Kubayi-Ngubani feels this mechanical device is important to the National System of Innovation in that it forms part of the science and research infrastructure. The investments in research and facilities, such as the Mafikeng Telescope, will produce knowledge that will form part of the inheritance for future scientists. “Let’s make science and education fashionable,” she says.

This telescope will be used for bright star research, allowing astronomers at the Mahikeng campus to study the interiors of stars and their evolution. It will also be used for outreach purposes in communities across the country.

It is co-funded by the Department of Science and Technology and is an effort to develop astronomy and related sciences at historically disadvantaged universities due to South Africa’s apartheid past.

“The Mahikeng Astronomy Telescope will put the university on par with developed institutions such as the University of the Western Cape and Cape Town. It also demonstrates the country’s growing capabilities in the field, led by world-class projects like the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope, which is exciting the global scientific community,” media and liaison officer, Hlengiwe Nhlabathi, said.

The university’s programme is led by Professor Thebe Medupe, who started astronomy at the university’s Physics Department in 2010, attracting students and postdoctoral fellows to the NWU.

The telescope and observatory will play an important role in making science careers appealing to the youth of the region and the country. Through the tours and access to the telescope, youth will experience the fun side of science and the possibility of taking careers in science. In this way, the institution will attract many young black students to science and the impact will be seen in the future with more scientists graduating. The telescope will also be used to train postgraduate students in observational and data analysis techniques. As a result, the telescope will contribute towards building a more inclusive astronomy community since most of the students being trained are black South Africans.

OFM News/Tshidiso Magagula