South Africa has never had a formal symbol to represent its national space programme. That is about to change, with the South African National Space Agency (Sansa) launching a competition inviting high school learners to design the country’s first official space mascot.

Open to learners in Gr. 8 to Gr. 11 at registered public, independent and home schools across South Africa, the competition invites entrants to submit an original mascot design, together with a short written explanation, through the official online entry portal by midnight on Monday 14 September. No prior design experience or training is required.

The winning design will be professionally developed into Sansa’s official mascot for use at schools, youth outreach events and public engagements across the country.

Building excitement about SA’s space sector

Sansa is the national agency responsible for promoting the peaceful use of space and advancing space science, technology and innovation for the benefit of South Africa. The agency develops and operates space capabilities in Earth observation, satellite navigation, space science, engineering and space weather, while supporting research, innovation and skills development.

The competition aims to build excitement about South Africa’s space sector among young people, encouraging them to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem), while creating a recognisable public symbol for the country’s growing space programme.

“A mascot gives people something to hold onto. At home, it puts a face to our space programme and helps ordinary South Africans, especially young people, connect with an industry that can feel distant and highly technical. Abroad, it becomes a symbol that our country can rally behind – helping position us as a serious, creative and capable player in international space affairs. We want a mascot that says both,” says Mr Humbulani Mudau, chief executive officer (CEO) of Sansa.

South Africa’s involvement in the global space sector stretches back more than 70 years. In 1961, the Hartebeesthoek Ground Station north of Pretoria was established to provide spacecraft tracking and communications support for some of the world’s earliest space missions. Today, the country is home to world-leading companies that manufacture satellite components for international customers, while scientists use satellite imagery to study issues on Earth and conduct ground-breaking research into our solar system.

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With the mascot intended to celebrate and build on these achievements, Sansa is looking for designs that are entirely original, clearly connected to space, and reflect something distinctly South African – whether through language, landscape, wildlife, history or culture.

Entries will be judged by a panel of scientists, engineers, designers and education specialists. The winning learner will be credited as the mascot’s original designer and receive exciting prizes, with the top three schools to receive a share of R100 000 in cash or vouchers for equipment or books.

Prizes on offer

• Winning design – The learner whose design is selected as the winning mascot will receive R3 000 in cash, a Sansa merchandise hamper, and a certificate signed by the Sansa CEO. They will also be credited as the original designer of the mascot.

• Runners-up – The second-place learner will receive R2 000 in cash, while the third-place learner will receive R1 500 in cash. Both runners-up will also receive a signed certificate and a Sansa merchandise hamper.

• Winning schools – The schools the winning learners are currently enrolled will also receive prizes. The winning school will receive R60 000, the second-place learner’s school will receive R25 000, and the third-place learner’s school will receive R15 000 in cash or educational vouchers to support teaching and learning.

Entries must be submitted online through Sansa’s official competition portal.

For more information about the competition, including the terms and conditions, or to enter, learners and schools can visit mascot.sansa.org.za or send email to mascot@sansa.org.za.