of Science and Technology (DST)
established an Astronomy Desk to advise the Minister on substantive
policy and strategic matters regarding the development of astronomy.

The Astronomy Desk, headed by Professor Manfred Hellberg, supported by
a reference team of leading scientists, submitted its report to the
Minister in March 2011.

Key amongst its recommendations was the establishment of a dedicated
national astronomy entity, provisionally named the South African
National Astronomy Agency (SANAA), whose main function would be to
bring all astronomy activities under a single umbrella body.

Minister Pandor accepted this recommendation and will mandate the
Astronomy Desk to develop the detailed plans for such move.

Regarding other recommendations, such as the merger of the South
African Square Kilometre Array Project Office (SASPO) and
Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRaO), Minister Pandor
had already announced in February 2010, the intention to form the
South African National Radio Astronomy Observatory (SANRAO).

Given the current focus of the SASPO on the SKA bid and the
construction of MeerKAT, the timelines for the merger are being
assessed.

Minister Pandor announced that South Africa will not bid to host the
Cherenkov Telescope Array as recommended in the Astronomy Desk report,
but instead will support Namibia’s bid.

A consortium of South Africa Universities (Wits, Johannesburg,
KwaZulu-Natal and North West), have undertaken to support the
University of Namibia and Namibia’s bid.

Issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology

Lunga Ngqengelele
Ministerial Spokesperson

 012 843 6802
 082 566 0446
lunga.ngqengelele at dst.gov.za <mailto:lunga.ngqengelele at dst.gov.za>