PLENARY SESSION ON “A REFLECTION ON AND CELEBRATION OF THIRTY YEARS OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION IN A DEMOCRATIC SOUTH AFRICA” THE CSIR INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE, WEDNESDAY 4 DECEMBER 2024
Former Minister and Chairperson of Nleson Mandela Foundation, Dr Naledi Pandor.
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen.
Thank you very much for the opportunity to share with you my reflection on this very important session. Firstly, I would like to thank Dr Pandor, our former Minister of DSTI, not only for her inspirational address this afternoon, but also on her enormous contributions to our country. Because we are here in the Science, Technology and Innovation environment, I would want to thank her for immense contribution in the field of science, technology and innovation, throughout her distinguished career.
Dr Pandor, if we can still today celebrate and enjoy a vibrant Science Forum South Africa, nine years after you had hosted the first one, it is also a testimony to your leadership and service.
As our country celebrates thirty years of democracy and freedom, it was essential, true to the spirit of science, that the Science Forum 2024, should take stock of what has been achieved in science, technology and innovation. In particular, it was important for us to introspect as to what has been the contribution of science, to improve the quality of living of all South Africans.
This afternoon’s reflection, supported by the presentation of the results of the survey conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council, on the South African public’s relationship with science, and the rich panel discussion which followed, will be a valuable resource, to guide the important work, which still must be done. There is much indeed to celebrate, but also an important task which awaits us all, to put science, technology and innovation at the centre of society, government and industry – this is the call to action which Minister Nzimande launched during yesterday’s opening session.
Inspired by this afternoon’s discussions there are three priority areas of work I would like to propose for our urgent attention, as we seek to implement Minister Nzimande’s clarion call.
Firstly, we need to step our efforts to ensure the transformation of our National System of Innovation, to ensure that the talent and potential of all South Africans is provided an opportunity to thrive. We must spare no effort to advance the women in science agenda, to strengthen capabilities of all historically disadvantaged institutions and individuals, and to create opportunities for grassroots innovators and entrepreneurs. We must also change the geography of science, technology and innovation in South Africa, which cannot be the preserve of a select few provinces.
I, therefore, very much look forward to the summit on transformation of the National System of Innovation, which will be convened by our National Advisory Council on Innovation, under the leadership of Dr Cele in 2025. This Summit will produce a concrete action plan to drive this agenda forward.
Secondly, we must resolutely focus our science, technology and innovation programmes on the key societal challenges faced by South Africans – as it is proposed in our Decadal Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation; and called for by our government’s new macro-economic planning framework, and the Medium-Term Development Plan.
We must therefore intensify our National System of Innovation’s contribution to dealing with the major challenges confronting our economy and society, such as the availability of reliable electricity, access to efficient transport and logistic networks, as well as the improved safety and security of all South Africans. We must also ensure our science, technology and innovation investments, enhance the competitiveness of our industries and unlock new sources of growth.
Over the past thirty years South African science has made critical contributions to improving the health of all South Africans, especially in responding to our disease burden of infectious diseases such as HIV-Aids and tuberculosis, but also the rising scourge of non-communicable diseases as cancer and diabetes. South African innovation has enabled improved service delivery, notably of water and sanitation, and helped to bridge the digital divide, bring connectivity to remote rural areas. A lot has been achieved, but even more must be done.
Thirdly, and certainly not least importantly, is the need for stronger partnerships. We cannot work alone. Deepened cooperation between all actors in our National System of Innovation much be our objective. We must breakdown the artificial walls between scientific disciplines, there can be no working in silos. The same also very much applies of course to cooperation between Government Departments. We also need to rapidly accelerate the formation of meaningful public-private partnerships between Government and business, which will deliver tangible impact. Science, as we like to say in the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, knows no borders and we must therefore continue our efforts to promote science diplomacy, especially our collaboration with fellow African partner countries.
One of our objectives in annually convening the Science Forum is to promote partnerships within South Africa but also with the international community. It is my sincere hope, that like in the past, Science Forum South Africa 2024, will give birth to concrete new partnership initiatives, which indeed, will put science, technology and innovation, at the centre of our society, government and industry.
In conclusion, dear colleagues and friends, in addition to my proposals for us to step up transformation, sharpen our focus on key priorities, and to bolster collaboration, I have a fourth wish. That is that we should communicate better and more often on the wonderful and very positive role science, technology and innovation is playing in our society. We have so many good news items, so many success stories, which must be shared with a larger public. Our communication strategy must change and be simple to our people’s level, weekly and monthly. We must imbed science as a societal issue. We need to work with GCIS on key messages to communities.
We must address what an American, immunologist and Microbiologist Professor J. Michael Bishop once said that “Science now finds itself in paradoxical strife with society: admired but mistrusted…. Boasting remarkable advances but criticized”
Such increased awareness in society and schools will not only be crucial to inspire the careers of the next generation of South African scientists, engineers and technology entrepreneurs, but will also instil South Africans with national pride, like our performances on the sporting field do. As we reflect on the journey travelled over the past thirty years, it is also my hope that science will continue to inspire our dreams of a better, more equal and just tomorrow, for all. But of course, dreams should translate into concrete action, ensuring science, technology and innovation deliver true social justice.
As the achievement of the past thirty years have shown, it can be done, and as we say in the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, it is possible. We look forward to be working with you tall to make it possible.
I thank you.