The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation, (Necsa) is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its first nuclear reactor SAFARI-1. This is the first nuclear research reactor on the African continent commissioned back in 1965.

The reactor located at Pelindaba, outside Pretoria, currently produces nuclear medical isotopes used for cancer detection and for cancer therapy globally.

Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has lauded the work of Necsa.

“Nuclear has got a future. Of course, the focus is on nuclear to power, you know. We’ve got the two reactors at Koeberg and the other reactor here, manufacturing of isotopes. I am advised that it accounts for 20% of the total uses of isotopes for medicinal purposes across the globe. So, the cancer detection, we account for 20% of that. So, that’s exceptional work. On the continent, we are the only ones supplying as far as North Africa, eastern West Africa. So, a major feat of engineering and innovation. We really want to protect this position of Necsa,” says Ramokgopa.

Necsa is commemorating its 60th anniversary: