[5][6][7] Commercialization of copper indium gallium sulphur selenide (CIGSSE) thin film solar cell technology was pioneered by Professor Vivian Alberts at the University of Johannesburg.
Kimberley, was the first city in the Southern Hemisphere and in Africa to have electric street lights – first lit on 1 September 1882 .
[9] South African companies hold a considerable number of high value patents related to mining.
[10] 10% of the gross domestic product (GDP) of South Africa is generated by mining companies such as De Beers, Anglo American and others.
BHP, one of the foremost mining companies in South Africa as well as Sasol, Xstrata and PetroSA are also in large-scale operations.