Minister Blade Nzimande congratulates the DSI for having received three consecutive clean audits

The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande congratulates the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) for having received a third consecutive clean audit for the financial year 2019/20.

For the third year running, the Auditor-General delivered an unqualified audit opinion without any findings (i.e. a clean audit) on the DSI's financial statements, and an Audit Committee report expressed satisfaction with the manner in which the Department had conducted its affairs.

“The DSI achieved 87%, or 40 out of 46, of its targets, with just six targets (13%) not achieved,” said Minister Nzimande. The Minister further noted the Auditor-General's statement that the Department should be recognised for adhering to best practice in its corporate and financial governance.

Minister Nzimande said that during the period under review, Cabinet adopted the White Paper on Science and Innovation in March 2019.  “This White Paper was developed in response to rapid global technological advancement and megatrends, as well as the need to harness STI for greater and more inclusive social and economic impact,” said the Minister.

The Minister also said the Department made significant progress in the development of the first Decadal Plan for Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI), through which the new White Paper on STI will be implemented.

“The framework for the Decadal Plan, as well as institutional and strategic reviews and a foresight exercise to identify STI priority areas, had been completed, and that the Decadal Plan will be finalised by the end of the 2020/21 financial year,” the Minister said.

Minister Nzimande added that to ensure that the Decadal Plan was aligned with other government master plans, the DSI will also be consulting the Departments of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Mineral Resources and Energy, Health, and Trade, Industry and Competition, among others.

Minister Nzimande congratulates the Director-General, Dr Phil Mjwara for having scooped the annual Batho Pele Excellence Awards for Best Director-General of the Year, while the DSI was recognised as the Best Functioning National Department of the Year.

“I also congratulate the entire DSI staff led by the Director General for its commitment, dedication and resolve to ensure that the department maintains and improves its annual performance by achieving most of their set targets and financial prudence,” said Minister Nzimande.

Enquiries:
Ishmael Mnisi
0660378859

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