To cover the costs of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, SA needs to raise at least R20 billion.
Speaking at the public participation programme for the project, in Carnarvon, Northern Cape, today, science and technology minister Derek Hanekom says for this reason it is encouraging that the SKA received the attention of president Jacob Zuma.
Zuma attended the programme as well, saying SKA will put Africa at the forefront of technology innovation.
Former science and technology minister Naledi Pandor said the SKA has placed huge obligations on SA as the majority host. She handed over the project to Hanekom, saying he will ensure that it is executed and "we will show the world what SA can do".
She added that the SKA has placed SA on the world map. "Everybody is talking about our country and the project. We cannot let the world down. We are going to succeed."
The former minister also said the SKA is going to act like a magnet, since it will attract scientists, engineers, researchers, and IT practitioners to the country and to the Northern Cape, in particular.
"We've boosted research on the African continent. This project has already begun to dynamise science on the continent."
XHead = Student benefit
"Since the expectations are so high, we have a duty to nurture the young ones. They must succeed in maths and science. Every town in this district must become a science and technology learning town."
Zuma agreed, saying government's perspective is that the SKA presents an opportunity to intensively recruit and train young South Africans to pursue careers in the field of science and technology.
"One of the major benefits of this project is that it will enhance Africa's capability in science and innovation."
The president also said the location of the SKA site, in the Northern Cape, augurs well for government's plan to build the first university in the area.
XHead = Three pillars
Zuma said the SKA being hosted mostly in Africa marks a significant milestone for the continent in the context of Nepad and the African Union's Africa Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action.
"The plan is based on three pillars, namely capacity building, knowledge production and technological innovation."
Zuma added that the plan explicitly recognises that science and technology are a prerequisite for the rapid transformation of African economies as well as participation in the knowledge-based economy of the 21st century.
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