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 Square Kilometre Array (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.
Lunga Ngqengelele
Tel: 012 843 6802
Cell: 082 566 0446
E-mail: lunga.ngqengelele@dst.gov.za
