South Africa invests in astronomy because it brings benefits to the country

South Africa has continuously invested in astronomy, despite the challenges it, like many developing countries, faces, highlighted National Research Foundation (NRF) CEO Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, addressing the XXXII General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. These challenges included poverty, unemployment and inequality. The country continued to invest in astronomy because it was aware of the technology benefits that came from astronomy, he explained. He expressed the hope that the returns on the country’s investments into astronomy would soon be visible to everyone.