National Budget To Include Resources For Launch Of Space Satellite

During Mthuli Ncube’s 2020 Budget presentation yesterday, the Finance Minister announced that as part of Research and Development efforts the government will set aside resources to launch a space satellite:

The Budget has set aside resources for the Research and Development programme, including the launch of the space satellite.

Mthuli Ncube – Finance Minister

As you would expect many on social media did not react too well to this announcement as there is a feeling that the funds could’ve been allocated to something better:

See more

The Minister of Finance says he has set aside funds for the launch of a space satellite. If you are in doubt, I have attached the extract from the national budget statement presented today. Ambition isn’t a bad thing but how about fixing roads & delivering clean water first?🤷🏾‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/lZUBAdqm6S

— Alex T Magaisa 🇿🇼 (@Wamagaisa) November 14, 2019

See more

The same GVT that failed to pay doctors a decent salary and failed to buy ambulances in the 2019 health budget now wants to launch a space satellite.#Zimbabwe

— Team Pachedu (@PacheduZW) November 14, 2019

See more

OMG. They have all finally lost it. A space satellite when you can’t even provide clean water. https://t.co/l0E23SzC17

— geraldine jackson (@JacksonGerry) November 15, 2019

The Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency was launched last July with a focus on renewable energy mapping, geological minerals mapping, wildlife surveillance and health.

Since that launch, the National Space Agency hasn’t featured much in the public eye until now and it’s not clear if their lack of activity over the past year were as a result of a lack of funds…