How science infrastructure drives local economic development

SCIENCE infrastructure is not just critical for the generation of new scientific knowledge and the development of researchers and scientists.

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SOUTH Africa is proud host to the Square Kilometre Array.

Science infrastructure also has immense potential to drive socioeconomic development for local communities and stimulate science tourism.Over the past three decades, as the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, we have made significant and targeted investments in the building of key science infrastructure for South Africa. As South Africa, we are proud hosts of the Square Kilometre Arraythe world’s largest radio astronomy project.

Through the SKA, we have significantly enhanced our international collaboration in advancing the frontiers of discovery science on the back of cutting-edge infrastructure in the field of astronomy, computational technologies, fibre optics and engineering.

Further to this, we have also been able to use the SKA to provide significant socioeconomic benefits for the community of Carnarvon and surrounding areas in the Northern Cape, where the SKA is housed.

The socioeconomic benefits programme of the SKA project is implemented by our entity the National Research Foundation (NRF), through its facility, the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO).

Through its Stakeholder Engagement Programme, SARAO has been working with various community-based stake-

holders in Carnarvon and surrounding areas, to ensure that the socioeconomic benefits of the SKA are spread as evenly possible.To facilitate this, SARAO conducts monthly community engagement sessions with the communities of Carnarvon, Williston, and Vanwyksvlei. Through these sessions, communities are provided with among others, updates on upcoming projects and the available opportunities for SMMEs and unemployed community members.