G20 and SKAO member countries hosted for historic visit to Karoo site on Heritage Day

 

The MeerKAT and SKAO-Mid site was the setting for a historic event during which ministers from the G20 and SKAO member countries were hosted at Losberg in the Karoo.

Co-hosted on Heritage Day, Wednesday, 24 September 2025 by the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), the Square Kilometre Array Organisation (SKAO) and the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), the esteemed guests were in South Africa for the 3rd G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial meeting and other related events between 21 and 26 September 2025, hosted by the DSTI.

The more than 120 G20 guests landed at the Losberg site early morning, and were treated to a one-day only exhibition which told the story of SARAO and the SKAO; and displays from several teams from SARAO, local stakeholders such as the Robotics teams from the local schools, astro-guides, Riel Dancers, SANParks and local crafters. Several stakeholders from the National Research Foundation, the Northern Cape local government; stakeholders, and members of the local communities also attended.

Following the tour of the exhibition, a tour of the Karoo Array processing Building ensued, after which the delegates gathered for a light breakfast and the commencement of the formal programme.

The plenary session kicked off with the Managing Director of SARAO, Pontsho Maruping, welcoming the delegations from 26 countries, saying that it was a privilege to host them in the country and on the Karoo site on Heritage Day.

“Heritage day is a special day for South Africa, this is the day where we celebrate many cultures, languages and traditions that give SA its strength and its richness. Today we are doing a similar thing where we have the cultures, languages and traditions come together to celebrate this amazing site and project of building the best world class radio telescope, both in South Africa and in Australia,” said Maruping.

She continued: “This project really represents the essence of the celebration of heritage, not only the heritage of our nation but the shared heritage of humanity. Timeless curiosity about the universe, a determination to work together across borders to search for answers is what this project really represents.”

The visit presented an unparalleled opportunity to underscore, for representatives of the world’s leading economies, how investments in radio astronomy and the SKA Observatory yield tangible societal benefits amidst heightened global competition and challenges.

The keynote address by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, was delivered by the Director-General of the DSTI, Dr Mlungisi Cele.

“Astronomy has been a strategic priority for South Africa, and the SKA project embodies this vision. It’s more than a scientific endeavour, it’s a driver for socio economic transformation, and a catalyst for developing the next generation of scientists, innovators, and engineers,” said Cele.

“Our journey in astronomy stretches from early observatories to the groundbreaking MeerKAT and now the SKA-Mid. This trajectory reflects South Africa’s tradition of scientific excellence and innovation, woven into a broader national strategy. Projects like the hydrogen economy and space science programmes complement the SKA, showcasing a coherent vision for advancing knowledge and technology. The SKA is a triumph of multilateral collaboration,” Cele continued.

A panel discussion formed part of the plenary session, which was hosted by Kevin Govender, Director of the Office of Astronomy for Development, in which he highlighted the work of the International Astronomical Union supporting the United Nation’s sustainable development goals, from using astronomy for community development to protecting dark skies from increased satellite numbers.

The panel discussion was themed “Science in Society”, with esteemed speakers, such as Prof. Michele Dougherty, Science and Technology Facilities Council CEO and UK Astronomer Royal; Dr Phil Mjawara, former Director General in the DSTI and UNESCO Ambassador; Isaac Magolego, SARAO Human Capital Development bursary recipient and PhD candidate; and Jessica Dempsey, Director of ASTRON and incoming Director General of the SKAO, leading the discussion.

With the conclusion of the formal proceedings, the guests were taken on a bus tour of the MeerKAT core area for a tour of the instruments, a walk-about among the antennas and a photo opportunity. It was indeed a rare occasion for all the heads of the delegation to appear together in the same photograph, and later joined by the rest of the delegation from the G20 countries and SKAO member countries.

The historic day concluded with the guests departing after lunch, to continue with the DSTI programme for the rest of the week.

The visit was widely publicised and featured in the local and international media. Watch the recording of the live stream, interviews and other visual commentary here.

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Notes

G20

The G20 comprises 19 countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States), the European Union, and since 2023, the African Union.

SKAO member countries

The current SKA Observatory (SKAO) member countries are Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. South Korea and Japan are also noted as observers, with Thailand also participating in the project. The SKAO is a collaborative, global enterprise with its facilities distributed across Australia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.