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. In his opening keynote address, he highlighted the significant role being played by South Africa in applying nuclear technologies to address development challenges being faced by South Africa.

This includes the development of isotope labeling to map underground water resources, controlling the populations of pests such as the Tsetse fly and the fruit fly through the sterile insect technique, the early detection of TB using nuclear-based diagnostic techniques. He also highlighted the renewed global interest in nuclear energy and the development of the Pebble-Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) to position South Africa as a leading player in the decades to follow.

Minister Mangena also drew attention to the important role being played by the nuclear community internationally as well as the leading role played by South Africa on the African continent.

The opening session of the conference was also addressed by representatives from the South African Young Nuclear Professionals Society (SAYNPS) as well as the Women in Nuclear – South Africa (WINSA) who reported on progress being made in bringing young people and women into the nuclear industry. However, they said, the challenge remains to accelerate progress in this regard.

The conference brings together scientists from institutions benefiting from the International Atomic Energy Agencies (IAEA) Technical Cooperation Programme. South Africa as a member state has been contributing to the Technical Cooperation Programme (TC) of the IAEA for the last decade.

The TC comprises national, regional and interregional projects and these may comprise one or more of the following components: experts, equipment and materials, fellowships and scientific visits, training courses, meetings/workshops and sub-contracts. South Africa plays a leading role in the African continent as far as Technical Cooperation is concerned. This includes research fellows from various countries in the continent who are undergoing training in South Africa, as well as leveraging support from experts throughout the world.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has a mandate to be the custodian of the TC programme.

South Africa recently completed and submitted its second Country Program Framework (CPF) to the IAEA. The CPF covers the period 2006-2010 and outlines the areas for the Technical Co-operation Programme. It includes applications in agriculture, water, health, pest management, energy, pollution and waste management.

The Minister of Minerals and Energy, Buyelwa Sonjica will address the last session of the conference later today.

Jointly issued by the Department of Science and Technology and Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa

For more information, contact: Mr Nelvis Qekema: Ministerial Liaison Officer @ 082 571 2571