d.iscovery in the Kalahari Desert of what was reported to be an und.erground nuclear r,reapon test site a"nd the d,etection by a United States VEI,A reconnaissance satel]ite in the area of the South Atlantic on 22 Septenbet I97 9 of a d.oubl-e fLash of light resembling the signals from an atroospheric nuclear explosion, an event which hasyet to receive a scientifically indisputable explanation, The strong reactions of the wo::l-d comunity to those two events show clearly tbe vide consellsus about the need to deaL with South Africa's nucleal capability as a very grave threat to the securiiy of the .A.frican states and. to international peace. United N€.tions, Ibid. , vol-. 729,Tteaty Series, vot. l+80, wo. 596)+, p. )+3. p. roJ-. !r\,/ j, /)1a2dnglisl jlttinex Fs-gr:6 TI. NUCIEAR EI,IERGY PFOFILE OT SOUTH AFRICA A. Earfy history 5. south Africa's nuclear energy activities began in the closing ilays of thesecond llorrd" war when, at the request of the united. Kingdoa of Grezit Britain andNorthern freland, South African Prirae l.linister Snruts ordered a secret survey to be'undertaken of his country?s potential uranium resources. steps toward productionof the considerable quantities of urerium uncovered in parts of existing goldfields soon folLoved, including construction" r:nd in t9)+9 and 1950 the initialoperation of pilot pl-ants for extracting and. processing the raw uranium ore.spu*ed by the lncentive of guaranteed price contract s from the conbinedDevelopment Agency of the united states of America and the united. Kingdon, r,hichlloth needed additional- and secure supplies of i-rrenium for their expandinA :ruclear-veapon proJrfnmes, rrod.uction of soutf. lfricsn uraniun be-ran in 1g-52, Bi l?55.,lp lrines, r'rith 12 extraction plants" were in operation lt,/ ',rodrrcin ": .)(..' r...-ri^ +^hc -v.:..r '' n l.t-^-'.nct.n as-r'yt,l|61rg"t_-g") p.r rr.r. ""'"' "l'l ' ''.-
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the history and development of South Africa's nuclear energy program, including the discovery of underground nuclear test sites and the detection of unusual light signals in the South Atlantic. The text also mentions the country's potential uranium resources and the construction of pilot plants for extracting and processing uranium ore. Given the focus on nuclear energy and the country's nuclear capabilities, it is likely that the text is related to the development of scientific and technological capabilities.

**Category**
Science and technology, Natural resources and environment