Astronomy Geographic Advantage Act, 2007 (Act No. 21 of 2007)Chapter 7 : Administration of Act47. Powers and functions of NRF |
| (1) | In addition to any powers and functions that the NRF may be given under this Act or any other legislation, for the purposes of promoting astronomy, preserving the Republic of South Africa’s astronomy advantage and achieving the other related objectives of this Act, the NRF— |
| (a) | must monitor and report regularly to the Minister on— |
| (i) | the status of all areas declared in terms of this Act; |
| (ii) | general encroachments into the Republic’s astronomy advantage from light pollution, radio frequency interference and related matters; |
| (iii) | devices which require designation or protection in terms of section 28; |
| (iv) | areas that require protection in terms of sections 5, 7, 9 and 11 to preserve, protect or promote the Republic’s astronomy advantage; and |
| (v) | activities which should be declared or identified in terms of sections 24 and 25 to preserve, protect or promote the Republic’s astronomy advantage. |
| (b) | may develop strategies, alone or after consultation with academic and technical institutions and the relevant skills development agencies, for the enhancement of the skills, capabilities and expertise of those interested in and engaged in astronomy and related scientific endeavours in Southern Africa and to encourage and facilitate the participation of previously disadvantaged groups in astronomy and related scientific endeavours; |
| (c) | may advise the Minister on any other matter in respect of which the Minister is empowered to act in terms of this Act and any other matter related to astronomy and the preservation of the Republic’s astronomy advantage; |
| (d) | may act as an advisory and consultative body on matters relating to astronomy and the Republic’s astronomy advantage to organs of state and other stakeholders; |
| (e) | must coordinate and promote the advancement of astronomy and related scientific endeavours; |
| (f) | may undertake and promote research on astronomy, the preservation of the Republic’s astronomy advantage and encroachments onto any aspect of the Republic’s astronomy advantage and related matters; |
| (g) | on the Minister’s request, must assist the Minister in the performance of the duties and the exercise of the powers granted to the Minister in terms of this Act; and |
| (h) | must perform any other duties— |
| (i) | assigned to it in terms of this Act; or |
| (ii) | as may be prescribed by the Minister. |
| (2) | When the NRF gives advice in terms of subsection (1) on a scientific matter, it may consult any appropriate organ of state or other institution which has expertise in that matter. |