Approved by Cabinet in April 2009, the 10-member board brings a wealth of experience to their role in accomplishing the TIA's mandate. 

The board is chaired by Dr Mamphele Ramphele, the former vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Town and former MD of the World Bank. 

Ms Cheryl Carolus is the chairperson of Peotona while Dr Steven Cornelius is the executive member of the South African Veterinary Council. 

Prof Susan Harrison is the current chair of the board of the Cape Biotechnology Trust, Mr Ilan Lax is an expert in the legal and justice system while Dr Nhlanhla Msomi is president of the South African Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 

Dr Patrick Ngwenya is director of CKS investments Unisys Africa and former chairperson of the Nuclear Energy Corporation.  

Mr Ross Norton is chairperson of SA Bioproducts while Mr Craig Gordon Venter is CEO at Altech. 

Ms Helen Brown is the senior project manager at the Manufacturing Engineering & Related Sector Education Training Authority (MERSETA) and sits on the board of the Tshumisano Trust. 

The ultimate goal of the agency is to use South Africa’s science and technology base to develop new industries, create sustainable jobs, and help diversify the economy away from commodity exports towards knowledge-based industries equipped to address modern global challenges. 

To meet its mandate, the agency will provide and mobilise financial and non-financial support across broad technology areas in various sectors of the economy through –

• Appropriately structured financial and non-financial interventions for the commercialisation of research and development (R&D) results;

• The development and maintenance of advanced human capacity for innovation as opposed to just R&D human capital;

• Building a culture of innovation in the South African economy; and

• Leveraging local and international partnerships in order to facilitate in-bound technology transfer, build local technological competencies, and encourage foreign direct investment for the commercialisation of technologies in South Africa.

Issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology

Lunga Ngqengelele

Ministerial Spokesperson

012 843 6802

082 566 0446

Lunga.ngqengelele@dst.gov.za