international astronomical union

Kevin Govender was named as the winner of this year's Edinburgh Medal, sharing the honour with the International Astronomical Union. With it, comes global recognition for the leadership role South Africa takes in the field. It puts him among some prestigious company, including four Nobel laureates.

This year's Edinburgh Medal will be awarded jointly to South African Kevin Govender and the International Astronomical Union. It will be bestowed upon them during the Edinburgh International Science Festival in March. Astronomy gives us the perspective to change the world, Govender says.

South Africa's new national space agency will coordinate the country's major space projects, promote space science research, develop related engineering and technological capacity, and devise and implement a national space programme.