Workshop 2 of the SAGWG

Name: Workshop 2 of the SAGWG
Start: 2026-09-30T08:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-10-02T16:00:00+02:00
Location: DLRRD Pretoria

30 Sept 2026, 08:00 → 2 Oct 2026, 16:00 Africa/Johannesburg

DLRRD Pretoria

600 Lilian Ngoyi St

Aletha de Witt (DSTI), Aslam Parker (Department of Land Reform and Rural Development)

Description

The map shows the Historical Geodetic Triangulation Network of South Africa overlaid with TrigNet stations to show the evolution of the national control survey system from a passive to active network. © SAGWG 2026

events@sagwg.org.za

Registration

Participants

398 View full list

Wednesday 30 September
- 08:00
  
  Bus from DLRRD Pretoria to Hartebeesthoek
  
  Please see https://events.sagwg.org.za/event/1/page/2-excursion
- Excursion: SARAO Hartebeesthoek
  - 09:45
    
    Tea / Coffee Foyer (SARAO Hartebeesthoek)
    
    Foyer
    
    SARAO Hartebeesthoek
  - 1
    
    Welcome and Opening Meeting Area (HartRAO)
    
    Meeting Area
    
    HartRAO
    
    Welcome remarks, introductions, programme overview and housekeeping
    
    Speakers: Aletha de Witt (DSTI), Aslam Parker (Department of Land Reform and Rural Development)
  - 2
    
    Welcome: SARAO Meeting Area (HartRAO)
    
    Meeting Area
    
    HartRAO
    
    Speaker: Dr Adrian Tiplady (SARAO)
  - 3
    
    Introduction to HartRAO Meeting area (HartRAO)
    
    Meeting area
    
    HartRAO
    
    Overview of the observatory, its history, mandate and role in radio astronomy
    
    Speaker: Roelf Botha (SARAO)
    
    HartRAO Overview - SAGWG Workshop 2026.pdf
  - 4
    
    Tour of HartRAO via interactive sessions HartRAO
    
    HartRAO
    
    Safety Briefing
    Logistics
    
    Group Photograph at 26m
    
    Main groupings:
    - Engineering + Workshops (Pieter Stronkhorst)
    - Radio Telescopes and VLBI (Jon Quick)
    - SLR, GNSS + Site Tie (Roelf Botha)
    - Any other interests (Simphiwe Madlanga)
    
    Speakers: Dr Jon Quick, Lungelo Gumede, Pieter Stronkhorst, Dr Roelf Botha (SARAO), Simphiwe Madlanga
- 11:30
  
  Travel to SANSA Hartebeesthoek
- Excursion: SANSA Hartebeesthoek
  - 5
    
    Introduction to SANSA
    
    Speaker: Eugene Avenant
    
    SANSA General 2026 sept.pdf
  - 6
    
    Tour + Interactive Session and Q&A
    
    Group Photograph
    Questions, discussion and engagement with SANSA staff
  - 13:15
    
    Lunch
  - 7
    
    Closing Remarks and Vote of Thanks Final Networking
    
    Speakers: Aletha de Witt (DSTI), Aslam Parker (Department of Land Reform and Rural Development)
- 14:30
  
  Bus from SANSA Hartebeesthoek to DLRRD Pretoria
Thursday 1 October
- 8
  
  Registration and Tea / Coffee
- Pillar 1: Foundations
  
  Pillar 1: Foundations
  
  Conveners: Aletha de Witt (Director: Radio Astronomy Projects, DSTI), Aslam Parker (Chief Director: National Geospatial Information, DLRRD)
  - 9
    
    Welcome
    
    Opening Remarks by DSTI + DLRRD (Chair/Co-chair)
    Welcome
    
    Speaker: Siyabonga Mdubeki (Chief Surveyor General, DLRRD)
    
    Welcome and Setting the Scene S Mdubeki 2nd SAGWG Workshop 1 Oct 2026 v2.pdf
  - 10
    
    UN-GGCE and recent developments
    
    Nic Brown
    
    Speaker: Nicholas Brown (Head of Office of the United Nations Global Geodetic Centre of Excellence (UN-GGCE))
    
    20261001 UN-GGCE Update.pdf
  - 11
    
    One year on...
    
    Feedback and Overview: 2025 Workshop and Report
    Progress to date and Working Group establishment
    
    Speakers: Aletha de Witt (Director for Radio Astronomy Projects, DSTI), Aslam Parker (Chief Director: National Geospatial Information, DLRRD)
    
    dewitt_parker_overview v2 .pptx.pdf
- 12
  
  Overview of the SAGWG Pillars
  
  Introduces the (refined) pillar framework, setting up the individual pillar sessions that follow across both days
  
  Speaker: Aletha de Witt (Director: Radio Astronomy Projects, DSTI)
- 10:15
  
  Tea / Coffee
- History
  
  Convener: Aslam Parker (Chief Director: National Geospatial Information, DLRRD)
  - 13
    
    History of Geodesy in South Africa and Africa - Terrestrial
    
    Speaker: Patrick Vorster (Retired Chief Professional Surveyor, DLRRD)
    
    History of Geodesy in South Africa and Africa - Terrestrial - 1 Oct 26.pdf
  - 14
    
    History - Space Geodesy
    
    History of Space Geodesy, Tribute
    
    Speaker: Roelf Botha (Manager of Space Goedesy, SARAO)
    
    History - Astronomy and Space Geodesy.pptx.pdf
- Pillar 3: Infrastructure and Operations: Pillar 3: Infrastructure & Operations
  
  Pillar 3: Infrastructure and Operations
  
  Convener: Nozipho Madlala (Chief Professional Surveyor, DLRRD)
  - 15
    
    Evolution of South Africa’s active GNSS reference network
    
    DLRRD + Trignet
    SA Control Survey system
    
    Speaker: Cleotilda Nxumalo (Chief Professional Surveyor, DLRRD)
    
    PRESENTATION.pdf
  - 16
    
    Space Geodetic Infrastructure
    
    SARAO Hartebeesthoek
    
    Speaker: Roelf Botha (Manager of Space Goedesy, SARAO)
    
    SARAO-Infrastructure.pptx.pdf
  - 17
    
    SANSA geodetic infrastructure: from Africa to the polar regions
    
    Speaker: Mr Jon Ward (EDA Manager, SANSA)
    
    1-3-3 SANSA_Geodetic_Infrastructure_Geodesy_Workshop.pdf
- 12:30
  
  Lunch
- Pillar 5: Data, Standards and Open Access
  
  Convener: Mr Jon Ward (EDA Manager, SANSA)
  - 18
    
    International standards frameworks
    
    Speaker: Nozipho Madlala (Chief Professional Surveyor, DLRRD)
    
    Pillar 5_Nozipho Madlala_SAGWG_Presentation.pdf
  - 19
    
    SDI Act and Standards
    
    Speaker: Dalikhaya Mdunge (Chairperson, CSI)
    
    SDI_act_and_standards_20261001.pptx.pdf
  - 20
    
    Geodetic Data Stewardship through Open Access, FAIR, TRUST, CARE and Open Science
    
    Speaker: Glenda Coetzer (SARAO)
    
    Geodetic Data Stewardship through Open Access, FAIR, TRUST and CARE_v2.pdf
- Pillar 6: Reference Systems and Regional Frames
  
  Pillar 6 Reference Systems and Regional Frames
  
  Convener: Roelf Botha (Manager of Space Goedesy, SARAO)
  - 21
    
    Terrestrial Reference Frames and Systems
    
    Speaker: Aslam Parker (Chief Director: National Geospatial Information, DLRRD)
    
    Aslam Parker 3 Reference Systems & Global and Local Reference Frames SAGWG 1-2 Oct 2026.pptx.pdf
  - 22
    
    Tide gauge network and hydrological systems
    
    Ruth Farre
    Maritime Reference Levels
    
    Speaker: Ruth Farre (Superintendent Tidal Information, Hydrographic Office, SA Navy)
    
    DLRRD_Geodetic workshop presentation_SANHO.pdf
- 15:00
  
  Tea / Coffee
- Pillar 6: Reference Systems and Regional Frames
  
  Pillar 6 Reference Systems and Regional Frames
  
  Convener: Roelf Botha (Manager of Space Goedesy, SARAO)
  - 23
    
    Height reference systems
    
    Speaker: Siphiwe Mphuthi (Geoscience researcher, UCT)
    
    Height_Reference_Systems_SAGWG2026.pptx.pdf
  - 24
    
    International Celestial Reference Frame and EOPs
    
    Speaker: Aletha de Witt (Director: Radio Astronomy Projects, DSTI)
    
    ICRF_dewitt.pptx
    
    ICRF_dewitt.pptx.pdf
Friday 2 October
- 25
  
  Registration and Tea / Coffee
- Pillar 7: Human Capital Development
  
  Pillar 7: Human Capital Development
  
  Convener: Mulemwa Akombelwa (UKZN)
  - 26
    
    Geodesy Education and Research at Traditional Universities: Current Provision and Future Needs
    
    Speakers: Mulemwa Akombelwa (UKZN), Patroba Odera (University of Cape Town), Siphiwe Mphuthi (Geoscience researcher)
    
    Geodesy_Teaching_Research_SAGWG2026.pptx.pdf
  - 27
    
    Geodesy Education and Postgraduate Training at TUT: Current Provision and Future Needs
    
    Kovlien Reddy
    
    Speaker: Kovilen Reddy (Tshwane University of Technology, Geomatics Department)
    
    SAGWG_Presentation_K Reddy.pdf
  - 28
    
    Geodesy Education at DUT: Experiences, Challenges and Future Directions
    
    Misheck Phiri
    
    Speaker: Misheck Phiri (Durban University of Technology)
    
    Geodesy Education at DUT Experiences Challenges and Future Directions.pdf
- Pillar 2: Advocacy, Communications and Outreach
  
  Pillar 2: Advocacy, Communications and Outreach
  
  Convener: Aletha de Witt (Director: Radio Astronomy Projects, DSTI)
  - 29
    
    Advocacy for geodesy: from technical need to political priority
    
    Speaker: Laila Løvhøiden (Norwegian Mapping Authority)
    
    2026_Advocay for geodesy_SAGWS.pdf
  - 30
    
    Geodesy as the Foundation of a Future-Ready Geomatics Profession: Regulation, Competence and National Spatial Resilience
    
    Speaker: Morena Letsosa (SAGC)
    
    SAGC_Geodesy_Workshop_Presentation-30Sept2026.pdf
  - 31
    
    The Next Generation of Geomatics Practitioners: Integrating Geodesy, GNSS, GIS, Remote Sensing and Geospatial Data Science
    
    Speaker: Ms Tshepisho Agnecia Lefenyo (DLRRD)
    
    Tshepisho Agnecia Lefenyo_SAGWG_02102026.pdf
- 10:20
  
  Tea / Coffee
- Pollar 4: Spectrum protection
  
  Pillar 4: Spectrum protection
  
  Convener: Hubert Mathebula (Deputy Director: Radio Astronomy, DSTI)
  - 32
    
    Frequency Protection for geodetic VLBI - Support for an Agenda Item at WRC-31
    
    Speaker: Hayo Hase (Bundesamt für Kartographie und Geodäsie)
    
    261002SpectrumProtectionOfVGOS.pdf
  - 33
    
    Radio Frequency Spectrum Management
    
    Speaker: Selaelo Matlhane (SARAO)
    
    SAGWG_Spectrum protection_Selaelo Matlhane.pdf
- Pillar 8: R&D and next-gen supply chain - innovation and technology development
  
  Pillar 8: R&D and next-gen supply chain - innovation and technology development
  
  Convener: Roelf Botha (Manager of Space Goedesy, SARAO)
  - 34
    
    SANSA and low-cost GNSS
    
    Speaker: Mr Jon Ward (EDA Manager, SANSA)
    
    SANSA_Low_Cost_GNSS_Geodesy_Workshop.pptx.pdf
  - 35
    
    BeiDou High-Accuracy Services: Opportunities for Geodetic Applications
    
    Speaker: Ningbo Wang (Aerospace Informatioin Research Institute (AIR), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS))
    
    Ningbo.Wang-BeiDou-HAS-SAGWG.pdf
  - 36
    
    Brief overview of the current state and trajectory of aerial surveying and satellite remote sensing technology for mapping
    
    Speaker: Adriaan Combrink
    
    SAGWG_ACombrink_20261002_rev0.pdf
  - 37
    
    Earth Observation applications using Beidou
    
    @Lesiba Thomas Tsoeleng,
    
    Speaker: Lesiba Thomas Tsoeleng (SANSA)
    
    SAGWG_Presentation_SANSA Earth Observation.pdf
- 12:15
  
  Lunch
- Industry
  
  Convener: Mr Jon Ward (EDA Manager, SANSA)
  - 38
    
    Precision at Scale - The Tanzania CORS Installation
    
    Precision at Scale_The Tanzania CORS Case Study_Vers 4.pptx.pdf
  - 39
    
    Quality Control of CORS Stations and Data
    
    Speaker: Talal Hanna (Leica GeoSystems)
- 40
  
  Interactive session, demos (Tea and Coffee available)
- Africa
  
  Convener: Hubert Mathebula (Deputy Director: Radio Astronomy, DSTI)
  - 41
    
    Update on GGOS-Africa
    
    Speaker: Aletha de Witt (Director: Radio Astronomy Projects, DSTI)
    
    dewitt_GGOS_Africa.pptx
    
    dewitt_GGOS_Africa.pptx.pdf
  - 42
    
    UN-GGIM Africa working group on AFREF
    
    Speaker: Aslam Parker (Chief Director: National Geospatial Information, DLRRD)
    
    AFREF update SAGWG 2 Oct 2026 Aslam Parker.pptx.pdf
  - 43
    
    Importance of Advocacy and Outreach for Geodesy - Initiatives led under GGOS
    
    Speaker: Martin Sehnal (BEV - Federal Office of Metrology and Surveying)
    
    SEHNAL~1.PDF
    
    SEHNAL~2.MP4
  - 44
    
    Strengthening the Future of Geodesy: Empowering Early Career Scientists (ECS)
    
    Ghomsi
    
    Speaker: Franck Ghomsi
- 45
  
  Summary, Highlights & Way Forward
  
  Speakers: Aletha de Witt (Director: Radio Astronomy Projects, DSTI), Aslam Parker (Chief Director: National Geospatial Information, DLRRD)
- 46
  
  Close & Communiqué
  
  Speaker: Siyabonga Mdubeki (Chief Surveyor General, DLRRD)

Workshop 2 of the SAGWG

DLRRD Pretoria

Foyer

SARAO Hartebeesthoek

Meeting Area

HartRAO

Meeting Area

HartRAO

Meeting area

HartRAO

HartRAO