Centre to position SA as ‘a world leader in paleosciences’

CAPE TOWN — Science and Technology Minister Derek Hanekom last night launched a new Paleosciences Centre of Excellence at Wits University, a development in line with his department’s strategy of focusing attention on fields in which SA has a natural geographic advantage.

SA is home to a rich variety of fossil finds, ranging from some of the earliest known human artwork, discovered in the Blombos caves, to unique dinosaur species, such as Aardonyx celestae found in the Free State.

“We have some of the oldest rocks in the world with the earliest of evidence of life in them — the Cape super group which is 500million to 350-million years old and the Karoo super group which is 300-million to 180-million years old … which gives us a unique ability to explore the biodiversity of those times,” said the Centre’s director, Bruce Rubidge, who is also director of the Evolutionary Studies Institute at Wits.

“We are the only country in the world that has fossils over such a wide range of time, and it puts us at a competitive advantage,” said Prof Rubidge.

Mr Hanekom said the centre was expected to make a substantial contribution to the govern- ment’s goal of positioning SA as a world leader in paleosciences, fossil collections and site management. Not only should it generate new knowledge, but it should also contribute to growing the next generation of scientists.

A vibrant paleosciences field could also boost jobs in other sectors of the economy, such as tourism, the minister said.

The National Research Foundation had provided the Paleosciences Centre of Excellence with initial funding of R12m, but expected the institution to raise additional funds both locally and internationally, Mr Hanekom said.