Minister Nzimande outlines bold steps to place science technology and innovation at the centre of South Africa’s development
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, tabled the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation’s 2025/26 Budget Vote in Parliament, on Wednesday, 9 July.
Together with the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ms. Nomalungelo Gina, Minister Nzimande outlined a bold programme, which is inspired by the Department’s newly adopted mantra, which is “Placing Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) at the centre of Government, Education, Industry and Society.”
The Department’s plans are anchored on the objectives of the National Development Plan 2030, the White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation, and the Decadal Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation (2022-2032).
The Department’s budget allocation for the 2025/2026 financial year is R9.0637 billion, reflecting a reduction from the R9.468 billion allocated in the 2024/2025 financial year.
Despite the decline in funding, the Minister Nzimande reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to maintaining and expanding critical programmes that advance scientific research, technological innovation, and inclusive growth.
Addressing Parliament and stakeholders Minister Nzimande emphasised “that investing in research and innovation is essential for addressing some of our most urgent current challenges such as economic stagnation, climate change, social inequality and technological disruption.”
“This budget represents our unwavering commitment to take science, technology and innovation to the villages, townships and all the corners of our country. It is a call to action for every sector to play a part in creating a more inclusive and prosperous society through science, technology and innovation.” said Minister Nzimande.
Among the highlights presented were advances in mining, manufacturing, agriculture, health, energy and the digital economy. In manufacturing, the Department is supporting the development of the Metalix additive manufacturing prototype, expected to be completed by March 2026. In health, the state-of-the-art Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRI), the only one of its kind in Africa, is enabling cutting-edge clinical research and diagnostics.
On energy innovation, the Minister Nzimande stated, “The future of our energy security will be defined by how boldly and smartly we embrace green alternatives. Our Hydrogen Society Roadmap, Platinum Valley Initiative, and clean coal technologies are paving the way.”
Artificial intelligence and digital technologies remain high on the agenda. “We cannot afford to be left behind in the AI race. Our new strategic framework will ensure that South Africa builds AI systems that are ethical, relevant, and rooted in our developmental needs,” Minister Nzimande added.
He also expressed concern about the transformation deficits in the National System of Innovation (NSI). “Despite progress, the underrepresentation of black researchers and women at senior levels is unacceptable. As a result, working with our entity the National Research Founding (NRF), the Department will be establishing new Research Chairs to correct these imbalances and drive institutional transformation.”
He further stated that the Department’s priorities for the next 4 years, “will include intensifying efforts to increase the Gross Expenditure on Research and Development to 1.5% of GDP, accelerating the transformation and expansion of STI human resources and research workforce, strengthening the coordination and direction of our National System of Innovation, maintaining and upgrading key science infrastructure and projects such as the SKA, NuMeRi and the development of credible pandemic preparedness capacity,”
Minister Nzimande also used the opportunity to report to Parliament that the Working Group he had established to advise him on the impact of the funding cuts by the US government for joint science initiatives between South African and US research institutions has completed its task and that he intends to share the report first with Cabinet and then Parliament.
Also addressing Parliament, Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina emphasised that innovation must no longer be a privilege of the elite. “STI must not be reserved for the most educated or confined to laboratories and boardrooms. It must become a lived experience for every community, every learner, and every entrepreneur,” she said.
She reported that the Department has established the Municipal Innovation Fund, which allows municipalities to access funding for locally tailored tech and innovation-based service delivery solutions.
“We are seeing municipalities step up and embrace innovation as a tool to serve their communities more efficiently and more responsively. We intend to expand this support under the District Development Model,” said Deputy Minister Gina.
She also highlighted growing partnerships with business and industry. “We are engaging captains of industry to see themselves as co-creators of the National System of Innovation,” she said. “Our collaboration with Huawei and other multinational tech partners shows our seriousness about building an ecosystem that is both globally connected and locally relevant.”
In the area of Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Deputy Minister Gina stated, “We are reclaiming and institutionalising African knowledge. Whether it is through traditional medicine, smart villages or our cannabis programme, we are showing that African solutions can thrive in the modern economy.”
Speaking on the Department’s grassroots and youth innovation drive, she said, “Innovation is not just for scientists in white coats. Our grassroots innovators, many of whom have no formal training, are solving problems in real time. We will continue to support them, especially innovators living with disabilities.”
On gender transformation in STI, she added, “Empowering women is not a side project. We have allocated 55% of our postgraduate funding to women, and we are introducing dedicated programmes such as Black Women in Science and Women in Hydrogen.”
Deputy Minister Gina echoed the sentiment, saying, “Working side by side with Minister Nzimande, I am proud that we are steering this Department into a future where science and innovation will become the very heartbeat of transformation. We thank all stakeholders, staff, and Parliament for their continued support.”
Enquiries: Veli Mbele (Media Liaison Officer and Spokesperson to the Minister) at 064 615 0644 or Veronica Mohapeloa (Media Liaison to the Deputy Minister) at 083 400 5750.
ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
