Youngsters urged to invent more and take ideas to market

The Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, has urged young South Africans to take advantage of new opportunities made possible by science and technology in the country.

The Minister was speaking at the Good News of Hope Education and Career Advancement event in Benoni on the East Rand on Sunday. The event was organised by the Good News of Hope Church to encourage learners in the area to consider careers in science and technology.

The Minister said that science encouraged innovation, which young people could pursue to create new products for the market. She pointed out that the commercialisation of innovations contributed to an improved society and was crucial for South Africa's development.

"True innovators are people who have the courage and determination to take their ideas to the market place. Merely having a bright idea for something new, unique and useful is not enough," said the Minister.

The Minister also encouraged the audience to participate in the Department of Science and Technology's initiatives to broaden access to science awareness in the country, citing initiatives such as Scifest Africa and National Science Week.

In addition, she pointed out that there were 34 science centres countrywide and more would be established. These offered and hands-on, experiential teaching in science fields that were ideally suited to multicultural, multilingual societies with educational imbalances, like many in Africa

Minister said that there was much to be proud of in South Africa, citing impressive inventions like medical equipment, attack helicopters, articulated dump trucks and even the ubiquitous vuvuzela.

Young people should also aspire to emulate pioneering South African scientists such as Professors Tebello Nyokong, Tim Noakes, Glenda Gray and Quarraisha Karim, among many others.

The Minister also urged young people to seize the new opportunities opened up by huge project like the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope. "You can work on such cutting-edge, exciting projects if you develop a love of maths and science and study further at university. In this way you will help to create a better Africa and a better world."

Issued by the Department of Science and Technology

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