Chairperson, hon members, friends, guests, all protocol observed, it does not matter which account one reads, one thing is crystal clear: Man has always had this inexplicable fascination with outer space. This fascination has inspired nation states and the corporate world to invest in astronomy research which has stood mankind in good stead in the past, and continues to do so even today.
When the ANC came to power in 1994, we promised the people of South Africa, among other things, that we would not sit by and see technological advantages pass us by; that we would be part of those advances. That is why year after year we see more monies being allocated to the Department of Science and Technology. We also see the fruits of that particular investment.
Having said that, I also want to draw the attention of this House to the seemingly desperate situation in the Northern Cape. There is almost nothing in terms of modern development. We do not have high-rise buildings and there are no major industries. If one discounts the mining activities in certain pockets of the province, the condition of our roads can be perceived as deterring big business from investing there.
Little do some people realise that these desperate conditions would actually be an advantage to the Northern Cape and indeed to the whole of South Africa, Africa and the rest of the world. This is because if one looks at the early advantages of the astronomy research conducted at the observatory in South Africa and the large telescope in Sutherland, one realises that this is not something for the people of the Northern Cape only but, as I said, for all mankind.
This Bill, when coming into effect, will give the Minister of Science and Technology the power to declare certain areas as astronomy geographic advantage areas, or central astronomy advantage areas.
Literally the whole of the Northern Cape, except for the area under the jurisdiction of the Sol Plaatje Municipality, could then be used for setting up these astronomy nodes where this research could be conducted. It just goes to show that in all bad situations there is something good to be found.
The Bill also seeks to ensure that the Minister goes about this process in consultation with the relevant role-players in all affected communities, thereby ensuring that we as a government fulfil our obligation to our people in ensuring that they have a say in what happens in their area.
Very soon South Africa will be embarking on the building of the Square Kilometre Array telescope which will have to be finished by 2009. With these projects South Africa could further display its proud status as a country on the cutting edge of technology. The fact that we were chosen above a country like Australia must say something to the world. The fact that the Northern Cape province was selected from other contenders should say something to the rest of South Africa.
Very soon the people of the Northern Cape will be engaged in a project that will investigate the origins of man by remapping the history of the stars. Maybe one day we will find out that we do indeed have some distant cousins in another dimension or somewhere else.
We in the ANC support this Bill. Thank you, Chairperson. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
Bill, subject to proposed amendments, agreed to in accordance with section 75 of the Constitution.