SKA projects create over 7 000 jobs

and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor and the media undertake a visit to Carnarvon in the Northern Cape this week.

Carnarvon is where the SKA – the world’s largest radio telescope – is being built.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is currently building the MeerKAT telescope, the South African precursor to the larger international SKA.

The SKA will be built in two phases: SKA1 and SKA2 – starting next year. SKA1 will include two components – SKA1 MID

(to be built in South Africa) and SKA1 LOW (to be built in Australia).

Detect

SKA will be able to detect radio waves from objects millions or even billions of light years away.

To date, R134 million has been spent on local suppliers for the construction of the projects, DST director for astronomy, Takalani Nemaungani, said.

“Construction material for the HERA telescope is sourced and fabricated within South Africa – from Carnarvon predominantly,” Nemaungani said.

“Local industry and institutions with the appropriate technical expertise and interest were invited to participate in the SKA pre-construction design phase, and an amount of R55m was awarded to 14 SMMEs via the SKA SA financial assistance programmes to develop skills and