Progress of SKA and radio astronomy; Matters raised during Oversight visit; Astro-Tourism Strategy

Meeting report

Opening

The Committee Secretariat expressed apologies for the delay in starting the meeting due to prior engagements and the attendance of Members at another cluster meeting which overrun. It was noted that the Chairperson would join shortly.

Ms J Mananiso (ANC) suggested commencing the meeting in the absence of the Chairperson, due to ongoing engagements.

Mr M Shikwambana (EFF) proposed postponing the meeting due to organisational responsibilities.

The Committee Secretariat outlined the procedures for electing a chairperson in the absence of the incumbent, highlighting the quorum requirement and the subsequent election process.

Mr T Letsie (ANC) nominated Ms Mananiso to chair the meeting temporarily, and Members accepted.

Committee Business  

Chairperson Mananiso thanked Members for her nomination and acknowledged the delay in starting the meeting. She provided an overview of the agenda, which included a discussion on issues concerning the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) project.

Minutes dated 08 December 2023, 14 February 2024, 16 February 2024, and 21 February 2024 and a Report on an Oversight Visit to Eastern Cape were considered and adopted with minor amendments.

Opening Remarks by Chairperson

The Chairperson, Ms N Mkhatshwa (ANC), apologised for her late arrival and provided an overview of the meeting agenda, which was to receive a briefing from the Department of Science and Innovation and the National Research Foundation regarding developments at the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory and related projects.

She praised the work of DSI and expressed interest in updates on various initiatives, including the Astro-Tourism strategy and its implementation. It was important to have succession planning within the Department.

Briefing by Department of Science and Innovation on Progress of the SKA Project

Dr Phil Mjwara, Director-General, Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), presented the progress update on the SKA project.

Expenditure significantly impacted the South African economy and was expected to continue once all construction was complete. These positive impacts were critical in contributing to the developmental objectives of both the Northern Cape and South Africa.

The project had a largely positive and significant impact on the national socio-economic conditions and scientific activity. Substantial contribution has been made towards education, skills development and employment opportunities.

It was a global mega-infrastructure science project that endeavours to build the largest radio telescope ever built - and will become the largest scientific infrastructure in Africa and the world

Original concept to build a surface collecting area of 1 square kilometre

• Five times more sensitive than existing instruments
• Data rates exceed the entire global internet traffic
• Will require the fastest supercomputer ever built

Declared a SIP-16 project, reporting to the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC)

Scientific and HCD Returns       

• Scientific outputs grew from below average to twice above the global average – global ranking in astronomy increased from 33 to 21 – one of the fastest growing science in SA with several discoveries being made.
• Size of astronomy community tripled over 15yrs from 60 PhD astronomers to over 200 and pipeline is increasing fast.
• Significant HCD programme through SKA Bursary Programme

• Over 1600 bursaries awarded (15% to African SKA partner countries)
• Bursaries span from undergraduate to postdocs in astrophysics, engineering and computing studies as well as artisanal/technical skills

• Six astronomy Research Chairs awarded at various universities to develop local scientific capacity

Recommendations of the Study – MeerkAT/SKA (2)

1. Run a national awareness campaign - current efforts will be reviewed to improve further in partnership with
2. NRF/SARAO/DSI Comms, GCIS, media, SAASTA, etc. b) Foster collaboration and partnerships – stakeholder matrix will be reviewed at all levels to improve further.
3. Enhance industry engagement – being strengthened to include partnerships on commercialisation and innovations.
4. Ensure dissemination of knowledge – as in (a) above
5. Develop an improved system for record-keeping - will be reviewed and implemented
6. Promotion and investment into Astro-Tourism –
7. Astro-Tourism strategy finalised in partnership with Dept of Tourism - and awaiting both Ministers’ approval for tabling in Cabinet
8. Improve communication with local communities -Community Stakeholder Forum will be reviewed to improve this
9. Investigate long-term employment opportunities for artisans (especially electricians) – engagements will be pursued further with SETAs and industry

International Partnerships: Benefits

• All 8 SKA African Partner Countries now have astronomy programmes and high-performance computing facilities in their universities (Only Mauritius had astronomy programme before)
• African VLBI (AVN) - Ghana Radio Astronomy Observatory established
• Development in Africa through Radio Astronomy (DARA)

• Co-funded by SA and UK’s Newton Fund
• Conducting workshops and training programmes in data techniques across Africa
• Over 300 students trained in Data Analytics 

• Big Data Africa Programme

• Rollout of High-Performance Computing and training programmes in all African SKA partner countries 
• Skills applicable to areas outside astronomy such as health and climate change

• Science Diplomacy – SA increasingly respected and recognised in international forums. Changing perceptions about Africa as a destination for high-tech big infrastructure science projects
• Foreign Direct Investments to the Karoo Site (about R1 billion)

• MeerLICHT (twin sister telescope to MeerKAT) in Sutherland – partnership between South Africa, Netherlands and UK
• Guest instruments: HERA (USA, UK), C-BASS (UK, USA)
• MeerKAT investments

• Attracted several international astronomy conferences and won the rights to host the 2024 International Astronomical Union (IAU) General Assembly for the first time in over 100 years of existence of the IAU (bringing over 3,000 astronomers)
• Estimate contracts to be awarded to SA over the next ten years = R8.bn – split as follows:

• Construction Contracts - approximately R3.4bn
• Infrastructure work package (roads, fibre, electricity, etc) to be done by local companies
• High-tech work packages
• Operations Contracts to SARAO – R 4.7bn over the next ten years and R1bn thereafter per year for 50 years span life of the project

• Jobs Created - Additional job opportunities over the next seven years
• Bursaries and Grants – Skills Development

• Doubling of bursary recipients (100 per year) in next 15 years to over 2 800 in total
• Skills include artisans, technicians, scientists, engineers and data professionals

See attached for full presentation

Briefing on Astro-Tourism Strategy

Mr Takalani Nemaungani, Chief Director: Astronomy, DSI, presented the National Astro-Tourism Strategy & Implementation Plan

Developing the Astro-Tourism Strategy: A Tripartite Alliance

The strategy has undergone a two-year development process, involving consultations with key stakeholders. It was approved by both ministers and was pending Cabinet approval. Governance structures were established to oversee the project, including a DG Steering Committee and an Astro-Tourism governance body. It aims to capitalise on the growing tourism industry and astronomy community in South Africa by merging them into an Astro-Tourism sector. It seeks to address challenges such as light pollution, unemployment, and lack of awareness while promoting coordination and alignment within the sector.

Alignment with Existing Policies and Strategies

The strategy aligns with various policies and strategies in astronomy and tourism, leveraging South Africa's geographic advantage and rich indigenous astronomy heritage. Collaboration with relevant stakeholders is emphasised to ensure alignment with existing frameworks.

 Learning from International Practices

A comprehensive analysis of Astro-Tourism practices worldwide, including countries like the USA, China, India, and New Zealand, informed the strategy's development. Lessons learned from international experiences were integrated to enhance South Africa's Astro-Tourism initiatives.

Strategic Focus Areas

The strategy focused on three key pillars: indigenous celestial narratives and human capacity development, infrastructure development, and inclusive tourism growth and partnerships. These pillars guided the implementation plan aimed at achieving transformation and destination competitiveness.

Current Projects and Funding

A list of current projects aligned with the strategy has been identified, totaling approximately R271 million. Efforts were underway to secure funding for unfunded projects, including engagement with the National Treasury and exploration of funding instruments.

Monitoring and Evaluation

A monitoring and evaluation framework was being developed to track the strategy's performance and ensure accountability. Stakeholder engagement and governance structures would play a crucial role in monitoring progress and addressing challenges.

Way Forward

The strategy was awaiting cabinet approval and would undergo further public consultation. Ongoing support for existing projects, strengthening governance structures, and exploring innovative funding mechanisms are priorities. The upcoming General Assembly of the global astronomy body in Cape Town presents an opportunity to showcase South Africa's Astro-Tourism offerings.

See attached for full presentation

Dr Mjwara inquired about the status of the document's submission to Cabinet.

Mr Nemaungani said he would consult with the DG for the Department of Tourism as she oversees the process.

Dr Laeticia Jacobs, DSI, said all cabinet-related paperwork had been prepared and was presently advancing. The documents were nearing the final approval stage by their municipal petition officer before being sent to DSI.

Discussion

The Chairperson expressed gratitude for the presentations and highlighted some key points. She noted the increase in global ranking in astronomy from 33 to 21 and the significant growth of the astronomy community over the past 15 years. She requested a demographic breakdown of the current 200 astronomers and those in the pipeline, emphasising the importance of transformation and inclusivity. On investments in community development initiatives, local suppliers, and contractors, she sought clarification on the overall expenditure to make a meaningful comparison.

She also inquired about South Africa's contributions to the eight African partner countries. Expressing excitement about the progress in Astro-Tourism. The joint efforts between the Department of Tourism and the Department of Science and Innovation were acknowledged. She highlighted the potential impact of Astro-Tourism on mental health support and job opportunities. Could the Department give further details on competitive advantages, particularly regarding the activity on slide 10 of the presentation?

Mr B Yabo (ANC) commended DSI for their detailed presentations, noting that their thoroughness often made it challenging to ask questions. They deserved credit. Regarding the Astro-Tourism strategy and responsibility for handling the commercial side of promotions, would this be managed by the Department of Tourism, the DSI, or through a public-private partnership? On the plan for empowering locals in logistical aspects of tourism, such as shuttle services, hotels, and lodges, he suggested the possibility of involving development and finance institutions in empowerment programs or establishing a comprehensive plan to engage both large and small players in the sector.

He sought clarification on the procurement process for materials required for projects like the SKA, particularly regarding the allocation to SMEs and sustainability plans. He was concerned about managing increased tourist numbers in the area, particularly regarding interference with signals due to gadgets. What were the plans to attract domestic tourists? Members appreciate the work accomplished by the DSI under the current leadership. He thanked the Director-General for his service and expressed hope for continuing the Department's legacy under future leadership. He emphasised the pride in South Africa's public servants.

Dr W Boshoff (FF+) thanked the Department for the presentation and highlighted his focus on its impact on the local and farming communities. He questioned whether there was clarity on the current needs of the SKA project and whether there would still be surprises in terms of requirements. The situation could be compared to the flooding of a dam, and there were concerns about potential resentment if requirements continued to expand beyond initial expectations. Were there any economic activities that may be restricted in the Northern Cape due to the SKA project's radio silence requirements, particularly in the context of renewable energy development? Members needed updates on various aspects related to the project, including the functionality of the feedlot at Williston, the implementation of Wi-Fi hotspots, and the progress of the MeerKAT National Park. On construction of infrastructure, what were the status of the SKA visitor centre and the condition of roads in the area? There was a need for integration within the Northern Cape and with potential benefits of the Sutherland caravan astronomy area. Farmers were eager to present their concerns regarding the project's impact. There needed to be scheduled discussions on the matter.

The Chairperson acknowledged Dr Boshoff's points, indicating that these would need to be addressed in the next administration.

Ms Mananiso agreed with the Chairperson's remarks, noting that her concerns regarding localisation and partnerships had been addressed.

The Chairperson mentioned her earlier inquiry about competitive advantages in different locations, such as Gauteng. It was important to understand the various forms of Astro-Tourism. She expressed concern about stakeholder engagement, particularly with other government departments. There was a need for a holistic approach and cooperation to achieve the goals of the Astro-Tourism plan. Regarding competency and accountability, how would responsibilities be distributed among different government departments, and who would oversee the implementation progress? What was the level of support and enthusiasm for the plan from both political and community stakeholders?

Responses

Dr Mjwara indicated that some questions might not have immediate answers but could be addressed once Cabinet approved the strategy. Regarding the visitor centre construction, he noted that delays in finalising the strategy might have impacted timelines but assured us that updates could be provided. He proposed that the NRF could provide a breakdown of demographic data, support for local businesses, and details on procurement rules and land parcel requirements.

Mr Nemaungani said Astro-Tourism was a niche market that was not expecting high volumes of visitors. There was a distributed model across provinces to avoid overwhelming the Northern Cape and potentially impacting the telescopes negatively. The strategy included building offerings in other provinces, such as Gauteng, which had planetariums, science centres, and other tourist destinations. These facilities could also promote awareness about Astro-Tourism. The list of attractions was still being developed but could be shared with the Committee.

Dr Jacobs said the tourism products in Gauteng, included attractions like planetariums, museums, guesthouses, and tour operators offering astronomy experiences. These experiences often involved activities such as stargazing with telescopes added to existing offerings. On promoting Sutherland and Carnarvon, there was the Astro-Tourism Governance Body, comprising various stakeholders like local municipalities, destination marketing organisations, and the National Convention Bureau. This body aimed to establish marketing and promotional opportunities to access markets through their platforms. There was a need for inclusivity in Astro-Tourism; this was complex and needed to be simplified for broader understanding. There was a pilot study on extra guide training in Carnarvon, where six students without astronomy backgrounds were trained to become registered tourist guides. This initiative aimed to inclusively develop youth in rural communities. There were engagements with various departments to ensure support and buy-in for the strategy. On the sensitivity of scientific instruments to tourism influx, there were plans for a Science Center in Carnarvon to provide visitors with opportunities to learn about astronomy while respecting the instruments' needs for minimal interference.

Mr Paki Monyobo, SKA: Project Manager, Northern Cape Province, said the Carnarvon Science Center project was ongoing and at the design review stage, nearing finalisation. They were currently preparing a report for the Steering Committee, headed by the DG, to address financial aspects and construction plans, which would be implemented in two phases. On the tender process for the fence around the Meerkat National Park, the bids submitted were above the budget, prompting a review process before finalising the tender.

There was training of tour guides to cater to astronomy-related tourism, including the use of telescopes for visitors. On road quality and benefits to local SMEs, a cross-functional working group was established with representatives from all government tiers and departments. Efforts had been made to support local SMEs, with commitments from SKA to ensure 30% local participation in projects. However, challenges arose when local procurement was insufficient, leading to the need to source materials from outside the province.

Dr Mjwara asked for clarification on whether the spending on SMEs aligned with national averages for such activities. Additionally, he requested further information on the involvement of partner countries and the management of visas for tourists. There was a need for clarification on the amount of local material sourced and sustainability plans for supported SMEs, as well as specific questions raised by Dr Boshoff.

Ms Pontsho Maruping, Managing Director, South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), said 70% of the expenditure for dish construction, amounting to R670 million, was spent in South Africa. Additionally, 15% of this expenditure directly benefited the local community through subcontracting local contractors and creating jobs. SARAO partnered with the Northern Cape SME Trust to provide ongoing support to SMEs, ensuring compliance and facilitating their response to opportunities, including subcontracting to the SKO international organisation. On demographic breakdowns, she proposed sending a detailed written response, mentioning that up to March 2022, there were significant representations of South Africans, blacks, and women across various academic levels.

There were measures to manage trails and maintain a radio quiet zone. SARAO conducted open days three times a year, during which visitors cooperated in adhering to strict requirements, including the prohibition of harmful devices on-site. For those visiting the site itself, stringent regulations were enforced, and lockers were provided for valuables. All necessary land and servitudes were acquired for the SKA project, with minimal anticipated changes. Coordination ensured that projects undergo evaluation for potential impacts, focusing on environmental considerations. SKA was exploring renewable energy options, and evaluations were ongoing to determine the most appropriate solutions. On the feedlot, financial challenges affected its status, and there were considerations of selling it, although no resolution had been reached yet.

Dr Adrian Tiplady, Deputy Managing Director: Strategy and Partnerships, SARAO, provided insights on Wi-Fi hotspots and fibre infrastructure accessibility to the community. Low-power Wi-Fi hotspots had been deployed in towns and communities, primarily located in various libraries, and were well-utilised by the public. However, regarding fibre infrastructure, which was to be deployed by the SKA, the data transmission utilised specialised communication protocols proprietary to the SKA. Consequently, the fibre infrastructure may not be accessible to the public or the community at this time. However, future planning and upgrades of the infrastructure may consider community access as a consideration.

On funding for the fence, the initial budgeting exercise for the fence exceeded the responses received from tenders. This suggested that the responses effectively overpriced the required work. SARAO initiated a more detailed design process to mitigate this and appointed an engineering company to undertake detailed designs. The aim was to reduce the actual price of the fence through cost-mitigation actions. Thus, while the funding initially exceeded expectations, efforts were underway to optimise costs and ensure the project remained within budget.

Dr Mjwara noted that there were areas that required further clarification or elaboration. The breakdown provided by the NRF on slide 30 needed to be examined in detail, along with the aid partner country support on slide 33. On SME support, he suggested revisiting whether it aligned with national strategies or compared favourably with other provinces' support levels.

Questions on cooperative companies, governance, role clarification, and accountability in Astro-Tourism remained unanswered. He proposed either addressing them either in writing or as part of the implementation strategy. There was a need for clarity on the delivery model for the commercial aspect of the strategy in Sutherland and Carnarvon. He suggested incorporating these aspects into the implementation plan for better elucidation. It was necessary to revisit certain points, such as the impact on farmers, which would be addressed in the next administration. It was important to detail the demographics breakdown and commit to providing further information once the broad strategy was approved by the ministers and presented to Cabinet.

Closing Remarks

The Chairperson thanked the Director-General and the Department for their insightful presentations and briefings. The Committee anticipated further responses in writing within the next seven working days. Any deferred matters for the next administration would be clearly articulated in the legacy report.

Reflecting on the interaction with the DSI, the Chairperson emphasised the positive approach of not just troubleshooting problems but also creating opportunities. The role of DSI was appreciated in providing solutions to societal challenges and fostering innovation, bringing out the best in “Tintswalo”. DSI was seen as enabling dreaming, thinking, and innovation, which she found refreshing and valuable. It was important to continue the work with the ASI and improve the SKA project, considering it a significant endeavour for the Country. The Committee was excited about the Astro-Tourism plan and appreciated the briefing received.

The Chairperson thanked Members for attending the meeting, acknowledging the inconvenience of working on Friday afternoons due to morning meetings being used for ministerial briefings.

She appreciated Ms Mananiso for her diligence in ensuring the adoption of minutes and reports were handled effectively at the beginning of the meeting.

The meeting was adjourned.