Minister Nzimande congratulates the South African National Space Agency on a decade since its establishment
The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, congratulates the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) as it marks a decade since its establishment.
Ten years ago, on 9 December 2009, the Department launched the much-anticipated space agency, marking the beginning of South Africa's commitment to an era in service of humanity through investment in space science and technology.
It is widely acknowledged that the uses of space-generated knowledge and applications are essential in addressing many current and future global challenges.
The intent of the establishment of SANSA was to converge and optimise resources, and maximise the benefits of space services and applications in society.
"As a technologically advancing country, South Africa is reliant on space-based applications and services, and therefore the establishment of SANSA was strategically important for addressing our local challenges and improving the lives of our citizens," said Minister Nzimande.
Minister Nzimande said that a decade ago South Africa had a number of organisations working in isolation on various space-related products and services, for example, the Satellite Applications Centre aligned to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and the Hermanus Magnetic Observatory in the fold of the National Research Foundation. These two have since been realigned within SANSA's four strategic programmes – Space Science, Space Operations, Space Engineering and Earth Observation.
SANSA, through support from the Ministry of Science and Innovation, has ensured increased focus on transforming the space sector through skills development and public outreach.
"Specific activities target women in science and previously disadvantaged youth, while also using space to inspire future generations of space scientists and entrepreneurs across the country through public engagement," said Minister Nzimande.
"Thousands of learners have, through the years, engaged with SANSA experts at science and career festivals, school visits, science centres, and now even online. Our science centre in Hermanus also hosts educator workshops to support educators in the teaching of physics at schools," emphasised the Minister.
Space science is a global industry and SANSA has extensive partnerships with space agencies and organisations across the world through which it has provided numerous opportunities for the local space industry and academia.
Africa and South Africa's space partners in Africa are a priority for SANSA, which aims to address African challenges with African solutions.
The Agency partners with African countries to provide training in the application of space technologies and to create a network of scientific nodes for aligned research on the continent.
The African Resource Management Constellation is one such initiative, which looks at African partners contributing a constellation of Earth observation satellites to allow Africa to manage its natural resources and ensure food security, while reducing costs and reliance on international satellite providers.
"I am heartened to witness the incredible contribution by SANSA to our people and the global space industry through knowledge generation and excellence in service support to our space partners around the world, as well as its contribution to local industry and our economy despite the budget constraints it has endured for some years. SANSA has had clean audits consistently since its establishment – a sign of effective management and governance," said the Minister.
"I am also excited to share that SANSA was recently awarded funding towards the establishment of a space infrastructure hub. This is because of the South African government's plan to boost economic growth through infrastructure development," Minister Nzimande added.
SANSA will contribute significantly to the national economy and job creation through various projects such as satellite development and testing for various space missions, big data platforms like a data visualisation centre, the activation of a satellite-based augmentation system over southern Africa, and the development of the required human capital.
The Minister is certain that we can look forward to even greater accomplishments from this young Agency of the Department of Science and Innovation, with its growth trajectory fuelled by ambitious aspirations.
Enquiries:
Ishmael Mnisi
Cell: 066 037 8859
