Master Ceremonies, Mr Dan Matsapola;
Director General of Science and Technology, Dr Mjwara; Prof Jide Kufoniyi, President of AARSE;
SANSA CEO, Dr Sandile Malinga;
MD of SANSA Earth Observation, Dr Jane Olwoch; The representatives of the University of Johannesburg;
Distinguished academics and scientists from our continent and the world at large;
Let us join the CEO of SANSA in conveying our heartfelt condolences to the people of Zambia for the passing on of President Michael Sata. We South Africans know that people of Zambia made supreme sacrifices for us to be free. The many people in Africa and other nations around the world contributed enormously to our struggle for freedom. Perhaps this is the moment to say thank you to the people of Zambia.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is my distinct honour and great pleasure to have been invited to this Gala Dinner of the Conference of the African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment (AARSE). Essentially, this is a meeting of that rare species of smart people who are making the unseen seen, while making sense of the "insensible".
We want to thank the hosts for choosing Gauteng province for this conference which signifies a growing co-operation, collaboration and interaction amongst African scholars, researchers, scientists, governments and other stakeholders in the development and advancement of space science and technology.
Let me convey my special gratitude to the Minister of Science and Technology, Honourable Naledi Pandor, SA National Space Agency, University of Johannesburg and AUC for hosting this dialogue as a way of building capacity and coordination in space activities among African countries, brothers and sisters.
I must share with you our readiness and willingness to host future conferences in our province. You will understand why we are the best venue for space sciences research and technological development later during my speech. Perhaps, the only other province that can compete with us fairly is the Northern Cape, the home of the SKA. I shall return to this matter later.
Positioning Africa to be a key player in space sciences and technology development
Your association, which has now convened its 10th Conference, is a critical player in raising the profile earth observations in the African continent, especially amongst our young and future scientists.
Judging from your week-long programme, I have no doubt that you had productive sessions in which you shared scientific papers from researchers and scholars who have done painstaking work on the societal benefits that can be derived from significant investments in and applications of space technologies.
As you know, the benefits to society can be both wide ranging and far-reaching through application of earth observation data - from protection of eco-systems, to environmental impacts on health of the population to improving the management of energy and water resources. The management of complex problems associated with urban systems, human settlements and infrastructure maintenance can improve considerably with better application of space technologies.
Ladies and gentleman, due to the tectonic shifts in the world with regard to the economy, ecology and technology, investing in space science and technology is no longer a luxury but is now an absolute necessity.
Investment in science, technology is the only way to stay ahead of the pack as knowledge and innovation have become the defining features of economic development. The country's investment in Research and Development has become a critical differentiator of future-oriented economies. Africa cannot be left behind.
Undoubtedly, space research can contribute to many developmental challenges facing Africa and help address sustainable development solutions.
South Africa’s contribution to space sciences and technologies
As Minister Naledi Pandor would have shared with you, the SA government strategies and investments in science, technology and innovation during her address to this Conference. We firmly believe that space sciences, including earth observation is one of the critical components of our National Development Plan.
Knowing the passion with which Minister Pandor has for knowledge and innovation as the key drivers of growth and development, she must have spoken to you about the SKA. The SKA is our new gold, diamond and platinum and a game-changer of global proportions that places Africa at the cutting edge of new generation science and technology of the future.
The SKA is a source of pride for our continent as the first African mega infrastructure project on science and technology. Africa refuses to be left behind.
When we say the future is Africa and Africa is the future we mean it. The rest of the world is looking to Africa for their economic growth prospects. The East Asian economies are now directing their focus to Africa. The Western economies are going through serious trouble and they look to Africa for their recovery. But Africans still don't believe that they are the centre of gravity. The SKA firmly asserts Africa's central role and place.
Gauteng’s contribution science, technology and innovation
It is for this reason that we in Gauteng adopted a ten-pillar comprehensive strategy of transformation, modernisation and re- industrialisation of our economy. At the centre of this strategy rests the intention to build Gauteng's competitiveness around knowledge, innovation, science, technology, research and development.
Gauteng province provides great opportunities for young scientists and researchers in the field of innovation, research and development and high-tech initiatives including space sciences and space technologies.
Gauteng Provincial Government and municipalities have identified smart, green and knowledge-based industries as the key drivers of its medium-term programme for transformation, modernisation and re- industrialisation. A critical intervention will involve narrowing the gap between the formal knowledge and the real economy through support programmes that turn innovative and technology-based ideas into successful commercial enterprises.
We want to use the presence of national R&D institutions and technological infrastructure located in the province to build our province into Africa's leading knowledge economy. We are already the 4th largest economy in Africa, contributing 11% to the continent's GDP. We contribute 35% to SA's GDP and in comparably the financial, industrial, technological and intellectual hub. We will continue to invest hugely in R&D and science and technology as part of building the new economy and positioning Africa as the future and centre of gravity.
Whilst we have been the biggest and leading economy in our country and significant player in the continent's economy over the past century, we are focusing on becoming the leading smart, innovation-driven and knowledge-base African economy over the next century.
To achieve this vision, we have to invest in R&D, science, technology and attract the best scientists and entrepreneurs into our province by offering the best infrastructure, skills and talent.
The Innovation Hub is one of our prime economic infrastructure developed to be a home for those of you who will help us to develop future-oriented technology that will profoundly change the way we live. There are many other facilities around our province.
We urge you to come back to our province for more space science research and technology development. We urge you to use South Africa as your platform for the development of new knowledge that will help us understand and address humanity's complex social, economic and ecological challenges.
We strongly believe your field and profession can be deployed decisively to help our province, our country and continent to tackle major governance and socioeconomic development challenges. We are ready to partner with space scientists and technology entrepreneurs to move Africa forward. Africa cannot be left behind.
With these words, I wish you a successful and productive conference.
I thank you!
