Question NW44 to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
05 March 2025 - NW44
Mjadu, TS to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
(1) What are the (a) reasons (i) that new members of the SA Council for Space Affairs (SACSA) have not been appointed since 2022 and (ii) for the failure to appoint the specified members and (b) time frames for the appointment of new members of the space council; (2) who is currently responsible for implementing the provisions of the SACSA Regulatory Framework in the absence of the specified council; (3) (a) what are the reasons that the national space policy is not being reviewed and (b) on what date will the specified review be conducted? NW55E
Reply:
1. a) The former Minister, Mr Ebrahim Patel approved the renewal of the South African Council for Space Affairs (SACSA) for the period of 6 months, effective 01 November 2022 until 30 April 2023. Thereafter, a fresh process started, whereby the Secretariat together with the Office of the Director-General prepared the necessary documents for the appointment of the new SA Council for Space Affairs; which included a process to recruit, shortlist, and to recommend (November 2023) in order for the Minister to consider and take a decision.
b) The term of the former Minister Patel ended in May 2024. With the 7th Administration the current Minister, Mr Parks Tau requested that the process of recruiting the new members of SACSA should start afresh, which commenced in August 2024. the dtic awaited Government representation to SACSA, which have now been received and the list of recommended candidates is being processed.
2. Currently, SACSA is the only competent regulatory body in the Republic of South Africa and in its absence there is no other institution undertaking this function.
3. the dtic supported by SACSA, and with other relevant departments, since 2014, followed all development stages of the SA Space Industry Regulatory Draft Bill, inclusive of the research, legislative drafting, stakeholder (domestic and international), consultative workshops, presented to all relevant government Clusters: ESIEID, ICTS, GSCID, GCAC; and recommended that the draft Bill be Gazetted.
The National Space Policy of 2008 was applicable until 2018, and its applicability was extended by the former Minister, Dr Rob Davies until the legislation as mentioned above is completed and in place.
The Draft Bill will be processed and Gazetted during the 2025/2026 FY.
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