Government’s allocation to the Department of Science and Technology would grow from R15.1-billion in 2012/13 to R18.9-billion in 2015/16, the 2013 Budget has revealed.
This amount would include R2-billion to support the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope project.
Separate deliverables were being prepared for Africa and Australia, who would jointly host the R16-billion SKA radio telescope project, though 70% of it would be constructed in South Africa. A hosting agreement was expected to be finalised in March.
However, earlier this month, SKA South Africa director Dr Bernie Fanaroff stated that construction of the project would surpass the original estimate of €1.5-billion (roughly R16-billion to R20-billion) and could exceed €3-billion (roughly R40-billion).
He added that the costs of the SKA construction phases were likely to be capped to ensure that the international programme remained affordable for the participating countries.
The SKA was currently in its preconstruction phase – the first of three phases – and would be operational by 2024.
This preconstruction phase would run from this year until 2016, followed by construction phase one from 2016 to 2020 and then construction phase two from 2020 to 2024.