Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor has announced that Square Kilometer Array (SKA) South Africa project director Dr Bernie Fanaroff will retire from the position at the end of 2015, after which he will serve as a strategic adviser to the project until December 2017.

The Minister said in a statement on Monday that Nuclear Industry Association of South Africa president Dr Rob Adam had been named director designate for the SKA South Africa project from April 1, 2015, to December 31, after which he would occupy the directorship position for a period of five years.

Noting that Fanaroff had made “an immense contribution” to the SKA project, Pandor said he had received numerous accolades for his “diligent work and exceptional leadership” in driving the project, including honorary doctorates from several South African universities.

Successes under his leadership included the completion of the Karoo Array Telescope, winning the bid for Africa to co-host the SKA with Australia, infrastructure development, and the construction of the MeerKAT radio telescope, which was currently under way.

Fanaroff was also a deputy director-general in the Presidency and head of the office for the Reconstruction and Development Programme between 1994 and 1996.

Meanwhile, Adam, who was currently group executive of nuclear at the Aveng Group, previously served as CEO of the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation from 2006 to 2012, and as director-general of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) from 1999 to 2006.

“Dr Adam is not new to the SKA South Africa project; he spearheaded it in its early days when he was at the DST, and is currently the chairperson of the South African SKA steering committee.

“This committee provides strategic advice and leadership to the SKA project, and there will, therefore, be a seamless transition under his leadership,” Pandor noted.