Budget 2015: The Square Kilometre Array (SKA), a telescope that aims to probe scientific questions in outer space, will spend R2.1 billion over the next three years.
This is according to finance minister Nhlanhla Nene, addressing Parliament during this afternoon's budget speech. "South African science and technology also continues to benefit from our leading role in the Square Kilometre Array astronomy partnership, which will spend approximately R2.1 billion over the next three years."
According to the budget review, the SKA - under the auspices of the National Research Foundation - is currently at a tender stage, with the total project cost pegged at R16 billion over the next few years.
Supporting science
The Department of Science and Technology (DST), which oversees the research foundation, notes in its budget vote, contained in the National Estimates of Expenditure, that, over the next three years, it will transfer R2.7 billion to the National Research Foundation.
This will be the foundation to support 4 539 researchers, 15 918 masters students and 9 615 doctoral students over the medium-term period. "The transfers to the foundation also support the construction of the Square Kilometre Array, which will be the world's largest and most sensitive radio telescope," it says.
However, slow spending as a result of contractual delays and delays in the testing phase led to a Cabinet-approved budget reduction of R21.8 million over the medium-term on the SKA's budget.
The multibillion-rand SKA project is moving towards completion of the prototype phase - MeerKat - which will be incorporated into the SKA. The entire MeerKat system is expected to be operational in 2016/17.
Construction on the SKA will start in 2017/18, with some elements operational by 2020, and full operation under way in 2025.
The Square Kilometre Array Organisation awarded a large portion of the final SKA project to SA and its eight African partner countries. The balance of the development will be hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
"This project goes a long way in positioning Africa, particularly Southern Africa, as a key player in cutting-edge science and technology innovation. It also aligns with the focus of the foundation to contribute to global scientific and technological advancement," says DST.
The DST has a budget of R7.6 billion for the new financial year, which kicks off in April.
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