Ambassadors, Science and Technology Attaches from our international partners, Mr Thulane Gcabashe, Chief Executive of Eskom, Dr Steve Lennon, Managing Director of Resources and Strategy at Eskom, Professor Roy Marcus, Chairperson of the Technology Top 100 Programme and the Da Vinci Institute, Dr Rob Adam, Director-General of the Department of Science and Technology, Executives from the sponsoring organisations, Dr Elsbeth Dixon, Coordinator of the adjudicators for the Technology Top 100 Programme, Representatives of the companies who have faced the rigours of a demanding adjudication process, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and gentlemen
This event is not only a launch pad for our 3 - day International Science, Innovation and Technology Exhibition, it is also a fitting tribute to our 10th anniversary of democracy. In welcoming you all here tonight, may I take this opportunity to pay homage to all our partner countries that have been able to join us in the exhibition. We value our relationship with you, and look forward to the strengthening of our mutually beneficial relationships.
The Technology Top 100 Awards Programme is now recognised as the premier business awards function in South Africa. The growing credibility and prowess of this programme will unfold tonight as we celebrate a number of significant milestones in a truly South African project, now recognised by major countries and international bodies as being profound in its ability to provide critical information on the sustainability of companies and the economy. I must at the outset express my pleasure at the growing number of small enterprises that have joined the ranks of the country's best. We need to be far more creative in our efforts to find ways in which these emerging companies can partner with larger operations. Such partnerships are reputed to have contributed profoundly to job creation and economic growth in developed countries.
As it is customary at this final major business function of the year, we wish to put into perspective some of the significant highlights that have punctuated the business and technology landscape in South Africa. In the last ten years, significant developments have taken place. As a nation, we have now reached an important stage in our development, where we have successfully managed to elevate the technology debate to very high levels in government. In terms of contributing towards the improvement of the country's economic performance, the DST has developed a number of policies and programmes. These awards is one of the programmes providing an opportunity for strengthening a closer cooperation between the Department of Science and Technology and the private and public sector business operations in South Africa.
The Technology Top 100 programme has come a long way since 1994. Since then, the DST has come to the realisation that a very large and high profile business awards function could play a vital role in enhancing the business and technology landscape in our country. When the programme was conceived, the department was looking for South African role models who, through sheer tenacity and ingenuity, have been able to make their mark in society. We believe that we have achieved our primary goals. Therefore, this celebration of excellence is also the celebration of truly South African innovation.
This programme must be seen in the context of the pervasive role which technology plays in the economic development of our country. Technology is one of our key enablers for improving the living conditions of the majority of our people who are living in appalling circumstances.
Right from the outset of the publication of the White Paper on Science and Technology, the DST recognised the dual role - that is, enterprise development and social responsibility - that technology needed to play. It is for this reason that the department has paid particular attention in applying funding mechanisms to encourage scientific and technological development that are directed towards assisting businesses to develop global competitiveness, while at the same time directing funding towards a wide range of programmes including bio-technology, food security and medical research aimed at disease control and prevention.
Government is paying particular attention to the Technology Top 100 Programme firstly because this programme identifies the real success stories of companies who, in spite of tremendous odds, have been able to develop products and processes which are not only being sold in our local markets, but have also found lucrative international markets. Secondly, the programme enables government to get closer to the movers and shakers, and to better understand their needs in order to adapt our policies to provide more effective support to their endeavours. Thirdly, the programme enables us to learn a lot about what the companies have done to make such a great success of their operations.
It is in this regard that we express our full support for the proposal to establish the Technology Top 100 training programmes. There is no doubt that one of the most effective ways of creating capacity is mentorship. One impressive element of the programme is the calibre of people who enter this programme. All of them are proud of their achievements, passionate about this country, and above all enthusiastic about telling the world how they have been able to achieve their successes.
In reviewing the changing profile of the Technology Top 100 programme over the past decade, one needs to reflect the mindset that prevailed 10 years ago. Many observers were adamant that the productivity in science and technology would have just enough momentum to take us to about 1997, and thereafter we would see a tailing off of innovation. Well the good news is that after the initial decline, the output is now promising to rise exponentially.
More and more new companies are coming into the market. Through the Technology Top 100 programme, we are witnessing a year-on-year increase in the revenue generated from exports and within the smaller companies there is an encouraging increase in spending on research and development and training. More South African operations are starting to recognise that competitive advantage is deeply rooted in the ownership of intellectual property.
As we reflect upon the impact of what can only be described as a hectic 10 years of incredible advances in our science and technology framework, we are looking forward to capitalising on these opportunities. We wish to take this opportunity to congratulate you all on your outstanding achievements and to invite you to partner with government in charting the way forward and assisting us in realising the dream of a South Africa having a greater foothold in global markets.
May I, in closing, salute all those who have met the exacting standards of a highly intensive adjudication process. Well done. Your achievements are truly outstanding. We have made an impressive start, and must now capitalise on the benefits of this programme.
I thank you.
