High award for science project

THE man at the heart of South Africa’s successful bid to co-host the international Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope project, Bernie Fanaroff, will be presented with one of South Africa’s highest awards on Saturday, Freedom Day.

At an honours ceremony at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria, President Jacob Zuma will confer on him the Order of Mapungubwe in Silver, “in recognition of his contribution to astronomy and dedication in raising South Africa’s international stature as a world-class research destination”.

“Through his efforts, and that of his team, in securing the majority of the SKA project for Africa, they have excelled in positioning South Africa internationally as a science destination of note,” said director-general in the Presidency, Cassius Lubisi.

Fanaroff said in response that South Africa’s SKA bid had been a combined effort of the SKA team, the Department of Science and Technology, the National Research Foundation and others.

“Contributions made by team members both past and present were key in ensuring the success of our bid and credit cannot go to any single individual.”

Albert van Jaarsveld, chief executive of the National Research Foundation that is the managing agency for the South African aspects of the SKA project, said: “The awarding of the SKA bid was a culmination of nine years of work which was spearheaded and overseen by Dr Fanaroff and his dedicated team.

“We are immensely proud of what they’ve achieved.”