South Africa's first space and aeronautical technologies school could be built in the Western Cape.
News of the project emerged at last week's second SA International Aerospace Symposium held at Spier in Stellenbosch. This year's theme was Advancing Africa through Partnerships in Aerospace.
Researcher Ron Beyers, who delivered a paper, runs the young engineers and scientists of Africa programme at the Meraka Institute, which forms part of the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research.
He said the project was still at an early stage and had generated much interest from key players in the industry, including international ones.
"A preliminary investigation has highlighted the Western Cape as a potential site due to the presence of strategic aerospace industries.
"With the recently launched space park in the Tshwane area, this will be investigated as well."
He said South Africa was facing huge challenges in meeting basic socio-economic needs and addressing scarce skills in key areas such as science, engineering and technology in order to sustain growth.
Reforms in education had seen dramatic changes, with the introduction of an outcomes-based education emphasising skills development rather than basic information.
"Space is no longer the exclusive club of First World countries. A developing country like South Africa has access to a growing pool of young people, the Net generation who are growing up in a technological world that is largely second nature to them."
He urged more young people to seek careers in science and technology.