South Africa must never be shy to compete against the best countries in the world, said science and technology Minister Naledi Pandor after witnessing the first images from the Sumbandila satellite on Monday morning.

The Sumbandila satellite"I'm excited that our nation is in space...We intend to use our minds and our resources to take a leadership position in space. We are on track, we can be among the best," Pandor told journalists and experts at the satellite applications centre in Brits.

Sumbandila, meaning "lead the way" in Tshivenda, cost over R20 million to build and R12 million to launch. Pandor said the project was important in order for the country to advance."We must develop our own capabilities."

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