Shaping an inclusive national system of innovation

As South Africa strives to build a more inclusive and dynamic knowledge economy, the question of how to transform the country's science, technology and innovation (STI) landscape has never been more pressing.

This critical issue took center stage at the inaugural National System of Innovation Transformation Summit during a high-level panel discussion on "The Transformation of Knowledge for South Africa's Future".

The summit, held under the theme "Science, technology, innovation and knowledge at the centre of government, education, society and industry", was an opportunity for all stakeholders, including science councils, higher education institutions, government departments, the business sector and organised labour to reflect and engage on the current and future role of the national system of innovation (NSI).

The event was held on 13 and 14 March 2025 at the Birchwood Conference Centre.

Bringing together thought leaders, catalysts and industry leaders, the discussion explored how to reframe knowledge production, dissemination and application to drive societal impact, foster inclusivity, and position South Africa as a global player in innovation.

From balancing fundamental research and applied sciences to tackling systemic barriers in research and development, the panel examined the urgent shifts needed to ensure that the country's NSI served all South Africans.

Prof. Zeblon Vilakazi, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Witwatersrand, delivered a compelling presentation on the transformation of knowledge in South Africa, emphasising the country's role in reshaping global knowledge production.

He highlighted the urgent need to address global knowledge inequality, asking, "Where is the global system of innovation heading, and where is South Africa going?"

His presentation underscored the impact of the digital revolution and the necessity for South Africa to adapt to rapid technological shifts by excelling in emerging fields like quantum sciences, big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and bioinformatics.

Prof. Vilakazi argued for a paradigm shift in South Africa's knowledge narrative, advocating for better integration of the country's scientific, cultural and natural resources into the economy.

He stated, "A creative industry focus taps into and enhances our rich heritage, driving sustainable and equitable economic growth", and emphasised that South Africa boasted world-class scientific infrastructure and financial services, but gaps in education and healthcare had to be addressed to create an inclusive knowledge economy.

Drawing inspiration from big science projects like the Human Genome Project, the Apollo Missions, and the Large Hadron Collider, Prof. Vilakazi pointed to South Africa's hosting of a large portion of the global Square Kilometre Array project as an example of how local expertise could contribute to global innovation.

Prof. Azwinndini Muronga, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Internationalisation at Nelson Mandela University, spoke on the role of STI in empowering society and youth.

Known as a trailblazer for his work in physics and commitment to transformation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), Prof. Muronga emphasised the need for accessible and trusted scientific knowledge, and called for a transformation that ensured science spoke to society.

"If people do not understand science, they will not trust it. If they do not trust it, they will not use it," he warned, highlighting the urgency of bridging the gap between knowledge creation and public engagement.

Prof. Muronga also spoke about the importance of youth engagement in STEM, stating, "If we fail to engage our youth, we fail to secure our future." He stressed the need for practical, inquiry-driven science education, mentorship programmes, and platforms that turned young people's ideas into innovations. Advocating curriculum reform, he argued that mathematics, coding and data science should be integral to education, as they were the foundation of technological revolutions.

"That future starts with how we teach science and mathematics today," he remarked.

Balancing fundamental and applied research was another key theme, with Prof. Muronga cautioning against short-term thinking.

"If we focus only on applied research, we risk short-term progress but long-term stagnation," he said, reminding the delegates that many transformative technologies, for example, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans, global positioning systems (GPS) and AI originated from curiosity-driven research.

According to Dr Andile Ngcaba, Chairperson and Founding Partner of Convergence Partners, which specialises in ICT investment, South Africa should prioritise rare earth elements or technology metals. He cited their importance in global trade, capital markets and national development, as well as research, development and knowledge advancement. The digital economy, the defence industry, the space economy and the oceans economy were equally important priorities, in his opinion.

On opportunities for innovation and change, Prof. Shireen Motala of the University of Johannesburg's Faculty of Education talked about partnerships in future-orientated curriculum reform. She said curricula should prioritise 4th industrial revolution skills, AI competency, critical thinking and creativity.

"When it comes to innovation hubs and co-designed research and development inside industries and historically disadvantaged universities, the lack of alignment between skills and national needs is so apparent," she said.

She argued that a strategic framework was needed to guide investment in knowledge production, particularly in centres of excellence and research chairs, and that investment decisions should be data-driven, equity-focused and aligned with national priorities.