official launch of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and
Biotechnology (ICGEB)
10 September 2007
Honourable President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Thabo Mbeki;
The Honourable Minister of University and Research for Italy, Mr Fabio
Mussi;
The Honourable Minister of Science and Technology for Nigeria, Min Grace
Ekpiwhre;
President of the ICGEB Board of Governors, Prof Moursy;
The Director-General of the ICGEB, Professor Franscisco Baralle;
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Town, Prof Njabulo Ndebele;
Programme Director, Dr Philemon Mjwara;
Representatives of governments present;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen
Some twenty years ago I was driving around with my five-year old son when it
started raining. He asked: "Papa, why does it rain?"
I responded: "Because all living things, both plants and animals, need the
water the rain brings."
He asked: "Why do we need water?"
"Because the greater part of our bodies is water, and as we lose some water
through urine and sweat, we need to replace it," I said.
He asked: "Why is most of our bodies water?"
"Because that's the way we are made," was my reply.
He asked: "Why are we made like that?"
"I don't know."
Indeed, dear friends, there is a lot we do not know about living organisms,
and the more we study and answer some questions, the more the questions
multiply.
It is a great privilege for me to be standing before you this morning at the
Presidential Inauguration of the Third Component of the International Centre
for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), located here in Cape Town.
This day is a culmination of the efforts taken by my department since South
Africa became an official member of the ICGEB in February 2004. A decision to
become a full member of the ICGEB was not taken lightly, and I am proud to say
that South Africa has been an active member, as demonstrated by a number of
achievements attained in this short period.
Further to our participation as a Science and Technology partner in the
ICGEB network in December 2004, South Africa's then AuditorâGeneral, Mr Shauket
Fakie, was appointed the ICGEB External Auditor from 2005 to 2007. This role is
now served by our current Auditor-General, Mr Terence Nombembe, whom we trust
will continue the good work.
When the opportunity presented itself through the support of various
countries, including the governments of the G8 countries, for the establishment
of the African Component of the ICGEB, we realised the potential for advancing
Africa's developmental agenda through biotechnology.
In July 2005, a fact-finding mission to the Trieste and New Delhi component
centres was undertaken to better quantify the implications for the
establishment of the third component in South Africa in terms of:
* government's financial contribution and
* positive spin-offs for the research community from the presence of the ICGEB
component.
Approval from cabinet was then sought for the Department of Science and
Technology to investigate the possibility of hosting the African Component in
Cape Town.
The decision to present this idea, for endorsement by the African Ministers
Conference of Science and Technology in September 2005, was taken with the
realisation that hosting an ICGEB component in Africa could provide a solution
for dealing with Africa's infectious diseases burden, which kills thousands of
people every day, and immensely improve food security on the continent. We are
glad that the African Science and Technology Ministers endorsed the
establishment of an ICGEB Component in Africa.
When the ICGEB published a call for African countries to submit letters of
intent to host the African Component of the ICGEB, we enthusiastically
submitted ours, together with a full proposal, which in collaboration with the
University of Cape Town, indicated South Africa's capability from different
sectors to host an institution of the calibre of the ICGEB.
Mr President, in March 2006, during your state visit to Italy, I indicated
to you that I was going to visit the ICGEB Trieste Component. This I did, and
was further motivated by the fact that the establishment of a similar component
in our continent will be another step forward in our quest to build capacity in
the fields of biotechnology and biosciences, and ensure that we are well
positioned to meet some of our developmental targets.
It was with a sense of pride and excitement that we learnt about the
recommendations of the ICGEB Selection Committee to its Board of Governors
after visiting the three bidding countries in July and August 2006. We were
truly humbled and encouraged when the announcement was made on 30 November 2006
selecting Cape Town as the host to the ICGEB African Component.
Mr President, we have not looked back since that ground breaking
announcement was made. We have kept to our side of the promise to fund the
ICGEB Cape Town Component. But if we intend meeting our goal of growing the
number of research groups from three to seven by 2010, we will need assistance
from our donors, foundations and other countries.
Together with the ICGEB, we are already making sure that the component is
equipped with the best management we could get, by appointing the first
Director of the Cape Town Component, Prof. Iqbal Parker, who is a very
distinguished active scientist in the general area of biomedicine, and in
particular, in the study of the molecular mechanisms for the various types of
cancers.
I therefore do believe, Mr President, that this humble demonstration of our
support and partnership will encourage other partners to join us towards making
a success of this African Component of the International Centre for Genetic
Engineering and Biotechnology. With this component, we hope to answer, at
least, some of the questions about living organisms, and in so doing perhaps
advance the development agenda of humanity. It is now my pleasure to invite the
President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency, Ntate Thabo Mbeki,
to address the gathering.
Enquiries:
Celeste Tema
Tel: 012 843 6784
Cell: 083 399 0765
E-mail: celeste.tema@dst.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
10 September 2007
Source: Department of Science and Technology (http://www.dst.gov.za)
