The Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, will brief the media in Cape Town on 21 May to highlight the priority areas of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) for the 2015/16 financial year.
The briefing will take place at 10h00 at the GCIS Imbizo Centre in Parliament, followed by the Minister's tabling of the Department's Budget Vote in the Old Assembly Chamber at 14h00.
Themed "Science and Innovation: Driving forces for future innovation", the Budget Vote will be complemented by a science and technology exhibition mounted at the Company's Garden at Iziko Museums, where some of the most impressive South African innovations will displayed. The Minister will tour the exhibition as early as 08h30.
During lunch time, at the Centre for the Book, members of the Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology will hear Prof. Julian May's presentation on food security and the role of human and social sciences in this regard.
Prof. May is the Director of the Centre of Excellence in Food Security, which was launched by the DST and the National Research Foundation (NRF) last year to tackle food security and nutrition challenges faced by a significant number of South Africans.
Details of the media briefing:
Date: Thursday, 21 May 2015
Venue: Imbizo Media Centre, Parliament, Cape Town
Time: 10h00 to 11h00
NB: There will be a video link to GCIS, Tshedimosetso House, corner Francis Baard and Festival Streets, Hatfield, Pretoria.
Ministerial tour of the exhibition:
Venue: Company's Garden (between Queen Victoria Street and Parliament)
Time: 08h30 – 09h30
Presentation by Prof. Julian May, Director of the Centre of Excellence in Food Security:
Venue: Centre for the Book, 62 Queen Victoria Street
Time: 12h30 – 13h30
Tabling of the budget vote:
Venue: Old Assembly Chamber (Parliament), Cape Town
Time: 16h30
For media interviews and attendance, please contact Veronica Mohapeloa at 082 882 3818, or David Mandaha at 072 216 8910.
Enquiries:
Lunga Ngqengelele, Media Liaison Officer, Ministry of Science and Technology
Cell: 082 566 0446
