Dr Phil Mjwara, Director General of the Department of Science and Innovation;

Prof Mosa Moshabela, Chairperson of the NRF Board;

Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, CEO of the NRF;

Dr Victor Tshivhase, Managing Director,NRF- iThemba LABS;

Distinguished guests;

Members of the media;

Ladies and gentlemen:

It is my honour and privilege to address you on this historic occasion- the inauguration of the South African Isotope Facility.

The inauguration of the South African Isotope Facility forms part of my Department’s efforts to enhance our existing scientific infrastructure and to advance and foster technology development and innovation in nuclear sciences and technology for the benefit of society.

NRF-iThemba LABS is a research facility that has, since its inception in the early 80’s, distinguished itself by producing world-class research and development in accelerator-based sciences and technologies.

It is the premier atomic particle accelerator laboratory on the African continent, and the only facility of its kind in the southern hemisphere.

It has become a hub of vibrant research, development, and collaboration network for nuclear sciences that includes South African Universities, research institutions and international counterparts.

The workhorse of NRF-iThemba LABS is the k=200 Separated Sector Cyclotron (SSC) which was commissioned in 1985 to provide accelerated particle beams to three user groups, namely basic research, isotope production and particle therapy.

The SSC is currently servicing the two remaining user groups, namely isotope production and basic and applied research, which includes the activities of the radiation biophysicists.

In addition to the SSC, NRF-iThemba LABS, houses two linear electrostatic accelerators, one in Cape Town (a 3-MV Tandetron) and the other in Johannesburg (a 6-MV Tandem).

These accelerators are used to support the research and development in the areas of material science and nanotechnology using Ion-beam analysis techniques.

One of the most valuable lessons we learned from the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic was that, the capacity to produce our own medicine is extremely vital for our national response to the outbreak of pandemics.

This is why it fills me with great pride to state that, NRF-iThemba LABS has been producing radioisotopes for both the local and international nuclear medicine and research fraternity for more than 30 years.

It is one of a few places in South Africa, where the complete manufacturing process to produce medicine, specifically medical-grade radioisotopes, take place. This includes production facilities, chemical processing, quality assurance and control, filling and packaging under sterile conditions, as well as, end-to-end logistics, marketing and sales.

These isotopes, that are produced according to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) in specialized facilities, are used in either Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography or Positron Emission Tomography applications in hospitals both locally and internationally.

The products are delivered weekly to over 40 nuclear medicine departments at private and public healthcare units throughout South Africa and Namibia and to over 100 clients world-wide.

Not too far from the Union Buildings in Pretoria, at the Sefako Makgatho Hospital in Ga-Rankuwa, radioisotopes are used for better and precise diagnostics in cancer patients and to also treat cancer in the precise manner.

Through the work done at South African Isotope Facility, we can treat better and prolong the lives of people.

You have noted from Dr Prince’s earlier presentation, that the NRF-iThemba LABS is one of a few facilities in the world that produces Strontium-82 radiochemicals (that is for myocardial imaging) and Germanium-68/Gallium-68 generators (and this is for the diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumours), and the ONLY producer of Ultra High Vacuum Sodium-22 positron sources in the world that is used in industrial research applications.

It is furthermore the exclusive producer of Iodine-123 radiopharmaceuticals (tumour localization and observation of myocardial, renal, thyroid and brain function) in South Africa. In addition, iThemba LABS has a dedicated 11-MeV cyclotron for the production of Flourine-18 labelled radiopharmaceuticals for PET applications at facilities in the Western Cape.

This unique South African capability ensures security of supply for the local nuclear medicine community, and positions NRF-iThemba LABS as a global competitor for the supply of radiopharmaceutical products for the export market.

The drive to ensure the availability of a research infrastructure platform that supports cutting-edge research and the development and growth of technical competence in, and for South Africa, prompted a strategic interrogation of the infrastructure renewal at iThemba LABS in 2017.

A key activity of the renewal was to re-position the isotope production capabilities through the establishment of the South African Isotope Facility (SAIF).

This strategic project would not only expand the portfolio of particle accelerators at NRF-iThemba LABS, but also increase the research, training and production capacity for radioisotopes that includes new generation novel radioisotopes.

The establishment of SAIF implied the acquisition of a dedicated cyclotron with associated infrastructure for the production of radioisotopes, thus freeing up the Separated Sector Cyclotron for full-time research and training.

The new cyclotron will be capable of producing two simultaneous beams of protons, that will not only enhance the production yield, but also significantly extend the isotope research and development capability of iThemba LABS.

The establishment of SAIF signals the start of a strong research and development prospect for the future through the production of alpha-particle-emitting radioisotopes , and other ground-breaking theranostic isotopes working in collaboration with local and international partners.

These novel radioisotopes have the potential capability to target and destroy cancer cells while simultaneously providing diagnostic imagery of the tumour.

The capability of developing diagnostic and therapeutic products for nuclear imaging and treatment will create long-term benefits for the public and private health sectors, improving health outcomes and raising the technological base of the country.

Currently about 5 000 South African patients benefit from the current supply per annum and it is expected that these numbers could increase by a factor of 5-7 with the increase in production capacity and availability of a new cohort of isotopes.

It is clear that there is a real case to be made for the societal benefit of this flagship project in its commitment to contribute to a better (and healthier) society.

I am also excited about the impact that it has made, and will continue to make, with regards to job-creation and its support of local industry.

The project will cost 590 million, and will create 157 opportunities which includes sub constructors, and provide the 52 skilled and unskilled labourers from local communities,  and 53 permanent jobs will be created at iThemba labs over the next four years.

In addition, the project will offer a dedicated research programme from which an estimated 21 postgraduate students per annum will benefit.

The project is expected to open huge opportunities to train the next generation of accelerator physicists, engineers and technicians. 

I must indicate that the SAIF project positions NRF-iThemba LABS and South Africa as a world leader in the real-world application of innovative science and technology for the benefit of mankind.

As we ramp up production on the new facility, so too will we embark on a deeper understanding of the origins and properties of atomic nuclei through experiments with exotic isotopes that can be used to guide new theoretical approaches through the discovery of model deficiencies and ‘missing’ physics.

This, will provide amongst others, insight and understanding into how, where and when elements are produced in the universe.

It is envisaged that this will not ONLY improve our international standing through our research outputs, but it will also strengthen and enhance our collaborations with similar research facilities abroad.

The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that cancer will become the leading cause of death on the African continent by 2030.

With the available data, it is estimated that in 2020, almost 110,000 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in South Africa, with more than 56,000 cancer-related deaths, representing a quarter of premature noncommunicable disease–related mortality.

This significant cancer burden is predicted to increase in the coming decades, with the incidence of new cancer cases expected to rise to 138,000 and 175,000 in 2030 and 2040, respectively . Cancer-related mortality is predicted to rise to 73,000 and 94,000 during the same period.

The five most common cancers in South Africa, in order of incidence, are breast, prostate, cervical, lung, and colorectal. However, of these five cancers, the leading cause of cancer-related mortality is lung cancer. Among women, although breast cancer has at least a 25% higher incidence, cervical carcinoma is the leading cause of mortality.

This reality therefore underpins the need for the continent to provide access to the required radiopharmaceuticals and diagnostic infrastructure. This facility we are open today is one of such efforts that we are putting as south Africa to deal with the prevalence of cancer in our country.

In conclusion, I have no doubt that the South African Isotope Facility has the potential to reposition iThemba LABS and South Africa as a world leader in the real-world application of innovative science and technology to the benefit of mankind.

I wish to congratulate our entity the NRF and the management of i-Themba on this important milestone. We look forward to more world class scientific projects that are going to be produced by this facility.

Thank you for your attention.