NRF-SAASTA and SANSA Spark Space Science Career Interest Among Northlink College Students

A joint space science public lecture, hosted by the National Research Foundation South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (NRF-SAASTA) and the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) at Northlink College’s Bellville Campus on 19 August 2026, sparked curiosity and career conversations among students training to become artisans.

Image: Dr Naledzani Mudau of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) entices student artisans at Northlink College in the Western Cape to consider careers in space science during her keynote address at the Bellville Campus.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Naledzani Mudau, Manager for Data Products and Services at SANSA, unpacked the practical applications of space science in everyday life and made the case for continued investment in space science research, infrastructure and technology, particularly its role in service delivery and national development. She placed strong emphasis on skills development, highlighting existing gaps in artisanal skills within the space sector and the opportunities this creates across the space science value chain.

The presentation prompted enthusiastic participation from students, who posed questions about different types of satellites, the role of ground stations in space operations and the potential for space science to create entrepreneurial opportunities for artisans.

In her closing remarks, Dr Mudau challenged participants to reconsider their understanding of the skills required to build South Africa’s space future, asking: “Do you now see and appreciate the relevancy of artisan skills in the growth of the space science sector?”

The lecture supported the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) in raising awareness of South Africa’s space science sector and encouraging young people, particularly aspiring artisans, to consider the diverse career and employment opportunities it offers. It forms part of the SANSA Space Infrastructure Hub skills development programme, which aims to diversify and transform the space sector by growing the next generation of space engineers, scientists and entrepreneurs. Conceptualised in recognition that South Africa’s space ambitions require more than specialised scientific and engineering expertise, the participatory event combined presentations, career profiling and direct engagement with space science professionals to introduce young aspirant artisans, still early in their skills development, to space science as a viable career path.

The event also brought together researchers and science engagement practitioners from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), SANSA’s Hermanus Science Centre, and the National Research Foundation – South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), creating a dynamic platform for students to interact directly with scientists, researchers and STEMI professionals. The CSIR demonstrated its high-performance computing capabilities and showed how geospatial data aids space exploration, while SANSA shared information on available bursaries, graduate training schemes, and direct entry pathways into space engineering for technical college students.

Importantly, the engagement helped challenge the perception that space science is reserved for a select group of highly specialised experts, instead demonstrating the interconnectedness of the disciplines and skills required for space research, technology development, infrastructure and operations. This broader understanding is essential to attract young people from diverse educational and skills backgrounds into the sector, and to ensure that South Africa has the human capital required to sustain and expand its space capabilities.

For Northlink College, the engagement represented an opportunity to connect their Mechanical, Boiler Making, Electrical and Electronics students with science, technology and real-world career possibilities.

Ms Sandra Raubenheimer, representing Northlink College, expressed the institution’s interest in creating greater exposure to science content and career opportunities through sustained science engagement initiatives.

In her vote of thanks, she highlighted the importance of continued exposure and knowledge exchange in inspiring students, expanding their understanding of career possibilities and strengthening collaboration between educational institutions and organisations within the national science system.

South Africa’s growing strength in space science, technology and applications aligns well with the focus of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and Universities of Technology (UoTs). The development of skills in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation (STEMI) remains a critical success factor for the future of science in the country, underpinning the nation’s transition towards a knowledge-driven economy.