Deputy President Ramaphosa to Visit SKA Site in Carnavon

Oscar Thomas

28 February 2015

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is today embarking on a visit to the Square Kilometre Array site in the Northern Cape.

His visit will showcase the MeerKAT as the world’s biggest and most sensitive radio telescopes.

The SKA will be able to probe the edges of the universe and be able to answer key questions about the laws of nature and physics.

Deputy President’s Spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said Deputy President Ramaphosa will be supported by Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor, Northern Cape Premier Sylvia Lucas and other Ministers of the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission.

Mamoepa said South Africa is currently building the 64-dish MeerKAT.

Mamoepa said upon completion in 2017, the MeerKAT will be the largest radio telescope in the world and most sensitive radio telescope of its kind.

Mamoepa said the first dishes of the MeerKAT telescope have been erected in the Karoo and are performing to specification.

“It is expected to bring more than R30 billion into the country, which will benefit ordinary people, particularly in one of South Africa's most rural and underdeveloped provinces” Mamoepa added.

 

 

 

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