Young people in rural areas must be made aware of the potential of careers in science
The Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, says young people must be made aware of the excitement, importance and potential of careers in science if more are to be attracted to study in the field.
The Minister was speaking at the handover of a career centre in Giyani this morning as part of an imbizo organised by the Department of Science and Technology to raise awareness of the role of science in daily life and to urge young people to pursue careers in science, technology, mathematics and engineering.
The Minister was pleased to learn that more youngsters in the area were going to the centre, which is attached to the Giyani Science Centre, to find out about careers in areas related to science and technology.
"They are part of the pipeline of human capital that we need to nurture to feed the next generation of scientists, researchers and engineers, in line with our National Development Plan," she said.
"The centre should be used as a source of knowledge for young people who intend studying at higher education institutions towards their chosen careers, and by everyone who is interested in how our world works."
Mr Norman Mthembi, manager of the science centre, which has been supported by the Department of Science and Technology with funding and a vehicle for outreach efforts, among other things, welcomed the department's contribution to the establishment of the career centre.
"The centre will assist our learners in choosing careers properly," he said. "It is useful for young people to make career decisions at an early age and to know about the many opportunities available, especially in the science and technology fields."
While in the area, Minister Pandor visited the Hi Hanyile Essential Oils project, a bioscience initiative funded by the Department of Science and Technology. Scientists and traditional healers collaborated in studies on indigenous plants, leading to the development of mosquito repellent candles, more effective than similar commercial products on the market.
The Minister said the project showed how science, technology and innovation could be used for economic development and to stimulate small and medium enterprises.
"We have commissioned a team of agricultural economists to assist in developing a business plan, including a business model that capitalises on existing and future initiatives, and that identifies sources of revenue, products, potential customers and partners that will enable Hi Hanyile to access other sources of funding," said the Minister. "The process, led by Datacomb, a company of agricultural economists, should be concluded by the end of this month."
Limpopo MEC for Education, Ishmael Kgetjepe, said that South Africa, like many other countries, was working to become "one of the strongest science research communities in the world, pioneering the latest technologies."
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