It's a great honour to receive the Order of Merit.
I first learned about German science and research after I was first appointed Minister of Science and Technology in 2009 and formed a special relationship with Minister Schavan, unhappily, since resigned.
Together we launched the 2012/13 German-South African Year of Science to celebrate the scientific collaboration and partnership between our countries.
During the year-long series of events joint ventures between institutions in our countries were expanded; science and technology among the young people of German and South Africa popularised; and South Africa and Germany were promoted as key locations for strong research-based companies.
We are building stronger science and engineering partnerships with German institutions to reinforce our capacities. The investment last year of the Max Planck Institute in MeerKAT is an outstanding example of how South African scientific and engineering know-how encouraged and enabled German investment.
We regret that Germany’s SKA membership ended in June 2015. We are collaborating with various German Institutions on Square Kilometre Array (SKA).
Economically, the SKA represents the largest science-based capital injection into the African economy by far. The estimated total investment is in the order of €1.5 billion or R15 billion. This investment will result in a number of immediate and long term socio-economic benefits accruing to the entire continent.
In addition to the immediate or short-term benefits, there are numerous long-term benefits accruable to the general community at large. Because of the scientific nature of the project, the biggest benefit will be the improvement of the skills base and access to top international research facilities and networks which will in turn boost our output of scientific publications.
The study of science and technology is not just beneficial to our students in and of itself – because to be a doctor or an engineer carries a high status. The study of science and technology is primarily about finding solutions to real problems that we face, particularly in the fields of health, education, and energy.
South Africa spends less than 1% of GDP on research and development. Leading developed countries spend a lot more. Japan spends 3% and the United States spends 2.7%.
South Africa leads research on the African continent but a concerted African effort is required to generate a greater investment in science and technology. In Africa many scientists train in our scientific and research academies but we then lose them to high-income countries. The International Organisation for Migration estimates that some 300 000 professionals from the African continent live and work in Europe and North America.
There are policies that developing countries can adopt to combat this one-way migration, and we look to the success of other countries in fostering return migration or circular migration. These successes result from the growth of domestic investment in science and technology innovation. We are encouraging new linkages and activities in the African diaspora.
South Africa places great value in forging mutually beneficial partnerships with other countries across the world.
South Africa and Germany have finalised a Memorandum of Understanding on a South Africa-German Bilateral Research Chair. This development will contribute to human capital development and marks a significant partnership between our two countries.
Our collaboration with Germany is among our most valued partnerships, and we would like to see it grow from strength to strength.
