Space agency to aid lawmaking

By Staff Writer for Department of Science and Technology
Johannesburg, 01 Sep 2008

The SA Space Agency (SASA) will aid lawmaking and law enforcement, says the Department of Science and Technology (DST), which is shepherding a Bill creating such an institution through Parliament.

DST chief director for state funds and technology Pontsho Maruping told the lawmaker's upper house that SASA would be a focal point for geographic data required for better policy and lawmaking, as well as for the enforcement of those laws.

She told the National Council of Province's Select Committee on Education and Recreation that satellite imagery would, for example, allow the state to monitor rural water usage.

The Water Act, some years ago, in effect nationalised the country's surface water, laying down strict guidelines for farm dams and private water usage from streams and rivers.

But an absence of surveillance and enforcement mechanisms means the state is largely ignorant on the level of compliance.

Maruping added that another key application of satellites lay in navigation in air traffic control and safety.

Building satellites

The DST official also punted the case for a domestic satellite industry, saying it was "more cost-effective [in the long run] to develop SA's space capabilities, given that the cost of relying on outside capabilities was much higher".

For example, she said, a micro satellite could be developed locally at a cost of R30 million. If this same satellite were imported from the US, it would cost $30 million.

Maruping added that relying on other countries for satellite data was not just expensive, but had security and other implications.

In the case of peacekeeping, requesting satellite imagery and data from foreign providers and powers immediately alerted them to SA's intentions. It is a disadvantage to SA that it does not have its own capabilities to inform strategic decisions, she added.

It was also embarrassing that someone wanting up to date information on SA's agricultural productivity could currently obtain more reliable information from the US Department of Agriculture than from local sources.

The committee is, meanwhile, calling on public submissions on the Bill. Submissions must reach the committee secretary no later than this Friday.

In another development, the Select Committee Labour and Public Enterprises has invited public comment on the Broadcasting Amendment Bill, which will allow for the removal of one or more members of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) board.

President Thabo Mbeki appointed the current SABC board in controversial circumstances late last year and elements in the ruling African National Congress have since sought to remove them as part of a larger power struggle between Mbeki and ANC president Jacob Zuma.

Public hearings will take place next Wednesday and Thursday.