South African SKA hosts reach out to local communities for National Science Week

Isaac Magolego, Simphiwe Madlanga, Tshegofatso Monama and Chantel Mabaleng from SARAO at the launch of National Science Week, which took place in Kimberley in the Northern Cape province, South Africa.

Credit: SARAO

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) participated in the South African National Science Week 2019 launch, which was held in Kimberley in the Northern Cape province at the end of July. The launch was graced by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Dr Blade Nzimande, along with other government stakeholders and dignitaries. SARAO was represented by colleagues Simphiwe Madlanga, Tshegofatso Monama, Chantel Mabeleng and Isaac Magolego educating school learners and educators on the SKA and science and technology-related career options at SARAO. National Science Week (NSW) is an annual event to exhibit and communicate awareness of science. This year it took place from 29 July to 3 August 2019. It is an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), a countrywide celebration of science involving various stakeholders and/or role players conducting science-based activities during the week. NSW is run across the country simultaneously at multiple sites, with this year’s theme “facing the harsh realities of climate change.”

You can watch Prof. Justin Jonas, SARAO Chief Technologist, being interviewed on the morning of the launch on SABC1 here https://youtu.be/ZpQTiF2FO94

by Vivienne Rowland (SARAO)