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Annual Report 2004/2005 Foreword
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Annual Report 2004/2005 Annual Report in PDF format  - 1.8Mb ~
10 min |
| Foreword by the Minister, Mosibudi
Mangena. Innovation for development Knowledge production is intimately linked to a vision of the economy supported by science and technology, enhancing the daily lives of our people. To achieve this vision, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) promotes the mastery of technological change in South Africa's economy and society. We aim to position the country to compete successfully in the dynamic global knowledge economy. I have pleasure in introducing the Annual Report of my Department for the first full year in which I have been Minister. The report conveys the many initiatives under way to ensure that innovation and development run hand in hand. The department is going through important structural changes that place it on a better footing to support innovation, the creative process of introducing new products and processes to the marketplace. In support of this process government is providing funding and other stimuli to universities and other research programmes from which most breakthrough innovations arise. Research and development is central to this goal. Expenditure on both public and private sectors on R&D has grown from 0,76% of GDP in 2001/02 to 0,81% in 2003/04, according to figures which appeared in the year under review. This is a highly promising upturn, though the national level of R&D investment is still only about a third of the average in OECD countries. Cabinet has set a target of 1% to be invested by both public and private sectors by 2008. Recent DST initiatives in science and technology policy and systems development include:
These will benefit from the knowledge generated, the international R&D networks established and the human capacity being developed. In the context of regional development, the diffusion of appropriate technologies and skills will be important contributors to growth. The DST has identified the hydrogen economy and related fuel cells technologies as a potential lead that could promote innovative uses of the country's natural resources, and yield multiple social and economic benefits. Hydrogen and fuel cells will be key in the 21st century energy economy, enabling clean efficient production of power and heat from a range of primary energy sources. In the spectrum of technologies that interconnect to construct the hydrogen economy, platinum plays a crucial role as a catalyst that converts hydrogen to electricity. Fortunately, South Africa is well endowed with platinum resources. In the field of astronomy and space technology, the construction on the South African Large Telescope (SALT) is complete and brings us a step closer to creating a hub of astronomy research in southern Africa. In global terms, other initiatives, such as the Group on Earth Observation (GEO) and the current bidding by South Africa for the new Square Kilometre Array (SKA) astronomy facility, should open doors to research opportunities in further cooperative arrangements such as IBSA. South Africa today stands at the knowledge frontier of the developing world. The strategies and activities under way through the DST are closely aligned with the objectives of a modern, democratic society. The overarching objective is to overcome poverty and improve the quality of life for all. Science and technology take time to prove their benefits. The climate of innovation is steadily improving. The DST has joined hands with other government departments and stakeholders in research institutions, the business sector and civil society, and together we are driving national competitiveness to new heights. Mosibudi Mangena Minister of Science and Technology |
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Nominations of potential candidates for the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) Board of Directors
