Deputy Minister meeting with the Secretary of the Leading Party Group Prof Yang Zhenhai, of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
On 7 November 2024, the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ms Nomalungelo Gina, represented South Africa at the China-Africa Innovation Cooperation and Development Forum in Wuhan.
The forum attracted over 800 experts and scholars from around the world to explore avenues for joint cooperation in innovation, technology and sustainable development.
It follows the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which was held in Beijing in September.
Speaking at the Innovation Cooperation and Development Forum, Deputy Minister Gina praised China's commitment to Africa's progress.
"I am pleased with China's proactive role in collaborating with us on knowledge exchange and joint innovation projects. For instance, partnering in geospatial technologies will expand our capabilities in spatial information technology, further supported by the recent memorandum of understanding between South Africa and China on the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System," she said.
The agreement is aligned with South Africa's efforts to apply satellite-based technologies in areas such as land management, urban planning and resource monitoring. By integrating advanced geospatial tools, both nations aim to enhance infrastructure, environmental monitoring and resource management capabilities.
At a parallel session, representatives of South Africa's Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Tshwane University of Technology, Tanzania's Sokoine University of Agriculture and Wuhan University discussed practical steps to leverage geospatial technologies for sustainable development.
Deputy Minister Gina's speech emphasised South Africa's eagerness to pursue joint research initiatives in modern agricultural technology with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. These collaborations hold significant potential for South African research institutions like the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and the Agricultural Research Council.
"South Africa sees massive opportunities for jointly developing agricultural technologies with China, especially as we look towards creating resilient food systems and innovative farming practices. Such cooperation can lead to sustainable growth that benefits local farmers and strengthens food security," she said.
Key sessions addressed policy initiatives and programmes aligned to green development and modernising agricultural and industry, prioritised under the White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation as well as FOCAC. South Africa's delegation contributed insights into areas where Africa could benefit from innovation-driven partnerships to achieve sustainable economic and social development.
The Deputy Minister's visit included technical site meetings with prominent institutions in Wuhan. She engaged with experts at Wuhan University's State Key Laboratory of Information Engineering in Surveying, Mapping and Remote Sensing to explore how remote sensing and Earth observation technologies could be applied in South Africa's agricultural and environmental sectors.
She met with leaders of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences to discuss innovative agricultural solutions and research exchange programmes.
A significant outcome of the forum was the advancement of educational exchange initiatives. During discussions with Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Deputy Minister Gina received a formal request to increase the number of South African students enrolling in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, particularly in engineering and technology disciplines.
She welcomed the proposal, viewing it as an opportunity to enrich South Africa's academic landscape and increase skills that are in high demand in the country.
Deputy Minister Gina reaffirmed South Africa's commitment to fostering deeper ties with China, emphasising the need for well-coordinated efforts to meet shared goals.
"We recognise the immense potential in working closely with China across multiple sectors. However, achieving our objectives requires robust coordination, clear frameworks and the active engagement of all stakeholders. Together, we can build a prosperous future anchored in innovation, resilience and mutual growth," she stated.
Deputy Minister meeting with the Secretary of the Leading Party Group Prof Yang Zhenhai, of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
