Mr Mosibudi Mangena, Flanders and South Africa: Celebrating 10 years of
co-operation in science and technology research in Cape Town
13 march 2006
Your Royal Highness, Prince Philippe
Your Excellency, Ambassador Labouverie
Honourable Minister Moerman
Honourable Minister Verwilghen
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
The year 2006 marks 10 years of collaboration between South Africa and
Flanders in science and technology research, a decade of innovative partnership
and mutually beneficial cooperation. At the time of signing the Bilateral
Agreement on Science and Technology between our two countries in 1996, the
current Science and Technology System of Innovation was still in its infancy.
Over the years, it has grown into an important tool for stimulating economic
growth. Today, the Department of Science and Technology is the driving force
behind sound South African scientific research, backed by a vibrant national
policy, which boasts a number of strategies and technological advantages
allowing the country to offer itself as a competent and competitive partner for
international cooperation in research and development.
In this regard it should be noted that the South African National Research
and Development Strategy, launched in 2002, rests on three distinct pillars,
namely:
* Technological advancement through innovation;
* Increasing the local science, engineering and technology base through
investment in human capital;
* Constructing an effective science and technology system through efficient
delivery.
Now, I am the first to admit that there is a magnitude of work to be done
before we will be able to boast full realisation of this strategy. But what I
can confirm is that the majority of the bilateral cooperation agreements
concluded by my Department support at least one or all of these pillars as a
fundamental underlining structure of all scientific and technological
collaboration.
Allow me now to name but a few of our achievements during the last
decade:
* The publication of a White Paper on Science and Technology in September
1996 providing an effective framework for our research and development
interventions;
* A National Research and Development Strategy, launched in 2002 , which serves
as a framework for other strategies such as the Human Resource Development
Strategy, the Integrated Manufacturing Strategy and the Strategic Plan for
South African Agriculture. This development represents an important milestone
for our National System of Innovation as a whole;
* The establishment of a separate Department of Science and Technology in 2003,
which demonstrates the importance and growth of research and development in
South Africa;
* The National Biotechnology Strategy;
* The Launch of an Advanced Manufacturing Strategy in 2003 has ensured the
enhancement of local innovation, the achievement of higher levels of technology
use in industry, and the enhancement of the knowledge base and knowledge
intensity of our manufacturing industry;
* The inauguration of the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) in 2005. This
is the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere, and a
milestone in South African scientific, engineering and technological
achievement.
Against a backdrop of exponential growth in science and technology on the
African continent, the African Ministerial Conference for Science and
Technology adopted a Plan of Action in 2003, outlining a strategy for research
and development aimed at facilitating greater response to the social and
economic needs of the people. In this regard, the scientific and technological
cooperation between South Africa and Flanders has set an excellent example of
how to do just that, to bring science to the masses and incorporate it into the
daily lives of people everywhere.
Furthermore, the launch of the African Laser Centre, the African Biosciences
initiative and the Agricultural Research Institute, contribute towards the
stimulation of development and implementation of science and technology on the
African continent, as research in areas such as agriculture, health,
environment and industrial manufacturing all contribute toward improving the
basic quality of life. Equally important is the establishment of the African
Institute for Mathematical Sciences, whose aim is to expand the pool of
mathematical excellence on our continent.
Inroads have also been made by my Department in the area of human capital
development through the Research Professional Development Programme,
specifically aimed at increasing investment in South Africaâs scientific and
technological human capital by offering post-doctoral fellowships in the fields
of science, engineering and technology research.
Ladies and gentlemen, subsequent to ten years of science and technology
cooperation between South Africa and Flanders, an agreement was reached in May
2005 for the renewal of our research collaboration, underpinning our commitment
to the intensification of our interaction in this regard. It was agreed that
our continued cooperation would now aim at increasing technological innovation
and establishing centres of excellence by strengthening thematic priorities and
human research capacity.
In the course of the past ten years, the focus of our research collaboration
has served to illustrate the importance of science and technology in our
everyday lives. The 97 joint research projects supported shared a strong
emphasis on social research, including subjects such as the role of mother
tongue in education, alternative models of social protection, the impact of
environmental quality on health, and sustainable development and food security
in the Southern Africa Development Community. These topics clearly illustrate
our commitment to using science to address everyday challenges and further
international collaboration. This strong EU Framework Programme partnership
between Flanders and South Africa is a clear indicator.
Notwithstanding our national milestones and those aims achieved through
bilateral cooperation in science and technology, we should continue to strive
towards greater development and innovation, in particular, by growing an
ever-expanding human capital resource base. It is only when there is no longer
a disjunction between science and everyday life that we will be able to say
that our fundamental goals for development in science and technology have been
sufficiently achieved.
To this end, South Africa aims to further its achievements by exploring
possibilities offered by strategic international partnerships, of which our
collaboration in the FP6 and the upcoming FP7 programmes is an excellent
example.
I trust that the development of a new bilateral programme of cooperation
later this year will provide a sound platform for another meaningful engagement
for years to come.
Thank you.
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
13 March 2006
