Programme director
The Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Mr Enver Surty
Chairperson of the NSTF Board, Professor Brenda Wingfield
The Executive Director of the NSTF, Ms Jansie Niehaus
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Good evening. I am delighted to be here.
Tonight we celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of South African scientists and researchers.
I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF). It is an achievement to have both sustained and expanded these awards over 13 years.
So that we should never lose focus, let me remind you that the objectives of the awards are:
- to promote excellence in the South African research and development community
- to celebrate scientific research that is innovative and relevant to both our country and the rest of the world
- to raise awareness in the general public about local research.
I note that this year’s Awards are called the “NSTF-BHP Billiton Awards”. It’s a welcome development that BHP Billiton has added its weight to the awards as the main co-branding sponsor.
I’m told that over the past five years 46 individuals and 16 organisations were given awards. One in three awardees was a woman, while two in three awardees were black.
I think you will agree that we can do more to encourage women to take up scientific careers.
The Department Science and Technology (DST) is in the process of finalising the Transformation and Equity Strategy aimed at fostering race, gender and disability diversity in science, engineering and technology (SET) programmes.
I have been worried for some time about the fragmentation of the science, engineering and technology (SET) awards establishment in South Africa. Discussions and plans are now underway to streamline and synergise SET awards.
After all is said and done, we should always remember that our science mission is to create wealth, thereby creating jobs and eradicating poverty. Our success hinges largely on our ability to develop new products, technologies and services through research and innovation. This can only be achieved with scientists and researchers using quality infrastructure that includes state-of-the-art research equipment.
In 2010 the National Research Foundation (NRF) provided over R100 million for research equipment and emergency infrastructure for the national research facilities. Over the next three years the NRF will invest a further R1,4 billion in research equipment and infrastructure.
Only a few days ago, in my budget-vote speech in Parliament, I made a commitment to equip all public university campuses with broadband connectivity to South Africa National Research Network (SANREN) by December 2011.
I also announced funding for 62 new research chairs under our Research Chairs initiative (SARCHi). At the moment we spend R200 million a year on 92 chairs. By 2014 we will be spending over R400 million a year on 154 research chair professors.
I don’t think the significance of this massive investment in top-class research scientists has sunk into the system yet.
I also want to expand the number of technicians and technologists. I am considering a technology-linked internship programme for small and medium sized technology firms and our universities of technology.
Returning to our reason for being here tonight, it is amazing that the NSTF has amassed such glittering achievements in only 13 years of its existence.
I take this opportunity to congratulate all the participants and recipients of the Awards tonight.
I hope this will generate the necessary competitive spirit that will increase our appetite for success as a nation.
Furthermore, this ceremony takes place during the week we celebrated Africa Day.
This reminds me that there are other collective awards at the continental level in which South Africa participates. Local awards like the NSTF provide a broader pool from which to choose individuals to represent South Africa in such activities. My appeal to the recipients of the Awards tonight is that you take up the call when your country needs you to represent it at the continental and global events.
I thank you.
