This, as President Cyril Ramaphosa has during his State of the Nation Address said it is counted amongst the successful projects that has enabled South Africa to develop capabilities in the areas such as advanced engineering. He said the construction of the world’s largest and most sensitive radio telescope will not only help with the understanding of the origins of the universe, but help address challenges that face South Africans. 

Ramaphosa has reiterated that the telescope in the province will help the country build a dynamic and competitive economy where employment opportunities will be created. The telescope, based just a few kilometres outside the town of Carnarvon, has 64 dishes spread across eight kilometres and has cost the country roughly R4.4 billion. 

It is seen as a significant milestone in radio astronomy. The MeerKAT will be the world's largest radio telescope of its kind until the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) has been completed.

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