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The Johannesburg Observatory, which became the city's first meteorological observatory site in 1903, but later fell victim to light pollution, is set to rise again as a Science Park.

THE Johannesburg Observatory is set to reclaim its position as a pre-eminent site of scientific and technological endeavour.

On Friday 20 July, the recently completed development, in the suburb of Observatory, will be opened for inspection as the first Science Park in the country.

The 35ha site was declared the city's first meteorological observatory site in 1903, after the land was given to the government by the Bezuidenhout family, one of the first white land owners in the area.

The South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) has invested millions of rands to convert the Observatory site into a Science Park.

Dr Shadrack Mahapa, manager for science awareness platforms at SAASTA, who will also manage the Science Park, confirmed that the building would be opened for inspection. "Several inspectors need to be satisfied that the infrastructure is ready for occupation and [that] the building, including electricity is up to standard, and that the site is safe for use."

SAASTA is one of the major business units of the National Research Foundation (NRF), responsible for promoting science and technology nationally.

The Science Park is situated in a historic office block that has been refurbished into a modern office space, and a teaching and learning hub for interactive indoor and outdoor exhibitions.

LaboratoriesThere are laboratories and a telescope that will be utilised by visiting schools, and a hillcrest on site, from which one can view the beautiful city of gold.

It will be dedicated to promoting science, engineering, and technology, and is designed to offer educational support to academics.

Mahapa said the primary role of the "multidisciplinary" Science Park would be to excite youngsters in academia about science, and encourage them to pursue careers in science and technology. For example, he explained, "one of the programmes that will be offered will be on forensic science, a subject and career option that is not well known in South Africa."

He said by participating in such programmes, "learners will gain information on the subject and perhaps consider following a career in forensic science".

He is optimistic that the programmes rendered at the park will contribute to the reduction of crime in the city, and ultimately in the whole country.

"The public is mostly not aware of the strategic importance of these projects and how they could assist South Africa to become self-sufficient in the field of technology."

It is facilities like the Johannesburg Observatory Science Park and other science centres in the country that can inform people of such projects, he added.

The park will also house huge projects on space science such as the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), which was opened by President Thabo Mbeki in 2005, he noted.

Again, "our space scientists, with the support of the department of science and technology are bidding to host a large international project, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope, which will be the largest radio telescope in the world".

South Africa has recently developed a satellite called SumbandilaSat, which will be launched in Russia. "[This will] get them interested in science, engineering and technology and, hopefully in some cases, get them to follow careers in these fields."

He said South Africa is in desperate need of more qualified people in the science and technology sector "for our economy to grow, since they will facilitate innovations and new developments."

FaceliftThe entire Observatory site has been earmarked for a further facelift, including a road that curves around the park grounds, and a parking space for visitors and buses.

A façade that will join the education building with the telescope building will be erected. In the long run an auditorium will be added to the building, and the site will comprise overnight accommodation.

SAASTA will renovate some of the dilapidated buildings on site, develop a camera obscura, a science theatre and build a canteen on the site for visitors and school groups.

The park has a lot in store for the Joburg community, and activities provided at the site will cater for all people, "from children in preschool to grannies who can visit the site and interact with the exhibitions together with their grandchildren", said Mahapa.

The buildings on the site are historic and those that are derelict will be renovated and tinted, he said, adding that better security will be deployed to enhance safety around the park and suburb. "Above all, new jobs will be created by this process."

Although according to Mahapa, SAASTA has not decided on the entrance fee or how much participants would be charged yet, the body would "welcome financial sponsorships to reduce or alleviate gate takings for visitors."

Planning was only started later in 2005, and architects were then appointed in 2006. Construction work on site started on 15 January 2007.

Although prior to refurbishment the Observatory had been used for astronomy research for almost a decade, Mahapa said this had to stop due to light pollution.

However, the telescope at the site has been kept in good order, and will be used by the Amateur Astronomy Society of South Africa (ASSA). "It will continue to be used in collaboration with ASSA for public programmes concerning planets and other celestial bodies," he added.

According to Mahapa, some R7-million has been injected into the project to modernise and further customise existing infrastructure, and erect a palisade fence around the perimeter for security reasons.

SAASTA gets it primary funding from the NRF, according to Mahapa, however, the park's construction was subsidised through the Department of Science and Technology, with SAASTA covering other costs.

Moreover, contingency plans have been put in place for other "exciting" developments. "We are actively seeking partners and possible sponsors to fund further development of the site, so that it will eventually be accessible to all the members of public."

The Observatory site was obtained by the NRF from its previous owner, the Associated Scientific and Technical Societies in 2003, and because of SAASTA's role nationally, they were tasked with custodianship.

However, Mahapa said since the site could not be used for its initial purpose anymore because of light pollution – but still had buildings and other facilities that are of heritage value – "it was decided to redevelop it into a facility which will uphold the original objectives of Mr Bezuidenhout, [to] benefit the SA society in general".

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