Minister Naledi Pandor: Science and Technology Pre-Budget Vote media briefing

The theme

The theme for this year's Department of Science and Technology (DST) Budget Vote is,“Innovation for sustainable local government and youth development”.

We have chosen this theme for two important reasons.

Firstly, local government is a sphere that is closest to communities, fostering STI in local government can play a role in accelerating development. I will provide details in my speech this afternoon on the innovations that my department has pioneered to assist local governments across the country to improve service delivery.

My department has produced several evidence-based knowledge products that support decision-making and the provision of public services in sectors such as water, sanitation, energy and housing. Some of these include the finalisation of a bioenergy Atlas and the development of a Sanitation Technology Evaluation and Assessment Database and Tool.

Secondly, young people have been identified as those most in need of support through skills development and enterprise creation.

We intend to strengthen our efforts at reaching youth. This includes plans to launch the first National Summit on Youth in Science, Technology and Innovation, which will focus on enhancing research and development skills and increasing the numbers and demographic representativeness of our next generation of researchers, through allowing young people to present their research, participate in science seminars and workshops and get information on our science councils and their programmes.

Building on the success of mLabs Southern Africa, a mobile solutions laboratory and start-up accelerator designed to help young entrepreneurs, this initiative will be expanded to other provinces.

The budget

The DST's total budget for the 2016/17 financial year is R7,4 billion, of which R2,7 billion in Parliamentary Grants is transferred to the entities reporting to my department, namely –

  • the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – R872 million
  • the National Research Foundation – R883 million
  • theHuman Sciences Research Council – R290 million
  • the Technology Innovation Agency – R382 million
  • the South African National Space Agency – R125million
  • the Academy of Science of South Africa – R23 million

The role of the private sector in research and development is of critical importance and I wish to encourage the private sector to increase its investment in research and development, as should our government. Evidence shows that countries that increase such investment during tough economic times will reap greater benefits when the economic cycle turns again. 

Our guest speaker

Some years ago, we started a tradition of inviting a prominent speaker to deliver a lecture during the lunch session. This year we are extremely honoured to have the European Union Ambassador to South Africa, Dr Marcus Cornaro, presenting the lecture at the Iziko South African Museum, 25 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town, at 12:00.

Exhibition

Immediately after this briefing I will be visiting the DST exhibition, at the Iziko Museum. It includes the Palaeontological Scientific Trust (PAST) exhibition, called "All from One", which I will be opening.

The exhibition amplifies PAST's Walking Tall schools' project, which has provided palaeosciences workshops to over 1,2 million learners and educators. This is an important part of our 2011 South African Strategy for the Palaeosciences, which seeks to instill pride in our African heritage, develop South African leadership in the palaeosciences, and provide proof of humankind's mutual roots.

This is an important initiative given the challenges of racism and prejudice we experience from time to time.

Also exhibited is South Africa's first hydrogen fuel cell powered forklift, which we recently launched at Impala Platinum refineries inSprings. Our entities and other government departments will be exhibiting. The exhibition will close at 16:00. I encourage you to visit and see for yourselves what science and technology has to offer.

Some key priorities in 2016/17

Government has set a target of raising gross expenditure on research and development to 1,5% of GDP by 2019, from the current level of 0,73%. Urgent attention must be given to adequate funding for science technology and innovation if we are to achieve our strategic national priorities.

R650 million is allocated for the MeerKat and SKA related costs. The SKA will be the world's largest and most sensitive radio telescope. Key economic benefits will include leveraging foreign direct investment, estimated at €650 million for phase 1 (2018 to 2023).

The National Development Plan acknowledges that economic growth is a long-term project. In the medium term, the Department will focus on South African innovation for energy security, poverty alleviation and health care funded through the Technology Innovation programme, which is allocated R3,2 billion.

The department will ensure greater economic and social returns from intellectual property generated from publicly funded research. The Department will allocate R26 million this year to the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) for intellectual property development and protection. NIPMO ensures that publicly funded intellectual property is used to develop new products and processes.

The bio-economy is a sector we plan to grow significantly, guided by the department's 2013 Bio-economy Strategy. R436 million is allocated this year for bio-innovation in the health, agricultural and industrial biotechnology sectors.

For enquiries, contact:
Lunga Ngqengelele
Cell: 082 566 0446

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