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The South African Council for space affairs
Council conducting its second meeting before the induction session on the 16 March 2026
SACSA Hits the Ground Running Following February Appointment
Pretoria, South Africa – The recently appointed South African Council for Space Affairs (SACSA) has moved swiftly to operationalise its mandate, demonstrating strong momentum since assuming office on 1 February 2026.
Within a short period, the Council has already convened two meetings, including an introductory session and an operational strategic engagement just before the Induction programme . The Council induction programme took place between the 16 -20 March, in the Western Cape ,which is home to a concentration of South Africa’s leading space industry players. Read More
Minister Appoints New South African Council for Space Affairs (SACSA)
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition has appointed the new fifteen-member South African Council for Space Affairs (SACSA) for the term 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2029, marking a significant step in strengthening South Africa’s space governance framework. The members are as follows; Adv. Luthando Simphiwe Mkumatela as Chairperson, Dr Maria Ria Nonyana-Mokabane as Vice-Chairperson and the dtic representative, Adv. Icho Kealotswe-Matlou, Mr Shafique Amid Dean Allie, Mr Kebeditswe Medupe, Mr Sydney Linden Petzer, Mr Vincent Molawa Ngoetjana, Mr Nhlanhla Michael Mabaso, Mr Itumeleng Makoloi, the DSTI representative, Dr Sarisha Harrylal, Ms Yolanda Nxumalo, Mr Flenk Mnisi (DCDT, Colonel Tamara Thomas-Herwels (DOD) and Mr Levers Mabaso (DOT). Read More
South Africa’s role in international space fora
The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) is one of the standing committees of the United Nations. It was established in 1959 and currently comprises 69 Member States. South Africa is a Member State of COPUOS.The mandate of the Committee is to promote international cooperation in peaceful uses of outer space; to devise programmes in this field to be undertaken under United Nations auspices; to encourage continued research and the dissemination of information on outer space matters; and to study legal problems arising from the exploration of outer space.The Committee has two subcommittees, the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee and the Legal Subcommittee. The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (OOSA) in Vienna runs the UN Programme on Space Applications, which is defined by the Member States of COPUOS. OOSA also provides the Secretariat functions for COPUOS.
