Investment must not be ‘alien spaceship’
NORTHERN Cape Premier Zamani Saul (pictured) has stated that investment generated by the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope, which is situated close to Carnarvon, should not be like an “alien spaceship” that just lands and departs again without making any impact in terms of the socio-economic conditions of the people in the area.
Saul conducted a visit to the Ska/meerkat project site this week, where he was joined by members of the Northern Cape Provincial Executive Council – Mac Jack, Mase Manopole, Maruping Lekwene, Abraham Vosloo and Bentley Vass.
Saul expressed his gratitude at the dedication, commitment and interest shown by ambassadors from the international partner countries such as Botswana, Kenya, Zambia, Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius, Namibia and Ghana, who were in attendance.
The SKA is an international collaboration effort which spans across various countries to build the world’s most powerful radio telescope. The site now currently boasts 64 interlinked antennas that are working as a single array telescope.
The project has created a total of 7 284 direct and indirect job opportunities since construction began in 2006 and 16 SMMES benefited from an award of R110 million to develop skills in advanced technologies.
The project has also awarded 1 161 grants, bursaries and fellowships to the local surrounding community members with an additional 700 grants envisioned to be awarded over the next 10 years.
“This investment should not be like an ‘alien spaceship’ in this community that just lands and goes up again without making any impact in terms of the socio-economic conditions of the people around here,” Saul said.
The efforts of this international collaboration will see the establishment of the SKA Exploratorium in Carnarvon, which is envisaged to become a multi-purpose facility which will house a Science Visitors Centre (SVC) as well as a SKA Information Centre, amongst other amenities, which will catapult the interest in science and tourism opportunities to the benefit of the local people.
Saul’s sentiments were echoed by Carnarvon’s executive mayor, Zolile Monakali.
“When we come into Carnarvon, we want to feel, smell and taste the SKA. We want the SKA to help develop the town of Carnarvon,” Monakali said.
Saul emphasised that the Northern Cape could never be placed on the periphery of the developmental trajectory.
“Projects like the SKA and the Sol Plaatje University must be used as catalytic projects to improve the lives of the people of the Northern Cape. The SKA project is worth an investment of over R4.3 billion. An investment of this magnitude must assist the Province to address the triple challenge of unemployment, poverty and inequality,” Saul stated.
The acting director-general of the Department of Science assured Saul that they had taken note of his directive and would act on it accordingly.