NRF-SAASTA was invited by the Mpumalanga, MEC for Education, Mr Bonakele Majuba at the celebration of the establishment OR Tambo Mathematics, Science and Technology Academy which coincides with the birthday of one of the outstanding Mathematics and Physical Science Teacher, the late Mr OR Tambo.
"We owe it to Oliver Tambo to ensure that institutions such as this Academy serve their purpose and are used to advance human development, skills base and upliftment of the African child,” said Mr B Majuba.
On the day Mr Elijah Nkosi gave a report on the pilot of robotics subject for 2021. NRF-SAASTA was deemed as one of the valuable stakeholders who assist in providing support programmes relevant to this pilot. In the past NRF-SAASTA together with I-SET (UNISA) has worked closely with Academy in hosting various Techno Youth® Robotics events whereby learners were invited to the academy to participate in robotics engagements. On the day NRF-SAASTA and the leader of I-SET Dr Patricia Gouws did a demonstration for the learners who were at the event. NRF-SAASTA donated 2(two) robotics kits and 2(two) tablets to the Academy which will aid in both educator and learner engagements of the Academy
“We wish to take this opportunity to appreciate the role being played by corporate institutions towards the development of this Academy. Every contribution you make is an investment towards human development, social cohesion and the future of our Province. Siyabonga Kakhulu," said Mr B Majuba.
Adapting to the new ways of collecting and verifying data in recent times has become a mammoth task because of uncertainties brought by COVID-19. In a question and answer session, SAASTA’s Monitoring and Evaluation Manager Ms Joyce Khunou tells us about the division’s experience of having to ensure that reporting of all activities continues despite limited access to reporting information.
Q: Could you please tell us about what your division does and how your work has been affected by COVID-19?
A: The Monitoring and Evaluation Division at SAASTA is responsible for collecting data, analysing data, conducting monitoring and evaluation and reporting performance information on all Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)’s science engagement activities. Due to COVID-19, it has become difficult to fulfil some of our reporting activities. Collection of performance information from stakeholders has now become a challenge. Physical operations of some of our stakeholders such as the science centre community have been strictly restricted due to identified COVID-19 cases.
Q: That must be very challenging….
A: Such a change has resulted in delays when we have to complete the reports because you are waiting for someone to send you verified information, but in most cases, verification takes place physically, requiring two or more people in the process.
Q: So, How do you work around such challenges?
A: The principle of maintaining social distancing is applied when verifying the physical copies submitted. However, mentally you are not free as social distancing does not necessarily mean one might not get the virus from the copies working with.
Q: How does this affect your work?
A; It affects our work because sometimes the division has to report on interactions without proper proof of evidence such as the attendance registers or actual reports. And that makes it very difficult to verify the data.
Q: As physical access becomes more restricted, should M&E activities be put on hold, especially with vulnerable and at-risk Project implementers?
A: Restricting M&E activities such as data collection will not be a solution; we have to find safer and innovative ways to collect data during times like this.
Restricting M&E activities will not only compromise the validity of our data, it will also have a dire impact on our ability to gather essential information that helps us to plan and manage our projects. So it is not advisable to suspend or eliminate M&E in any of our projects as that would make it harder to ensure accountability.
I think we need to think out of the box, maybe it is time we start thinking about contactless data collection and verification methods and techniques.
Q: What kinds of resources are needed to practice contactless M&E?
A: A variety of data collection tools will be required. Maybe we need to review our data collections tools. This is not just about moving to paperless methods; you also have to think of the infrastructure required to facilitate the collection process. The question is; do our project implementers have access to relevant infrastructures such as good smartphones, computers, internet access and even personal protective equipment to enable effective data collection and verification? Also, how do they minimize or eliminate contact with the participants?
How are you engaging various science engagement programmes implementers, especially those who might have limited access to resources?
A: Engagement varies from stakeholder to stakeholder. For some stakeholders, en email is enough to get all the data you need. However, for some, you have to be on-site in order to get reliable data from the projects implemented.
Luckily, for some of our programmes such as the Framework for the Promotion of Excellence in a National Network of Science Centres (PENNSC) initiative, our engagement has fortunately since the 'normal operations' been limited to science centre managers whom 99% of them have resources to communicate with me. The use of emails, WhatsApp and zoom has been the most effective communication model thus far. However, in terms of my actual job, we have had difficulties to fully implement activities as planned as the science centres have since the beginning of the lockdown most of them minimized the operations of going on-site. The minimal on-site operation has therefore meant the inability of us visiting the centres with the peers. It is, however, important to acknowledge that some centres have opened their doors for us during level and 2 of the lockdown to render such a visit at their centres.
Continuous engagement with phones and emails are happening though it might seem ineffective at times.
Q: Any closing remarks?
A: One thing we have to be aware of is that M&E matters even more in times like this. If there is one thing, that COVID-19 crisis has taught us is that monitoring and evaluation systems must always be flexible and up-to-date. The systems that were used today may not be relevant tomorrow. We always need to be on our feet to improve the quality of our data.
Lastly, it is important to note that the value of monitoring and evaluation lies in the information that we provide in our reporting as that helps us to determine what works, what does not, and why, but this time around, it has been difficult because of COVID-19 related uncertainties.
The main aim of the RRING project was to form a community network trial and this has been successfully achieved with a membership of 6XX so far.
As part of this RRING Global Community Network trial, the project hosted its first two virtual workshops in the month of February 2021. NRF-SAASTA was the main coordinator and task lead for these events.
The first workshop took place on 11 February and explored the main themes of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), Recommendations for Science and Scientific Researchers (RSSR) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), with the aim of learning and assessing how the application of RRI principles can make the pursuit towards the attainment of these goals more responsible.
The second workshop, held 18 February, had a focus on the incorporation of RRI, RSSR and SDGs into funding applications. This one was a continuation of the previous workshop, but with a core focus on funding applications, which brought together research funders and researchers in one space, and knowledge and tips about how to incorporate RRI principles, SDGs and RSSRs and how the incorporation of these in funding sets the applications apart. Most importantly, it was to also find out how various funding organisations globally apply these principles in their bid specifications and policies, how they respond to these calls through the bids they sent out calls for and how they play their part in ensuring that the societal goals are met. There was also a practical activity whereby participants learnt how to draft a work package and incorporate SDGs, RSSRs and RRI in the research proposal, as well as presentations and reviews of the EU Commissions’ (main sponsor of the project) proposal funding documents..
During both workshops, the participants were put in smaller breakaway rooms where more focused discussions took place. This part got more people engaged and was quoted valuable and very interesting to get such diverse views and experiences. This was truly a one-of-a-kind learning experience.
Both workshops were attended by over 70 active and vocal participants from around the world, with most of them from Africa & Europe. These were successful events whereby knowledge was shared; networking took place and best practices learnt and observed. For the trial period, these two events were a major success and have set the tone for what the RRING Global Community Network will furthermore grow into and provide to the global community. A community where all actors in society are involved, one that strives for partnerships and collaborations to solve global problems and advance our societies.
NRF-SAASTA hosted a webinar on the 27th January 2021 discussing the recent developments in indigenous knowledge systems in South Africa. Indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) are recognised by the government of South Africa as important in making an impact on the international scientific stage by contributing to leading edge global knowledge. The IKS Policy adopted by the Cabinet in 2004 created an enabling framework to stimulate and strengthen the contribution of indigenous knowledge to national development in the country. The adoption of this policy resulted in significant progress such as the establishment of the National Indigenous Knowledge Systems Office and South African Research Chairs as well as an accredited bachelor’s qualification, which has contributed to human capacity development and knowledge production.
The main objectives of the webinar were to;.
• provide a broad overview of the indigenous knowledge in South Africa and the importance of the recent legislation in the development of the field and for inclusivity;
• discuss the commercialisation, state of innovation in indigenous knowledge and potential ‘untapped’ market that will enable its contributing to economy and national development; and
• discuss the role of effective communication approaches to enhancing the public perception of indigenous knowledge systems as a strategy to support introduction in the mainstream.
The event had speakers from the NRF SARCHI chairs and Centres of excellence such as Dr Mayashree Chinsamy, University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN), she opened the event by unpacking the Review of the South African National System of Innovation ( indicates that significant progress has been made between 1996 and 2016 in the science, technology and innovation) institutional landscape and also focused on Adoption of National IKS Policy 2004 calls in higher education as a key component of human capital development and social transformation in South Africa.
Dr Fikile Vilakazi, UKZN spoke about “A return to Indigenomics as economies of conscience, medicine, healing and recovery for the 21st century and beyond”. Dr Vilakazi highlighted that the argument made is that the Covid-19 genocide is a violent and vicious way of reminding us about the value of mother earth and the need to return to humane Indigenomics that are driven from a place of love, care, sharing, egalitarianism and equitable share of economic resources for the sustainability of mother earth and humanity. She also touched on how it surfaces symbolic violence of the past and present in relation to varied systems of oppression like colonization, apartheid and democracy amongst others as linked to broader systems of hetero patriarchal and racialized capitalism and imperialism.”
Dr Motheo Koitsiwe, North West University presented on “The Value of African Indigenous Astronomy (bolepa dinaledi) with Special Reference to the Batswana of South Africa, Botswana and Namibia”. Emphasis was made to African indigenous astronomy and in particular the Batswana due to the fact that their knowledge like any other indigenous communities was of no value in the eyes of non-indigenous people, negated by modern astronomers, marginalised in the education system, misinterpreted as irrelevant, old and as dogmatic. Indigenous astronomy is not just about mere star gazing and storytelling, it is significant to the local communities, policy makers, curriculum experts, researchers and is a discipline that needs to be taught in education system. Dr Koitsiwe focused on the value of bolepa dinaledi in areas such as rainmaking, agriculture, calendar making, indigenous sayings and heritage sites In the spirit of transformation, decolonization, promoting the spirit and philosophy of Ubuntu, recognition of diverse peoples, histories, cultures, heritage, it is fundamental that indigenous astronomy experts baitseanape ba bolepa dinaledi including their disciplines of competencies are engaged effectively, their knowledge, skills be recognised, valued, galvanized and integrated in responses to provide grassroots including solutions to humanity.
The participants were thrilled by the presenters and overwhelmed on how South Africa is full of knowledge that should be transferred to public. The emphasis on Indigenomics and African indigenous Astronomy enticed the audiences and the engagement was of good course. Facilitators encouraged more engagement around IKS commercialisation and recognition of indigenous knowledge holders. The attendees were public, science engagement practitioners, policy makers, NRF facilities, NRF research Chairs and Centre of Excellence, students and researchers.
Organised by the Science and Commerce Solutions Academy (SACSA), where Dr Phahladira and Tshepo Ledwaba presented the schools, the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) was invited to do career guidance on the courses offered by the University for Grade 12 learners at the Boot Camp in Limpopo, 25 – 31 October. Career guidance and courses offered by the Tshwane University were presented for Grade 12 at a boot camp.
Glen Lehlohonolo Moepi, a representative from the Department of Electrical Engineering (DEE) at TUT, took charge of the TUT delegation which included three tutors, Kabelo Chanza, Letlhogonolo Letlhogile and Ibrahim Muhammed. This team was strengthened by nine tutors provided by SACSA.
Around 79 learners attended the camp which was presented at the Naboomfontein Gastehuis where the TUT delegationshowed the learners how to apply on-line at TUT and advised them how to register for funding at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
“The event was focused on community empowerment. We wanted to prepare learners for the upcoming exams starting the first week in November and equipping them with study strategies. TUT was involved in this event because of its well-established reputation”, Dr Phahladira said.
SACSA invited six schools to the boot camp: Waterberg Hoërskool, Hoërskool Piet Potgieter,
Settlers’ Agricultural High School and Madikana High School from Mokopane, Limpopo Province and two from Gauteng, Midrand High School and Pretoria High School for Girls.
There were other extracurricular activities that learners took part in on Friday and Saturday, such as team- building activities. A competition where learners were tested on what was taught during the boot camp took place and winners were awarded small prizes sponsored by TUT and the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA)..
Glen said that he was very proud to note that most of the learners wanted to study at TUT.
The presenters agreed that the boot camp was a great success and that these learners were ready for their most important exam. In light of this successful event.
SACSA plans on hosting yet another boot camp in 2021 for next year’s grade 12 learners.
Image: Learners engaging on group activities and studying on their own.
Image: Learners at the boot camp attending a career guidance seminar presented by TUT staff
Source: Bongani Ramatsetse
In pioneering an online Olympiad since 2017, the South African National Geography Olympiad (SANGO) is a global leader in the sudden forced transition to online learning and assessment. This article details their unique journey and shares their learnings, challenges, and benefits of running a completely online, nationwide Olympiad. For more info, see www.sango.org.za...
Images: Learners participating in the South African National Geography Olympiad
In 2016, Professor Michael Meadows (of the University of Cape Town and current president of the International Geographical Union) proposed to the Society of South African Geographers (SSAG) that there was a need for a South African National Geography Olympiad (SANGO). Thus, in 2017, in partnership with South African Geography Teachers Association (SAGTA) the first SANGO was successfully held. From the outset, this Olympiad was entirely online.
There were many compelling reasons for an online Olympiad:.
• The internet is very accessible, it is relatively cheap to access, and a variety of devices (smartphones, laptops, tablets, desktops) can be used for the test;
• Printing, couriering and marking of scripts is expensive, an online platform could be developed using the same (or even less) money;
• Young people are increasingly computer literate making an online Olympiad appeal to them in the age of 4IR;
• Online advertising of the Olympiad ties directly into registration and participation;
• E-certificates minimise carbon-intensive printing and couriering; and they are instantly available to learners and teachers;
• Administration can be minimised by automation: generating invoices and receipts, customising mass emails to participants;
• The instant generation of statistical reports and Olympiad results.
However, it was not initially smooth sailing with developing an online Olympiad. In 2017, the SANGO team used freely available online platforms to host the Olympiad. While we had ~1000 learners participate, there was no access control and so we had some fraudulent entries. Moreover, only the Olympiad was online, with registrations, invoices and the like being managed via email, a significant administrative burden. Having had a successful pilot, significant funding was spent in 2018 to have a professional South African IT firm develop an online platform which included access control. Unfortunately, that year we learnt the hard way that a ‘pre-packaged’ IT solution is not a wise choice. The server disastrously ‘crashed’ and most of the data was lost in the middle of the Olympiad (‘owning’ this failed platform also proved useless.
Thus in 2019 and 2020 the SANGO was successfully hosted on the custom-built Olympus Online Education platform (with ~2000 learners participating). The platform provides a complete end-to-end online solution (see this process flow here). This includes the online management of:.
• School registration and capturing of school details,
• Invoice and receipt generation and distribution,
• Individual learner registration (ensuring POPI Act compliance),
• Individualised mass emailing to participants and automated system emails,
• Controls to monitor and manage cheating,
• A zoomable graphic for each question,
• Automatic marking of Multiple Choice Questions,
• Reporting and moderation capabilities,
• Automatic individualised e-certificate generation and emailing.
The SANGO was one of the few Olympiads to run during the 2020 lockdowns. In a post-COVID-19 world, there are obviously ever more compelling reasons that Olympiads should be run online. The Royal Geographical Society (UK) supports this online initiative and accordingly sponsored bonus modules in both the 2020 and 2021 Olympiads.
This year’s SANGO runs nationwide on the 18th of May 2021 (learners can participate at school or at home). To express your school’s interest in participating, visit: www.sango.org.za ..
To run your Olympiad/assessments on this innovative online platform, contact us directly at: milton@olympus.org.za.
The commemoration of the bicentenary of astronomy in South Africa offers us an opportunity to look to the future and the exciting scientific and technical developments on the way. But it’s also a moment to consider our past: how it has shaped the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) into the institution it is today, and how we can both build on it and escape it to realise the future of the SAAO.
The Royal Observatory at the Cape of Good Hope, as established in 1820 by the British, was founded on colonial and imperialist ambitions. Before it served the scientific community, it was a naval observatory, with the focus on timekeeping and navigation. Out of these roots grew a scientific institution that would become the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) in 1972. New astronomical discoveries have been ubiquitous during this time, ranging from a measurement of the distance to Alpha Centauri in 1842 to observations of the first optical counterpart to a gravitational wave event in 2017. While bound by apartheid laws of the time, the SAAO, situated in the suburb of Observatory, Cape Town, was also embedded in a ‘grey’ suburb - one of the few areas where South Africans of all races lived together.
Image: Looking to the future of the South African Astronomical Observatory
Today, just like its home suburb, the SAAO is an eclectic juxtaposition of the old and the new. A beautiful, wood-panelled library houses the first volume of the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Behind it, a state-of-the-art workshop manufactures, to micrometre precision, bespoke components for cameras and spectrographs. The observing station is located 360km away, just outside the Northern Cape town of Sutherland. The Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) stands as a sentinel on the observing plateau, a working monument to the audacious vision of the South African government and science community. While the town of Sutherland has been reshaped by astro-tourism, its ongoing development challenges are also a stark reminder of the realities of poverty, unemployment and inequality that face South African society.
Science and the society in which it is embedded are inextricably intertwined. History has left us with a legacy that pervades the very fabric of our society: we must unlearn decades of discrimination. As we take stock of the immense leaps forward in our astronomical knowledge over the last two hundred years, we see also how science in South Africa must diversify its workforce. Over the last decade, the SAAO, while delivering world-class scientific research, has been at the heart of initiatives designed to address the inequalities faced by women and black scientists. .
This work is far from done. South Africa’s historically disadvantaged institutions are stepping forward to claim their places on the stage of blue-sky science, and a network of astronomers is burgeoning across the African continent, consolidating in the newly revitalised African Astronomical Society. On the horizon is the biggest meeting on the astronomy calendar, the General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union. The meeting in 2024 will be the first General Assembly held on the African continent since the establishment of the Union over 100 years ago - securing the recognition of Africa’s contribution to global science. This is a pivot point for the South African Astronomical Observatory. It’s an opportunity for both science and society. Bring on the next 200 years!
Here is a link to the special astronomy edition of the NRF’s Science Matters magazine. This has been produced in celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the SAAO. https://www.saao.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/NRF-SMM-SAAO-Vol-3-Issue-3.pdf
Source: SAAO
Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) first arrived in South Africa with the colonial British during the 18th Century. They were originally brought as an ornamental fish but enthusiasm for the species led to their rapid spread around the country by the likes of Mr. C A Fairbridge, a member of the Cape Legislative Assembly who imported six carp from England with the purpose “to make our barren rivers a source of food”. The ‘barren’ streams around Cape Town are in fact home to a diverse indigenous fish fauna, regardless the imported carp thrived in the country’s climate. An article in the South African Advertiser and Mail from 1866 reported that Mr. Ekstein of Rondebosch had procured three carp from England which were placed in a pond on his estate. After some time he netted 391 fish and offered to distribute 100 to “any gentleman having a place for their reception”. And so the species became established.
Image: SAIAB MSc student Nobuhle Mpanza with a rod caught carp from the Orange River, Northern Cape, and South Africa..
In 2020 common carp are ubiquitous in South Africa, present in the numerous small dams across the country as well as major river systems. Their presence comes at a cost. By foraging in the sediment carp increase turbidity and uproot plants. This has led for example to the virtual eradication of aquatic plants in Rondevlei in the Wilderness National Park, and subsequent reported declines in wildfowl populations. Furthermore carp impact spawning of common native ground-nesting fishes such as cichlids. Conflict also exists between carp and other non-native sport fish, as the stocking of carp has ruined a number of trout and bass waters. In light of these problems legislation has been enacted to control movement of these fish, although this has not eliminated illegal stocking. All South African carp news is not bad news though. Carp angling is enormously popular with estimates of around 1.5 million participants, contributing R3.9 billion (£180 million) to the economy annually. Parallel to this catch-and-release sport angling, carp are also targeted by subsistence fishers. In Lake Gariep, South Africa’s largest impoundment, carp provide a livelihood to almost 500 fishers and their families.
Image: SAIAB student Dinah Mukhari holds an acoustically tagged Groenvlei carp, which she is tracking
as part of her MSc research on the population
Groenvlei in Goukamma Nature Reserve is one of South Africa’s few natural lakes, and an example of the duality of carp in SA. An illegal stocking of carp in the 1990s and subsequent establishment of the species has led to concerning changes in the lake flora and fauna and the decline of a hugely popular bass fishery. The custodians of the lake, Cape Nature, have netted and enlisted the skills of local bowfishers in an attempt to remove carp, which has proved to be challenging, and not without some opposition from carp lovers. However as the country suffers the economic consequences of the Coronavirus pandemic the Groenvlei carp are proving valuable. The local municipality in partnership with NGO ‘Gift of the Givers’, is using the unwanted carp as a source of fresh protein in food parcels for the local community, thus providing a silver lining to Groenvlei’s carp-shaped cloud.
For further reading:
Ellender, B. R., & Weyl, O. L. (2014). A review of current knowledge, risk and ecological impacts associated with non-native freshwater fish introductions in South Africa. Aquatic Invasions, 9(2).
Source: SAIAB
The South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity contributes to two National Operation Phakisa Labs through which South Africa has identified the potential to develop the Biodiversity Economy and the Blue Economy. With a significant amount of funding from the Department of Science and Innovation and the National Research Foundation, over the last 10 years, SAIAB has developed several high-level platforms capable of undertaking research in various environments which have positioned the Institute as an innovative leader in aquatic biodiversity research. All of SAIAB’s activities - research, student supervision and platform provision - support the Higher Education sector in the education, training and development of the aquatic managers and researchers of the future.
With a view to the future and to celebrate our strengths we have produced a calendar for 2021 that showcases SAIAB's Platforms.
Download the full calendar: https://www.saiab.ac.za/uploads/files/SAIAB%20A5%20Tent%20Calendar%202021_Final_digital.pdf
Source: SAIAB
Extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders has led to the selection of six ecosystem research sites located across the country for the Expanded Freshwater and Terrestrial Environmental Observation Network (EFTEON), a large research infrastructure that is being developed under the South African Research Infrastructure Roadmap (SARIR) programme of the Department of Science and Innovation. EFTEON is hosted by SAEON, a programme of the National Research Foundation (NRF).
Each of the six selected ecosystem research sites represents a large landscape in one of the major biomes in South Africa and includes areas representing human-transformed ecosystems such as urban areas and agricultural systems. Research programmes performed within the designated EFTEON Landscapes will broadly cover the status and observed dynamics of the carbon and water cycles, climate and air quality, ecosystem condition and productivity, biodiversity, and water quality and supply.
“Despite the distressing impact of Covid-19 on normal business processes, a thorough step-wise selection process was followed to identify the most appropriate EFTEON landscapes,” says Dr Chris Moseke, chair of the EFTEON Advisory Panel.
An open call for the nomination of potential landscapes was extended nationally to initiate the process. A subcommittee evaluated the 57 nominations received and developed a shortlist in some instances where geographic overlapping was evident, proposed collaboration between the affected parties we encouraged.
A total of 19 regional virtual workshops involving nearly 500 participants were held with the teams of shortlisted proponents to clarify EFTEON’s expectations. This resulted in 19 excellent landscape proposals and a tough competition that took two days for the subcommittee to evaluate and rank the proposals in order of excellence.
“The EFTEON Advisory Panel duly considered and endorsed the final report as the result of an open, just and defensible process,” says Dr Moseke.
Image: Maputaland in Northern KwaZulu-Natal is the most tropical of the selected landscapes and an important region for observing changes in the impact of tropical meteorological systems (Photo: Shutterstock)
Improving our national capacity to understand critical ecological processes
“South Africa’s investment in EFTEON is a major advancement towards improving our national capacity to understand critical ecological processes and how they support and respond to the societies depending on them,” says Dr Molapo Qhobela, chief executive officer of the NRF.
He explains that the thematic focus of the EFTEON programme is on ecosystem processes, the state of the environment and the quality and quantity of ecosystem services. Social systems, including economic systems, fundamentally rely on their ecological contexts to sustain and improve human well-being.
EFTEON manager, Dr Gregor Feig, describes the design of EFTEON as a modular research infrastructure consisting of an array of ecosystem research sites and high-tech ecosystem research equipment.
“The long-term impact of EFTEON will be through sophisticated people-nature observations and experimentation to clarify the complex relationships between societies and ecosystems in diverse environments under climate change as a pervasive driver of change,” says Dr Feig.
According to SAEON managing director Johan Pauw, the designated EFTEON landscapes are supported by central coordination through SAEON and data management facilities (shared with the two other SARIR-funded Environmental Research Infrastructures, these being the Shallow Marine and Coastal Research Infrastructure (SMCRI) and the proposed South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI) and general SAEON operations).
Image: High-elevation weather station and cloud precipitation collector at Jonkershoek (Photo: Abri de Buys)
Image: An array of weirs measure streamflow at the Jonkershoek and Cathedral Peak research sites (Photo: Retang Mokua)
Final selection of EFTEON Landscapes
• Greater Cape Town (Western Cape): This landscape links the Atlantic Ocean to the peaks of the Boland Mountains Strategic Water Source Area, covering steep climate gradients and a hyperdiverse mix of lowland (strandveld and renosterveld) and upland (mountain fynbos) major vegetation formations of the Fynbos Biome, interspersed with pockets of Southern Afrotemperate Forest. This environmental template supports and interacts with a diverse socio-econo-cultural mix, inhabiting a tapestry of urban, agricultural and natural land use/land cover types. The landscape offers a direct link to a number of SARIR research infrastructures including the Shallow Marine and Coastal Research Infrastructure (Two Oceans Sentinel Site), the BioGrip Cape Point Atmospheric Monitoring Site (Global Atmospheric Watch) and two nodes (University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University), and the Cape Town South African Population Research Infrastructure Network (SAPRIN) site.
• KIMTRI (Kimberley area, Northern Cape and Western Free State): This is the most arid of the landscapes selected and is located in the transition zone between the Nama Karoo, Arid Savanna and Grassland Biomes. Urban developments in the city of Kimberley as well as land use change resulting from developments in the agriculture, energy and mining sectors are a feature of this landscape. Hydrologically the area is important as it is trisected by major river systems draining the interior of the country. Close links to the newly promulgated Sol Plaatje University and the University of the Free State are expected.
• Garden Route Gateway (George, Western Cape): This landscape provides access to a large number of biomes such as Fynbos, Afrotemperate Forest, Succulent Karoo and Coastal Thicket. Hydrologically this landscape has river systems draining the Karoo region and short-course high-energy systems draining the Cape Fold Mountains. This area is home to coastal wetlands and exhibits an excellent source-to-sea opportunity. The landscape is undergoing rapid urbanisation and agricultural intensification. Strong links have been developed in this concept to a number of satellite sites, extending the footprint of the infrastructure into the surrounding biomes.
• Northern -Drakensberg (Cathedral Peak and surrounds, KwaZulu-Natal): This landscape lies in the northern sections of the Maluti-Drakensberg escarpment in the headwaters of the Tugela River where complex socio-ecological issues are emerging. It builds on the historical research site at Cathedral Peak and extends the research infrastructure out of the World Heritage Site into areas of both subsistence and commercial agriculture in the headwaters of the Tugela River. This area is of value as a high-altitude location with C3/C4 grassland, and grassland/savanna transitions.
• Maputaland (Northern KwaZulu-Natal): This is the most tropical of the selected landscapes and is an important region for observing changes in the impact of tropical meteorological systems. The system presents a valuable hydrological test site as it is a groundwater-driven system exhibiting strong responses to land use and climatic influences and abstraction, resulting in significant social and ecological consequences.
• Lowveld (Mpumalanga): This landscape links the extensive historical social and ecological research sites across land tenure and conservation systems. The site comprises conservation lands use (Kruger National Park and private conservation areas) that are well studied, with adjacent lands under traditional authority management and with villages that are well studied through the SAPRIN Agincourt Research infrastructure. The landscape is bisected by a number of rivers that pass through the different land use systems.
Image: The Lowveld (Mpumalanga) landscape comprises conservation lands use (Kruger National Park and private conservation areas) that are well studied, with adjacent lands under traditional authority management and with villages that are well studied through the SAPRIN Agincourt Research infrastructure (Photo: Shutterstock)
Nanoparticles encapsulating drugs, or attaching to therapeutics, can be utilized as drug delivery systems to change drug bio distribution, decrease toxicity, modify drug release rate, and target affected tissues or cells. However, most nanoparticles are still in the clinical trial stage, with a few having been accepted for clinical use. In this regard, noble metal nanoparticles are well known as promising materials that can transport drugs to specific targets in the body and be engineered to develop new delivery systems. Notably, silver, gold, and platinum nanoparticles reveal stability in the biological environment and survive in an intracellular environment.
The stable nanoparticles with small size possess the advantage of easily interacting with biomolecules both on the surface and inside cells, thereby playing a significant role in biomedical applications such as drug vehicles in diagnosing and treating diseases.
Image: Charge distribution of HCQ and CQ molecules and their electrostatic potential map. Stable geometry of Ag147 and Au147 complexed with HCQ molecules (at BPE-D3/TZP level of theory)
Given that the process of developing new drugs to become appropriate clinical candidates is extensive, one of the most rapid and reliable treatments is drug repurposing—the examination of existing FDA approved drugs for new therapeutic purposes. Chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) have been used for many years as pharmacotherapies for malaria and were recently proposed as a potential therapeutic option against COVID-19. The pre-clinical studies have shown the prophylactic and antiviral effects of CQ and HCQ against SARS-CoV-2 (or COVID-19).
Current work is done under extended lockdown across the world, with no possibility of accessing experimental laboratories. In this situation, the work is just beginning for computational chemists and biophysicists to model the different approaches and propose efficient therapies to the experimentalists. Computational studies of molecular interactions of drugs can be used to develop the next-generation of drug inventions such as target-based drug discovery and delivery.
This paper has carried out the first principle density functional calculations to determine the affinity of HCQ/CQ molecules towards noble nanoparticles and confirm their weak interaction by theoretical UV–Vis absorption spectra. Our computational findings on the interaction of noble nanoparticles with drugs suggest these materials as potential vehicles for efficient HCQ/CQ usage to decrease their side effects.
For a full explanation of the research and its findings click link below: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-81617-6
Source: iThemba LABS
SKAO Global Headquarters, Jodrell Bank, UK, Thursday, 4 February 2021 – The SKA Observatory, a new intergovernmental organisation dedicated to radio astronomy, was launched today following the first meeting of the Observatory’s Council.
Image: Night time composite image of the SKA combining all elements in South Africa and Australia. Credit: SKAO, ICRAR, SARAO / Acknowledgment: The GLEAM view of the centre of the Milky Way, in radio colour. Credit: Natasha Hurley-Walker (Curtin / ICRAR) and the GLEAM Team.
The new Observatory, known as SKAO, is the world’s second intergovernmental organisation to be dedicated to astronomy. Headquartered in the UK on the grounds of the Jodrell Bank UNESCO World Heritage Site with sites in Australia and South Africa, SKAO is tasked with building and operating the two largest and most complex radio telescope networks ever conceived to address fundamental questions about our universe.
“This is a historic moment for radio astronomy,” said Dr Catherine Cesarsky, appointed first Chair of the SKAO Council. “Behind today’s milestone, there are countries that had the vision to get deeply involved because they saw the wider benefits their participation in SKAO could bring to build an ecosystem of science and technology involving fundamental research, computing, engineering, and skills for the next generation, which are essential in a 21st century digital economy.”
SKAO’s telescope in South Africa will be composed of 197 15 metre-diameter dishes located in the Karoo region, 64 of which already exist and are operated by the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), while the telescope in Australia will be composed of 131,072 two-metre-tall antennas located on the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s (CSIRO) Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory.
The creation of SKAO follows a decade of detailed engineering design work, scientific prioritisation, and policy development under the supervision of its predecessor the SKA Organisation, supported by more than 500 engineers, over 1,000 scientists and dozens of policy-makers in more than 20 countries; and is the result of 30 years of thinking and research and development since discussions first took place about developing a next-generation radio telescope.
“Today marks the birth of a new Observatory,” said Prof Philip Diamond, appointed first Director-General of SKAO. “And not just any observatory – this is one of the mega-science facilities of the 21st century. It is the culmination of many years of work and I wish to congratulate everyone in the SKA community and in our partner governments and institutions who have worked so hard to make this happen. For our community, this is about participating in one of the great scientific adventures of the coming decades. It is about skills, technology, innovation, industrial return, and spin offs but fundamentally it is about a wonderful scientific journey that we are now embarking on.”
The first SKAO Council meeting follows the signature of the SKA treaty, formally known as the Convention establishing the SKA Observatory, on 12 March 2019 in Rome, and its subsequent ratification by Australia, Italy, the Netherlands, and Portugal, South Africa and the United Kingdom and entry into force on 15 January 2021, marking the official birth date of the observatory.
The Council is composed of representatives from the Observatory’s Member States, as well as Observer countries aspiring to join SKAO. Among these are countries that took part in the design phase of the SKA such as Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, and whose future accession to SKAO is expected in the coming weeks and months, once their national processes have been completed. Representatives of national bodies in Japan and South Korea complement the select list of Observers in the SKAO Council.
At its first meeting, the SKAO Council approved policies and procedures that have been prepared in recent months – covering governance, funding, programmatic and HR matters, among others. These approvals are required to transfer staff and assets from the SKA Organisation to the Observatory and allow the latter to become a functioning entity.
“The coming months will keep us very busy, with hopefully new countries formalising their accession to SKAO and the expected key decision of the SKAO Council giving us green light to start the construction of the telescopes,” added Prof Diamond.
SKAO will begin recruitment in Australia and South Africa in the next few months, working alongside local partners CSIRO and SARAO to supervise construction, which is expected to last eight years, with early science opportunities starting in the mid-2020s.
Supporting statements
SKAO Members
Australia
The Hon Karen Andrews, Minister for Science and Technology.
“Australia is delighted to be a founding member of the SKA Observatory. The Observatory will be a world leader in radio astronomy discovery for decades to come, bringing with it new technologies, human capital development and inspiration for future generations. Establishing the SKA Observatory is the culmination of many years of work and Australia greatly values the strong partnerships forged with fellow member countries during this time.”
Italy
Prof Marco Tavani, INAF (National Institute of Astrophysics) President
“The SKA Observatory is finally starting with great prospects. A new phase begins now with the construction of the largest and most advanced radio telescope in the world. We are proud that Italy is among the founding countries of the Observatory: a sign of the great interest of the Italian community for the science and technology related with SKA.”
The Netherlands
Dr Michiel van Haarlem, head of the SKA Office for the Netherlands at ASTRON
“Today marks a major milestone for the SKA project and global collaboration in radio astronomy. Development of technology and the design of the telescopes has taken more than 25 years and engineers and scientists from the Netherlands have been closely involved from the very beginning. The establishment of the SKA Observatory paves the way for the start of construction later this year. Our astronomers are eagerly awaiting the first results and the chance to tackle the exciting scientific questions that have motivated the design of this unique instrument. The fact that the Netherlands is one of the founding members of the SKA Observatory is clear evidence of our commitment to the project.”
Portugal
Prof Manuel Heitor, Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education.
“Portugal’s participation in the SKA programme and the fact that Portugal is a founding member of the SKA Observatory opens new opportunities for young people, researchers, astronomy professionals and amateurs in Portugal to be involved in one of the most revolutionary scientific cooperation initiatives at a global level, which will make it possible to make high-resolution astronomy using any of our computers or portable cell phones. This programme finally democratises access to astronomy and to the knowledge of the universe, stimulating the curiosity and scientific creativity of young people and adults, as well as opening new paths to investigate to deepen the knowledge about the creation of life and the fundamental principles of the evolution of the Universe.”
South Africa
Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education, Science & Innovation
“Establishment of the SKA Observatory enables the SKA project to enter an exciting phase – implementation of cutting edge scientific and technical designs that have been conceptualised by multinational teams, including many South African scientists and engineers, over the past few years. We are excited by the fact that the SKA Observatory will be the first, and only, science inter-governmental organisation where Africa will play a strategic leading role. The SKA project will act as a catalyst for science, technology and engineering innovation, providing commercial opportunities to local high-tech industry, and creating the potential to put Africa on the map as a global science and innovation partner.”
United Kingdom
Amanda Solloway, Science Minister
“The SKA Observatory is one of the most ambitious scientific international collaborations of our time which could open up unrivalled opportunities for the world’s leading astronomers. Today’s first meeting of the Observatory’s Council, headquartered at the UK’s own Jodrell Bank, is yet another pivotal milestone to provide our scientists with access to some of the world’s most sophisticated telescopes, furthering our knowledge of the universe.”
SKAO Observers
France
Nicolas Chaillet, Deputy Director General for Research and Innovation, Head of the Research and Innovation Strategy Directorate – French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation
“With a very active research community in the field of astronomy and astrophysics, France has been highly interested in the development of the Square Kilometre Array since its inception. SKA has been on the French roadmap for research infrastructures since 2018. The “Maison SKA-France”, with the CNRS as lead partner, gathers seven public research institutions and seven industrial companies. The five-year report on the French strategy in astronomy and astrophysics conducted by the CNRS in 2019 confirmed the very high priority given by French astronomers to participate in SKA. Currently an observer on the organisation’s Council, France is now engaged in the process of applying for membership in SKA Observatory, with the aim of submitting its membership application to the Council’s vote in the coming months. We are very enthusiastic to start this process, and congratulate the SKA teams and partners on the impressive work that has been achieved so far for a project that will produce revolutionary work in many fields.”
Germany
Prof Michael Kramer, President, German Astronomical Society
“On behalf of the German astronomical community, we convey our congratulations on the establishment of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Observatory and its beginning of operations marked with this first meeting of its Council. The SKA vision is to construct and operate the world’s largest telescope, in a collaboration of international partners from across the globe. The German community has been involved in SKA science and technology since its conception. We look forward to further engaging in the scientific and technological challenges and opportunities epitomised by the SKA.”
India
Arun Srivastava, Head, Institutional Collaborations and Programs Division, Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India
“The formation of the IGO and having its first Council meeting today, is indeed a historic moment in the life of the SKA project. This marks the culmination of the collaborative hard work over the last several years to complete the design and deliver a plan for construction. The new governance structure is now in place. The entire global community is looking forward to the building of this facility which will revolutionise our understanding of the Universe. India, with its strong tradition in radio astronomy and world class pathfinder facilities like the GMRT, has been engaged with the SKA project since the beginning, and remains fully committed to becoming a member of the new SKA Observatory Council in the near future, and contributing actively to the building of the SKA.”
Spain
Pedro Duque, Minister of Science and Innovation of Spain.
“Spain welcomes the constitution of the SKA International Observatory, which culminates a period of thorough studies and design, and marks the beginning of a new stage in which one of the most ambitious telescopes in the history of astronomy will be built. We are proud to have contributed to this impressive preparatory phase, and we now look forward to actively participating in the construction of the Observatory. Our contribution to SKA will be based on a strong scientific community, strategically positioned within the project with the intention of playing an important role in the development of the SKA Key Science, and on an industry well prepared to carry out the demanding developments that a project of this magnitude requires. Spain is firmly determined to participate, at the front line, in this magnificent scientific adventure destined to revolutionize astronomy and other scientific and technological fields.”
Sweden
Lars Börjesson, representative of Sweden as Observer to Council
“The establishment of the SKA Observatory is a major event for the field of radio astronomy, and a decisive organisational step towards the construction of the SKA telescope. We’ve reached this milestone thanks to a huge amount of work in a truly global network, involving the world’s leading radio astronomy institutes and observatories. Together, across international borders, we have combined expertise and enthusiasm to develop the SKA’s science goals, its technical design and organisational structure, and this is something we can be really proud of. For Sweden, funding has now been secured for participation in the construction phase, and the formal process for membership in the SKA Observatory has been initiated.”
About SKAO
SKAO, formally known as the SKA Observatory, is a global collaboration of Member States to build and operate cutting-edge radio telescopes to answer fundamental questions about our Universe. Headquartered in the UK, its first two telescopes, the two largest and most complex radio telescope networks ever built, will be constructed in Australia and South Africa. A later expansion is envisioned in both countries and other African partner countries. SKAO’s telescopes will conduct transformational science and, together with other state-of-the-art research facilities, address gaps in our understanding of the Universe including the formation and evolution of galaxies, fundamental physics in extreme environments and the origins of life. Through the development of innovative technologies and its contribution to addressing global societal challenges, SKAO will play its part to address the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and deliver significant non-science impact across its membership and beyond. Current SKAO Members are Australia, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa and the United Kingdom with several other countries aspiring to membership or engagement with SKAO in the future.
For further information click the links: www.skaobservatory.org www.skatelescope.org
Source: SARAO
There is growing scientific evidence suggesting that accelerated global warming, along with deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and forms of mass agriculture that increase the risk of disease transmission from animals to humans, may give rise to more frequent pandemics in the future.
If we are to counter this, stabilisation of the earth's climate and retention of natural capital must be central to our growth strategies going forward. Clearly, the shift away from carbon-intensive fossil fuels in favour of greener, renewable energy forms is crucial in this regard.
Economies the world over have been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In South Africa, the government is focusing on extraordinary measures of economic recovery and reconstruction to achieve inclusive growth following this devastation. As part of this, in common with many governments implementing recovery strategies, a more sustainable and greener energy approach is being adopted.
Image: Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande
The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, has called for renewable energy to be made accessible to all, and not only to the rich. Addressing a webinar on renewable hydrogen and green powerfuel opportunities for South Africa on Tuesday, Dr Nzimande said public entities such as Eskom should be leading in this space.
The webinar was co-hosted by EE Business Intelligence and the European Union Delegation to South Africa in association with the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the European Commission, Nedbank and Air Liquide.
Green powerfuels are synthetic gaseous or liquid fuels based on renewable hydrogen, which is hydrogen obtained by the electrolysis of water using renewable electricity. These fuels can be used in sectors that are difficult to decarbonise, or to power directly by means of renewable-based electricity, such as road and rail transportation, shipping, and production of steel, cement and fertiliser.
Dr Nzimande said South Africa had a comparative advantage in renewable hydrogen and green powerfuels, and exceptional wind and solar resources, in addition to 50 years' experience in the commercial production of synthetic fuels.
"Good shipping access to the rapidly growing international markets of the European Union and the Far East, including China and Japan, should position us as a key role player in renewable hydrogen and green powerfuels, both locally and internationally."
The Minister said South Africa would establish strategic partnerships with countries looking to participate in the global hydrogen value chain. "We will also ensure that our universities and private sector are given an opportunity to play a pivotal part in the green hydrogen economy."
For this reason, he said, research, development and innovation would be critical to reduce the cost of electrolysed water technology, and to scale up green hydrogen and powerfuels production in order to put the price of the commodity on a par with grey hydrogen.
A study on green powerfuels opportunities for South Africa, commissioned by the European Union-SA Partners for Growth Programme, was also presented at the webinar. According to the study, by Thomas Roos and Dr Jarrad Wright of the CSIR Energy Centre in Pretoria, the carbon required for the production of green hydrocarbon powerfuels must be obtained from captured CO2.
While the EU Hydrogen Strategy does not currently place conditions on the form of CO2 used, Minister Nzimande said the feedstock and process would be relevant when future greenhouse gas emission thresholds were set.
He noted that the DSI had set aside R1, 2 billion of funding in this financial year for international calls aimed at attracting foreign direct investment in areas relevant to enabling academia and the private sector to participate in the global hydrogen economy.
South Africa was one of the pioneers in terms of developing a hydrogen strategy, launching its national hydrogen strategy in 2007. Between January 2019 and December 2020, 18 more countries released national strategies linking the growth of a hydrogen economy with supporting a green and circular economy to speed up economic recovery post COVID-19.
Building on the strategy, a South African Hydrogen Society Roadmap was developed that set out a vision for an inclusive hydrogen society, so that an enabling compact between industry, labour, communities and the government could be developed.
The Roadmap will enable the government and industrial stakeholders to develop a policy framework to promote the exploitation of the benefits of hydrogen through its integration in various sectors of the economy.
The aim is to position this policy framework to leverage on existing policy documents, while identifying regulatory gaps that need to be addressed, to enable the widespread use of hydrogen as an energy source in the economy and society.
Source: DSI
The COVID-19 pandemic that has engulfed South Africa and the rest of the world for the past 10 months has highlighted the importance of investments by governments in science, technology and innovation. Evidence-based information has been at the heart of saving lives and developing a response to the deadly virus. In the production of reagents, diagnostics, personal protective equipment (PPE) and a vaccine, scientific research has been critical.
The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), led by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, has been an active participant in the government's Health Ministerial Advisory Committee, which was tasked with advising on the implementation of programmes to contain the pandemic and ensure the safety of all South Africans.
Dr Nzimande recently briefed the media on the DSI's efforts to prepare South Africa to manufacture a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as one becomes available. The Minister highlighted the fact that the infrastructure necessary for doing this already existed in the country thanks to work previously done by the Department.
Image: Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande
The threat of future pandemics has thrust the country's ability to develop and manufacture vaccines locally into the spotlight. The government, through the DSI, owns a 47, 5% stake in bio-pharmaceutical company Biovac as part of a joint venture with the private sector. Biovac has over the years developed the capability to manufacture vaccines.
Over the past two decades, the DSI has made huge investments in research and innovation that have enabled the country to respond effectively to COVID-19. These investments were made not only in the health care and related sectors, but also in other sectors as part of the DSI's efforts to become an innovative and inclusive department focused on improving the lives of all South Africans.
It is now widely accepted that science, technology and innovation are key to unlocking people's potential and creating improved social conditions, a competitive economy, and a workforce positioned to take the country into the future. In 2019, the DSI produced a new White Paper that laid out a core policy for driving science, technology, and innovation that delivers positive socio-economic outcomes through initiatives in fields including energy, health care, education, climate change, food security and manufacturing.
The DSI will adopt a leadership role in this drive, acting as an enabler of innovations and scientific discoveries that will provide solutions needed to address a broad spectrum of societal needs today and in the future.
In leading this endeavour, the DSI will draw on the work it has been doing over the past two decades. Not only has this work been crucial for empowering the best minds in the country today, it has also yielded numerous innovations and interventions that are now helping to modernise and improve our society. These include the following:
• The Hydrogen SA programme, which is providing an alternative source of energy that is noiseless, effective and pollution-free.
• A number of mining innovations to modernise this sector.
• An additive manufacturing and titanium metal powder programme.
• The development of the world's largest and fastest 3D printer.
• The development of a technology, known as Aquatrip, that identifies water leaks and prevents wastage by means of an inbuilt control valve.
• The development of a compound that has been found to have potent activity against all stages of malaria.
• A range of new biotechnology solutions, including animal feed products and an injectable bone regeneration product.
• A wheat breeding programme that is producing drought-resistant crops for sustainable food production and nutrition, one of many innovations to modernise the agricultural sector to ensure food security and sustainable nutrition.
• The project to the build the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), which will be the world's largest radio telescope and the largest scientific infrastructure on the African continent.
• Technological innovations in Earth observation that have enabled the provision of mapping data for use in spatial planning, disaster management, and the protection of our marine resources.
The Department leads this and other work together with its entities, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), National Research Foundation (NRF), Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), South African National Space Agency (SANSA), Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI), Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), and the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP).
In 2019, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) was renamed the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) in order to broadly embrace the drive to build a future that draws on and applies science and innovation for the betterment of society.
In October, Dr Nzimande announced that the DSI would be rolling out a brand campaign showcasing the Department's work in various fields, including its contribution to the national response to COVID-19, in an effort to ensure that society is aware of the value of science in solving societal challenges.
"This will include work to address other diseases, as well as the contribution of science, technology and innovation in helping the economy recover from the pandemic, under the banner 'Making Sure It's Possible' and the hashtags #itspossible and #backedbyscience," the Minister said.
"I hope that, through this campaign, there will be a better appreciation of the impact of science, technology and innovation on our society, and a greater understanding that science saves lives."
Source: DSI
The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and its partners launched a state-of-the-art science centre equipped with advanced green technologies in Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday, 6 October.
Image: Launch of an innovative science facility in the Eastern Cape
A collaboration with the Department of Basic Education and the Eastern Cape Department of Education, the centre promotes science, technology and innovation through every feature of its building.
Designed and constructed as an environmentally friendly building, the centre has an off-grid power supply comprising four renewable energy sources – photovoltaic panels, small-scale wind turbine, hydrogen fuel cells and batteries. Eskom power is available as a back-up.
In addition, the building relies on a hybrid water supply, reducing its dependence on the grid by harvesting rainwater and recycling grey water for toilet use. Built using a light steel frame and insulated concrete composite, the structure is also HVAC free, depending on solar chimneys for its heating and cooling.
The centre offers not only science awareness activities and exhibits on various themes including space science and astronomy, but also a teacher training programme. The Intsika Yethu Local Municipality donated the land on which the centre was built.
The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, and the Premier of the Eastern Cape, Mr Oscar Mabuyane, officially opened the facility.
Issued by the Department of Science and Innovation