Astronomy boost for City

CAPE TOWN has been selected to host the 2024 International Astronomical Union General Assembly.

The 10-day event, which will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, is expecting about 3 000 delegates with an estimated economic impact of R192 million for the province’s economy. Wesgro chief executive Tim Harris said: “The arrival of many astronomy experts in the Cape will provide an invaluable opportunity for the transfer of niche and specialised skills, connecting researchers in Africa with the rest of the global community. This in turn serves as a catalyst to stimulate additional trade and investment opportunities.”

The International Astronomical Union is currently in its 99th year and comprises professional astronomers from all over the world.

Mayor Patricia de Lille said: “Choosing Cape Town as the host confirms the city as the events capital of the continent. This past year the city has played host to hundreds of events, and the eight signature events contributed more than R3billion to the local economy and created more than 20000 temporary jobs. Since 2012, the city’s events budget increased from R4million a year to more than R40m. We look forward to growing the industry even further in the run-up to 2024.”

Economic Opportunities MEC Alan Winde said that with major astronomy projects such as the MeerKAT and Square Kilometre Array telescopes being developed in the country, South Africa was taking big steps in the world of astronomy. |