Opening Remarks – Chair
The National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) is pleased to release the 2021 Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Indicators Report within the context of the rampant COVID-19 pandemic, deepening socioeconomic development crises and STI policy renewal, including the development of a new Decadal Plan. South African society and the economy have been under pressure mainly from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and decline in economic performance. We are also facing other challenges such as climate change, that impact upon sustainable agricultural production, for example we have seen outbreaks of locusts, drought and higher average temperatures.
During the pandemic various institutions within our NSI were also challenged to become part of the global community to explore solutions to make our populations resilient to virus infections. We have seen some innovations that include development of vaccines, which are now being distributed among our populations. Several South African science institutions have contributed innovatively to various solutions during this pandemic as well. In future, once data is available, it will be possible to reflect on the impact of the National System of Innovation (NSI) and how it responded to the pandemic.
In the last few years NACI has conducted a review of the National Research and Development Strategy (NRDS) and Ten-Year Innovation Plan and conducted a Foresight Exercise to provide important input into the development of the new Decadal Plan for STI.
The STI Indicators Report highlights both progress and lack thereof in respect of selected indicators. The NSI’s pipeline challenges persist, despite numerous government interventions. According to the 2019 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), the country’s average scores are below the minimum benchmark level of 400 for both Mathematics and Science in Grade 5 (374 and 324, respectively) and Grade 9 (389 and 370, respectively). The pass rate declined for all the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-related subjects, except for Mathematical Literacy, in which there was a slight increase in the percentage of learners passing with 30% and more (from 80.6% in 2019 to 80.8%
in 2020). NACI has initiated a study, the outcome of which may explain the persisting problem.
There was a small increase (4.6%) in the output of high and medium-technology manufacturing in 2019, compared with the previous year. However, the share of high- and medium-technology manufacturing in total manufacturing was marginally lower in 2019 (29.36%) than in 2009 (26.95%). In comparison with the previous year, the value of South Africa’s high-technology exports declined by 10% in 2019. Service exports have similarly tended to decline and were almost 8% lower than in 2018. The share of overall manufacturing employment for medium- and high technology sectors rose from 28.5% (2009) to 32.31% (2019).
We hope the STI Indicators Report will serve as a resource to policy makers, researchers, civil society, students and everyone in and outside the NSI. There is a need for complementary studies to deepen our understanding of certain trends and factors.
On behalf of NACI we thank Dr. P. Letaba, Dr. D. Kaplan, Dr. M. Madikizela and Prof. A. Pouris for their expertise and intellectual contributions to the production of this report. We also have to thank the individual NACI Councillors for their concerted focus, analysis and guidance towards the final approval of the report by the Minister. Also, we thank the secretariat for all their hard work in ensuring NACI achieves its outputs.
On behalf of NACI we welcome everyone as we launch the South African Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators Report for 2021.
Thank You
