September 2009
DST -
A CATALYST
FOR CHANGE IN
SOUTH AFRICA
Dr Phil Mjwara
Director-General,
Department of Science &
Technology, South Africa
How is DST facilitating the use of
geospatial technology as a catalyst for
change?
We have nurtured the development of the
SA Space Agency from conception to the
current stage of implementation with
approval from the Cabinet and the former
president late last year. SA, as a current
Co-Chair of the Group on Earth Observations
(GEO), plays a significant role in the
development and implementation of the
Global Earth Observation System of Systems
(GEOSS). GEOSS will provide decision-
support systems and tools to a broader
spectrum of users ranging from
research scientists to policy and decisionmakers
primarily to respond to societal
needs for socio-economic development
and sustainable management of resources
and environment.
DST engages with various stakeholders on
a regular basis (government departments,
research agencies and academia) trying to
educate people, especially government
officials about the use of satellite data by
embarking on a user requirement elicitation
process. This is to promote the use of
geospatial technology and also to understand
the priorities of government, especially
at provincial and local level.
Can you throw more light on the activities
of South African Earth Observation Strat-
egy(SAEOS)?
DST developed the SAEOS to promote
global integrated earth observation systems.
The strategy was approved in October
2006. It captures the country's
response to the 10-year implementation
plan for a GEOSS. SAEOS will provide a
system of geospatial infrastructure to coordinate
the collection, assimilation and dissemination
of earth observations, so that
their full potential to support policy, decision-
making, economic growth and sustainable
development in SA can be
realised. SAEOS will establish an overarching
national framework for earth observations
in SA.
The SAEOS portal will play a significant
role in promoting global integrated earth
observation system. It will ensure that
earth observation data (in situ and spacebased)
are operationally available, timely
and easily accessible to research scientists,
policy and decision makers who work
for economic growth and sustainable
development in the region and globally. It
is SA's distinct opinion that the future of
earth observation will be determined by
the end users and that only by broadening
data access and capacity to these end
users, will the full potential of earth observation
data be successfully exploited in
the relevant domains of the GEO Societal
Benefit Areas (SBEs).
What are the efforts of DST in facilitat-
ing geospatial education and popularis-
ing it in the country?
DST has embarked on user requirements
elicitation process specifically aimed at
finding out the priorities of provincial
government and highlighting how geospatial
technology can assist them in meeting
their objectives in a faster and effective
way through proper planning.
Through the human capital initiative,
DST is in the process of undertaking a
study in establishing a space school for
students from Grade 10 to Grade 12,
who are interested in pursuing careers in
the space sector. In addition, space
awareness activities are held every year
across the country.
How is SA looking up and investing in
space science and technology for the
sustainable development of country?
SA is in the process of establishing a
space agency that will coordinate all
activities in space science and technology
in the country. SA sees itself as a
niche player in the global space science
and technology arena, particularly in the
microsatellite industry. SA will create
more capacity in building of satellites
and hence create the critical mass needed.
SA has built a micro satellite called
SumbandilaSat. This will enable
researchers to develop applications and
products which will ensure that we
achieve sustainable development. SumbandilaSat
will assist in building human
capital and will demonstrate the value
and benefits of earth observation for
socio-economic development. The
National Space Strategy, Space Agency
Bill and Space Policy approved in
December 2008 will provide ground to
the coordination of all space related
activities in SA.
What is the role of SDI in an informa-
tion society?
Coordination and Stimulus. Our experience
started with the SDI Act No 54 of
2003. An immediate outcome of this
legislation was the open access of aerial
photography and certain satellite imagery
datasets across all government departments
and to all citizens. This provided a
massive stimulus to the geospatial sector
and allowed government to coordinate
common efforts.
DST is represented in the Committee on
Spatial Information as set up by the SDI
Act and implemented by the Department
of Rural Development and Land Reform.
The SDI seeks to provide for the determination
of standards and prescriptions
with regard to the facilitation of sharing
of spatial information; to provide for the
capture and publishing of metadata and
the avoidance of duplication. SAEOS
responds directly to that in its mandate.
Furthermore, SA has successfully promoted
data democracy in the global
space arena by leveraging its position as
2008 Committee of Earth Observation
(CEOS) Chair. We recognise that specific
models such as the one associated with
access to satellite image data from the
joint Brazilian/Chinese CBERS 2B satellite
for the entire SADC region and the
free dissemination of this data to all end
users, needs to be expanded. It is SA's
distinct opinion that the future of earth
observation will be determined by the
end users and that only by broadening
data access and capacity to these end
users, will the full potential of earth
observation data be successfully exploited
in the relevant domains of the GEO
Societal Benefit Areas (SBAs).
How do you see geospatial industry
growing in SA in the next five years?
With our SDI as the foundation, space
agency as the catalyst and SAEOS as the
dissemination arm, we see massive
potential for the geospatial industry not
only locally but across the region. Open
access to higher temporal, spatial and
spectral resolution data and the tools
with which to process this data inside a
focussed HCD plan will form the pillars
to this growth. These initiatives will
ensure that all three spheres of government
will have access and utilise geospatial
information to assist government in
providing service delivery to the people of
SA. SA aims to be counted amongst the
best performing intermediate industry in
space science and technology by building
its own space assets and developing
competitive human capital. Furthermore
the approved National Space Strategy
will focus on the following thematic areas
identified as important for a viable space
programme:
EARTH OBSERVATION: This involves all
activities connected with the collection
of information on the earth's surface or
atmosphere from instruments on board
satellites and in-situ ground sensors.are
in their impact on humanity's appreciation
of its own global habitat in the context
of terrestrial environment, solar system
and the universe beyond.
NAVIGATION: This area will focus on thement of
augmentation technologies, applications
and services in navigation, timing and
positioning. Attempts will be made to
explore and exploit synergies with other
competency areas like earth observation
and communications. The most promising
application areas include fleet and
traffic management, location-based services
and search and rescue.
SPACE SCIENCE AND EXPLORATION:
Space science and exploration achievements
of the country in the past few
years have captured the world's attention,
interest and imagination. The primary
benefits of this new age discovery
are in their impact on humanity's appreciation
of its own global habitat in the
context of terrestrial environment, solar
system and the universe beyond.
COMMUNICATION: This area of competence
will focus on the development of
technologies and applications in collaboration
with the end users, primarily the
Department of Communications. SA,
together with Algeria, Nigeria and Kenya
are in the process of establishing the
African Resource and Environmental
Management Constellation (ARM).
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