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Ramaphosa pushes science as critical enabler

By Sarah Wild, ITWeb contributor.
Johannesburg, 09 Oct 2015
Deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa and science and technology minister Naledi Pandor addressed the importance of science. (Photograph courtesy of the CSIR)
Deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa and science and technology minister Naledi Pandor addressed the importance of science. (Photograph courtesy of the CSIR)

Science "is critical to our development as a nation and as a continent", deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa told an audience at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria yesterday.

He was addressing the fifth CSIR conference, under the banner "Ideas that work", commemorating the council's 70-year anniversary.

In a developing country with widespread poverty and inequality, science and research are often considered extravagant expenses, with detractors arguing that funds should rather be spent on poverty alleviation.

However, Ramaphosa said: "Science is at the centre of all human progress.... Science and technology is critical for our continent's economic growth and development."

With more than 1 800 researchers and an operating budget of about R2.4 billion, the CSIR is one of the biggest scientific research institutions on the continent. The CSIR has a "critical contribution" to make in terms of realising South Africa's National Development Plan, Ramaphosa said.

The government's aim is to position South Africa as a knowledge economy, and make its economy less reliant on raw exports through a National System of Innovation.

But science and technology cannot only be a tool to transition the focus of South Africa's economy - it must also have an impact on people's lives now, Ramaphosa and science and technology minister Naledi Pandor noted.

Speaking at the CSIR's 70th anniversary conference dinner yesterday, Pandor said: "The CSIR has a vital role to play in addressing a full range of challenges ... from education, health, nutrition and access to basic services. Over the last few years, the CSIR has positioned itself as a trusted adviser to a range of government departments and entities."

"The National Development Plan says science and technology must be used to address some of the problems in education, health and economic development, and to facilitate access to information and knowledge," Ramaphosa said.

He said this was already happening. "The departments of health and science and technology, for example, are working with the CSIR to design information and communications technology architecture for the National Health Insurance. We have also seen important successes in areas like HIV prevention and treatment, satellite building, palaeontology, fluorochemicals and technology for improved service delivery," Ramaphosa said.

However, Pandor noted research institutions needed "strong support and practical efforts to ensure higher levels of science communication and outreach" to highlight the role science plays in South African society.

"As one of the oldest and successful science councils with a broad mandate, the CSIR plays a leading role in not only positioning its own efforts and successes but also in highlighting the role of the full range of science, technology and innovation institutions in South Africa."

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