NECSA commemorated the SAFARI 1 – 60 Anniversary of the SAFARI-1 Research Reactor
which is a 20 Megawatt tank-in-pool type nuclear research reactor, owned and operated by
the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) and is located at Pelindaba, 30 km
west of Pretoria.

Since it’s commissioning on 18th March 1965, SAFARI-1 has achieved many outstanding
successes and is currently engaged in a number of activities which are not only fascinating,
but also of great benefit to mankind. SAFARI-1 provides products and services both locally
and internationally to various industrial and institutional sectors, proving that nuclear
technology does indeed offer many beneficial applications. Mo-99 which is produced in the
SAFARI-1 reactor is used to detect early stages of cancer and heart diseases.
The SAFARI 1 – 60 Anniversary was hosted at the NECSA Gate 3 Grounds on the 25th of
March 2025. 2000 delegates attended which included NECSA staff and the office of The
Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, CEO Mr Loyiso Tyabashe and
NECSA’s Executive Board of Directors.