Abstract
In late 2011, the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) entered its first period of normal science operations, and delivered results finally demonstrating the potential of the spherical mirror paradigm for a low-cost, but very large telescope design. This was only achieved after overcoming two serious technical problems, which delayed the project for several years. However, during testing and commissioning it was still possible to undertake some science in a number of areas. There is now the prospect of a very effective collaboration with GTC, particularly in the area of galactic black-hole X-ray transients.
