The University of Zululand’s (UNIZULU) King Bhekuzulu Hall was a destination of choice for over 500 high school learners from the King Cetshwayo District Municipality on Saturday, 4 October 2025, as the institution launched the Natural Resource Management Programme (NRMP) and the start of World Space Week in partnership with the South African National Space Agency (SANSA).
This historic event was also attended by representatives of City of uMhlathuze Municipality, the Mkhwanazi Tribal Authority, Department of Basic Education and the Department of Human Settlements, among many others.
World Space Week was initiated by the United Nations in 1999 to celebrate the impact of space science and technology in humanity. The annual global celebrations take place from 4-10 October. These are normally outreach and education-focused events. During this week, SANSA, an entity of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), will embark on various national events.
As part of its activities for this year’s space week, SANSA launched the NRMP in the King Cetshwayo District. The programme will continue to be demonstrated at municipalities across South Africa to enable improved planning using spatial data.
This programme seeks to harness the power of remote sensing and geospatial technologies to produce actionable insights on the state and condition of South Africa’s natural resources.
According to a media statement issued by SANSA, South Africa, like many other nations, experiences great challenges from climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, pollution, and inadequate waste management.
“Combined with unsustainable land-use practices, these issues increase the risk of large-scale, rapid, and potentially irreversible environmental changes that threaten both people and ecosystems,” the statement reads.
Through the launch of NRMP, Professor Abel Ramoelo, Executive Director: Earth Observation at SANSA, said the national space agency sought to demonstrate how essential space science and technology are to day-to-day human life.
Concurring with Prof Ramoelo, Fikiswa Majola enthused: “In simple words, the NRMP turns satellite data into daily decisions. It helps a farmer know when to plant. It helps a municipality find leaks and save precious water. It helps us to see where to restore wetlands and how to protect our coasts. It helps disaster teams plan for floods and landslides. This is space for service delivery.”
Majola is the acting director of space science and tech at DSTI and she gave the keynote address during the launch.
She shared that the NRMP was aligned to the department’s mantra which entails placing science, technology at the centre of government, industry, education and society. Furthermore, the programme fits well within the G20 Presidency theme of “Solidarity, equality and sustainability”.
“This programme, the NRMP, is a living example of all three. We have solidarity with communities at risk, equality through open and decision-ready data for everyone and sustainability in how we care for water, land and our biodiversity,” Majola said.
On behalf of UNIZULU, Professor Nokuthula Kunene, Deputy Vice-Chancelor: Research and Innovation, expressed her gratitude to SANSA for being chosen as a conduit for communicating about the NRMP. She affirmed that this partnership was indicative of the institution’s commitment to research and innovation that is relevant, impactful and African centred. This, she added, resonates with the University’s strategy.
She described the launch as an invitation to dream bigger, expand our horizons and recognise how science, technology and innovation, when applied thoughtfully, can transform societies and protect our shared planet.
“World Space Week reminds us that space is not distant or abstract. It is a living laboratory that gives us the tool to improve life here on Earth. From predicting weather patterns, to managing agriculture to monitoring water resources and even responding to climate change. So, by connecting space exploration with natural resource management, SANSA and DSTI are showing us that the sky is not the limit, it is a bridge to a more sustainable and resilient future,” she said.
Prof Kunene proceeded to remind the learners of the important fact that they were not mere witnesses to the NRMP launch, but future custodians of this knowledge as some of them would become the next astrophysicists or satellite engineers.
The launch concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between UNIZULU and SANSA and an exhibition.
– Naledi Hlefane
Pictures: Xolani Ncube
