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The BRICS Countries Are Using Space, and `Now It’s Africa’s Turn`
2 November 2014
LPAC—South Africa’s Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor, speaking Oct. 27 at the opening of the 10th conference of the African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment, said Africa had to move away from being a "client" of scientific information, and develop its own. "The BRICS countries have invested substantially in recent years," she said. "India, China, and Russia are now leading contributors to the space economy. Now, it’s Africa’s turn." Brazl and South Africa comprise the other two BRICS nations. "We must stimulate an African dialogue on the use of space for development, building African capacity in science and technology, and promoting continental coordination of space activities," she said. (South Africa, with the most advanced space capabilities, would necessarily play the leading role.) She said that dialogue has started to yield some positive results, with space agencies having been established in a number of African countries recently, including in South Africa. And an African Space Policy and Strategy was being developed by the African Union through the Ministers Committee on Science and Technology. These initiatives are strengthening Arica’s existing capabilities, she said. Pandor is a passionate spokesman for promoting economic development for Africa, through breakthroughs in science and the application of the most advanced technologies, based on a commitment to dramatically upgrading universal education. Also speaking at the conference was University of Cape Town Professor Mike Inggs, who stressed that a massive injection of funds into training and education was required, Creamer Media reports. It is also "crucial that senior leadership [at] all levels of government receive appropriate exposure to space technology," he said. Marsha Freeman |