While South Africa's research into space technology and travel was uncoordinated in the past, the South African National Space Policy, launched Friday, will give direction to the country's space agenda.

South Africa has been involved in various space programs for more than 50 years, but it was in an uncoordinated and static manner, Trade and Industry Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa said, which then prompted the need for a unified and coordinated space policy. The Space Affairs Act mandates the minister of trade and industry to draft a space policy to guide the country, the minister highlighted, explaining that the benefits of space technology to the country and Africa is indispensable. Tele-Health and Tele-Education, which use satellite technologies, as well as disaster management can all be beefed up through satellite technology, Mr. Mpahlwa said.

In the implementation of South Africa's space agenda, the country will promote domestic industrialization in order to maximise benefit to local companies, he said, adding that leasing skills and goods from international companies will be discouraged. South Africa's space agenda creates the opportunity to better co-operation with nations interested in the peaceful expansion of the benefits of space technology, and could carry benefits for the continent. The space agenda will improve and further South-South relations with Brazil, India, and China. Acting Deputy Director General at the department, Sipho Zokode, said: "The space policies paper was published in July 2007. Cabinet approved it on 3 December 2008. "We expect to have an implementation plan by the end of March 2009," Mr. Zikode said.

(Source: BuaNews Online, South African Government Communication and Information System)