The Honourable Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Dr Zweli Mkhize;
MEC for Education in KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Senzo Mchunu;
The Honourable Mayor of eThekwini Municipality, Councillor James Nxumalo;
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Professor Malegapuru Makgoba;
Members of the University community;
Learners and educators;
Ladies and gentlemen:
It’s a great pleasure to be here this morning.
The theme of Science Week this year is science for economic development. Sometimes we do need to be reminded that economic development and science are very closely aligned.
Earlier this month the United States space-shuttle programme came to an end. After more than 130 missions over 30 years and at a cost of R1,3 trillion, the last shuttle flight took off on 8 July.
They were many people who argued that the space shuttle cost too much and that it was money badly spent.
They were possibly not aware that this commitment to and investment in what is sometimes called “big science” is the catalyst for surges in innovation that have huge economic and scientific benefits to society.
The questions that “big science” tries to address are often answered by finding the solutions to a series of smaller questions. In a modern scientific context these often require collaboration between scientists from a range of different disciplines and have significant benefits to society. The spread of mobile phones and the internet is testimony to the unexpected benefits of discoveries that arise as a spin off from efforts to solve the big questions.
The establishment of our own Space Agency (SANSA) was not an attempt to take over where the Space Shuttle left off. It arose from the ground breaking work of scientists and young students who met the challenge of building and testing a South African designed satellite (SUNSAT). We are now developing a sophisticated scientific and engineering ability in small satellite technology and are considering the redevelopment of our own rocket launch capability.
The HIV and AIDS pandemic in our country has challenged our scientists to find solutions that will prevent, control and ultimately eradicate the virus. Again, ground breaking work in preventing infection has been done here at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and has been recognised internationally.
The ravages of Tuberculosis and malaria in our country have also generated research at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and our Biotechnology Research and Innovation centres. This has included the use of nanotechnology to provide better options in the medication of these diseases that kill millions on our continent every year.
The need to make the best use of our wealth of natural resources has led to our scientists at Mintek and CSIR registering patents for the beneficiation of Titanium. This is a rare metal that is used where ultra strong and ultra light qualities are desirable, such as in aircraft.
Why am I telling you all this? Because science and scientists alter the world and you are our next generation of scientists.
I have not even told you about our Centres of Excellence where we have top scientists who grapple with big questions of Climate change; Birds as a measure of our Biodiversity; the significance of the Southern Oceans; the health of our trees and forests; the understanding and combating of epidemics. These are all important components of our National System of Science and Technology.
What I would like to tell you a little about is one of the major projects in our science system. You probably know that astronomy, the stars and the universe have inspired people for millennia. What you may not know is that, in recent years, the rapid developments in computing technology, in fibre optics, in composite materials etc. have stimulated a new wave of interest and innovation in astronomy.
The same questions that astronomers have grappled with for many years continue to challenge mankind. These are questions about the origins of the universe and the nature and composition of space.
However, the rapid developments in science and technology have made it possible to try to look back to millions of light years in the past.
This is through a branch of astronomy called radio astronomy. The instrument that will allow scientists to look that far back is called the Square Kilometre Array telescope, or SKA, for short.
As with the space shuttle, we in South Africa have learned to plan for our future in astronomy. We have taken a decade or more to put into place our bid to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), which is planned to be the world’s largest radio telescope. This decade of planning and the commitment of scientists and government, is why we are one of the two countries in the world being considered to host the SKA.
The innovation required for the Karoo Array Telescope (KAT), for the expanded MeerKAT, and for the SKA, will stimulate major scientific and economic development opportunities. These opportunities will range from the information and communication technology (ICT) hardware and software innovations that will be needed to manage the massive amounts of data that will be received by the dishes; to the efficient supply and use of renewable energy; to the engineering and artisanal innovations that will enable the dishes to work and continue working for decades.
Today space and astronomy are global. No country can go it alone. Global scientific endeavour requires the contributions of all regions, especially those in the developing world which were excluded in the past. That is why our bid to host the SKA includes eight partner countries in Africa (South Africa, Botswana; Namibia; Zambia; Kenya; Madagascar; Mauritius; Mozambique; Ghana), and is supported by the African Union and many other countries.
With its strong current footprint of initiatives on the continent, the SKA specifically, and radio astronomy more generally, is well-positioned to play a dynamic role in harnessing Africa’s science and technology capacities to contribute to continental and global growth and development.
Again, why am I telling you all this? Because science and scientists alter the world and one or more among you may be our Nobel Prize winner in astronomy, and many of you will be our next generation of scientists.
I hope that your participation in the National Science Week will inspire you to be the innovators and scientists of the future.
I hope that you will be the generation that gives substance to a knowledge based economy in South Africa, the region and the Continent.
Science Week is about a number of things, including the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the many sites of excellence that exist in the country and where great science is being carried out to improve the lives of our people.
But National Science Week is primarily about inspiring our children to know why they should study mathematics and the sciences at school.
We launch the National Science Week on university campuses, because it offers our children exposure to the university environment.
Even though it is for a very short time, I believe that could be enough to stimulate your interest to come and study science at University in preparation for a career as a scientist.
South Africa has lagged behind many countries in science achievements and innovation. Our country needs to at least quadruple the number of senior researchers, invest millions in science performing institutions and support schools to produce excellent students in Mathematics and Science subjects.
All of the opportunities and challenges I have mentioned above, the development of vaccines and medicines; the next prototype of satellites; meeting the challenges of rural development and security of food; improved materials for homes, clinics, roads; the sustainability of the planet and the diverse species on it; and the many other examples that I could mention, depend on us.
Our opportunities lie not just in science subjects but in the humanities as well, we need poets, writers, musicians and economists.
In order to be a part of making these great breakthroughs you must excel in the basic understanding of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and life sciences. If you are still in grade eight or nine, the interaction you had today with the laboratory facilities and staff on this campus may be enough to make you think twice about skipping mathematics and science when you enter grade 10 in a year or two from now.
On the other hand, if you are already in Grades 10 to 12, and have already chosen mathematics and science, I hope that your participation in Science Week has encouraged you to study hard and to excel in these science related disciplines and, of course, in your Grade 12 examinations. That is the only way to pursue your ambition to become a scientist.
Although I do encourage you all to choose mathematics and physical science, I also know that not all of you will become scientists or engineers. However, in the modern world, we all need to have an understanding of the role that Science plays in every aspect of our lives and in our economic and social development. Just passing Grade 12 mathematics and physical science still offers you an opportunity to contribute to the South Africa’s scientific and technological development.
That is why the Department of Science and Technology (DST) collaborates with a number of organisations to organise Olympiads, as well competitions in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation. There are twenty three science centres around the country and South Africa will host the sixth Science Centre World Congress in September this year. DST will also support the International Junior Science Olympiad that will take place in this province in December 2011.
Next week, from 1 to 6 August 2011, various institutions will join my department in celebrating the National Science Week 2011.
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is a strong hub of scientific research in South Africa, and I am grateful to the UKZN for hosting the launch of the National Science Week 2011.
Our provinces provide great support to the National Science week and, to date, there are seven provinces, which co-fund the National Science Week. I am pleased to hear that Mpumalanga has also committed about R1.4 million to the National Science Week 2011.
Following on my department’s decision to give each province an opportunity to host the national launch of the National Science Week, I am pleased to tell you that the decision by the KwaZulu-Natal province to host this launch enabled us to complete the cycle.
We have now taken the national launch event of the National Science Week to all the nine provinces.
On that note, I thank the honourable Premier Zweli Mkhize for supporting the event.
In conclusion, if you are not here today and your personal circumstances do not permit you to visit a site hosting the National Science Week activities, or there are no such arrangements near you, you can still celebrate the National Science Week.
Science, engineering and technology are with us wherever we go.
With these words, I declare the National Science Week 2011 officially launched.
I thank you.
Enquiries:
Lunga Ngqengelele
Tel: 012 843 6802
Cell: 082 566 0446
E-mail: lunga.ngqengelele@gmail.com
Speech by the Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor MP, at the national launch of National Science Week 2011, Westville campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal
