South Africa names five-member interim board to run SANSA until January 2027

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande has appointed a five-member interim board for the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), effective 21 August 2026. It follows the dissolution of the previous board on 30 July 2026, after a breakdown in relations between the chairperson and the chief executive left it divided. The interim board runs to 26 January 2027, or until a permanent board is constituted.

Andrew Khutso Msiza of Sasol chairs. Members are Shawn Basson (SARAO), Prof Thulani Jili (University of Zululand), Dr Sinenhlanhla Sikhosana (University of KwaZulu-Natal) and Dr Adriana Marais (Foundation for Space Development Africa).

At a 29 September 2026 parliamentary committee meeting, MPs raised R296 million of underspending on Strategic Infrastructure Hub projects, a fall in agency performance and delays to the EOSAT-1 project, which has a March 2027 deadline.

Why it matters: SANSA runs South Africa's national space programme, including Earth observation and geospatial services. Stable governance affects delivery of EOSAT-1 and the Strategic Infrastructure Hub, both relevant to users of South African satellite data and ground infrastructure.