UITENHAGE•DESPATCH
1C3VV6F2V-280313-UD-bp-ocean
30 000 COPIES WEEKLY THURSDAY March 28, 2013 | 0 041 992 5639 | Fax 041 992 2783 | www.udnews.co.za
VOLUME 42
IT IS ABOUT THINKING BEYOND
Science centre to unlock talent HEILIE COMBRINCK
“
There is an explosion of scientific advancement in our country, not only with new science centres like this one, but also with South Africa being the host of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) which is the world’s largest and most sensitive radio telescope ever built.” These are the words of the Minister of Science and Technology, Derek Hanekom, who officially opened the Nelson Mandela Bay Science & Technology Centre in Uitenhage last Friday. “We live in a time where technology is taking the country to greater heights as we see more of these ‘explosions’ where South Africans will put South Africa and the African continent on the map. Not for the wrong reasons, but for the right things, for our achievements. “We’ve got the talent and the ability. Science centres like this one help us unlock talent and abilities. Science centres are all about stimulating an interest and a fascination for science and technology. “This science centre in Uitenhage is one of the best examples of partnerships of all the science centres that we have in our country. There is no science centre that I know of that has received so much support from a municipality. “It is also driven by a real vision through the wonderful partnership from Volkswagen South Africa.” “Science centres are about thinking beyond. Imagine where we could be and then work towards achieving our imagination. Our wildest imagination could come true if we channel our energy and work towards achieving it.” Talking about wildest imagination, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) will allow scientists to peer deeper into the universe than ever before, shedding light on some of the uni-
The Minister of Science and Technology, Derek Hanekom (second from left) together with newly appointed CEO of the UDDI, Phila Xuza; David Powels, Managing Director of VWSA, and Nonkqubela Maliza, Director of Corporate and Government Affairs VWSA, at the NMMU solar car which is on display at the Nelson Mandela Bay Science Centre. With them is one of the students (left) visiting the centre. PHOTO:HEILIE COMBRINCK verse’s greatest mysteries. The majority of the SKA will be built in Africa, with the highest concentration of receivers in the Northern Cape, about 80 km from Carnarvon. “We’ve begun with the construction of these dishes and already have 7 completed
and have started with the next phase of 64 dishes. “When we look at the far away stars and galaxies we are looking backwards in time as it is the result of what happened a billion years ago. This SKA will allow scientists to get very
close to the beginning of time, to what happened 14 billion years ago.” ) The 3 800m² Nelson Mandela Bay Science & Technology Centre is housed in the restored Old Railway Sheds in Upper Drostdy Street, which is a heritage site in Uitenhage.
PLUS FREE CHIPS DESPATCH MAIN STREET TEL: 041 933 5352
We Deliver Monday Saturday 12am - 8pm
Delivery Cost Despatch R10 / Uitenhage R25
90
R22.
CASSIE'S FEEDS THE NATION ALL DAY...EVERY DAY!
1C42IH52V-280313-UD-bp-cassies