The Minister of Science and Technology, Derek Hanekom hosted the first-ever dialogue between government, business, academia, civil society and members of the Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology to enhance the Science Technology and Innovation system of South Africa. Strengthening the system is required to address the need for improved coordination and coherence in the use of research and development in promoting innovation for the purposes of social and economic development in the country.
The summit was held following a recommendation made by the Ministerial Review Committee of 2012. The review report expressed concern at the inadequate levels of coordination, prioritisation and coherent agenda-setting for science, technology and innovation by government, business, academia and civil society.
The summit was formally opened by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe and participants included heads of various government departments from Science and Technology, Trade and Industry, Economic Development, Health, the National Planning Commission, science councils, higher education institutions and a high level representation of business and state owned enterprises.
The summit provided a forum for valuable and robust discussion and reflection on the opportunities and challenges in achieving a focussed, aligned and more competitive system of research, development and innovation (RDI).
Participants highlighted that South Africa has strong science and technology capabilities and supported the need for better coordination in research, development and innovation, between the public and private sectors and between government departments (across all spheres). It also supported strong partnerships between government, business, science councils, higher education and civil society.
In his address, Deputy President Motlanthe emphasised: "the benefits of science, technology and innovation are not only potentially immense for us but also, and more crucially, constitute the pre-conditions for South Africa's development.”
The Deputy President further said "Government knows only too well the indispensability of science, technology and innovation if it must deliver on its historical challenge of addressing social inequality, poverty and unemployment."
The summit fully supported this view and agreed that such coordination and partnerships would promote achievement of Vision 2030 of the National Development Plan, which recognises that despite progress made in developing our NSI system, deep social and developmental challenges such as poverty, inequality and unemployment remain.
The Summit emphasised the role of Government in promoting a culture of innovation through a greater government wide coordination that will allow for better responsiveness to business, and more efficient and targeted use of available resources and systems. It was emphasised that Government's focus on building a portfolio of new industries with high growth potential (such as ICT, minerals processing, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing) needs to be strengthened.
A call was made to rethink mechanisms and support structures for small medium enterprises (SMEs). It was proposed that direct and indirect support for innovation need to be targeted and should differentiate between small and large enterprises.
The summit also supported the need for the business sector to interrogate and strengthen its level of investment in local R&D and to assist in the communication of existing innovation to inspire a culture of innovation and enquiry throughout society, and particularly amongst the youth.
The critical need to provide clarity and certainty about the framework conditions for private sector R&D investment in South Africa was agreed. This includes a focus on appropriate human resource provision and development, research infrastructure investment, regulatory regimes, and coherent and coordinated policy frameworks across government.
The summit re-emphasised the importance of enabling conditions to grow and develop the knowledge and high-tech sectors. A particular reference was made to reducing broadband costs.
In summarising the Summit, the Minister outlined the following:
Achieving the desired levels of coordination and coherence will not be accomplished through a once-off event, and the summit is the beginning of a structured engagement between stakeholders in the National System of Innovation.
Consideration will be given to a more regular and focused grouping of stakeholders to assess and promote coordination in existing and potential flagship projects and would inform an annual STI summit.
Specific matters for consideration include a unitary Science and Technology vote; strategic state procurement of the products and services arising from local innovation; increased investment in RDI infrastructure and equipment; and avoidable duplication inside government and between government and business.
The need to reflect on priorities throughout the education value chain to achieve the skills needed to promote research, development and innovation.
The commitment to improved partnership was welcomed by all at this historic summit and agreed that this type of summit should be annual event, with various teams meeting on specific issues needing collective agreement and action.
