M Mangena: National Science Week 2006

11 May 2006

The Programme Director, Director-General of Science and Technology, Dr
Philemon Mjwara
The honourable MEC for the Mpumalanga Education Department, Mr Siphosezwe
Masango
Head of Mpumalanga Education Department, Mr Ray Tywakadi
The honourable Executive Mayor, Councilor Justice Nsibande
Rector of Lowveld Agricultural College, Dr M S Kgaphola
Representatives of the Corporate Sector
Government officials
Parents, educators, learners
Ladies and gentlemen

We are gathered here to mark the beginning of an important event in the
calendar of the science system. During the week of 13 to 20 May 2006, we will
be celebrating National Science Week 2006. This is the period during which as a
nation, and in all our nine provinces, we celebrate science and its importance
in our daily lives.

Although this event has been taking place for six years now, I find the
National Science Week 2006 very unique. The 2006 occasion coincides with the
relocation of my department to its new state-of-the-art office building. Our
new home has brought about a significance development to the science precinct
in Tshwane. The Department of Science and Technology is now an immediate
neighbour to some of its important institutions, the National Research
Foundation, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the Innovation
Hub, the Council for Geosciences, the National Zoological Gardens and the South
African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). We believe this development
will facilitate the much needed interaction among the science institutions, and
enhance the development of a knowledge axis for our National System of
Innovation. It has brought us a step closer to the establishment of a one-stop
science and technology destination in South Africa.

This National Science Week marks the second year of the implementation of
the project’s Five-Year Plan. The implementation of the plan has resulted,
among others, in our conducting the activities of the National Science Week in
multiple sites and through multiple activities in all the nine provinces.
Positive results are beginning to emerge from the implementation of this plan.
The 43 sites, managed through our agency, the South African Agency for the
Advancement of Science and Technology (SAASTA), made it possible for the
National Science Week 2005 to achieve an exponential increase in the number of
participants. Last year 175 000 people participated as compared to 60 000 the
previous year. It is important to note that these achievements were attained
with the same budget that was used for the events in the previous two
years.

The National Science Week 2006 also forms a part of the youth oriented
activities commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the 1976 June 16 Student
Uprising, in which young and innocent lives were lost in the struggle against
an unjust and unfair education system.

It is, however, equally sad to acknowledge that thirty years on, our science
system is still grappling with two main issues. Firstly, our national system of
innovation still has a long way to go before it could reposition itself
strategically to adequately address past racial and gender imbalances within
the SET system.

Secondly, we still need to work a lot harder as a Department of Science and
Technology to contribute meaningfully towards the national effort of maximising
the participation of our youth in science, engineering and technology
disciplines. Even though significant work is being done, we, however, still
need to develop and implement broader frameworks in a number of areas to
strengthen this area of our work. Part of our milestones in this area includes
the launch, in 2004, of the Centres of Excellence Programme. This Programme
does not only provide our young people with exciting postgraduate research
opportunities, but in some cases, also offers internships to second and third
year university students.

We are painfully aware of the enormous challenges encountered in trying to
increase the participation of Black and female students in such programmes. It
is against this background that we intend obtaining cabinet approval for a
Youth into Science Strategy soon.

The dual aim of the Strategy is to promote science and technology literacy,
and encourage more of our youth to pursue careers in science, engineering and
technology. I am delighted that various corporate sector players have joined
Government in maximising the participation of our youth in science, engineering
and technology careers. A case in point is the recently launched new Graduate
Programme for Females in Technology (GPFT) by Vodacom. I am told this programme
will develop women’s technical and engineering skills and business acumen so
they can contribute effectively to the design, development and maintenance of
the mobile telecommunication systems. Other corporate sector organisations can
take a leaf out of Vodacom’s book to the benefit of our young women in the
country.

The launch of the National Science Week 2006 in Mpumalanga Province largely
complements the key thrusts of this event. This province, through the Institute
for Tropical and Subtropical Crops, has a proven research and development
strength on all aspects of cultivating tropical and subtropical crops. This is
one of the oldest institutes of the Agricultural Research Council, which is
celebrating 80 years of research excellence this year. The Institute has built
an enviable reputation as an internationally recognised centre of excellence in
tropical and subtropical crops. Its agri-scientific competencies and high
quality services have supported, expanded and contributed to the global
competitiveness of the South African tropical and subtropical crops industries.
Some of the research and development achievements of the Institute recorded
over the past 80 years include an award of the Plant Breeder’s Rights of the
Honey Gold Fruit. The evaluation of the Fruit of Honey Gold on the European
markets has proved to be the best new mandarin on the market since 1996.

Students of the Lowveld Agricultural College also stand to benefit from the
agri-scientific research and development done by the Institute for Tropical and
Subtropical Crops because it can be used to prepare them for the advent of new
technologies and technological changes in their future careers.

This province is another living example of how we can best integrate
indigenous and modern scientific knowledge systems. Traditional healers from
this Province were among those who collaborated with the Council for Scientific
and Industrial Research in the development of a mosquito-repelling candle. The
candle was developed from a plant used for centuries by herbalists in the
north-east of our country.

To my dear learners here today, start early to think about what you want to
become in future. You do not have to wait until you are in Grade 12 to start
thinking about your careers. An early start will enable you to make the correct
choice of subjects when you enter the Further Education Band.

I was overwhelmed by the courage shown by 13 year-old Grade 8 pupil
Letlhogonolo Mafela, who, unlike many of us, was born without both hands.
Letlhogonolo writes with his feet, but can do everything that his classmates at
Ramodiba Middle School in the North-West Province can. To the Sowetan newspaper
reporters, Letlhogonolo said: “I want artificial arms to become a scientist.
Without them, it will be difficult to perform a scientist’s duties. I want to
be a scientist so people will respect me, and I can live a normal life.” Let us
live the true meaning of the National Science Week’s theme: “Tomorrow’s Science
and Technology is in our Youth’s Hands”.

Part of the National Science Week Five-Year Plan (2005-2009) is to develop
the National Science Week brand. In advancing this initiative, we now unveil
the National Science Week logo.

This logo marks another important milestone in the history of the National
Science Week. The logo is not intended to replace the Department’s one, but to
complement it.

It is now my pleasure to declare the National Science Week 2006 officially
launched. I urge all South Africans to find a way to celebrate science and its
importance to our lives by participating in the activities of the National
Science Week in your provinces.

May I, in closing, thank the Mpumalanga Provincial Government for hosting
the launch of the National Science Week 2006.

I thank you.

Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
11 May 2006