From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report.

Sashnee Moodley:

The University of the Witwatersrand, in partnership with diversified mining company Anglo American, have relaunched the old Johannesburg Planetarium as the Wits Anglo American Digital Dome, after major refurbishments. Wits has noted that the new Digital Dome is the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere, made possible through an investment of R90-million from Anglo American and Wits. Sabrina Jardim tells us more.

Sabrina Jardim:

Reflecting the importance of public-private partnerships, the Wits Anglo American Digital Dome offers a 360° immersive experience for visitors of all ages

It will also serve as a modern teaching venue and a collaborative research space where scientists and students can visualise their work – be it in big data, astrophysics, the digital arts, artificial medicine, microbiology or precision medicine.

Digital Dome head Dr Moumita Aich…

Sabrina Jardim:

The original Zeiss projector has been replaced with ten new digital projectors to render an 8K full dome resolution. Each projector has its own image generator, which is controlled by a master computer.

The sound in the Digital Dome has also been upgraded to an 8.2 audio system.

Wits has noted that the refurbished facility includes the new digital projection, sound systems and auditorium seating, with the possible future creation of a Science and Technology Exploratorium.

A new north wing expansion houses operational offices, exhibition areas and specialised spaces for Digital Dome show planning and design.

The Wits Anglo American Digital Dome will enter a pilot phase from November to the end of January 2025 and is expected to open its doors to the broader public in February 2025.

The first shows to be viewed in the Digital Dome include a set of six full dome shows, donated by the American Museum of National History.

Digital Dome supervisor Constant Volschenk…

Sabrina Jardim:

Wits and Anglo American will make funds available to provide access to learners from selected quintile one to three schools to attend shows at no cost at the Wits Anglo American Digital Dome during 2025.

Phase 3 of the project entails building a wing which will house studios and look towards developing content locally in conjunction with the Wits School of Arts, Digital Arts, the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, and other partners.

It will also link to Wits’ new AI Institute that was launched on November 19 in the Digital Dome, said Wits.

Speaking at a media premiere in November, Wits vice-chancellor and principal Professor Zeblon Vilakazi described the planetarium as a multidisciplinary space that integrates elements from areas such as the humanities, arts, science, technology and mathematics.

Wits vice-chancellor and principal Professor Zeblon Vilakazi…

Sashnee Moodley:

Food processing and packaging company Tetra Pak Southern Africa is ramping up its recycling efforts. Darren Parker has more.

Darren Parker:

Tetra Pak Southern Africa is on track to achieve a 40% nationwide recycling rate for its liquid board packaging, or LBP, products by 2030.

As the only principal LBP producer in South Africa, Tetra Pak has been ramping up its investments in LBP recycling through strategic partnerships with recyclers such as Gayatri Paper Mill and Mpact Recycling Paper Mill.

The company has also established relationships with organisations such as  producer responsibility organisation Petco and recycled products producer Infinity Industry.

Tetra Pak sustainability manager Masale Manoko…

Darren Parker:

Manoko attributed the growth in LBP recycling to focused investments made by Tetra Pak into the collection and processing aspects of the domestic recycling industry.

Tetra Pak sustainability manager Masale Manoko…

Darren Parker:

Tetra Pak has also spearheaded various awareness campaigns to boost the recycling rate.

Following the pilot of its educational Recycle Carton competition in the Eastern Cape last year, the company collaborated with a broader manufacturer base this year, including Orange Grove, RFG Foods and Woodlands Dairy, to increase recycling awareness in schools.

The 2024 Recycle Carton campaign aimed to encourage learners to take on the responsibility of recycling. It started in September and ran in more than 320 schools across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape until the end of November. Tetra Pak expects this initiative will have reached 300 000 learners by its conclusion.

Sashnee Moodley:

That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy. Don’t forget to listen to the audio version of our Engineering News daily email newsletter.