I hope and make dua you are well. I appologize for this much belated response to your query. Actually I had answered this query before but it seems that it got lost. Thereafter I was out of the country and have just returned. Here under are the answers to your queries.

1. How many Ulama are there in the moon sighting committee?

There are three main organizations in South Africa that are looked upon and revered by the muslim public, namely : Jamiatul Ulama Kwa Zulu Natal, Jamiatul Ulama Transvaal, and Muslim Judicial Council in Capetown. All these three organizations have a coordinated system regarding the hilal sighting. Each one of this three have their own Hilal Committees and coordinate with the other committees around the country. Alhamdulillah, every month the committee from each province goes out in search for a Hilal. What ever is the outcome, it is communicated to their constituencies and the other committees.

2. Are there local committees or a country wide committee?

Ref to #1

3. Is the effort made to sight the moon every month?

Yes. Ref. to #1

4. Do you use the knowledge of astronomy? If so to what extent?

There are certain aspects of astronomy that are absolute. (Qat'i) and certain aspects of astronomy are Dhanni. I have elaborated on this in previous articles. The general position is that astronomical data is persuasive but not conclusive. Ru'yiat is ultimately necessary.

5. Once a decision has been made, are all the communities united throughout S.Africa?

Yes. Ref. to #1

6. Do you accept the moon declarations of neighboring countries?

According to Zahirur Riwayat , Ikhtilaf e Mtalae' is not considered. Therefore as a principle sighting from the neighbouring countries could be accepted, however due to poor infrastructures and coordination in these neighbouring countries UUCSA (United Ulama Council of South Africa) has put a Moratorium on this until a sound structure is put in place. However the neighbouring countries do accept our sighting due to our sound system and structure.

7. Are the declarations for each month based on actual sighting?

Yes.

And Allah knows best

Wassalam