The rates of growth in Internet speed are different too. Not only is Africa slowest, but is falling
further behind as we move into the future. Given South Africa's current political emphasis on
evolving from a resource-based towards a knowledge-based economy, keeping up with
international developments is absolutely critical.
Astronomy Geographic Advantage Program:
Fast, cheap and reliable Internet bandwidth is crucial for developing South Africa's economy as a
whole as well as its science. Astronomy is significant to Africa and to the world, and this field of
research servers as a clear case of study for the countries-and the continent's- need to bridge the
digital divide if it's to become a meaningful global player.
A look at the map of the world shows the importance of our astronomical observation sites for
exploring the southern skies. World-class research requires access to dark, clear skies with good
seeing conditions - that is, we need places where there is little atmospheric turbulence, or
`twinkling'. This means moving away from sea level to areas above 1500 m, and, for southern-
hemisphere astronomy, only Chile and South Africa qualify, as Australia's optical observatories
are located at lower altitudes and have poorer seeing conditions.
South Africa's `astronomy geographic advantage' (AGA) makes it an attractive partner for
international astronomical collaborations, in which the country provides the observing sites, and
participants elsewhere provide technical and financial resources. In this way, South Africa
benefits scientifically in global projects that it would otherwise be unable to afford, and that bring
new skills and opportunities to our rapidly developing nation.
The Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) is a splendid example. Constructed and
commissioned over the last seven years, it cost about R200 million, but South Africa contributed
only R50 million, part of which is the assessed value of the site and local infrastructure at
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