Astronomy Geographic Advantage Bill: Department briefing
Science, Technology and Innovation
05 June 2007
Meeting Summary
A summary of this committee meeting is not yet available.
Meeting report
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
5 June 2007
ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE BILL: DEPARTMENT BRIEFING
Chairperson: Mr E Ngcobo (ANC)
Documents handed out:
PowerPoint
Presentation: Astronomy Geographic Advantage (AGA) Bill
Astronomy Geographic
Advantage (AGA) Bill [B17-2007]
Audio Recording of
the Meeting
SUMMARY
The Committee was briefed by the Department of Science and Technology on
the Astronomy Geographic Advantage Bill. The main purpose of the Bill was to
authorise the Minister of Science and Technology to declare astronomy advantage
areas within the Republic. This would ensure that large-scale globally
important astronomy facilities were protected from uncontrolled development and
potential interferences. The Committee was given a breakdown of the contents of
each chapter of the Bill along with a brief explanation of what the meaning and
intent of the chapters were. The presentation also covered the process and
consultations that the Bill had undertaken.
Members asked questions about controversial aspects of the Bill, whether
communities participated in the consultation process, what interaction there
had been with municipalities, the beneficiation aspect of the Square Kilometre
Array project, the training of students, the skills that would be used and
whether these would be imported, and the option to lease the land. .
MINUTES
Astronomy Geographic Advantage Bill (the Bill): Briefing by Department of
Science and Technology (DST)
Dr Tshepo Seekoe, Director: Science Platforms, DST, articulated that the
Bill would facilitate and drive the Department’s Astronomy Geographic Advantage
Programme (AGAP). This 10-year strategy incorporated the steering of knowledge
production, publication, transmission and preservation. The other salient
features of this programme included advancing research, providing a framework
for critical mass development and increasing visibility of scientific research.
The speaker commented that AGAP Multi-Wavelength Research comprised of the
Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), the High Energy Stereoscopic System,
and Karoo Array Telescope / Square Kilometre Array Telescope (SKA).
The Bill’s purpose was three-fold. It aimed to protect astronomy investments
already made in South Africa, to maintain an environment for a global hub that
would attract international investments and to create a competitive edge for
South Africa to win the bid to host the SKA and other astronomy investments.
Dr Seekoe outlined the progression of the Bill. It was first presented to
Cabinet in November 2005 and approved for a public consultation process. Many
key stakeholders, such as government departments and public entities, responded
to the invitation. The contributions received resulted in the amendment of the
Bill and these amendments were presented to the Cabinet in November 2006 and
subsequently approved for tabling to parliament.
A brief synopsis was provided on each chapter of the Bill:
Chapter 1 covered the interpretation, objects and application of the Bill.
Chapter 2 made provision for the declaration of astronomy advantage areas by
the Minister of Science and Technology. The Minister also had the authority to
exclude or withdraw an astronomy advantage area. The Department defined the
three different categories of advantage areas and utilised a map to illustrate
this point.
Chapter 3 covered the management and control of central and core astronomy
advantage areas. The Minister must declare the assignment of a management of
core astronomy advantage area to a public entity or organ of state.
Chapter 4 dealt with the general measures to promote astronomy.
Chapter 5 covered the acquisition of rights in or to land.
Chapter 6 dealt with consultation and public participation process.
Chapter 7 provided for the powers and functions of the National Research
Foundation.
Chapter 8 listed the offences and penalties.
Discussion
The Chairperson asked whether the Bill contained any controversial
aspects.
Mr Puseletso Loselo, Manager: Legal Services, DST, answered that Telkom
believed that some of the powers entrusted to the Minister should be regulated
by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa. The Civil Aviation
Authority also expressed concern about the Minister’s powers regarding the
prohibition of over-flight of aircrafts in declared areas.
Ms F Mahomed (ANC) queried whether communities participated in the consultation
process.
Ms Ferrial Adam, Adviser and Astronomer, South African Square Kilometre Array
Telescope (SASKA) confirmed that the Department consulted with people living in
the designated area.
Ms Mahomed raised concern about the safety aspect of the Department’s SKA
project.
Dr Seekoe assured the Committee that there were no health risks associated with
the radio astronomy programme.
Mr P Nefolovhodwe (AZAPO) sought clarity regarding the Department’s acquisition
of land for its SKA project.
Ms Adam replied that the Department had identified land that was privately
owned. Negotiations were on going to purchase this land and there was no
question of expropriation at this stage. The Department would look into leasing
if it needed to acquire further land.
Mr Nefolovhodwe asked the Department to explain the concept of transmission
interference.
Dr Seekoe explained that transmission interference occurred when there were
competing signals at a reception point.
Mr Nefolovhodwe lamented that there was usually a delay in the process when
more than one government department was involved. He wondered whether this Bill
would be in conflict with other legislation.
Dr Seekoe responded that working groups and steering committees were
established with government departments in the Northern Cape from the outset to
eschew delay and confusion.
Mr Loselo added that Clause 4 of the Bill would be effected if conflict arose
with other legislation. Furthermore, a technical committee had been established
with all relevant stakeholders to discuss and deliberate on areas of
contestation.
Mr J Blanche (DA) voiced concern that the Department of Transport did not give
a written response in the consultation process. He also believed that the
Department of Agriculture should be consulted.
The Chairperson queried the beneficiation status of the SKA project.
Dr Bethuel Sehlapelo, Deputy Director General, DST, acknowledged that this was
an important question. He cited that the local community and the country at
large would benefit from foreign direct investment and job creation. A project
of this scale and prestige would ensure transferability of knowledge to South
Africans and also attract more youth to the scientific profession.
Mr S Dithebe (ANC) asked whether the Department supported the municipalities
that would be affected by the project with their integrated development
programmes.
Ms Adam replied in the affirmative. Municipalities were involved in working
committees that handled these matters.
The Chairperson queried why the Northern Cape Province was selected to host the
SKA project.
Mr Neil Smuts, Radio Frequency Interference Consultant for the SASKA, responded that the Northern Cape was selected
because of its sparse population and the minimal interference in that area that
would impact the SKA.
Mr Nefolovhodwe asked the Department to provide examples of other countries
that had established similar projects.
Mr Smuts confirmed that the USA and Australia had advantage areas or radio
reserves.
The Chairperson enquired whether the Department would import skills from
overseas to work on and manage the SKA project.
Dr Seekoe answered that while South Africa would host the SKA Telescope, the
facilities and resources would be available to scientists from all over the
world. The Department recognised that there was a shortage of skills and had
initiated a human capital development plan to address this matter.
The Chairperson wondered whether the Department was training any students.
Dr Seekoe replied that the Department awarded bursaries to post-graduate
students at UCT and North West University.
Mr B Mnyandu (ANC) wanted the Department to elaborate on its plans to
acquire land through leasing.
Mr Loselo clarified that the Bill referred to buying, expropriating and
exchanging of land. While it did not refer to leasing, the Bill did not
expressly prohibit this. The Department would exercise this option if it was
the most desirable.
The meeting was adjourned.
Audio
No related
Documents
Present
- We don't have attendance info for this committee meeting
Download as PDF
You can download this page as a PDF using your browser's print functionality. Click on the "Print" button below and select the "PDF" option under destinations/printers.
See detailed instructions for your browser here.