Programme Director, Dr Choice Makhetha;
Premier of the Free State, Mr Ace Magashule;
MEC for the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mr MJ Zwane;
Mayor of Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, Mr Manyosi;
Chancellor of the University of Free State, Dr Khotso Mokhele;
Professor Nicky Morgan, Vice Rector of the University of Free State;
Representative of the University of Michigan, Professor Pat Seitzer;
Professor Matie Hoffman, Project Manager of the Naval Hill Planetarium project;
University community;
Ladies and gentlemen:
Good morning to you all. It is a great honour for me to speak at this historic occasion. The last two months have been incredible for our country, largely owing to several groundbreaking achievements made by our scientists.
In September this year we celebrated the world's first digital laser developed by a team of scientists at the CSIR an innovation that is regarded as a game changer in laser technology.
Early last month, a team of scientists from the University of Johannesburg, the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Cape Town, as well as the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa, announced that they had discovered the first evidence of a comet entering Earth’s atmosphere millions years ago this insight could help in unlocking, in the future, the secrets of the formation of our solar system.
Last week, CSIR scientists announced the discovery of so-called "gene-kissing" in their genetic research, a ground-breaking discovery that will have a major impact on our understanding of the regulation and function of our genes and DNA our genetic blueprint.
This illustrates ladies and gentleman that South Africa is not short of good news, in particular in science. This country is home to some of the world's best scientists and pioneers.
This occasion is another on the list of our country's "firsts" Bloemfontein is now home to the first digital planetarium in Southern Africa. It is noteworthy that different spheres of government have joined hands to make this dream of the Free State University a reality the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, the Free State provincial government through the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, and the Department of Science and Technology.
This confirms the adage that "alone we can do so little; but together we can do so much!" There are lessons to learn from this endeavour that could guide the execution of future development plans.
I had the privilege of being taken on a site tour this morning, and what I saw is amazing really world class. A facility like this is very important for the training of the next generation of scientists. I can imagine how awed the learners will be when they walk into the auditorium for the first time. This facility will go a long way to popularise astronomy.
The opening of this planetarium illustrates that we have achieved so much since the dawn of democracy. We should not take such occasions for granted. Next year we will be commemorating 20 years of democracy and there is so much to celebrate. I know we sometimes feel overwhelmed by the challenges confronting us and this causes us to underestimate our achievements.
For the families in deep rural areas who had no access to clean water and electricity before 1994, democracy is real. For the many black students who have enrolled at the Free State University, democracy is real. The many students at the Free State University, who have worked hard to cultivate a new and vigorous sense of inclusion out of a divisive past, are true democrats; they have demonstrated how democracy has opened up choices in how we live our lives.
I have noted with interest that this planetarium will also be used for concerts, state-of-the-art presentations and theatre productions, as well as meetings, conferences and exhibitions. The Naval Hill Planetarium is a perfect symbol of social cohesion.
The location of the planetarium indicates a fresh approach to our science awareness and engagement endeavours.This approach integrates science awareness and engagement with tourism. Although there are many other countries whose science centres and related facilities are part of the tourism network, the location of this planetarium in a game reserve adds to its uniqueness.
The integrated approach offered by this facility will help us increase the participation of members of the general public in science awareness and engagement programmes. The planetarium will offer visitors to the game reserve an opportunity to interact in a very interesting way with earth and space science, as well as life sciences.
The Department of Science and Technology leads a national programme to promote science and create opportunities for people to engage with science. The Department-led science awareness and engagement portfolio includes activities such as the annual National Science Week, olympiads and a number of science centre-based activities.
Most of the participants in the key science activities are learners in the schooling system. Participation in National Science Week and science centre-based programmes comprises approximately 70% learners.
Although I remain optimistic about the general public's appreciation for this planetarium, it is very important for South Africans to increase their interest in exploring their own country. It is therefore encouraging that the popularity of the Naval Hill Planetarium will be boosted by initiatives such as the "Sho't Left" campaign, which is the brainchild of South Africa tourism and is intended to encourage South Africans to explore their own country.
The establishment of the planetarium in this province should be seen as a catalyst in consolidating and deepening South Africa's efforts to be a leader in the scientific exploration of the universe.
Astronomy is a discipline in which South Africa enjoys a distinct geographical advantage. Winning the bid to host the major part of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) which on completion will be oneof the biggest scientific projects the world has ever undertaken was not only a huge endorsement for us, but also an acknowledgement of the sterling engineering capacity that exists within our borders.
The involvement of our country in this massive international project requires us to work hard to get ordinary South Africans to appreciate and enjoy astronomy. This way, we will inspire our youth to become scientists of note who can share the scientific platform provided by the SKA with top scientists from other countries. This planetarium, which we are opening today, is a significant step in that direction.
In closing, I would like to acknowledge the presence of Professor Pat Seitzer, who is representing the University of Michigan. The contribution of your university has made it possible for South Africa to host this Naval Hill Planetarium. To Professor Hoffman and the team, thank you for your vision and efforts in seeing this project through.
An idea I want to leave with you food for thought: considering that not many people will have the good fortune to visit the SKA site, would it not be a good idea to have a real-life dummy of the SKA telescope constructed on these premises?
Thank you.
