The country has made an outstanding contribution to science, engineering and technology, says science and technology minister Naledi Pandor.
Speaking at last week's 2106 National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) awards ceremony in Gauteng, Pandor said the scientific excellence that was on display as part of the awards is evidence SA is Africa's science and technology leader.
The NTSF awards honour and celebrate outstanding contributions to science, engineering, technology and innovation by encouraging and rewarding excellence.
"We have shown the world that we can overcome apartheid and build an inclusive democracy. We have shown the world that we have the capacity to compete with the best in the world in emerging scientific fields and new technologies. We have built and are building global infrastructure for global science. We are improving policy to enable investment by the private sector," said Pandor.
Together with Australia, SA has been selected to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the world's largest radio telescope. The Karoo desert in the Northern Cape will host the core of the mid-frequency dish array, ultimately extending over the African continent.
The SKA will be made up of thousands of dishes that will enable astronomers to survey the universe in detail and survey the entire sky much faster, and in more detail, than any system currently in existence.
According to Pandor, SA has also established a number of research chairs and her department is playing a key role in agro-processing, sustainable agriculture and food security. "These include research chairs in post-harvest technology, meat science genomics, nutrinomics, disease resistance in field crops, sustainable agricultural systems, rural agronomy and development, land and agrarian reform and wine sciences."
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