South Africa at forefront of driving innovation for social change
The Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor,says investing massively in innovation can help solve some of the most critical social problems facing the world today.
Speaking at 7th International Symposium on Macro and Supramolecular Architectures and Materials Gala Dinner in Johannesburg last night, the Minister said the South African government had taken the lead in creating an innovation system to benefit its people.
The International Symposium brings together scientists and engineers from all over the world to reflect on the current status of and developments in advanced materials, with a focus on practical applications.
"South Africa is now at the forefront of innovative programmes to provide decent service delivery to impoverished communities," said the Minister, citing a sanitation project underway in Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape that has attracted international interest from respected partners such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The project aims to solve sanitation problems in this rural area by using alternative technologies.
Another project, the wireless mesh network, brings Internet connectivity to rural areas in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape, narrowing the digital divide and enabling micro-enterprise development in poverty-stricken areas.
The Minister added that government had worked hard over the past 20 years to connect knowledge generation to economic development. One of the government's main post-1994 goals has been to shift South Africa's over-reliance on a resources economy to value-adding and knowledge-intensive activities.
"Over the past twenty years we have built a system that connects local government, big business, start-up entrepreneurs, venture capital, research organisations, higher education institutions, further education and training colleges, and Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs)."
Human capital development was also high on the government's economic growth agenda, as more and more students, especially black females, are encouraged to choose science, engineering and research careers.
Enquiries:
Lunga Ngqengelele
Media Liaison Officer
Cell: 082 566 0446
Tel: 012 843 6799
David Mandaha
Cell: 072 126 8910
Tel: 012 843 6806
E-mail: david.mandaha@dst.gov.za
