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Volume 4 - 7
| Contents | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 7. Sustaining Research and Development in South Africa
By Dr Bruce Rubidge South Africa's national research and development strategy describes “human palaeontology as a scientific area where South Africa has an obvious geographical advantage. The challenge is to develop strategies to optimise the chances for success of the South African scientists in palaeontological research”. In order to begin the process, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) set up guidelines and awarded a tender to prepare a document on the state of palaeontological research in South Africa. A questionnaire was circulated to members of the Palaeontological Society of Southern Africa, the secretaries of the Geological Society, Archaeological Society, and South African Society of Human Genetics, Deans of Science Faculties of all South African Universities and Directors of all Museums in South Africa, as well as additional individuals known to be involved in aspects of palaeontological research. Because of the uniquely rich fossil heritage of South Africa, palaeoanthropological (human palaeontology) and palaeontological research undertaken in this country is, and has been, of international significance. In fact it is not possible to write a comprehensive text on the development of life on earth without referring extensively to the South African fossil record. Recognition of the “Cradle of Humankind” as a UNESCO World Heritage site and inclusion of palaeontological research in the NEPAD strategy document further demonstrates the national and international importance of this field of study. The uniquely ancient South African lithosphere and extensive outcrops of fossil-bearing rocks provide this country with a unique competitive advantage for palaeontological, palaeoanthropological and archaeological research over a very long time period. In particular, the relatively abundant records of fossil hominids discovered in South Africa have played a central role in our understanding of the origin and evolution of humankind.  
Skeleton of the early dinosaur Massospondylus from the eastern Free
State. In addition, fossil reptiles from the Karoo have demonstrated the international importance of these fossils in research on the ancestry of mammals, dinosaurs and even tortoises. The time-expansive, fossil-bearing rock record of this country gives us the capacity to study biodiversity trends through time, in response to changes in continental positioning and climate, as well as to understand biotic extinctions and recoveries in response to major extinction events. This study has highlighted that for palaeoanthropological and palaeontological research to be undertaken and for the science to survive and thrive in South Africa, multidisciplinary research is needed and infrastructural capacity must be maintained and expanded. At present, palaeontological research is undertaken at several tertiary education institutions in the country, as well as at the Albany, South African, National and Transvaal Museums and the Council for Geoscience.  Alarmingly, the number of positions for
palaeontologists and archaeologists has decreased over the past ten
years, with many important museum collections being managed without the
necessary expertise.This DST survey has demonstrated the excellent palaeontological/ palaeoanthropological research productivity of South African scientists, the large and valuable fossil collections housed here, the productive fossil-bearing deposits with the potential to support multidisciplinary research projects and the large number of international scientists who visit the country to undertake research or to collaborate in research projects, fieldwork and academic field schools. The high degree of collaboration between South African palaeontologists, palaeoanthropologists and overseas scientists and the large number of papers published in international peerreview journals are testimony to the high quality of research undertaken in South Africa. The South African public is largely ignorant of the palaeo-world, mainly because this science has not been addressed in the school curriculum and researchers are not involved in public visibility programmes. Accordingly, the palaeontological and archaeological fraternities have recognised the need for active outreach programmes, and despite limited funding, are addressing the issue in various ways. The paucity of scientists and postgraduate students from previously disadvantaged communities has been recognised. Training in palaeontology is provided by the University of the Witwatersrand and in archaeological aspects by both the Universities of the Witwatersrand and Cape Town. A pleasing aspect is the growing number of Masters and PhD graduates in archaeology and particularly palaeontology, over the past few years. The survey also points out the decreasing number of positions for palaeontologists, palaeoanthropologists and archaeologists at South African institutions and the critical shortage of technical staff in a field that requires much technical assistance for excavation, curation and preparation of fossil material. Most respondents identified the lack of adequate funding as a significant barrier to carrying out research: Some pointed to the loss of young scientists to positions at overseas institutions. For the science of paleontology to thrive in South Africa, vital strategies are to be put in place to increase the number of research and technical positions to develop and curate collections, and to develop training programmes that will guarantee long-term South African Institutions where palaeontological research is undertaken sustainability, as well as scientific excellence. Our interest in our common humanity ensures that the palaeoworld discipline will remain a topic of local, national and international relevance to academics, researchers, students and the public. A research thrust dedicated to the palaeo-world therefore has the potential to bring unparalleled opportunities for international collaboration, new teaching and training programmes. As a consequence of the remarkable fossil wealth of South Africa and the international recognition that South Africa has gained for its palaeontological resources, palaeontology is a field that can play a key part in promoting South Africa as a leading country of palaeontological research excellence. A research programme that explores Africa's ancient heritage will contribute to the growing tourism industry - an area identified by government and the private sector as crucial to the economic development of southern Africa. South African Institutions where palaeontological research is undertaken |
| Sci. Tenured | Techn. Tenured | Sci. Grant Funded | Techn. Grant Funded | Total | |
| Museums | |||||
| South African Museum | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 9 |
| Albany Museum | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| National Museum | 3 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Transvaal Museum | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Universities | |||||
| University of Cape Town | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| University of Witwatersrand | 8 | 19 | 5 | 10 | 42 |
| University of Stellenbosch | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| University of Free State | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Council | |||||
| Council for Geosciences, Pretoria | 1 | 2.5 | 0 | 0 | 3.5 |
Nominations of potential candidates for the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) Board of Directors
