Northern Cape Premier Sylvia Lucas wants to put the province on the global map.
In South Africa’s largest province, which also has the smallest population, one of the scientific world’s biggest projects is underway.
And it is this project, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), that Northern Cape Premier Sylvia Lucas hopes will place the province prominently in the sight of the global community.
The SKA Project is an international enterprise to build the largest and most sensitive radio telescope in the world, and will be located in Africa and Australia.
The SKA will be about 50 times more sensitive than any other existing radio telescope.
The South African MeerKAT radio telescope, which is currently being built 90 km outside of the small Northern Cape town of Carnarvon, is a precursor to the SKA telescope and will be integrated into the mid-frequency component of SKA Phase 1.
Premier Lucas says the construction of the SKA in the Northern Cape will not only benefit science, but will put the province on the global map.
Already the province is seeing the benefits of the SKA, which is one of 18 strategic infrastructure projects identified by the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission.
About 422 people are working as a result of the SKA, through initial infrastructure projects. Fifty-four percent of these are young people, which shows that youth employment has been incorporated into the SKA and the MeerKAT.
In addition, over 800 people have been supported by skills development over the years ranging from postgraduate studies to artisanal skills that are being developed.
The SKA is also attracting more tourists to the province and as a result there have been upgrades of roads and new lodges, and bed and breakfast establishments have been built.
Denne historien er fra February 2017-utgaven av Public Sector Manager.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra February 2017-utgaven av Public Sector Manager.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Lefentse Phokwane Reaching New Heights At SAA
Growing up on the streets of Vosloorus in Ekurhuleni, Lefentse Phokwane aspired to become a chemical engineer, but ended up studying for a Diploma in Non-Destructive Testing Inspection at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) instead.
Looking To The Skies For Solutions
A young South African is exploring the secrets of the universe and believes studying the cosmos can teach us many things that we can apply in improving our daily lives.
From Flight Attendant To CEO
Zuks Ramasia is the perfect example of what people can achieve when they believe in themselves and pursue their ambitions.
Qualification Frauds Could Find Themselves Behind Bars
Lying about your qualifications could now lead to jail time, according to the new National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Amendment Act which aims to prevent the misrepresentation of qualifications and fraud.
City Shelter Assist Displaced Foreign Nationals
Displaced foreign nationals are being accommodated at the DH Williams Community Hall in Gauteng.
Women Must Take Their Rightful Place In Society
This Women’s Month, South Africa has much to be proud of.
G20 Summit Tackles Key Issues
The recent G20 Summit allowed for critical engagement on efforts to address major global economic challenges
Stand Up For
women’s rights in South Africa
Mpumalanga – A Rising Sun Guided By A Visionary Woman
For many South Africans, the province of Mpumalanga (which translates to “place of the rising sun”) flies under the radar.
Giving Women, Youth And People With Disabilities Their Dignity
The Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite NkoanaMashabane, wants the advancement of women to continue to be a priority in government’s service delivery programmes.
