Press Releases

Site Press Releases

Prof Scholtz appointed first Director of National Institute for Theoretical Physics (NITheP)

NITheP is a geographically distributed Institute with a main centre at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS) and regional centres at the Universities of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and the Witwatersrand (Wits). It is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) through the structure of National Facilities managed by the National Research Foundation (NRF).

Celebrating women in science

The Women in Science Awards were created by the Department of Science and Technology in association with L’Oreal and the National Commission for UNESCO to profile the achievements of leading women scientists in the South African science system.

DST announces plans to bolster indigenous knowledge systems

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has announced several initiatives to promote and protect indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) in the country.

Tackling unemployment among youth

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has launched a programme to help unemployed science graduates gain valuable work experience.

President Mbeki signs Astronomy Geographic Advantage Bill into law

A new South African law came into effect last week, placing the country among the world's leading nations in the proactive protection of national and international science infrastructure investments. President Mbeki gave the stamp of his approval by signing the Astronomy Geographic Advantage Bill into law in Pretoria.

DST, Engen SA donate 30 computers to rural Polokwane school

Learners at a rural school in Polokwane have been given an opportunity to learn computer literacy skills, thanks to the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and fuel company, Engen SA.

SA’s public R&D spending on target

Cape Town – South Africa is well on track to reach its research and development (R&D) spending of 1% of gross domestic product (GDP) by the end of 2008, according to the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Mosibudi Mangena.

SA hosts international workshop on the role of science centres in sustainable development

Science specialists and professionals from more than 20 countries will meet in Johannesburg next week for an international workshop aimed at promoting science centres as agents of change in the developing world.

Stephen Hawking, Nobel Laureates and NASA administrator to visit SA

World renowned theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking from Cambridge University, physics Nobel laureates David Gross and George Smoot, and NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, are among an international group of physicists and mathematicians who will visit South Africa in May 2008.

Public hearings on Technology Innovation Agency Bill

The Technology Innovation Agency Bill, published in the Government Gazette in August 2007, intends to establish an agency under the auspices of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to support government in stimulating and intensifying technological innovation, enhancing the country’s capacity for local innovation and invention.

Cape Town Ministerial Declaration calls for strengthening and integrating Earth observation and prediction systems

Cape Town, 30 November 2007 – Ministers and government officials attending today’s Ministerial Summit on the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) are adopting a Declaration today stressing the importance of interconnecting the world’s diverse environmental monitoring systems over the coming decade.

Double boost for SA's earth observation capacity

Cape Town, 29 November 2007 – South Africa has strengthened its role in local and international earth observations, with the launch of the South African Earth Observation Strategy (SAEOS) as well as the Egagasini Node for Marine-Offshore Systems of the South African Earth Observation Network (SAEON).

Brazil and China join forces to distribute satellite imagery to Africa at zero cost

Cape Town, 28 December 2007 – The Chinese-Brazilian Earth Resources Satellite Programme (CBERS) is launching a new Earth observation service that will provide state-of-the-art images of the planet to end-users throughout Africa – free of charge.

South Africa launches first nanotechnology innovation centres

Nanotechnology has taken the world of science by storm – small wonder, since it potentially holds the key to new materials with extraordinary properties. Such materials could lead to the development of new technologies that could revolutionise the quality of life of the citizens of South Africa.

Adapting to climate change will require a higher order of “environmental intelligence”

Cape Town Ministerial Summit to promote wider use of integrated, near-real-time Earth observations.

Sputnik 50-year-old as South Africa celebrates Space Week

Today marks the 50th year since the Russian satellite Sputnik was launched into orbit, an occurrence that irrevocably changed the face of space science and marked the start of the Space Age.

From brain drain to brain gain

South Africa’s Minister of Science and Technology, Mosibudi Mangena, today announced a second cohort of 51 Research Chairs in an initiative aimed at invigorating research and human capital development in the country’s National System of Innovation (NSI).

DST celebrates Software Freedom Day

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has lined up an exciting programme in celebration of Software Freedom Day on Saturday, 15 September 2007.

It’s Bon Voyage as plans to return the Taiping 4 Gorillas to Cameroon are finalised

Pretoria, South Africa – The four Western Lowland Gorillas, affectionately known as the Taiping Four, will be returned to Cameroon during the week of 28 November to 03 December 2007.

International biotech research lab opens its doors in SA

Cape Town - South Africa today became the first country in Africa and only the third in the world to host a laboratory of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB).

Supercomputing now a reality for SA researchers

South African researchers now have the advantage of using massive computing power in their quest for new knowledge and application.

Massive drive to introduce rural SA to information society

The Minister of Science and Technology, Mosibudi Mangena, unveiled a cluster of Digital Doorway terminals at the Ntshongweni Community Sports Centre, in the rural KwaZulu-Natal, outside Durban.

Rapid climate change: providing insight into the scientific evidence

Understanding the scientific evidence for the human influence on climate is an essential starting point, both for establishing that there is indeed a problem to be tackled and for comprehending its risk and scale and most applicable response options.

South Africa invests in Young Graduates

One hundred and four Science, Engineering and Technology graduates have successfully completed their internship programme and are ready to enter the workforce.

SADC Ministers sign Protocol to improve Science and Technology cooperation

Twelve SADC Ministers of Science and Technology earlier today, officially adopted the SADC protocol on Science, Technology and Innovation in Pretoria.

26% Budget Increase a Boost for South Africa’s Science & Technology

Cape Town – Science and Technology Minister, Mosibudi Mangena, today outlined the 2006/7 budget allocation for his department, which has seen an inflow of R1.2 billion of new money for the country’s publicly funded science and technology (s&t) system.

South Africa set to become a major international biotechnology hub

South Africa’s growing status as a preferred international science and technology (s&t) investment destination was reaffirmed at an international information press conference, hosted by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome.

International Science Exhibition comes to South Africa: 19 May- 29 July 2007

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) in partnership with the government of Germany, with the support of BMW and Sasol South Africa, are proud to announce the imminent arrival of The Max Planck Science Tunnel Exhibition.

Exciting Start to National Science Week in Free State

Science and Technology Minister Mosibudi Mangena officially launched the 2007 NSW at the Tshiya Education Resource Centre, in Phuthaditjhaba in the Free State.

Sasol Scifest opens in Grahamstown

This year marks the 11th anniversary of the week-long Sasol SciFest, one of SA’s premier programmes in promoting public awareness of science, engineering and technology (SET).

Hightech storage facility to house largest fish collection in SA

A high-tech storage facility which houses the largest collection of African fish on the continent has been opened at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, in the Eastern Cape.

Second SADC Workshop, Livingstone, Zambia

The protection of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has taken centre stage, with authorities forging ahead with the development of a policy to ensure an end to the misappropriation of such systems in the region.

National Nuclear Technical Co-operation conference

The Minister of Science and Technology, Mosibudi Mangena today opened the first national conference aimed at sharing research and applications using nuclear technologies for peaceful means.

Science, Technology agreement to boost SA relations with Oman

South Africa signed a cooperation agreement with the Sultanate of Oman, as it seeks to use technological and scientific innovation to accelerate economic growth.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology to open digital doorway project in Mpumalanga

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Derek Hanekom, is opened the Digital Doorway project in Mpumalanga.

Department opens digital doorway project in Mpumalanga

Computer literacy in Barberton, Mpumalanga, is set to improve even further with the opening of another information and technology facility at eMjindini Public Library.

SA, IAEA sign cooperation agreement

South Africa has signed a five-year agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), outlining the country’s priority needs in terms of nuclear energy use.