The Department of Science and Technology has published the South African Strategy for Palaeosciences (incorporating Palaeontology, Palaeo-anthropology and Archaeology) for public comment (notice 657 of 2011).
The National Research and Development Strategy describes palaeosciences as a scientific area in which South Africa has a geographic advantage. This Strategy is therefore intended to provide a holistic framework for the development of this discipline, building on the African Origins Platform.
The strategy addresses five goals and their associated interventions which are centred around the need to build human capital; provide resource support and an enabling legislative environment to curate and research the country’s palaeosciences treasures, and engage the public on all spheres of the field. The strategy also recognises the importance of developing a national network of sites to create a vibrant and lasting public engagement with the palaeosciences in the country.
The Deputy Minister of Science and Technology would like to thank all the experts who were involved in the process of putting together this Strategy.
All members of the public, academia and civil society are encouraged to comment on and send through their inputs to further enrich this strategy.
Enquiries:
Dipuo Kgotleng
Tel: 012 843 6543
E-mail: Dipuo.kgotleng@dst.gov.za
Dr Gilbert Siko
Tel: 012 843 6859
E-mail: Gilbert.siko@dst.gov.za
