Carnarvon - President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday told the community of Carnarvon in the Northern Cape to do everything they can to support the Square kilometre Array (SKA) telescope project, saying it would open up many opportunities for them.
He said besides the benefits of developing the area for the local community, the project would also open many doors of opportunities for emerging African scientists to collaborate with some of the world's best in this field.
"It will propel our continent to the forefront of radio astronomy and will significantly advance our continent's scientific endeavours for many years to come. There is no doubt that through this massive project, South Africa and the African continent will have much to offer the world of science and technology," said Zuma, addressing local residents of Carnarvon - the core site of the SKA project.
He said it was inspiring and of great benefit to have been given this unique opportunity to share the best of South Africa and the best of African research with the rest of the world.
Zuma, who urged young people to study science, said the location of the SKA site augured well for government's plan to build the first university in the Northern Cape. He said this would ensure that people studied and worked in the province, and it would prevent them from migrating to other provinces.
"As the most powerful radio astronomy programme, the SKA project will provide a platform for both local and international professionals the appropriate environment to excel in research and innovation," Zuma said.
Also addressing the community during Zuma's visit to the site, SKA Project Director Dr Bernie Fanaroff assured the locals of the spinoffs.
"[The people of] Carnarvon should be proud of hosting the SKA," he said, adding that the SKA has placed the province on the world map and that everybody was talking about it.
Earlier this year, the SKA Organisation announced that South Africa and Australia would share the hosting of the most advanced scientific project in the world.
The two biggest components of the SKA will be built in Africa, while one will be built in Australia. About 70% of the facility will be built in Africa.
The SKA is set to attract scientists and engineers from various countries throughout the world to South Africa.
It is also envisaged that the project will also improve the country's economy.
"Government, through the Department of Science and Technology and its various agencies, has identified investment in research, development, education and skills as one of government's central policy priorities," the President said.
Zuma said from the perspective of government, the SKA project will present an opportunity to intensively recruit and train young South Africans to pursue careers in the field of science and technology.
"Education and knowledge are essential pre-requisites for any country to achieve success," he said.
