S02 CAF 6 2014 - Agenda 01_Layout 1 31/10/2014 11:17 Page 12
AGENDA
SA satellite company sets its base in Somerset West
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A SOUTH AFRICAN private small satellite contractor, with business interests and ongoing contracts in numerous countries around the world, has just established their headquarters in Somerset Links Business Park in South Africa’s Western Cape. The Space Commercial Service Holdings (SCSH) group consists of a number of subsidiary companies, all specialising in different aspects of the high-tech small satellite industry, and brings with it 48 on-site personnel to Somerset West. This is made up of 37 electrical, mechanical and process engineers, and nine specialists in the fields of IT, geo-risk management, geo information systems, and social development. The balance of staff is made up of sales, marketing, management and administrative personnel. Apart from buying its own office space at Somerset Links, the group will further invest significantly in a clean room Facility, a necessary adjunct to any satellite manufacturing company. Although the clean eoom is situated within the normal office area, it is a specially constructed room which is totally sterile and thus, suitable for the manufacturing of sensitive high tech equipment. Only personnel with special clearance will be allowed to enter the room, and only after they have taken all the prescribed precautions. “Our relocation from Stellenbosch Technopark was necessitated by growth in the group and thus, the need for more office space, technical work areas, laboratory space, and especially the need for a manufacturing Clean Room Facility. Easy access to the N2 and a short 20 minute drive from the airport, were all considerations given the travel load on personnel,” said Dr Sias Mostert, chairman of SCSH. “Economic Empowerment is our business. We specialise in creating working platforms for a variety of industries using the unique properties
of geostationary satellites and low earth orbit small satellites. These platforms could be geospatial business intelligence for farming, ecology, weather, mining, urban development, population counts, strategic applications, and the socio-economic development sector.” The Helderberg Business Chamber is more than pleased by their move. Daantjie Malan, chairman of the chamber, said, “We are delighted to welcome Space Commercial Service Holdings into the Helderberg Business fraternity. The entire region is to benefit in terms of job creation and it will certainly send a strong signal to other industries that the Helderberg Basin is a future business growth point, especially being adjacent to the huge Paardevlei development.”
From left: Nirkash Jithoo, COO Space Advisory Company, Jessie Ndaba, Programme Manager Space Advisory Company and NewSpace Systems, Dr. Sias Mostert CEO Space Commercial Services Holdings, and James Barrington-Brown, MD NewSpace Systems
SkyVision extends its commitment to Ghana’s Crossover Academy for underprivileged children er ed to al T
with the outside world, far removed from GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS PROVIDER their remote villages. SkyVision Global Networks Ltd has “Without SkyVision stepping up and donated satellite connectivity solutions once again, donating a second year of to support students at Ghana’s Crossover Internet service, we would have been International Academy. SkyVision’s forced to shut down our e-learning donation included upgrading the programmes, commented James Conti, academy’s communications equipment co-founder and CEO, Wings for Crossover. with the support of VT iDirect, and “Seeing the joy in the students’ faces providing Internet connectivity for an every morning reminds us how much additional year, enabling students to they appreciate this truly generous gift.” access online educational programmes Chad Cooper, co-founder, Wings for and related e-learning tools. Crossover, said, “SkyVision has enabled In 2013, the first phase of this our students to be educated and to rise charitable project was initiated jointly by above their often difficult circumstances. SkyVision and iDirect, a world leader in As a result of SkyVision’s generosity, satellite-based IP communications technology. SkyVision has donated communications equipment to Ghana’s Crossover these children will have the chance to break the cycle of poverty through SkyVision’sSkyDirect VSAT service International Academy, with the support of VT iDirect education, make better lives for based on iDirect’s platform was installed themselves, and for the generations to follow.” and deployed throughout the “We are both proud and honored to support Crossover and the many students in academy, delivering reliable Internet access to all students. Located in the remote village of Tongor-Attokrokpo, Ghana, all of Crossover’s need of education. It has been a pleasure to follow and be part of this important and students are orphans, supported by charitable donations from around the globe. life-changing project”, stated Tzvika Zaiffer, director of product management & SkyVision’s extension project will provide quality satellite communications marketing. Ori Watermann, SkyVision CEO, commented, “We are committed to giving back to throughout the school, considered by the faculty, as a ‘lifeline’ for continued learning. Internet provides the students with access to streaming video, social the global communities in which we work and education is a fundamental stepping media, and email, and offers online programs such as the Khan Academy for stone towards these children’s growth and success. This project is proof of the mathematics, and PRO for reading and comprehension. The extended Internet significance and importance of satellite communications in education. SkyVision is service will enable over 250 students to enjoy the benefits of global connectivity, proud to support the future in this developing nation, starting with its children, it’s enjoying online programming in the classroom and the opportunity to communicate most vital resource.”
12 Communications Africa Issue 6 2014
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