Packed with exciting activities that celebrate the importance of science, engineering and technology in our daily lives, this year’s National Science Week (NSW) is guaranteed edutainment for young and old!

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

The NSW will run from 12 until 19 May 2007.

Themed “Tomorrow’s Science and Technology are in our youth’s hands”, this is an annual week-long event aimed at persuading the youth to pursue careers in science, engineering and technology while highlighting the important role that science plays in everyday life.

National Science Week is part of the Department of Science and Technology’s integrated strategy to establish a successful National System of Innovation (NSI) through which social and economic progress can be achieved in our country.

This is why education and training, and research and development are among the central elements of the NSI.

Reinforcing the focus on youth in 2007, Minister Mangena in his opening address emphasised that “we need to take science awareness to greater heights”, and that NSW was more than just a week dedicated to science awareness, “but also an intense period of awakening and mobilisation”.

The week also highlights South African’s Indigenous Knowledge by showcasing provinces in terms of their unique geographic and knowledge advantages.

Ongoing collaboration between the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and traditional healers is just one example of a benefit- sharing agreement in the area of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS).

This partnership has led to the development of a novel, natural method to repel mosquitoes as well as the establishment of a factory that employs a local community, who are the custodians of the knowledge used to develop this product.  

In Africa, where malaria is a life-threatening disease, such developments show how science is relevant to solving socially important problems faced by millions of people in the world.

South Africa’s 3000km long coastline, which is ideal for research in marine sciences, is an example of the country’s unique scientific and geographic advantage.

In this respect a high-tech storage facility which houses the largest collection of African fishes on the continent has been opened at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIB) at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, earlier this year.

The facility serves primarily as a reference for scientists to study the identification and conservation of the fish biodiversity.

Minister Mangena encouraged the young and old to take part in the activities on offer at more than 43 sites throughout the country.

“Encourage your friends, family members and neighbours to join you in this exciting journey,” added Minister Mangena.

This year, the week will be filled with exciting opportunities for learners, teachers, students, academics, parents and the public who will get an opportunity to do science based activities like teacher and learner workshops, science competitions, fun runs, career exhibitions and learner outreach programmes to name a few.

Issued by the Department of Science and Technology

For media information, contact:

Celeste Tema, Deputy Director: Department of Science and Technology, Cell: 082 928 5221, email: celeste.tema@dst.gov.za