Over the past two days I met with the Mozambican Minister of Science and Technology, Prof Venancio Massingue to discuss two radio telescopes, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and the Mozambique radio telescope. We are currently engaged in a process to collate information on the SKA for the site selection group. The site selection group has set a deadline of 15 September 2011 for the bid countries to submit all their reports. While we are making progress, there is still a significant amount of work to be done to complete information for the bid file.
Skills development and training of students in radio astronomy is one of the focus areas of our efforts to ensure that the partner countries participate in the SKA science. In this regard, South Africa committed to assist Mozambique with building a radio telescope at the Maluana Science and Technology Park in the next 6 to 12 months.
Ideally, we should try to ensure that the Mozambique Radio Astronomy Observatory (MRAO) is operational very early next year. This would demonstrate our collective determination and capacity to the international SKA community ahead of the decision being made.
However, this strategic intervention requires determined and focused effort from us both, if we are to succeed. We will need to mobilise very urgently, the necessary financial planning, skills development and engineering resources. We will need to do so jointly.In this regard South Africa has agreed to immediately make R500 000 available to begin the preliminary work on developing the Maluana site for the radio telescope. At the same time, the South African SKA Project Office and the Department of Science and Technology will work with our Mozambique partners on the funding requirements for the Mozambique radio telescope.
South Africa is ready for this challenge, and I believe our success with the FIFA World Cup proves we can do this. I invite you, Minister Massingue, to join me in setting this objective for our respective officials.
Enquiries:
Lunga Ngqengelele
Ministerial Spokesperson
Tel: 012 843 6803
Cell: 082 566 0446
E-mail: lunga.ngqengelele@dst.gov.za
Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, on the Square Kilometre Array and Mozambique Radio Telescope
