President Jacob Zuma congratulated Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor and her team on Friday for winning the right to co-host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope with Australia.

"We are especially proud of winning this bid... on Africa Day," Zuma said in a statement.

"Africa is indeed rising. South Africa is confident that the country will deliver on the expectations of the continent and world."

Zuma said the this achievement was possible because of the African Union's endorsement and support from partner countries including Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Namibia and Zambia.

Earlier, it was announced that the SKA board had decided on a "dual site approach".

"We will be installing equipment in both Australia and South Africa and together they will form part of a global observatory," the French news agency AFP quoted SKA board chairperson John Womersley as saying at a press conference at the Schiphol Airport, in Amsterdam.

"This is a momentous day for South Africa and the continent and will give all of us the possibility to answer fundamental questions in physics, astronomy and cosmology," the African National Congress said.

"It will advance our scientific research capacity as a country and a continent and will also see a lot of foreign direct investment injected into this project, which will go a long way in creating much-needed jobs..."

The ANC said it would also put South Africa in good stead to advance to an inclusive information society.

Democratic Alliance MP Junita Kloppers-Lourens said the party was disheartened, but not dismayed at the decision.

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Africa is indeed rising - Zuma