Innovators honoured at first SAAO Innovation Awards ceremony
The SARAO Innovation Management office hosted the inaugural South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) Innovation Awards on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, where more than 20 innovators from SAAO were celebrated for their technology and clever ideas.
Held at the SAAO Auditorium in Cape Town, the recipients and guests were welcomed by Matlou Mabokane, SARAO Head: Innovation Management.
“It is an absolute honor to stand before you this morning as we gather to celebrate the brilliant minds, groundbreaking ideas, and relentless spirit of curiosity that drive technology innovation forward. That’s how legacies build on looking up at the stars, but true innovation requires us,” said Mabokane.
The Acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer: National Research Infrastructure Platforms (NRIP), Pontsho Maruping, and Dr Ros Skelton, Managing Director of the SAAO, were also in attendance.
Dr Skelton delivered the keynote address and said: “SAAO and the observatory goes back 200 years. It has always been a place where we could explore the universe and innovate. And these are very, very important things, and I always feel privileged that exploring the universe for the benefit of society is our mission. We’ve never just been passive observers of the universe, but we’re actually active participants in decoding it.”
She continued: “As we look to the future, our mission remains clear. We’re going to continue to build the capabilities and the tools, write the code, and foster the talent that pushes the boundaries of innovation and human knowledge,” said Skelton.
The categories in which awards were handed out are IFU for spectroscope and wide-field imaging; 3d scanner, precision machining techniques for fibre technologies; RSS large format detector for Astronomical instrumentation; and Intelligent Observatory.
Jonathan Love, Antoine Mahoro, Nicolas Erasmus; and Sayasachi Chattopadhyay received awards in the IFU for spectroscope and wide-field imaging category, while Hitech Gajjar was honoured for being the Project Leader.
Martin Visser, Wade Appolis, Simnikiwe Goyi, Rianelda Louw; and Malcolm Hendricks received their honours for the 3d scanner, precision machining techniques for fibre technologies, with Craig Sass being recognised as the Project Leader.
In the RSS large format detector for Astronomical instrumentation category, Jonathan Love, Bryne Chipembe, Vuyisa Mini, Chrey Sookha, Anthony Koeslag, Shamiel Adams, Sunnyboy Kabini; and Devakshan Naicker all walked away with an award, while Project Leader Kathryn Rosie also joined them on stage.
In the final category, Intelligent Observatory, Carel van Gend, Paul Rabe; and Nicolas Erasmus walked away with the honours, while Steve Potter was recognised as the Project Leader.
The day concluded with the project members delivering short presentations on their work.
Congratulations!
Winning team for the 3d scanner, precision machining techniques for fibre technologies category.
