South African President Jacob Zuma "Hosting the Square Kilometre Array will underscore Africa's capability in science and innovation. It will help us to answer fundamental questions in the fields of astronomy, physics and cosmology, and may even detect intelligent life elsewhere in the universe," says South African President Jacob Zuma.
		Naledi Pandor, Minister of Science and Technology "South Africa's commitment to advancing the SKA project has been cemented in all spheres of our government, including at the provincial level," says Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor.
		African Union (AU) The AU has acknowledged the significance of the SKA project in bringing much-needed development to Africa. At the 15th ordinary session of the assembly of Heads of State and Government, the AU recognised the importance of the science, technology and innovation emanating from the SKA project. This will drive human capital development programmes on the continent, and boost the move towards knowledge-based economies.
		Geoff Rothschild, Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) Should South Africa be selected in 2012 to host the SKA, the social and economic benefits for Africa will be enormous. Already the project has focused international attention on our scientific and engineering capabilities, and the increased injection of funds for the training and education of students in these fields provides an invaluable and ongoing boost to this vital skills pool. In the true spirit of Ubuntu, I urge all South Africans to get behind our country in support of our bid – together, we can make this a reality!

Gustav Gazar, Office of the Premier (Northern Cape)
There is no other place in the world where you can find clear clean skies. Africa has proven that it poses enormous potential. In fact, the birth place of science is Africa. The decision to select Africa will be a correct and wise decision. It is indeed Africa's time and MeerKAT has proven what we are capable of achieving.

Jacques Maritz, Physics Department at the University of the Freestate
I think the SKA should be hosted in Africa since Theoretical Astrophysics like myself are waiting to start a career as part of the SKA team. I have faith in our team of high excellence.

William Buist, Barloworld
The project is a real chance for South Africa to show that it is indeed at the forefront of space activities. I wholeheartedly support the bid for the SKA to be located here.

Philip Ridgwell, Nedbank
The site for SKA makes so much sense as a hub of excellence as it builds on the other large telescopes already proven and in place. An obvious choice from a time zone perspective.

Alan Makings
I support the African SKA because we can do it.

Mbulelo Duma
I believe South Africa deserves the opportunity to host the SKA since it is the cradle of humankind. This, together with the SKA project, could lead to many more interesting discoveries.

Monyuku Vincent, Imperial
I hereby applaud and support the SKA bid.

Marco Davids, Aidan House Brandvlei, Northern Cape
We at Aidan House fully support your efforts in your bid to bring the SKA project to the South Africa.

Carolina Ödman-Govender, AIMS-Next Einstein Initiative
The potential of the SKA to contribute ot Africa's development is unequalled by any scientific instrument. That's what I call building bridges! Africa deserves to have a place a the forefront of science and technology. It's very simple: the world cannot do without the talent of that billion people! The MeerKAT is already proof that not only is the commitment there, but the capacity, and it's growing! There are more young people in the developing world than anywhere else. Go SKA Africa! Go where the future lies!

Riaan Theron
So proud and humbled to support our bid, just as sure as we have some of the best people on the planet, so to do we look humbly to the myriad stars and the sky in our beautiful land.

David-John Groenewald, PriceWaterhouseCoopers Inc
Southern Africa is emerging as a global leader in so many industries. We have in such a short time accomplished so much. Just look at the Rugby World Cup in 1995 and the Football World Cup in 2010. This project would boost southern Africa so much more.

Jacobus Rossouw, DocQnet Systems International
I have been privileged enough to have met some of the staff of the SKA South Africa. Their dedication and passion serve as inspiration and I know that they will deliver a better SKA than any other organisation on the planet. The proof of this lies in the great strides they have already taken. More than this, I am excited about two things: that Africa gets an opportunity to show its true worth in science and that this, the most awe-inspiring project in the world, will be accomplished in my own country.

Aafaque Khan, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal
I was at the International Astronautical Congress and UN/IAF workshop in Cape Town recently. I think South Africa deserves to be awarded the SKA project because there is a lot of potential in the scientists, engineers, and students of South Africa. They know that the world is watching and want to prove their potential. I support the SKA in South Africa and would love to work on the project when we get it awarded.

Anzelle Dubbelman, PriceWaterhouseCoopers Inc
I am holding thumbs that the bid will be awarded to South Africa.

Christa Gazar
I endorse the South African bid because through KAT7 and MeerKAT the world is provided with a sneak preview to what South Africa can offer. Through the SKA project, the world will have a front row seat to incredible scientific progress.

Zaid Kadwa, PriceWaterhouseCoopers Inc
South Africa is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and is full of opportunity. Therefore, we would make the perfect host for this project.

Augusta Assan, PriceWaterhouseCoopers Inc
I believe that the successful bid for South Africa will increase interest in our continent and open us up to a lot of other opportunities and business initiatives. We should all support this venture as Africans, and any venture that will bring in revenue and investment into our continent.

Tumi Mahoko, PriceWaterhouseCoopers Inc
South Africa needs to win this bid as there are many youths that need employment and our economy will receive a boost.

Retief de Villiers
Through the technical work done for MeerKAT and KAT-7 we have proven to have the know-how to make a success of SKA. With the Astronomy Geographic Advantage Act, declaring an entire province of our country (with a small exclusion) as an Astronomy Advantage Area, we have proven our full commitment as a country to the SKA. We can do it: for our country, for our continent and for expanding the frontiers of scientific knowledge for the world.

Koketso Moeti, Operation: ROOIGROND
There is no doubt that science affects so much of what we do, as such, we need a platform to showcase our scientific progress. The SKA is an ideal platform for this and would also allow us to involve the rural and marginalised, if used well.

Kelly Quantrill
The SKA is an unprecedented opportunity for South Africa. South Africans finally have a chance to get involved in the African space industry and play a role in propelling the country into the desired age of international collaboration in this industry. It is something all South Africans should be getting excited about.

Michael Geyser, Qualica Technologies
The SKA would be a massive leap forward for science in an African context. South Africa is the perfect host, with a mix of world class science with developing country potential.

Chris Yelland, EE Publishers
I support the SKA project for South Africa because it is an important science and engineering project that will add significant value and provide many spin-offs for the country, and will enhance our local scientific and engineering capability.

Peter Hart-Davis, MWEB Connect PTY LTD
Leading SA into the future, for education and inspiration.

Brad Inggs, African Space Institute
Having the SKA in Africa is a great step forward and the results have already been seen in our home town Durban, well done! The African Space Institute supports it 100%.

Paul Johnston, Prophecy
I believe the SKA has huge potential for South Africa, in diverse areas ranging from Technology to Education. Our country combines the natural qualities and human capital needed for this project in a unique and powerful way - South Africa can do this!

Lloyd Madiba, UJ Undergrad Student
I personally think the SKA should be awarded to South Africa because the proposed site to build the giant telescope is incomparable to anything else in the world.

Charlotte Arigye-Kaija, PwC
Southern Africa is well equipped to undertake and successfully complete this project.

Bob Dehning, Association for Real-time Information
South Africa has always been one of the world leaders with Radio Telescopes. We must continue...

Jeanette van der Breggen, St Mary's DSG Old Girls Association
We support the SKA bid because we know that South Africa deserves to be awarded the project. More so because one of our Old Girls, Cecilia van der Merwe (Matriculated 2001), has played such an important part in it.

Allen Herbert, Phezu Space, LLC USA
As a American that has understood African innovation in the past and the present I feel that this will be one of the greatest things to move Africa into the Space Age! I will do whatever I can to get Americans to support this great African endeavour!

Henning Lubbe, Hospitality Skills Innovations
This project will once again prove that South Africa can take on big projects of an advanced scientific nature and make it work. This will also serve as an inspiration to the youth of what they can become, thereby encouraging a culture of experimenting and seeking to know more. This will improve the quality of life of all South Africans.

Dylan James, Cape Media
The SKA will not only place Africa firmly on the international map as a leader in astronomy but has also proven to be a catalyst in local technological development and research. I encourage all South Africans to stand behind this initiative!

Siphelele Blose, Square Kilometre Array South Africa
Yes we can! South Africa have proved to implement the "unity in diversity" behavior very well. With all South Africans pulling together to one direction, nothing can stop us hosting the world class research facility. By Africa, for the world.

Siphelele Blose, Square Kilometre Array South Africa
Yes we can! South Africa have proved to implement the "unity in diversity" behavior very well. With all South Africans pulling together to one direction, nothing can stop us hosting the world class research facility. By Africa, for the world.

Engela Duvenage, Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Science
I am most impressed by what the project is doing to enthuse, inspire and support young people to follow a career in science.

Esme Olivier, Kimberley Hospital
The Northern Cape is the one area in the world with clear skies. The province will benefit with regards to job creation and eliminating of poverty through tourism and all the other benefits that this project will bring to us.

Sophia Links, Department of Social Development
As a proud member of the people of Upington i appreciate and support the bid process because with this a lot of spinoffs will come to the people of the Northern Cape as a whole. Please support the bid.

Feroza Fredericks, Northern Cape Provincial Treasury
There is no place on earth where one will find more clearer and clean skies than in the Northern Cape, South Africa. I believe that South Africa deserves the opportunity to host the SKA as it is ideally positioned from a time zone perspective. Our country has the scientific expertise and know-how to host the project.

Mzwandile Mothelesi, Northern Cape Department of Health
I firmly believe that the Northern Cape on behalf of the African continent is the most perfect and strategic location to host the world's most powerful radio telescope i.e. the SKA. We are well positioned to help answer fundamental questions in astronomy so that the people of the world can gain a better understanding of nature and the universe.

Rufus Beukes, Northern Cape Provincial Treasury
What a beautiful province it is that we live in. With its vast open spaces and awesome galaxy I can't think of a better place where the SKA can be situated. Thumbs up for the Nortern Cape.

Rodwyn Grewan, DEDaT
The SKA, another INSPIRATION from the Northern Cape for all South Africans and the African continent!!

Richard Norton
Best of luck South Africa, all us "stargazers and rocketeers" are confident that we can win this bid.

Stanley Subramoney, Chairman of Nepad
The SKA project can become one of the most powerful drivers in enhancing Africa's growth, development and participation in the global economy. The spin offs will have a lasting and positive impact on business, regional co-operation, capacity development and infrastructure. NEPAD is thus 200% behind the South African bid.

Dr Steve Lennon, NACI and MD, Eskom Resources and Strategy Division
The SKA Project in South Africa is already bringing Science, Innovation and Engineering Progress to life. If South Africa is awarded the bid, this project has to potential to rreveal and unleash the immense scientific and innovative capacity of South Africa and the African Continent. I believe that everyone who has a passion for innovation, science, progress and excellence should put their full weight and influence behind this bid.

Jurie Gryffenberg
The "Support SA bid for SKA" page on Facebook fully endorses the SKA project in Africa. Please visit our page and click on the like button.

Nico Molefe, University of the Witwatersrand, SoE
We have, as Mzansi, shown on many occasions how capable we are. We are currently one of the fastest-developing countries with the potential to climb any mountain. We have the infrastructure and we have the guts. We can do it.

Luvesan Perumal, AHIMSA Project Management cc
South Africa is truly a First World venue in terms of hosting the SKA project. We have the skills, the people, and the will to make this a huge success and add to the number of "world firsts" that South Africa is known for.

Adele Gryffenberg, PriceWaterhouseCoopers Inc
Having the SKA in South Africa will mean a lot for creating jobs and also to conserve the Karoo area. It will also assist with introduction of sciences to the youth.

Peter Viney
As a former co-chair of the Australian SKA Coordination Committee I strongly endorse South Africa's bid to host the SKA project. When I attended the SKA Conference in Cape Town in 2009 it was evident that South Africa's bid involved working with many developing African nations to create an international vision and opportunity for one of the world's great scientific endeavours.

Laura Fisher, Academic consultant
I support President Jacob Zuma's suggestion that South Africa is the best place for the SKA project.

Noxolo Mabona
I believe that South Africa is more than capable of hosting the SKA. Politics should not factor into the decision when the time comes.

Gino Damonse, Silver Solutions SA
We fully support and promote this opportunity to showcase South Africa and Africa's ability to become a meaningful role player in the international ICT and knowledge economy arena.

Willie Liberty, Edith Cowen University
This is a maiden voyage toward diversification of the African economy. We pledge our support to South Africa for offering the best suitable place for such a pioneering and historical mission.

Wayne Leeming, Melcombe Primary School, London UK
We're all behind South Africa being chosen to host the SKA. What a great opportunity for Africa to play an important part in space exploration and to show that Africans are world players. Good luck!

Dave Harcourt, DIGIVU
The World Cup was great and showed South Africa's ability and gave us improved infrastructure. But this will take that ability and apply it to developing a long term scientific capacity in Africa, which is of immense value to Africa and the world.