Minister of Science and Technology Mosibudi Mangena introduces the Astronomy Geographic Advantage Bill to the National Assembly, Cape Town

Madame Speaker,
Honourable Members

The purpose of the Astronomy Geographic Advantage (AGA) Bill is to provide for the preservation and protection of areas within the Republic that are uniquely suited for optical and radio astronomy.

The objects of the AGA Bill are to:

* provide measures to advance astronomy and related scientific endeavours in the Republic,
* develop the skills, capabilities and expertise of those engaged in astronomy and related scientific endeavours in Southern Africa,
* identify and protect areas in which astronomy projects of national strategic importance can be undertaken,
* provide a framework for the establishment of a national system of astronomy advantage areas in the republic, to ensure that the geographic areas in the republic, which are highly suitable for astronomy and related scientific endeavours due to, for example, high atmospheric transparency, low levels of light pollution, low population density or minimal radio frequency interference are protected, preserved and properly maintained,
* regulate activities which cause, or could cause, light pollution or radio frequency interference or interfere in any other way with astronomy and related scientific endeavours in those areas,
* provide for the declaration and management of astronomy advantage areas,
* enable the Minister to participate in efforts to preserve the astronomy advantage of Southern Africa, and to co-ordinate astronomy within this area.

Towards the end of 2005, the Astronomy Geographic Advantage (AGA) Bill was approved for consultations by Cabinet. Subsequent to this approval, extensive consultations were conducted with government departments, public sector entities, national operators, including role players in telecommunications and broadcasting, and other identified key entities.

The overall consultation process included meetings with municipalities and communities that are going to be directly impacted by the AGA Bill. To ensure continuation of consultations with a wide array of interested parties, my department has established a Stakeholder Forum and a Regulations Advisory Committee.

The following are some of the benefits that could be derived through the implementation of such a Bill:

* to protect large-scale global investments already made in astronomy,
* to preserve an environment for a global astronomy hub that will continue to attract international investments,
* to provide a competitive advantage for South Africa to become the preferred host of the full Square Kilometre Array.

Indirectly, the declaration of astronomy advantage areas, which will preserve suitable astronomy observation sites, will have an impact on the following:

* the development of the human capital in astronomy and related areas in Science, Technology, Engineering and Innovation,
* the laying out of the relevant infrastructure nationally with concentrated efforts in the Northern Cape.

Finally, it is worth noting that the astronomy facilities are best located in very low population density areas to minimise their impact on South Africans, and to maintain low interference to the telescopes by human activities. Southern Africa has made significant strides in participating meaningfully in large-scale astronomy projects. These include the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) in Sutherland, the High Energy Stereoscopic System (HESS) in Namibia and the current initiative to host the Square Kilometre Array I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Deputy Minister, Derek Hanekom, the Portfolio Committee led by the outgoing Chairperson Honourable N Ngcobo, the Director-General, Dr Phil Mjwara, the management team and staff of the department for working as a collective in the drafting and consultative processes of this Bill. Madam Speaker, allow me to table the Astronomy Geographic Advantage (AGA) Bill and to accordingly request the approval thereof by the House.

Thank you

Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
13 September 2007