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The Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, Dr Ben Ngubane, announces the appointment of the new Board of the National Research Foundation (NRF) as approved by Cabinet

22 July 2002

The new NRF Board’s tenure is for three years, starting in July 2002. This Board has strong representation from the NRF’s stakeholders, including academia, society, business and industry. With this Board, I believe we have obtained the ideal combination of the experience of some Board members who had served on the previous National Research Foundation Board, with the innovative, fresh input of new Board members.

The members of the new National Research Foundation Board and their respective fields of expertise are:

• Chairperson: Professor Daya Reddy (Dean of Science: University of Cape Town)
• Professor Stef Coetzee (Vice Chancellor: University of the Free State)
• Mr Bill Cooper (Chief Executive Officer: Dorbyl Ltd)
• Professor Carolyn Hamilton (Director: Graduate School for Humanities and Social Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand)
• Doctor John Job (Executive Director: Sappi Ltd, and Chairperson: Sappi RSA Business)
• Doctor Trevor Mdaka (Nuclear Physician: Sunninghill Hospital)
• Professor Connie Mogale (Vice- Chancellor and Principal: Technikon Witwatersrand)
• Professor Phuti Ngoepe (Director: Materials Modelling Centre, University of the North)
• Mr Maphumuzana Nxumalo (Director: Global Industries, Unisys Africa Ltd)
• Ms Bridgette Radebe (Executive Chairperson: Mmakau Mining (Pty) Ltd)
• Professor Johan van Zyl (Chief Executive Officer: Santam and Executive Director: Sanlam)
• Professor Herbert Vilakazi (Deputy Chairperson: Independent Electoral Commission)

The President of the National Research Foundation, Dr Khotso Mokhele, serves on the Board as an ex officio member. As Minister responsible for the National Research Foundation, it is my strong belief that the new National Research Foundation Board will take the organisation further on the road towards enhancing human resource development for the Science, Engineering and Technology system as well as new researchers in the social sciences, as all these create a base for socio-economic development and employment creation.

The mandate of the NRF is to support and promote research through the funding of human resources development and the provision of research facilities. The aim is to create knowledge, innovation and development in all fields of science and technology, thereby contributing to improved quality of life for South Africa’s people.