(One of the world’s largest optical telescopes called the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT))
Gerhard Swart is an African systems engineer whose career spans some of the nation’s most ambitious technological endeavours.
He played a pivotal role as the electrical and systems engineer on the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), one of the world’s largest optical telescopes, which commenced operations in 2005.
(Rooivalk attack helicopter)
In 2005, Swart co-founded Optimal Energy, where he served as Chief Technical Officer. The company developed the JOULE – South Africa’s first fully electric passenger vehicle. The JOULE garnered international acclaim, notably at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, for its innovative design and engineering.
Swart was also the founder of Alphadot (Pty) Ltd, a consultancy specialising in innovation, product development, and systems engineering. He has contributed to various high-profile projects, including the Rooivalk attack helicopter and the Hong Kong International Airport.
(Gerhard now lives in UK where he works at the global headquarters of the SKA Observatory. Since moving there in 2017 he has owned a Renault ZOE, which reminds him of the JOULE.)
He currently lives in the UK, leading the global engineering effort for the construction of the
Square Kilometre Array (SKA) MID radio telescope being constructed in the Karoo,
incorporating the South African MeerKAT Telescope.
When completed in 2029, SKA will be
the most sensitive radio telescope ever built.
A registered Professional Engineer and member of the Institute for Systems Engineers
(IfSE), Swart continues to advocate for sustainable industrial development through strategic
engineering initiatives.