FOREWORD FROM THE MINISTER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION SCIENCE AND INNOVATION, DR BLADE NZIMANDE.

THE FUTURE IS WRITTEN IN THE Stars

This year marks exactly 12 years since South Africa became a member of BRICS. The Federal Republic of Brazil, the Federation of Russia, the Republic of India, the People’s Republic of China, and the Republic of South Africa are members of the BRICS. These five countries have a tradition for excellence in Astronomy, with many scientists over the centuries making important contributions to this endeavour. Individually, each of the BRICS countries have unique telescope infrastructures, areas of scientific and technical strengths, expertise in instrumentation development, theoretical and computational excellence, industrial capabilities, and education and training opportunities.

This year also marks 8 years since the first BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Ministerial Meeting was held on 10 February 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. At this meeting, five science priority areas to be led by the respective BRICS member countries were endorsed and South Africa through my Department of Science and Innovation was given the responsibility to lead the astronomy priority area, and consequently chairs and provides the secretariat for the BRICS Astronomy Working Group (BAWG). I am pleased to report that the BRICS astronomy partnership is regarded as one of the most well-functioning working groups with tangible results achieved over the period of its existence and these include the following highlights which are worth mentioning:

• A science strategic plan adopted in 2017, called the BRICS Astronomy Framework for Scientific

Cooperation, that defines the priority areas of cooperation and the modalities of engagement; • The BRICS astronomy community has undertaken at least three (3) joint research projects to date funded through the BRICS STI Calls; • A networked community of astronomers that is working very well together and has held scientific symposia every year and this culminated in the development of the flagship project known as the BRICS Intelligent Telescope and Data Network (BITDN); and • An up-to-date website for the BAWG with all the proceedings of previous meetings http://www.bricsastronomy.org/

In addition to the above achievements, I am also delighted to introduce this important milestone of the inaugural BRICS Astronomy Magazine. The purpose of the magazine will be to communicate and promote the astronomy activities of the BRICS partnership to the astronomy communities, youth, general public and government officials in all the member countries – it will cover scientific projects being undertaken, outreach programmes and opportunities for students to get involved. The magazine will be published twice a year and will be available in digital and hard copy format. South Africa looks forward to working with BRICS partners to deepen cooperation in Astronomy and other fields, forge a closer and more productive partnerships to address common challenges and create a better future.