The Space Affairs Act No.84 of 1993, as amended in 1995 (the Act); provides for the establishment of the South African Council for Space Affairs (the Council) “to manage and control certain space affairs in the Republic, to determine its objects and functions; to prescribe the manner in which it is to be managed and controlled; and to provide for matters connected therewith.”

On 28 September 2016, Cabinet approved the appointment of the current Council. Subsequently, the Minister of Trade and Industry appointed the Council for a period of five years, with effect from 1 October 2016 to 30 September 2021.

Objects and functions of the Council:

  • To implement, in the most efficient and economical manner possible, the space policy of the Republic;
  • The Council shall on behalf of the State take care of the interests, responsibilities and obligations of the Republic regarding its space and space-related activities in compliance with international conventions, treaties and agreements entered into or ratified by the Government of the Republic;
  • In order to achieve its objects the Council may –
    1. advise the Minister on any matter that may have an influence on space affairs;
    2. hear representations by any person regarding space affairs in the Republic;
    3. supervise and implement matters arising from international conventions, treaties and agreements concerning space affairs entered into or ratified by the Government of the Republic;
    4. issue licences, amend, suspend or revoke them;
    5. encourage persons and authorities involved in the space industry to register with the Council and to apply information regarding capabilities so obtained to enhance and co-ordinate the space industry and its capabilities;
    6. designate knowledgeable persons from government institutions and the space industry as members of committees of the Council to assist the Council in their performance of its functions;
    7. further matters leading to the orderly and responsible participation by any person or authority in space affairs;
    8. provide for the appropriate and widest possible publication of information concerning the activities of the Council;
    9. subject to the provisions of this Act, perform any other activity with a view to contributing to the effective achievement of the objects of the Council.

For an overview of the activities of the Council and of the statutory framework for space activities in South Africa, please visit the Council website: www.sacsa.gov.za

Contact:
Secretariat
Tel: +27 12 394 5736
Fax: +27 12 394 6736
E-mail: secretariat@sacsa.gov.za / PSwarts@thedti.gov.za

 

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