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Science and technology18

The Department of Science and Technology aims torealise the full potential of science and technology(S&T) in social and economic development, throughthe development of human resources (HR),research and innovation.

The intellectual framework for policy is theNational System of Innovation (NSI), in which a set of functioning institutions, organisations,individuals and policies interact in pursuit of acommon set of social and economic goals.

The department’s budget over the Medium TermExpenditure Framework (MTEF) has seen anincrease of 26%, most of which will fund newscientific research infrastructure such as theCentre for High Performance Computing (CHPC).

National System of Innovation The NSI focuses on the role of technology ineconomic growth and supports innovation andtechnology diffusion. Since 1994, institutions suchas the National Advisory Council on Innovation(NACI) have been established to advise the Ministerof Science and Technology on policy and theallocation of funding.

Some funds allocated to science councils wereearmarked to address specific South Africanproblems. The funding of science councils has beensubstantially reformed: core funding throughparliamentary grants is complemented byallocations through a competitive bidding processfrom the Innovation Fund (IF). The IF applies threemajor criteria when making its selections:competitiveness, quality of life and environmentalsustainability.

Innovation FundThe IF was created to promote technologicalinnovation; increased networking and cross-sectoral collaboration; and competitiveness, qualityof life, environmental sustainability and theharnessing of information technology (IT).

The National Research Foundation (NRF) claimsa management and administration fee from theallocated budget for support services rendered.

The IF’s strategic objectives include creating a knowledge base in key technology and eco-nomic sectors; facilitating the exploitation andcommercialisation of research and development

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(R&D) results from the existing knowledge base;investing in technological innovations that willbenefit South Africa; and supporting historicallydisadvantaged individuals. The IF enables theexpansion and migration of existing industries tonew value-added areas, and the establishment ofR&D-intensive industries. It fosters theestablishment and growth of technology-basedsmall enterprises.

Promoting niche areas Space science The department’s efforts in space science focus ondeveloping the region as a hub for astronomy andspace S&T. Through the Astronomy GeographicalAdvantage Programme, South Africa continues topromote high-technology investment in spacescience to ensure that local researchers andstudents are able to participate at the cutting edgeof international astronomy. A key result was thelaunch of the Southern African Large Telescope(Salt) in November 2005, in Sutherland in theNorthern Cape.

Salt is a multimillion rand project involvingGermany, Poland, the United States of America(USA), New Zealand and the United Kingdom (UK).Salt is the largest single optical telescope in thesouthern hemisphere.

AstronomySouth Africa has been shortlisted as one of twopossible sites for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA).A final decision in this regard is expected in 2008.

The SKA will be the biggest telescope ever built,the only one of its kind worldwide, and the onlyinstrument able to solve the most basic questionsof the origin of the Universe and the birth andevolution of stars and galaxies. It will investigatethe origin of magnetism in the Universe and will bethe most powerful instrument ever to search forextraterrestrial intelligence.

South Africa has assembled a team to build theKaroo Array Telescope (Kat), which will be equal toabout 1% of the SKA. The Kat team and researchersin the UK, the Netherlands, Australia and the USAare developing digital signal processing for thetelescope, as well as software and innovativetelescope antennas, using composites.

The SKA/Kat office was expected to host a majorinternational workshop in December 2006 on wide-field imaging and calibration, which is a keytechnology for the SKA, and which pushes theboundaries on high-speed computing and software.

The SKA and Kat projects are important fordeveloping high-level skills and expertise in SouthAfrica. The Department of Science and Technologyhas provided funding for graduate study associatedwith these projects. By mid-2006, there were

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20 students participating in this programme,carrying out research for PhD and MSc degrees atSouth African universities, as well as twopostdoctoral fellows.

Related to the country’s bid to host the SKA,a bursary programme provided the first 12 postgraduate recipients with funding in 2004/05.A further 11 recipients were identified for 2006.This programme is being extended to South Africa’spartners in the bid – Botswana, Ghana, Kenya,Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique and Namibia.

BiotechnologyThe 1996 White Paper on Science and Technologyset the course for transforming South Africa’s S&Tsystem into a better co-ordinated and inclusivesystem aimed at benefiting all South Africans.

The biotechnology sector is attracting a fast-growing portion of R&D funding. Funding forgenetic engineering grew by 360% between2002 and 2004. Investment growth in the relatedfields of biochemistry, genetics and molecularbiology, microbiology, genetic engineering andbiotechnology exceeded 46%.

The Department of Science and Technology isalso committed to developing biotechnology inAfrica. In August 2005, the Council for Scientificand Industrial Research (CSIR) initiated a southernregional hub of the New Partnership for Africa’sDevelopment (Nepad) African Biosciences

Initiative. Research related to agriculture, humanand animal health, environment and industry isbeing prioritised.

The National Biotechnology Strategy (NBS),which was launched in 2001, sets the agenda forthe development of South Africa’s biotechnologyindustry.

Other initiatives include the establishment of biotechnology regional innovation centres (Brics),namely: BioPAD, Cape Biotech, LIFElab and the PlantBiotechnology Innovation Centre (PlantBio). Bricswere created as instruments for implementing theNBS. Their focus areas cover a wide spectrum of thesubdisciplines in biotechnology. These includehuman and animal health, biopharmaceuticals,industrial bioprocessing, mining biotechnology,bioinformatics and plant biotechnology. One of thechallenges facing the South African biotechnologysector is the public’s lack of understanding andknowledge of biotechnology applications andbenefits.

Another programme initiated as a result of theNBS is the Public Understanding of BiotechnologyProgramme, which provides the South Africanpublic with information, enabling them toparticipate meaningfully in debates aboutbiotechnology and to make informed decisions.

The implementation of the NBS has seen thedevelopment of the National Bio-InformaticsNetwork (NBN) in eight universities, investing intechnology R&D, infrastructure and teaching. In2005, 71 students (51% of whom are women and34% of whom are black) received training inbiotechnology-related subjects.

Policy and initiativesSouth African Research Chairs Initiative(Sarchi)The Sarchi is a strategic national structuralintervention geared towards creating a coherent andnational research and innovation system. Theinitiative is aimed at attracting and retaining qualifiedresearchers to the Higher Education (HE) sector toreverse the country’s decline in research output andcapacity at publicly funded institutions. It isenvisaged that this programme, which has alreadyreceived R200 million, will produce 210 researchchairs by 2010, with the potential to develop targetedresearch capacity in support of the NationalResearch and Development Strategy (NRDS).

In February 2006, the Department of Scienceand Technology allocated R11 million to theSouth African Malaria Initiative (Sami).

Sami was initiated in 2005 by the African Centrefor Gene Technologies, a joint venture betweenthe universities of Pretoria and theWitwatersrand, as well as the Council forScientific and Industrial Research.

The aim is to encourage collaboration betweenvarious local malaria researchers and toestablish networks with other key players on theAfrican continent.

Sami’s research will focus on drug discoveryand pre-clinical development of novel potentialanti-malarial compounds, new and improveddiagnostics and molecular epidemiology andparasite-vector interactions.

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Science and technology

National Research and Development StrategyThe NRDS focuses on three broad areas:• Innovation, primarily through technology

missions: The emphasis is on technologicalinnovation, demonstrating technology, incubatingnew technology-based businesses and enhancingnetworks of knowledge workers and organisationsin specific areas of technology.

• Strengthening science, engineering andtechnology (SET), HR and transformation: Theemphasis is on establishing centres ofexcellence (CoEs), establishing and fundingnetworks for Nepad and the Southern AfricanDevelopment Community (SADC), strengtheningglobal science networks, formulating strategiesaimed at sourcing new finance for R&Dequipment, strengthening institutional andindividual research capacity in science focusareas through the NRF, and increasing publicunderstanding and engagement.

• Creating an effective government S&T system: Aclear distinction needs to be drawn between theroles of line-function departments and theintegrative role of the Department of Science andTechnology. This focus area is involved ingenerating three-year R&D plans for sciencecouncils in line with the MTEF process,developing standard-reporting frameworks and aperformance-management system for allinstitutions, and giving the department centralresponsibility for producing an integrative budgetfor all S&T initiatives.

The six CoEs are:• Biomedical Tuberculosis (TB) Research• Invasion Biology• Strong Materials• Birds as Keys to Biodiversity Conservation at the

Percy Fitzpatrick Institute• Catalysis• Tree Health Biotechnology at the Forestry and

Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI).

Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy(AMTS)The AMTS was launched in October 2003.

The Centre for Innovation, focusing on craft anddesign, opened in July 2006 in Cape Town. Thecentre is the first of its kind in the world and a

The National Survey on Research andDevelopment R&D 2004/05 found that SouthAfrica spent about R12 billion, or 0,87% of grossdomestic product (GDP) on R&D in 2004/05.

The 2004/05 figure represented animprovement on the 2003/04 R&D survey,which recorded R&D expenditure at R10,1 billion, or 0,81% of GDP.

The Department of Science and Technologycommissioned the survey. The intensity of R&D expenditure (measured as the percentageof GDP spent on R&D) is a good indication of the competitiveness of a country’s economy.Sweden has the highest R&D intensity (3,98% of GDP), followed by Finland (3,48%). TheUnited States of America’s R&D expendituremeasured 2,68% and the average for the 25 European Union (expanded) member stateswas 1,82%. South Africa aims to achieve R&Dexpenditure equivalent to 1% of GDP by 2008.

In South Africa, female researchers comprise38,3% of the total researchers, compared with11,6% in Japan, and 29,4% in Norway. Indeveloping countries, Argentina leads the waywith 50,9% female researchers.

Most South African R&D is performed in themajor research field of engineering sciences(comprising 23,9% of total R&D), followed bythe natural sciences (20,8%) and the medicaland health sciences (14,8%).

state-of-the-art resourced venue aimed atpromoting innovative design, product developmentand process technologies for crafters anddesigners.

The Cape Craft and Design Institute (CCDI)spearheaded the creation of the centre, togetherwith the Western Cape Provincial Government andthe AMTS.

The Centre for Innovation incorporates afabrication laboratory, sponsored by theMassachusetts Institute of Technology.

The centre’s activities are linked to the CCDI’ssmall, medium and micro enterprise (SMME)development and market-access supportprogrammes.

South African National Energy ResearchInstitute (Saneri)Cabinet approved the establishment of the Saneri in2004.

The Central Energy Fund will house the institute,jointly run by the departments of minerals andenergy and of science and technology. It willconduct research on the energy sector.

The Saneri, through R&D, provides for:• cost-effective and efficient energy generation,

transformation, transport, end-use and decision-support technologies

• energy-technology innovation• sustainable development and use of energy

resources• improving the quality of life of all South Africans • promoting and conducting training of energy

researchers• establishing and expanding industries in the field

of energy• commercialising energy technologies resulting

from its R&D and innovation programmes.By May 2006, R20 million had been transferred tothe Saneri, and more than R100 million wasexpected to be invested over the next three years todevelop knowledge and applications in this field.

Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) Human-Capital Research and Innovation-FrontierProgrammeIn support of the Government’s vision for the PBMR,the Department of Science and Technology hasundertaken to establish a co-ordinated programmeto advance skills and innovation frontiers along theentire technology value chain of the PBMRprogramme. This ranges from basic and appliedresearch of all applicable science and engineeringdisciplines, to manufacturing and the distinctiveaspects of waste management.

The PBMR Human-Capital Research andInnovation-Frontier Programme is a consensus ofkey stakeholders, including the departments ofminerals and energy and of trade and industry;Eskom; the Nuclear Energy Corporation of SouthAfrica; universities, and science councils.

The PBMR programme represents a significantdevelopment for South Africa in the field of nuclearS&T.

National Advisory Council on Innovation The NACI is appointed by the Minister of Scienceand Technology to advise on the role andcontribution of innovation, including S&T, inpromoting and achieving national objectives. Theseinclude:• improving and sustaining the quality of life of all

South Africans • developing HR resources for S&T • building the economy • strengthening the country’s competitiveness in

the international sphere.NACI membership is broadly representative of allsectors and is constituted to ensure a spread ofexpertise and experience regarding national andprovincial interests, scientific and technologicaldisciplines, innovation regarding the needs andopportunities in different socio-economic fields,and R&D in all sectors.

Public understanding of science, engineeringand technology (Puset)The department’s efforts in this regard include:• The South African Reference Group on Women in

S&T, established in March 2003. This ministerialbody advises on ways to increase the visibilityand development of women, and on makingscience more relevant to the needs of society byincorporating women’s needs and expectations.

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In February 2006, the Department of Science andTechnology, through its Overseas BilateralCo-operation Subprogramme, hosted a nationalworkshop aimed at informing science andtechnology (S&T) stakeholders about opportunitiesand funding mechanisms available for use inresearch and development (R&D).

The subprogramme is responsible for all SouthAfrica’s country-to-country S&T engagementsoutside Africa.

By February 2006, 30 bilateral agreements hadbeen signed, resulting in over 400 R&D projectsin areas such as information technology,environmental management and manufacturingmanagement.

These bilateral agreements play an important rolein building relations with foreign countries as wellas in sharing best practice. Through theseagreements, funds are made available topromote R&D in key areas, thus contributingtowards the human-capital development agenda.

• The Women in Science Awards, first awarded in2003, to honour female scientists and theirachievements.

• The SET Week project, implemented for the firsttime in 2000. In May 2006, the National ScienceWeek (NSW) saw events taking place in all nineprovinces, including:• learner-outreach programmes• science competitions • public talks and fun runs • career exhibitions • seminars• learner and educator workshops • science shows.

NSW 2006 marks year two of the department’sfive-year NSW plan under the theme Tomorrow’sS&T is in our Youth’s Hands. The plan emphasisesSouth Africa’s indigenous knowledge byshowcasing provinces’ unique geographic andknowledge advantages.

National Nanotechnology StrategyIn April 2006, the Deputy Minister of Science andTechnology, Mr Derek Hanekom, officially launchedSouth Africa’s National Nanotechnology Strategy.

The strategy recognises the needs of localindustry and focuses on the essential building blocksof nanoscience, namely synthesis, characterisationand fabrication. The strategy is aimed at increasingthe number of nanotechnology characterisationcentres in South Africa with an investment of R170 million over the next three years, with an initialR15 million invested in 2005/06.

Known as ‘the technology of the very small’ (i.e.about 1/80 000 of the diameter of a human hair),nanotechnology comprises a wide range oftechnologies, techniques and multidisciplinaryresearch efforts for application in a range of cross-cutting industries and activities. These includeaerospace, manufacturing and automotive industries;energy conversion, storage and distribution; thehydrogen economy; chemicals; electronics andinformation processing; as well as biotechnology andmedicines.

South African industry and researchers havebeen involved in nanotechnology and the practicalapplication of nanoscience for several years, forexample, Sasol’s chemical processing by catalysis.

New generations of emerging nanotechnology-based products require that South Africa developsits ability to derive more benefits from global

advances in this area. The National NanotechnologyStrategy positions South Africa as a global player inthis emerging area and seeks to strengthengovernment’s integrated development focus.

The strategy aims to:• support long-term nanoscience research that

will lead to a fundamental understanding of thedesign, synthesis, characterisation, modellingand fabrication of nanomaterial

• support the creation of new and novel devicesfor application in various areas

• develop the required HR and supportinginfrastructure

• stimulate new developments in technologymissions such as advanced material foradvanced manufacturing, nanobiomaterial for biotechnology, precious metal-basednanoparticles for resource-based industries, andadvanced material for information andcommunications technologies (ICTs).

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In line with the objectives of the NationalResearch and Development Strategy (NRDS),during the 2006 African Aerospace DefenceShow in September 2006, the Department ofScience and Technology and Airbus signed amemorandum of understanding (MoU)regarding:• collaboration on research and development

in areas of mutual interest within theaeronautics sector

• human-capital development programmes,which will give opportunities for SouthAfrica’s best engineering and sciencestudents to complete research projects andreceive related on-the-job training at Airbusand its associated European aerospacecentres of competence

• assistance in increasing the number ofqualified engineers and scientists, and incontributing to the Joint Initiative on PrioritySkills Acquisition, as well as the growth anddevelopment of the aerospace industry inSouth Africa.

The MoU is the culmination of ongoingengagements and team work by the Departmentof Science and Technology, the Council forScientific and Industrial Research, theimplementing unit for the AdvancedManufacturing Technology Strategy andcollaboration with the Department of Trade andIndustry and the Aerospace Industry SupportInitiative.

Information and Communications TechnologyThe Department of Science and Technology isexpected to establish the CHPC to support a diversebase of researchers and scientists, and to facilitatethe collaboration and multidisciplinary approachneeded to solve complex computational problems.

Its research objectives will provide computingexpertise for all research in South Africa in naturalscience, medicine, engineering and socialsciences. Its first major capacity will be located atthe University of Cape Town.

The centre will function as a national innovationplatform and will deliver a significant return oninvestment by harnessing the application of high-performance computing for positive social effects,particularly on research into major infectiousdiseases, such as HIV and AIDS, and promotingadvanced manufacturing technology.

The CHPC and the South African ResearchNetwork are the backbone of an emerging cyber-infrastructure in South Africa that will supportresearch initiated in other elements of the country’sS&T infrastructure, such as the SKA, the NBN andthe Global Earth Observation System of Systems(GEOSS).

The GEOSS aims to enable globally co-ordinatedearth observations, across a number of domains, toprovide better and more reliable data in areas ofbenefit to society, including agriculture, weather,climate, water, disasters, health, energy,biodiversity and ecosystems.

TshumisanoThe Tshumisano Technology Station Programme(TSP) aims to encourage a closer partnershipbetween technology stations based at participatinguniversities of technology and SMMEs. TheTshumisano Trust, a joint venture betweengovernment, the German Agency for Technical Co-operation and the Committee of University ofTechnology Principals, is generating strongerworking relationships between the departments ofscience and technology and of labour.

By May 2006, there were 10 technology stationsoperating from the universities-of-technologyenvironment in specific sectors to enrich their R&D,teaching and learning activities with betterequipment and more realistic understanding of theindustry and its needs. The sectors includechemicals, textiles, electronics, metals processing,mechanical engineering and food technology.

A key objective of these programmes is BlackEconomic Empowerment (BEE) through new smalland medium enterprise (SME) development, andproductivity improvement, technical mentoring andinnovation services for existing SMEs.

The Tshumisano TSP is advancing technologytransfer and skills development to enhanceequitable economic development. In this regard,the HE sector has a vital role in supporting SMMEsto become engines of growth.

The TSP supports the following sectors:• mechanical engineering and chemicals at the

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in PortElizabeth

• material and processing at the Vaal University ofTechnology

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Sumbandilasat, South Africa’s new low earth-orbiting satellite, was expected to be launchedinto space from a submarine in Russia inDecember 2006.

Meaning ‘lead the way’ in Tshivenda, the nameSumbandila was among the more than 3 000entries received in a national competition forlearners in grades 7 to 12. It was initiated by theDepartment of Science and Technology andimplemented through the South African Agencyfor Science and Technology Advancement.

Sumbandilasat is part of a multimillion rand, three-year integrated national spaceprogramme developed by the department andcarried out by the University of Stellenbosch,Sunspace and Information Systems, and theSatellite Application Centre.

The university is responsible for managing theproject and training students. Sunspace andInformation Systems was tasked with buildingthe satellite, while the Satellite ApplicationCentre was responsible for operations,telemetry, tracking, control and data capturing.

The programme will give South Africa affordableaccess to space technology and useful data,serving as a research tool to support inmonitoring and managing disasters such asfloods, oil spills and fires.

• clothing and textiles at the Cape PeninsulaUniversity of Technology

• electronics and chemicals at Tshwane Universityof Technology

• metal casting at the University of Johannesburg• metal value-adding at the Central University of

Technology in Bloemfontein• reinforced plastics at the Durban Institute of

Technology.By June 2006, the Tshumisano TSP had handledmore than 482 projects, trained 134 students invarious aspects of technology transfer andsupported 356 SMEs in technology applications, ofwhich many are owned and run by African andfemale entrepreneurs who were previouslyexcluded from the economic mainstream.

The Tshumisano Trust hosted the first All-AfricaDiffusion Conference in June 2006. The conferenceaimed to promote innovative approaches,technology transfer and co-operation amongbusinesses in Africa. There is a special emphasis onhow technology transfer and diffusion can alleviateproblems within vulnerable small enterprises.These include job- and wealth-creation, food andwater security, energy and environmentalconservation, and skills development.

Poverty reductionThe Department of Science and Technologybelieves in a multipronged approach to fightingpoverty.

Its poverty-alleviation projects are havingpositive outcomes in businesses and co-operativesand focus on, among other projects, bee-keeping,paper-making, incorporating African design inclothing and textiles based on natural fibres, andindigenous cattle production. These projects areconcentrated in the poverty nodes as identified bygovernment’s Integrated Sustainable RuralDevelopment Strategy.

International science and technology co-operationThe strategy to use southern Africa’s local(geographical) advantages and efforts to attractlarge international science-based investments ispaying off. Examples include the construction of the High-Energy Stereoscopic System (Hess)observatory in neighbouring Namibia and the Salt

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in Sutherland in the Northern Cape, as well aswinning the bid to host the European DevelopingCountries Clinical Trials Partnership. Added to thisare bold efforts to bolster South Africa’s bid to sitethe SKA in South Africa.

By 2001/02, international funding of R&D in SouthAfrica had grown to 6% from close to zero in 1994.By 2003/04, foreign funding stood at 10% of totalR&D funding. International breakthroughs includeSouth Africa’s leading role in the European Union’s(EU) sixth framework programme, and inimplementing Africa’s Consolidated S&T Plan ofAction.

South Africa is involved in developing an S&Tplatform in the subregion, through the SADCMinisters’ Council on S&T, which is developing aSADC protocol to guide the implementation of thesubregional S&T plan.

Developing a high-speed broadband network inthe region is a flagship project of the Departmentof Science and Technology. The UbuntuNet Projectis set to link through the South African NationalResearch Network to Europe via the Geantconnection to give South Africa and its researchcommunity a high-speed network. The first phaseof implementing this network began with totalfunding of R178 million over the MTEF.

The department has successfully leveragedhuman-capital support through international S&Tagreements. This has resulted in jointly fundedprojects with 16 countries in areas such asagriculture, manufacturing and biotechnology.

South Africa’s role at the forefront of Nepad is, toa significant extent, based on its ability to deployscientific knowledge and technological solutionson the continent.

In 2002, the International Council for Science(Icsu) took a decision to establish four regional Icsuoffices in the developing world. In September2005, the council’s Regional Office for Africa waslaunched in Pretoria. South Africa hosts the officeat the premises of the NRF.

The Department of Science and Technology hastaken a leadership role in the international processto establish the GEOSS. Acting through thedepartment, South Africa participated indeveloping the 10-year implementation plan andwas elected co-chair of the Group on EarthObservations.

National Research Foundation With a budget of R1,2 billion for 2006/07, the NRFis a key public entity responsible for promoting andsupporting the development of HR for research,technology and innovation in all fields of S&T. TheNRF carries out its missions mainly by:• providing seven unique national research

facilities• promoting science awareness through the South

African Agency for Science and TechnologyAdvancement (Saasta)

• making and managing merit-based grants andco-operative agreements with individualresearchers, research groups, and institutionslocally, regionally and internationally (through theResearch and Innovation Support Agency (Risa)

• delivering unique knowledge-managementservices to the research community.

The NRF focuses on contributing to government’sstrategy to create wealth and improve citizen’squality of life. Doctoral graduates are the platformupon which social and technical progress,innovation and business performance can flourish.

The key driver for all NRF’s activities is theproduction of large numbers of highly skilled peoplewho can generate new knowledge, develop anduse new technologies, and innovate and drive thecompetitiveness of the country in internationalworld markets.

The NRF regards HR development as a long-terminvestment in growing the pool of resources bydrawing in learners that will become scientists andinnovators.

SET education, through pre-tertiary, tertiary andlifelong-learning initiatives, provides the basis forcreating the required human capital for SouthAfrica’s SET endeavours. Saasta’s contribution tothe NRF vision is to grow the pool of quality learnerswho will become the scientists and innovators ofthe future.

Science-advancement programmes within theNRF reside under three interdependent strategicareas:• Building the supply of tomorrow’s scientists

and innovators through education-relatedprogrammes.

• Celebrating South African achievements in S&T and building the public’s appreciation of the benefits of science through sciencecommunication.

• The NRF uses interactive exploration,engagement and exhibitions to instil anenthusiasm about the wonder and application of SET, while encouraging greater publicengagement in SET issues. Through a series ofintegrated programmes, Saasta is developing an infrastructure that supports high-impactactivities and all science-promotion sites.

The NRF manages the following research facilities:

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It was announced in May 2006 that South Africawould bid for the establishment of a thirdcomponent of the International Centre forGenetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB)in the country.

By then, there were only two ICGEB componentsin the world, stationed at laboratories in Trieste,Italy and New Delhi, India.

The University of Cape Town’s Institute forInfectious Diseases and Molecular Medicinewould be South Africa’s candidate institution tohost the major international laboratory.

The Department of Science and Technologyplans to set aside R22 million over the nextthree years for the establishment of the thirdICGEB component in South Africa.

Established in 1987 by the United Nations (UN)Industrial Development Organisation, the ICGEBis an intergovernmental organisation thatoperates in contact with the UN CommonSystem as a centre of excellence for researchand training in biotechnology and geneticengineering, focusing on the needs of thedeveloping world.

The ICGEB places major emphasis on health-related research activities as well as on projectsaimed at the sustainable application ofbiotechnology in agriculture.

The main focus for health biotechnology iscurrently on HIV and AIDS, hepatitis, rotavirus,human papilloma virus, malaria, tuberculosisand, more recently, dengue.

ICGEB's research is aimed at determining themechanisms related to the infection and theinsurgence of diseases.

South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO)and Southern African Large TelescopeThe SAAO is the national research facility foroptical/infrared astronomy in South Africa. Itsprimary function is to further fundamental researchin astronomy and astrophysics at national andinternational level.

In 2005, the SAAO made the transition from theSalt construction phase to the Salt operation phase.By devising a vastly superior spherical aberrationcorrector, and a variety of other innovations, theSAAO has contributed to making Salt more capablethan its prototype, the Hobby-Eberly Telescope inTexas, USA.

From the outset, Salt was conceived as anAfrican facility. With the advent of large-scalefacilities such as Salt and the Hess, and otherinitiatives such as the SKA, Inkaba ye Afrika andZASat, southern Africa is emerging as a regionalspace S&T hub.

Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory(HartRAO)HartRAO is responsible for research and training inradio astronomy and space geodesy in SouthAfrica. The 26-m diameter radio telescope isavailable for research either as a single,independent instrument, or in global networks ofradio telescopes, using the technique of very longbaseline interferometry (VLBI).

HartRAO is one of only five permanentfundamental space geodesy stations worldwideand participates in geodetic VLBI through theInternational VLBI Service, in satellite laser ranging(through the International Laser Ranging Service),and in the Global Positioning System (GPS) (throughthe International GPS Service). The data areavailable to the international community.

The radio astronomy group is part of the NationalAstrophysics and Space Science Programme forpostgraduate students. It is involved in developingthe SKA and its South African prototype, the Kat.

Research collaborations are in place withsouthern African countries and overseasinstitutions.

Hermanus Magnetic Observatory (HMO)The HMO functions as part of the worldwidenetwork of magnetic observatories. Its corefunction is to monitor and model variations of theEarth’s magnetic field. It is primarily the HMO’s

scientific achievements, critical location and uniquefacilities that make it indispensable in the globalnetwork of magnetic observatories.

The density of geomagnetic recording stations inAfrica is significantly less than in other continentallandmasses. The continuous recording stationsoperated by the HMO are the only operationalsources of ground-based geomagnetic field datasouth of the equator in Africa. The HMO is one ofonly four geomagnetic observatories whose data isused by the World Data Centre for Geomagnetism inKyoto, Japan, for measuring geomagnetic stormintensity.

South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity(Saiab)Saiab is an interactive hub focused on serving thenation by generating, disseminating and applyingknowledge towards understanding and solvingproblems concerning conservation and the wiseuse of African fish and aquatic biodiversity.

Saiab cares for and develops the National FishCollection, generates knowledge through researchon aquatic biodiversity in Africa and trains and

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In celebration of the lengthy and distinguishedscientific career of 80-year old palaeontologistProf. Phillip Tobias, the African GenesisSymposium on Human Evolution took place atthe University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) inJohannesburg in January 2006. More than 60eminent scientists from around the worldattended.

To coincide with this event, a bust of Prof. Tobiaswas unveiled at the Cradle of Humankind WorldHeritage Site near Johannesburg. Prof. Tobiasand a team of researchers discovered the fossilspecimens that have made the Cradle ofHumankind an internationally important site.

Prof. Tobias has received 17 honorary degrees,countless awards and honours, and haspublished more than 1 000 works, includingsome 40 books. He is the first and only SouthAfrican to be honoured with the Fellowship ofthe Royal Society.

Prof. Tobias is honorary professor of palaeo-anthropology at Wits and honorary professionalresearch associate and director of theSterkfontein Research Unit.

educates knowledge workers in aquaticbiodiversity. It addresses national and internationalissues in aquatic biodiversity through the prioritiesset by national and international funding agencies.

Saiab is constructing a new offsite wet-collectionfacility to house the National Fish Collection.Planning of a new collection-management centre toservice the new facility is also under way.

Science challenges for Saiab include a focus onbuilding the flagship African Coelacanth EcosystemProject, developing biosystematic capacity, anddeveloping an effective and integrated information-management system. Saiab has an active ruraloutreach programme focused on identifying high-potential candidates for science careers and givingthem career-forming experience over one year.

South African Environmental Observation Network(Saeon)Saeon aims to generate and archive reliable long-term information relevant to the sustainablemanagement of natural resources and habitat overa range of ecoregions and land uses. These includepristine (wild) landscape, partially pristine(managed) landscape, agriculturally (rural)transformed landscape and urban transformedlandscape.

Saeon establishes innovative research platformsand information-management systems for long-term multidisciplinary, multi-institutional andparticipatory ecosystem studies with strongregional and global linkages. These researchplatforms are co-ordinated as nodes, with the firstone – the Ndlovu Node – established during 2004in Phalaborwa.

The second node covers the coastal-inshorezone and was established in 2006 in Grahamstown.The Saeon Fynbos Node, the Marine-OffshoreNode, the Arid Lands Node and theGrasslands/Forests/Wetlands Mosaic Node wereexpected to be launched in 2006/07. Saeon alsoruns an innovative education-outreach programmethat focuses on educators, learners and post-graduate students.

National Zoological Gardens (NZG)The NZG was declared a national research facility inApril 2004. It has since been engaged in a strategicre-orientation process to align with, and make acontribution to, the NRF’s core missions andstrategic priorities.

The NZG is changing from being a traditionalzoological garden, to becoming a national facilityfor and an active participant in terrestrialbiodiversity research. It has the potential to offerSouth Africa, Africa and the internationalcommunity the infrastructure required to conductworld-class and knowledge-generating research.

The NZG houses one of the largest animalcollections in the world. It operates three breedingcentres and covers an area of over 6 000 ha. TheNZG is well-placed as an education platform,receiving close to 600 000 visitors a year.

iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator-BasedSciences (iThemba Labs)iThemba Labs is a multidisciplinary research centreand provides facilities for:• basic and applied research using particle beams• particle radiotherapy for the treatment of cancer

and other life-threatening lesions• the supply of accelerator-produced radioactive

isotopes for nuclear medicine and research.iThemba Labs brings together people working inthe medical, biological and physical sciences whoare interested in using accelerated particle beams,by providing opportunities for research andpostgraduate training in these separate disciplines,and also by stimulating mutual interest ininterdisciplinary areas.

iThemba Labs has an ‘open door’ policy towardstraining postgraduates and in-service trainees.While postgraduates from universities all overSouth Africa use the facilities, iThemba Labsproactively participates in building research andpostgraduate capacity at historically disadvantagedinstitutions.

Research and Innovation Support AgencyRisa aims to promote and support research andresearch capacity in all fields of knowledge andtechnology, including indigenous knowledge. This isdone by:• investing in knowledge production and

promoting basic and applied research,technology development and innovation

• developing research capacity and advancingequity and redress to unlock the full creativepotential of the research community

• investing in research infrastructure • facilitating strategic partnerships and knowledge

networks.

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Government aims to transform South Africa into aknowledge society that competes effectively in aglobal system. Much effort has been directedtowards ensuring that Risa-supported researchfocuses on areas that are relevant to South Africa’sdevelopment challenges in a rapidly changing,highly competitive and knowledge-drivenenvironment.

Risa’s granting functions involve:• advancing and strengthening strategic

knowledge• identifying distinct South African research

opportunities• conserving and managing ecosystems and

biodiversity• promoting economic growth and international

competitiveness• advancing education and the challenges for

change• supporting indigenous knowledge systems (IKS)• advancing ICT in South Africa• establishing the socio-political impact of

globalisation and the challenge for South Africa• eradicating poverty.Within these focus areas, knowledge fields thatmay be weak are developed together with theresearch community. Research agendas areestablished through interaction with the researchcommunity and collaboration between disciplinesis promoted.

Risa implements the following interventions toachieve its goals:• Student support through block grants to

institutions and two complementary types ofpostgraduate student support i.e. free-standingscholarships and fellowships awarded directly topostgraduate students for studies locally andabroad; and grantholder-linked bursariesgranted to researchers within their NRF supportpackage, and which may be awarded to studentsselected by the NRF grantholder.

• The Department of Labour, in conjunction withthe departments of education and of science andtechnology, is responsible for ensuring training inscarce skills, both in HE and other traininginstitutions. The Department of Labour allocatesresources from the National Skills Fund (NSF) tothe NRF for bursaries and scholarships. The NRFcreated the Scarce Skills Fund (SSF) to promote

and support students who study at postgraduatelevels in areas where skills are scarce. The SSFalso provides funds to postgraduate studentswith disabilities.

• The Institutional Capacity-Development Programmefocuses on linking and assisting institutions thatare committed to research through institutionalinterventions and through funding researchareas at institutions.

• Within the focus-area programmes, researcherscan obtain two-year and five-year grants in anopen competition.

• Staff development at HE institutions is promotedthrough the Thuthuka Programme, which providessupport for researchers in training, women inresearch and the Research-Development Initiativefor Black Academics.

• The Innovation Postdoctoral FellowshipProgramme supports and encourages doctoralcandidates to embark on further research.

• Equipment grants allow HE institutions to acquireequipment.

• Mobility grants afford students and researchersthe opportunity to obtain access to equipment atHE institutions.

• The Sarchi aims to free academics to focus onresearch, thus increasing the number of world-class researchers and their output to make South Africa internationally competitive. Up to R2,5 million a year can be awarded to a chair tocover salaries, postdoctoral and student awards,and small equipment. The aim is to support 210 chairs by 2010.

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In February 2006, French satellite-systems firmAlcatel Alenia Space signed a skills-development agreement with the Council forScientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) todevelop space-science expertise in the country.

The CSIR and Alcatel Alenia Space will co-operate in the space domain to strengthen theirrespective competencies and knowledge, withthe ultimate aim of contributing to socio-economic progress, both in South Africa andFrance.

• The CoE Programme supports strategic, long-term research by providing secure and stablefunding to outstanding researchers and theirresearch groups.

• The Technology for Human Resources forIndustry Programme (Thrip) supports projectsthat address the technology and HR needs ofindustry on a cost-sharing basis with industrialpartners. The programme focuses on increasingparticipation by SMMEs, BEE entities and blackand female researchers and students.

• The S&T Agreements Fund administers agreementsthat facilitate international research collaboration,specifically with African countries. The Departmentof Science and Technology is responsible fornegotiating binational or multilateral agreementswith international partners and for draftingframework programmes. The NRF has anindependent responsibility for negotiating bilateralagreements with counterpart agencies.

• These agreements develop relations betweenthe research communities of the intergovern-mental and interagency signatories, andestablish long-term co-operation betweenresearchers.

• The IF invests in technologies at various stages ofdevelopment. Some of the funding instruments inthe IF fund the ‘proof of concept’ phase ofprojects. The IF also provides seed funding forcommercialising IF projects and the establishmentof technology-based start-up companies. The IFoffers commercialisation advice to potentialentrepreneurs, and promotes and stimulates thepatenting of technologies and products.

• The NRF manages some initiatives linked to thebiodiversity science thrust of the NRDS. Theseinclude the South African Biodiversity Initiative andthe South African Biodiversity Information Facility.The NRF manages the Sea and Coast Programmewith the Department of Environmental Affairs andTourism as a co-investor.The NRF also manages the provincial researchprojects of the Branch: Marine and CoastalManagement of the Department of EnvironmentalAffairs and Tourism. These projects have a strongapplied research focus, which feeds into themanagement of marine and coastal resources,including resource allocations for the fishingindustry.

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• The South African National Antarctic Programmeaims to create a demographically balancedAntarctic research programme that strives forhigh-quality international research, and links toother African countries and interdisciplinaryresearch. The NRF facilitated proposals forfunding for 2005 and 2006. Proposals areevaluated within the funding framework of theAntarctic Research Strategy (Aressa), which isorganised into five thematic areas. TheInternational Polar Year (2007 to 2008) presentsan exciting challenge for polar research and theNRF’s calls for proposals in 2005 and 2006ensured the seamless alignment of the researchthemes of the Aressa with the research themesof the International Polar Year.

Value-adding services The NRF generates, acquires and providesinformation that is useful for the production of newknowledge, such as:• The Nexus Database System is a database of

current and completed research projects andcontains information on 137 000 projects in allscience domains from 1900 onwards. It includesabstracts of these projects.

• The Research Organisations’ Database containsinformation on research organisations in SouthAfrica.

• The Professional Associations’ Databasecontains information on 180 associations withcontact details and disciplines.

• The conference website facilitates access toother conference databases on the Internet thatannounce forthcoming conferences on allscience disciplines.

• The Women-in-Research Database facilitatescollaboration between female researchers.

• The NRF Funded Projects Database reflects thegrants of the foundation.

• The South African Data Archive is a large dataarchive of computerised social-science data.

Science councilsThe statutory science councils are a key part ofSouth Africa’s NSI. Through them, government isable to directly commission research in the interest of the nation, and to support technologydevelopment in its precompetitive phase.

Agricultural Research Council (ARC)The ARC is a statutory body established in terms ofthe Agricultural Research Act, 1990 (Act 86 of1990). It comprises research institutes that werepreviously part of the Department of Agriculture, theoldest of which dates back to 1902.

As the principal agricultural research institutionin South Africa, the ARC is committed to agriculturalresearch, technology development and technologytransfer within the macro-framework of theagricultural sector, thereby contributing to thequality of life of the people of South Africa.

The ARC’s research goals are aligned with theAgricultural Sector Strategy goals.

The ARC’s research activities address majorgovernment priorities, namely integrated ruraldevelopment, natural-resource management, jobcreation, regional integration, urban renewal, HRdevelopment, crime prevention, farmer settlement,support-service improvement, infrastructuredevelopment, food security and trade developmentand support.

The ARC comprises the following business units:

Public-support servicesARC-Institute for Soil, Climate and Water (ARC-ISCW)Established in 1902 as the Division of Chemistry,the ARC-ISCW (in Pretoria, Gauteng) is a leadingcentre of expertise in the fields of soil science,agrometeorology, spatial modelling, soil-waterscience, geoinformatics (remote sensing,geographic, spatial and other information systems)and analytical services. It is committed toimproving rural livelihoods and agriculturalproductivity, and to the sustainable use of naturalresources, soil, climate and water. The ARC-ISCW isthe custodian of the Soil Information Systems,the Agrometeorological Climate Network andDatabank, and the Coarse Resolution SatelliteImagery Database.

ARC-Institute for Agricultural Engineering (ARC-IAE)The core purpose of the ARC-IAE (in Pretoria) is todevelop and apply agricultural engineeringtechnology that will contribute to higher yield,higher income and lower input costs for agricultureand related industries in a sustainable way.

The ARC-IAE is active in the agriculturalengineering field and focuses on agricultural

mechanisation, resource conservation, farmstructures, irrigation, alternative energy,aquaculture and product-processing. Research isdirected at a wide range of clients, fromsubsistence farmers using animal traction, tocommercial farmers and manufacturers requiringscientific performance evaluations of advancedequipment.

ARC-Plant Protection Research Institute (ARC-PPRI)The ARC-PPRI (in Pretoria) has the expertise toaddress agricultural and environmental concerns,through research aimed at promoting economicand environmentally acceptable pest-managementstrategies.

Fields of expertise include biosystematics,ecology and epidemiology of invertebrates, fungi,pathogenic and useful bacteria, and viruses; thecontrol of plant pests, plant diseases and alieninvasive plants; and beneficial organisms such asbiological control agents, nitrogen-fixing bacteriaand insect pollinators, including bees. The instituteis mandated to address plant-protection issues thatcut across commodities, affecting many crops andregions. Its research impacts not only on SouthAfrica, but also addresses the needs of otherAfrican countries. The ARC-PPRI is the custodian ofthe South African Rhizobium Culture Collection andthe National Collections of Arachnids, Fungi, Insectsand Nematodes.

Grain and industrial cropsARC-Grain Crops Institute (ARC-GCI)The ARC-GCI (in Potchefstroom, North West) isresponsible for research into improving andcultivating grain crops such as maize, sorghum andmillet, as well as oil and protein seeds such assunflower, ground nuts, soybeans, dry beans,cowpeas, sweet white lupin and bambara. Researchactivities involve plant breeding, evaluation ofcultivars and grain quality, plant physiology, plantpathology, nematology, entomology and tillage.

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In September 2006, President Thabo Mbekipresented Selig Percy Amoils, Patricia Berjakand Lionel Opie with the Order of Mapungubwe,silver class, for their contribution to the field ofscience.

ARC Small Grain Institute (ARC-SGI)The ARC-SGI (in Bethlehem, Free State) concentrateson improving and cultivating small grain crops suchas wheat, barley, oats, triticale and rye. Researchactivities include breeding new cultivars with betterresistance to diseases and pests, the nationalevaluation of cultivars and grain quality, plantphysiology, tillage, weed science, plant pathology,entomology and yield potential.

The ARC-SGI is the only institute of its kind thatoffers one-stop small-grain information, not only tothe commercial farmer, but also to new, emergingand small-scale farmers.

ARC-Institute for Industrial Crops (ARC-IIC)The ARC-IIC (in Rustenburg, North West) is involvedin fundamental and applied research in the interestof the cotton and tobacco industries. Research isalso conducted on other fibre crops such as hemp,sisal and flax, as well as on finding indigenous fibrecrops with economic potential as new alternativecrops in rural areas.

Likewise, certain crops are being investigated fortheir potential as sources of essential oils orhousehold utilities. Research on cassava is directedat its potential as an alternative food source andsource of starch for industrial use. Research onpigeonpea and the promotion of this crop as anadditional source of protein is being conductedwidely in the rural areas.

HorticultureARC-Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops(ARC-ITSC)The ARC-ITSC (in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga) isresponsible for research into all aspects of thecultivation of tropical and subtropical fruits. Othercrops into which production research is conductedinclude coffee, herbs and spices, medicinal plants,and pecan, macadamia and cashew nuts. Lesser-known exotic crops being evaluated are pitanga,feijoa, annona types, carambola and jaboticaba.

ARC-Roodeplaat Vegetable and Ornamental PlantInstitute (ARC-VOPI)The ARC-VOPI (near Pretoria) concentrates on a widerange of horticultural crops. Research is conductedon commercial vegetables such as onions, potatoesand sweet potatoes. Traditional and indigenousvegetables receiving attention include amaranthus,

cassava, plectranthus, Zulu round potato, pigeon-peas, cowpeas and bambara. Research into theproduction and development of ornamentals andindigenous flora such as fynbos, woody ornamentalsand bulbs has led to a new growth industry.

ARC-Infruitec/Nietvoorbij (Institute for Fruit, Vineand Wine)ARC-Infruitec/Nietvoorbij (in Stellenbosch, WesternCape) does research, development and technologytransfer pertaining to the following commodities:deciduous fruit (apples, pears, peaches, plums,apricots and nectarines); grapes (wine, table andraisin); alternative temperate climate crops (cherries,mushrooms, nuts, olives, persimmon, figs, berriesand others); brandy; dried fruit and processed fruit.Increasing attention is also being paid to indigenouscrops (honeybush tea, rooibos tea and kei-apple) andtheir general use, processing and health-promotingabilities. The breeding and evaluation of new stoneand pome fruit, as well as table-grape cultivars, is amajor research effort. Progeny from the variousbreeding programmes continue to succeed on thelocal and export markets.

Traceability and authenticity have become majorconcerns in modern trade, particularly forsophisticated markets in the first world. Developingthe ability to analytically prove the authenticity ofSouth African wine and brandy is the goal of asecond major research intervention. Data fromisotopic and trace-element analyses will be used tocompile reference databases for use inauthentication and fraud detection.

LivestockARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (ARC-OVI)The ARC-OVI (north of Pretoria) is responsible forthe prevention and control of animal diseases. Italso provides a public-health service regardingfood safety and security. The institute conductsresearch, and diagnostic and new-generationvaccine development of livestock diseases. It hassix reference laboratories approved by the OfficeInternational des Epizooties (OIE), namely: rabies,lumpy skin disease, Rift Valley fever, African horsesickness, African swine fever and blue tongue. TheExotic Diseases Division is a high containmentfacility for diseases such as foot-and-mouthdisease and African swine fever. The institute isalso the Food and Agricultural Organisation

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collaborating centre in Africa for transboundarydiseases.

ARC-Livestock Business Division AnimalProduction (ARC-LBD: Animal Production)ARC-LBD: Animal Production (in Irene outsidePretoria) comprises seven units, which assist theanimal production and products industry to stayabreast of global competition. Animal Genetics andBiotechnology employs DNA technology, geneticcharacterisation and accelerated reproductiontechnology to conserve, maintain and enhancegenetic variation. Together with the Animal Recordingand Improvement Unit, this has assisted the livestockproducer in breeding seed stock material to thebenefit of genetic resources worldwide.

Cattle breeds such as the Bonsmara and Nguni,Dorper sheep, boerbok goat, Fowls for Africa, SouthAfrican ostrich and the indigenous Kolbroek pighave become highly sought after in breedingprogrammes abroad. The Production Systems Unitdeals with cattle, small stock, pigs and poultry. TheRange and Forage Unit assists in the effective useof rangeland and forage production.

Council for Scientific and Industrial ResearchConstituted by an Act of Parliament in 1945, theCSIR is one of the leading scientific and technologyresearch, development and implementationorganisations in Africa. It is situated in Pretoria withoffices elsewhere in South Africa. The CSIRundertakes and applies directed research andinnovation in S&T to improve the quality of life ofSouth Africa’s people. Building measurable valueinto its work through local and internationalpartnerships remains a key component of itsendeavours to provide world-class technology.

The CSIR started with a major repositioningprocess in 2004 to ensure that the organisationdelivers on its dual-focus mandate.

As an integral part of its future strategy, the CSIRwill address three core areas to provide thefoundation for developing and reconfigurating itsS&T base:• building and transforming human capital• strengthening the S&T base• performing relevant knowledge-generating

research and technology transfer.With its renewed focus on science and research,

the CSIR adopted a new corporate identity in 2006.The essence of shaping a better future throughscience is captured in a few key concepts:scientific excellence, innovation and quality, skillsdevelopment, leadership in science, workingthrough partnerships, ensuring transformation, andmaking a real difference through science.

Knowledge generation and application reside atthe core of the CSIR, and are structured into threegroupings:• Emerging research areas (Eras). Such areas

could be unique to local circumstances or couldbe successful internationally and would need tobe established for local competitiveness.Some 12 Eras have been identified, withnanotechnology and photonics the first twoselected.

• The R&D core. These are operating units thatdraw together skills from research fields andscientific disciplines to address national S&Tneeds. The CSIR operating units are:• Biosciences• Built Environment • Defence, Peace, Safety and Security• Materials Science and Manufacturing• Natural Resources and the Environment.

• National research centres. These facilities will beof strategic importance for African science overat least the next two decades. These currentlyinclude the:• Meraka Institute (African Advanced Institute

for ICT) • National Laser Centre • National Metrology Laboratory • Satellite Applications Centre.

The CSIR Knowledge Services Group managesroutine specialised and differentiated services. Thenature of this group’s operations is commerciallydriven.

MintekMintek, South Africa’s national mineral researchorganisation, is one of the world’s leadingtechnology organisations specialising in mineralprocessing, extractive metallurgy and relatedareas. Working closely with industry and other R&Dinstitutions, Mintek provides service testwork,process development, consulting and innovativeproducts to clients worldwide.

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Mintek is an autonomous statutory organisationand reports to the Minister of Minerals and Energy.About 35% of the annual budget of R275 million isfunded by the State Science Vote, with the balanceprovided by contract R&D, sales of services andproducts, technology-licensing agreements andjoint-venture operating companies. Mintek hassome 480 permanent staff members, over half ofwhom are scientists, engineers and other technicalR&D personnel.

Mintek’s objectives are to research, develop andtransfer to industry novel and improved techniquesfor processing, extracting, refining and utilisingminerals and mineral products, to:• enhance the competitiveness of South Africa’s

minerals industry in the global market• assist local mining and engineering companies

to expand internationally• promote job creation, economic growth and

regional development.Specific goals are:• promoting increased beneficiation of South

Africa’s minerals and mineral commodities bydeveloping competitive and innovativeprocessing technology and equipment

• strengthening South Africa’s internationalposition as a supplier of mineral technologies,capital goods and services

• developing regional strategies for the mineral-processing sector, concentrating on value-addition, capacity-building and broad-baseddevelopment.

Mintek's activities include:• providing essential services (information,

consulting and experimental)• increasing the competitiveness of the industry by

developing appropriate technology to cut costsand improve recoveries

• developing breakthrough process technologiesand novel uses for metals and their products

• marketing its commercial products andtechnologies to industry

• establishing strategic partnerships and jointventures

• participating in regional development initiativesand SADC activities and projects

• maintaining and expanding internationalscientific links

• developing the HR potential of the region througheducation and training activities.

Mintek offers a complete range of process-development services, from preliminary bench-scale investigations to large-scale piloting andintegrated flowsheet development in support ofbankable feasibility studies. Engineering design,plant construction and commissioning are carriedout in conjunction with international partners.

Comprehensive laboratory and piloting facilitiesfor sample preparation, milling, flotation, physicalseparation, smelting, leaching, pressure leaching,and metal recovery and purification are supportedby internationally accredited analytical laboratoryand mineralogical services.

To ensure focus and market orientation, Mintek’sR&D activities are grouped into programmes thatare based largely on industry structure:• The Gold Industry Programme focuses on

developing and introducing improvedtechnologies, such as biotechnology and ion-exchange processes, to simplify processing andincrease recoveries, particularly from ores thatare difficult to treat. A major joint venture withindustry and other research groups is exploringnew industrial uses of gold.

• The Platinum-Group Metals (PGMs) IndustryProgramme aims to increase the cost-effectiveness of PGM production and stimulateindustrial demand for PGMs.

• The Ferrous Metals Industry Programmedevelops products and technical services toincrease the cost-effectiveness of ferro-alloyproduction, as well as stainless steels and otheralloys with improved properties.

• The Non-Ferrous Metals Industry Programmeincludes the processing of aluminium, cobalt,copper, lead, magnesium, nickel and zinc. Amajor emphasis is on the introduction of cleanertechnologies.

• The Industrial Minerals Industry Programmeincludes the beneficiation and processing ofcommodities such as heavy minerals, chromite,iron and manganese ores, andalusite,phosphates, fluorite and diamonds. Mintek’sresearch into waste management andenvironmental problems also falls under thisprogramme.

Promoting industrial growthMintek is promoting a number of major newindustrial projects based on mineral beneficiation,

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using existing and newly developed technologies.These include the recovery of PGMs frommetallurgical waste material, ferro-nickelproduction, and the establishment of a localmagnesium industry using a novel thermalproduction route.

Minerals policy and developmentMintek conducts surveys, evaluations andcommodity and market studies to supportinitiatives by governmental, international, regionalor industry associations. It also identifies andevaluates potential development projects, assessesand provides technology, and conducts feasibilitystudies.

Mintek supports the activities of the SADCMining Co-ordination Unit and was closely involvedin developing the economic growth strategy forNepad and the African Mining Partnership.

The Sustainable Development Unit co-operateswith industry, other research institutions andacademia to maintain and enhance the minerals sector’s contribution to society. The unitprovides services and technologies (in particular by developing and evaluating remediationtechnologies) and supports policy-makers in South Africa and Africa by providing strategicdirection and procedures that promote valueaddition and sustainable development in the mining industry.

Mintek’s Small-Scale Mining (SSM) Divisionsupports the SSM sector by developing appropriatetechnologies, providing consulting services andtraining, and promoting sustainable mining,downstream processing and value-additionthrough integrated development programmes.

EnvironmentMintek continues to focus on developingenvironmentally responsible technologies for therecovery and recycling of metals from metallurgicalresidues. A major programme is in place to monitorcyanide species after discharge in various locationsaround gold plants, from both an environmental anda processing point of view.

Mintek’s environmental management system iscertified as meeting the requirements of theInternational Organisation for Standardisation (ISO)14001.

EducationThe development of appropriate HR is crucial forthe long-term sustainability of the mineralsindustry. Mintek’s educational and traininginitiatives are provided through a section 21company that was established to develop and trainSouth Africans from historically disadvantagedcommunities as technicians, technologists andengineers. The specific programmes include:• artisanal and SSM training• the jewellery-manufacturing training programme• upgrading Mathematics and Science skills

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The International Science, Innovation andTechnology Exhibition (Insite) was held inSeptember 2006, six years after 119 countries,including South Africa, signed up for themillennium development goals (MDGs) at theUnited Nations (UN). Signatories aim to:• eradicate extreme poverty and reduce the

number of people who suffer from hungerand malnutrition by half by 2015

• achieve universal primary education• promote gender equality and empower

women by eliminating gender disparities atall levels of education

• reduce the death rate among children underthe age of five by two-thirds

• improve maternal health by reducing, bythree-quarters, the maternal death rate

• contain and begin to reverse the spread ofHIV and AIDS, malaria and other majordiseases

• reduce by half the proportion of peoplewithout sustainable access to safe drinkingwater

• develop further open-trading and financialsystems that do not discriminate

• in co-operation with the private sector, makeavailable the benefits of new discoveries,especially information and communicationstechnologies.

Insite 2006 focused on three themes thatdirectly affect South Africa’s ability to addressthe MDGs:• Science and Youth, emphasising educators,

learners and careers in science andtechnology

• Science for Economic Growth, focusing oninnovation, discovery and the capacity forscience to stimulate economic growth

• Science for Sustainable Development,demonstrating how science can improveSouth Africans’ quality of life and bring themprosperity.

• science promotion (through Minquiz, MintekEngineering Awareness Programme and grades11 and 12 girls’ programme)

• undergraduate and postgraduate bursaryschemes

• in-training programmes for recently qualifiedengineers and technicians

• specialised advanced technical programmes.

Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)The HSRC is South Africa’s statutory researchagency and conducts research that generatescritical and independent knowledge relative to allaspects of human and social development.Alleviating poverty and developing andimplementing public policy are central to itsresearch activities. The HSRC’s research alsoextends beyond South Africa’s borders throughprojects and collaborations in other Africancountries.

As a social-science research organisationcommitted to making a difference in the quality oflife of ordinary people, the HSRC is oftencommissioned to undertake large-scale researchon behalf of government departments at national,provincial and local levels. The organisation alsoserves the research needs of parastatalorganisations and private-sector entities, as well aslocal and international development agencies totrack service delivery, evaluate performance andmeasure the efficacy of interventions.

The HSRC’s collaborative approach to researchprovides a platform for interaction with researchexperts in South Africa and abroad. In addition toconducting commissioned research, the organisationproactively disseminates its research findings inpeer-reviewed and other publications, and throughseminars, lectures and media briefings.

Functioning as a knowledge hub, the HSRCcontributes to bridging the gap that often existsbetween research, policy and action.

HSRC research comprises six interdisciplinaryresearch programmes, namely:• Child, Youth, Family and Social Development • Democracy and Governance• Education, Science and Skills Development• Social Aspects of HIV, AIDS and Health• Society, Culture and Identity• Urban, Rural and Economic Development.

Five cross-cutting research units have beenestablished to interactively contribute to, as well asdraw from, the six research programmes tointegrate and enhance the work of the HSRC as awhole:• Capacity Development• Gender and Development• Knowledge Systems• Policy Analysis • Social Aspects of HIV and AIDS Research Alliance

(Sahara), an Africa-wide research network.The Policy Analysis Unit has a dual mandate. Thefirst is to serve as a think tank and provide aplatform for the public discourse of critical socialissues. The second is to pursue time-limited andmultiyear analyses of specific priority areas. Thefirst two of these focus on education quality and onemployment and growth.

Over the last few years, the HSRC hasundertaken a rich and varied array of researchinvestigations, averaging 250 projects at any giventime. To succeed in its mandate of conductingsocial-science research that makes a difference,the HSRC guards its reputation as an independent,professional and unbiased research council.

Research programmesChild, Youth, Family and Social Development The Child, Youth and Family DevelopmentProgramme focuses on the life course, from infancyto old age, and aims to develop a clearerunderstanding of the ways in which thesechallenges shape and affect individuals and societyas a whole throughout the life cycle.

It also strives to promote human and socialdevelopment through high-quality applied researchthat addresses the immense challenges posed bysocial inequality, poverty, violence, HIV and AIDS,and other causes of ill health.

Democracy and Governance There is an ongoing need to consolidate SouthAfrica’s relatively young democracy, to continuallyimprove governance, and to address emergingissues in fresh and substantive ways.

The Democracy and Governance Programmeexamines issues that contribute to or constrain thegrowth and development of democracy in SouthAfrica and the rest of Africa.

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Education, Science and Skills Development The work of the Education, Science and SkillsDevelopment Programme spans three major socialdomains in the form of the education system, theNSI and the world of work.

The programme’s goal is to produce comprehensive,integrated and holistic analyses of the pathways oflearners through schooling, further and HE and intothe labour market and NSI.

To deliver effective research within these fourfields, the programme has spent much time andenergy building a strong network of HE institutions,non-governmental organisations (NGOs) andprivate-sector research organisations. Throughclose collaboration with these organisations, theprogramme has delivered a number of successfulresearch projects, ranging from sectoral studies ofskill needs and analyses of key professions, toevaluating transformation in education and thelabour market, and monitoring and evaluatingeducational improvement from a national toclassroom level.

Social Aspects of HIV, AIDS and Health Many of the public-health issues facing SouthAfrica cannot be resolved merely through medicalinterventions, but need to be addressed at a socialand population level as well. The Social Aspects ofHIV, AIDS and Health Programme undertakescutting-edge, innovative research into HIV andAIDS, and public health to contribute to public-policy dialogue and formulation, and to improvehealth-service delivery.

To achieve these objectives, the programmefocuses on research that is policy-relevant andresponds to the challenges facing South Africa,while also assessing, monitoring and evaluatingHIV. AIDS and health programmes that aim toimprove the lives of South Africans.

Society, Culture and Identity The Society, Culture and Identity Programmeresearches ways of preserving, strengthening andpromoting South Africa’s rich cultural andintellectual heritage, while evaluating the progressSouth Africans have made in living up to theirinherent values and knitting together their diverseidentities. It investigates ways in which thecountry’s universal citizenship can be developedthrough respect for the various identities South

Africans hold. Within this context, the programmeexamines issues of identity, language and culturepertaining to South Africa and the African continent.

Urban, Rural and Economic DevelopmentThe Urban, Rural and Economic DevelopmentProgramme is multidisciplinary. Its primaryobjective is to promote integrated urban and ruraldevelopment through problem-oriented research,user-driven policy development and ongoingmonitoring and evaluation.

With poverty reduction as the unifying theme, theprogramme’s objectives and activities are designedto address key national, regional and Africa-wideunderdevelopment challenges and policy priorities,through a collaborative approach to research.

Cross-cutting units Policy Analysis The Policy Analysis Unit serves as a think tank andforum for deliberating and analysing public policyon the most critical issues affecting the lives ofpeople in Africa. Under the spotlight are such issuesas HIV and AIDS, homelessness, unemployment,skills development, poverty, crime, access toquality education and health services.

Ultimately, the unit will serve as a forum forintellectual dialogue among academics andresearchers from various parts of the Africancontinent, and will bring together diversestakeholders, including policy-makers, programmeplanners, researchers, NGOs, community groups,donors and multinational agencies to participate inthe process of policy scrutiny in critical areas ofsocial development.

The unit’s first two national priority initiatives areeducation quality and employment growth anddevelopment.

The HSRC intends, among other things, to increasethe pool of competent researchers for human andsocial sciences in South Africa, and to support thedevelopment of black, as well as of femaleresearchers, to enable the organisation to meet itsequity targets.

Gender and DevelopmentThe Gender and Development Unit recognises theneed to retain a gender perspective in HSRC researchand operations by assessing the implications for menand women of any planned activity.

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Social Aspects of HIV and AIDS Research AllianceSahara seeks greater understanding of theepidemic in the hope of contributing to a reductionin the number of new HIV infections and, ultimately,to a reversal in the spread of HIV and AIDS.

The network runs multisite and multicountryresearch projects in Africa for generating new social-science evidence for prevention, care and mitigationof the impact of the epidemic. It disseminatesinformation through its dedicated website(www.sahara.org.za) and publishes an internationallyaccredited scientific journal, the Social Aspects ofHIV/AIDS Research Alliance Journal.

Knowledge Systems The Knowledge Systems Unit conducts primaryand secondary research on socio-economic andgovernance issues as well as the NSI, to facilitateevidence-based decision-making by users of theresearch.

The unit works with external research usersand supports the research programmes of theHSRC, while also building complementaryexpertise throughout Africa. The key focus areasof the unit involve the design, implementation andanalysis of quantitative and qualitative data toenhance the knowledge-management strategiesof the HSRC, and to promote social-scientificresearch and capacity-building throughout SouthAfrica and the African continent.

Medical Research Council (MRC)The MRC’s mission is to improve the nation’shealth status and quality of life, through relevantresearch aimed at promoting equity anddevelopment.

The MRC is an autonomous body, but reports tothe Department of Health. It receives 60% of itsbudget from the Department of Science andTechnology. Its head office is situated in CapeTown, with provincial offices in Pretoria andDurban.

The MRC’s research activities are aligned withthe health priorities of the nation, and inaccordance with the national S&T imperatives andthe health priorities defined by the Department ofHealth. Activities are grouped into the followingnational programmes:

National Programme for Research in Molecules to DiseaseThis programme undertakes research on humanand microbial genetics, genomics, bio-informatics, cell and molecular biology, tissueengineering, oesophageal cancer, molecularhepatology, micro-bacteriology, and liver and bonedisease.

National Programme for Health Systems andPolicy ResearchThe scientists in this programme conductresearch on health systems, clinical epidemiology,biostatistics, health policy, the burden of diseaseand telemedicine.

National Programme for Infection and ImmunityResearchThe research units in this programme are involvedin research into TB, malaria, immunology ofinfectious diseases, diarrhoeal diseases,inflammation and amoebiasis, genital ulcerdiseases, respiration and meningeal pathogens,and South African traditional medicines.

It also incorporates the MRC National HIV andAIDS Lead Programme, whose divisions co-ordinate the South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative;various aspects of biomedical research, includingmother-to-child transmission and microbicides;and prevention of transmission throughbehavioural change. (See Chapter 13: Health.)

National Programme for Non-CommunicableDisease ResearchThis programme undertakes research into heartdisease (both laboratory, clinical and public-healthresearch), nutritional intervention, diabetes,crime, violence and injury, anxiety and stressdisorders, dental issues, medical imaging, chronicdiseases of lifestyle and cancer epidemiology.

National Programme for Environment andDevelopment ResearchIn this entity, research is undertaken into healthpromotion, health and development, exercise andsports science, occupational and environmentalhealth, alcohol and drug abuse, and technologytransfer.

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National Programme for Women and Child HealthResearchThis programme undertakes research into manyaspects of women’s health, including high bloodpressure during pregnancy, healthcare strategies inmaternal and infant health, perinatal mortality,gender and health, mineral metabolism andnutritional intervention.

South African National Health Knowledge Network The South African National Health KnowledgeNetwork was established in 1999 at the MRC withfunding from the Government’s IF.

The network operates under the trade name SAHealthInfo and is available on the Internet atwww.sahealth-info.org. It provides a one-stopinteractive forum or resource for quality-controlledand evidence-based health-research information.

Council for Geoscience (CGS)The main functions of the CGS are:• documenting the surface of the Earth within the

borders of South Africa; compiling geological,geophysical, geochemical and othergeoscientific information; and publishing thisinformation in the form of maps and documents

• conducting geoscientific research into rocks,minerals, ores, fossils, etc. in South Africa, andpublishing research results in national andinternational journals

• collecting and conserving all geoscientificinformation and data on South Africa in nationalcollections and electronic databases

• supplying geoscientific services and advice to thenational and provincial governments, ensuringinformed decisions regarding the optimal andefficient use of the Earth’s surface.

The objectives of the CGS are to:• minimise the geological and geoscientific

investment risk for national and internationalentrepreneurs in the South African mining sector(the quality of available geological information,which is known as the ‘geological risk grading’,contributes to about 61% of the investment riskin any country)

• supply the country with basic geoscience data toestablish a safe, cost-effective physicalinfrastructure

• supply basic knowledge to ensure safe, cost-effective and environmentally acceptableurbanisation and housing development

• carry out research into raw material needed toclothe, transport, feed and provide shelter for thenation.

To accomplish these functions and objectives, theCGS maintains a specialised workforce, consistingof Earth scientists supplemented by technical,support and administrative staff at its headquartersin Pretoria, as well as at branch offices in theWestern Cape, Northern Cape, Limpopo, North Westand the Eastern Cape.

The following national institutions aremaintained by the CGS:• The National Geoscience Library in Pretoria is

probably the most comprehensive geosciencelibrary in Africa. It includes the Map Library,which contains a collection of South African andAfrican geoscience maps.

• The National Core Library contains arepresentative stratigraphic-borehole corecollection, representing most of the lithologicalunits located within the borders of South Africa.This collection is housed at Donkerhoek, east ofPretoria.

• The Geoscience Museum, in the TransvaalMuseum in Pretoria, contains a unique collectionof minerals and fossils, catering for the Earth-science education of the public, especiallyschoolchildren.

• An extensive laboratory, specialising in analysingrock and soil samples, uses various specialisedtechniques.

Geoscience information and services provided bythe CGS are particularly important for sustainabledevelopment of the country. In South Africa’s aridregions, the management of groundwaterresources (both the quantity and quality thereof) isaimed at providing enough clean water tocommunities. In addition, the CGS has recentlyestablished the Environmental Geoscience Unit toprovide services in this highly competitive and veryimportant field.

Although South Africa is situated on a relativelystable part of the Earth’s crust, the CGS maintains aseismic network for recording such events withinthe national borders and coastal waters off South

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Africa’s coastline. This information is available tointerested parties and helps mitigate the problemsassociated with mining-related seismic events.

The CGS is a world leader in the domain ofgeophysical surveys, using a detection systemdeployed on light aircraft. This significantly reducesthe cost of very high-resolution geophysical datafor mineral exploration. A larger aircraft (a CessnaCaravan 208B) has been purchased as it can carrylarger sensors, dramatically increasing the CGS’capability to conduct high-resolution geophysicalsurveys.

The CGS leads an initiative by the Department ofMinerals and Energy to assist upcoming miningentrepreneurs, particularly those from historicallydisadvantaged groups, to exploit South Africa’smineral resources in a cost-effective andenvironmentally friendly way.

Because the CGS plays a leading role in theSADC, several geoscience publications covering theregion have been produced, describing heavymineral sand, diamond, gold, bauxite anddimension-stone deposits in the region. A seismichazard map of the region, a lithostratigraphic tablecomparing the geological formations in the region,and maps of the Kalahari Basin have also beenproduced. The latest publication in this series is acompilation of copper and cobalt deposits in theSADC region.

In addition to its national responsibilities, theCGS is also active internationally, mainly in Africa.Geological and metallogenic maps of, among othercountries, Angola, the Democratic Republic ofCongo, Mozambique, Gabon and Morocco havebeen produced. By mid-2006, major geologicalmapping projects in Ghana, Mozambique,Madagascar and New Guinea, and the supervisionof mapping projects in Mauritania, Mozambiqueand Madagascar were also under way.

South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)The SABS was established in 1948 to develop,maintain and disseminate standards in SouthAfrica. Although this core objective has remainedunchanged over the years, the mission of the SABShas changed its focus in step with the times. TheSABS sees its mission as ‘improving the quality oflife of all South Africans, through the process ofstandardisation’.

Standards South Africa (StanSA)StanSA is the SABS’ core function and is respons-ible for developing, maintaining and disseminatingthe country’s national standards.

Through its main Standards Sales Division inPretoria, as well as its offices in Durban, Cape Townand Port Elizabeth, all national standards as well asthose of the International Electrotechnical Commis-sion, the ISO and a host of other foreign standardsare made available to the public.

Regulatory Affairs and Consumer ProtectionThis division of the SABS is responsible foradministrating certain national regulations, mainlyon behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.Legal Metrology forms a part of the division andensures the protection of consumers against in-correct metrological practices such as the sale ofunderweight or undersized products. A specificfunction directed towards providing conformity-assessment services to the SME sector, and otherPresidential imperatives and social-responsibilityactivities, are also located in this division.

South African Bureau of Standards Holdings (Pty) LimitedAll the conformity-assessment services of the SABSare located in this company. These include testingproducts, providing system and product-certification schemes, inspecting consignments andtraining people in these matters. SABS Holdings is aseparate company that competes in the privatesector and charges for the services that it renders.This is unlike SABS Regulatory Affairs and StanSA,which recover their costs from monies allocated forthose purposes under the Science Budget Vote ofthe Department of Science and Technology.

A corporate function provides overhead servicessuch as finance, HR, legal, marketing andcommunication, risk management and IT.

Other scientific and researchorganisations and structuresBiotechnology Partnership for Africa’sDevelopment (Biopad)Biopad was initiated early in 2003 by a communityof biotechnologists and professionals as a means toput South Africa among the world leaders in theapplication of biotechnology.

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SasolSasol is an integrated oil and gas company withsubstantial chemical interests. In South Africa,these operations are supported by mining coal andconverting it into synthetic fuels and chemicalsthrough proprietary Fischer-Tropsch technology.

Sasol also has chemical manufacturing andmarketing operations in Europe, Asia and theAmericas. Its larger chemical portfolios includepolymers, solvents, surfactants and theirintermediates, waxes, phenolics and nitrogenousproducts.

The group explores and produces crude oil inoffshore Gabon, refines crude oil into liquid fuels inSouth Africa, and retails liquid fuels and lubricantsthrough a growing network of retail service centres.During the first quarter of 2004, Sasol startedextracting Mozambican natural gas, some of whichhas been used as feedstock for fuels and chemicalproduction in South Africa since mid-2004.

Sasol is also developing two joint-venture gas-to-liquid plants in Qatar and Nigeria based on itsSasol slurry phase distillate process.

EskomEskom’s Technology Services International group isa multidisciplinary industrial laboratory and consultingorganisation. It undertakes testing, investigationstudies, project management, engineering servicesand applied research for Eskom and other customers.

Mittal Steel SAMittal Steel SA is the dominant steel producer onthe African continent, producing 7,1 million tonnesof liquid steel per year. Mittal Steel SA’s globalstanding is further underpinned by it being part ofthe world’s largest steel producer, Mittal SteelCompany N.V.

Through this agreement, Mittal Steel SA hasaccess to world-class R&D, best-practiceprocesses, aggressive procurement contracts andinternational market leverage to ensure thecompany remains at the cutting edge of the inter-national steel industry.

National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS)The NHLS is a national network of integratedpathology laboratories countrywide that usecommon laboratory-management systems andtransport networks to facilitate the transport of

specimens, referral of tests to referencelaboratories and the delivery of results.

The NHLS includes about 250 laboratories,employing some 3 500 people. Their activitiescomprise diagnostic laboratory services, research,teaching and training, and the production of serafor anti-snake venom and reagents. All laboratoriesprovide diagnostic services to the Department ofHealth, provincial hospitals, local governments andmedical practitioners.

Research conducted by the NHLS covers a widespectrum of activities in all pathology disciplines.Grants in support of research are made by the MRC,the Cancer Association of South Africa, the SouthAfrican Sugar Association, the PoliomyelitisResearch Foundation, pharmaceutical companies,private donors and numerous overseas institutions,among others. The NHLS finances a large part ofthe research programme from the earnings of itslaboratory services.

The NHLS teaching programme includes trainingmedical technologists in association withuniversities of technology. University teaching atboth undergraduate and postgraduate level is donethrough the pathology departments of universities’medical schools.

Bureau for Economic ResearchThe Bureau for Economic Research at theUniversity of Stellenbosch, Western Cape, is anindependent and objective economic researchorganisation. It renders a service to organisationsranging from small one-person businesses topolicy-makers at the highest level of government.

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African indigenous knowledge is central to theconcept of the African Renaissance. It is theknowledge system that informs how Africansociety functions and interacts with people andsocieties; it provides the founding motivator forpeople’s actions, and the knowledge base forlearning and Africa’s sustainable development.

In 2004, the Cabinet adopted the IndigenousKnowledge System (IKS) policy that endeavoursto contribute to consolidating South Africa’sconstitutional democracy and to improving thelives, dignity and equality of the country’sindigenous and local communities by givingexpression to the recognition, promotion,development and protection of IKS.

National Institute for Tropical DiseasesThe National Institute for Tropical Diseases inTzaneen, Limpopo, is responsible for the ongoingassessment of malaria-control programmes carriedout by various authorities in South Africa.

Control methods are assessed, andrecommendations made to the appropriateauthorities regarding equipment, insecticide usageand application. A malaria-reference service is alsoprovided. Tests for malaria are carried out by theinstitute, and statistical analysis of data pertainingto the programme is undertaken.

General research areasMine-safety researchThe activities of the Safety in Mines ResearchAdvisory Committee are aimed at advancing thesafety of workers employed in South African mines.The committee is a statutory tripartite subcommitteeof the Mine Health and Safety Council.

It has a permanent research-management officemanaging the rock engineering, engineering andmine occupational health fields of research.

Energy researchThe Chief Directorate: Energy of the Department ofMinerals and Energy manages a policy-directedresearch programme. This includes transport energy,renewable energy and energy for developing areas,coal, electricity, energy efficiency, energy economy,and integrated energy-policy formulation.

Agricultural researchAgricultural research is conducted by the ARC,several universities and various organisations in theprivate sector. Provinces are responsible for farmmanagement and technological development.These activities are aimed at improving managerialefficiency on farms.

The Directorate: Scientific Research andDevelopment in the Department of Agriculture co-ordinates all agricultural R&D activities.

The National Agricultural Research Forum (NARF)co-ordinates agricultural R&D within the nationalagricultural research system. The NARF alsoprovides a platform for stakeholder consultationson R&D matters.

Biannual meetings are held to debate and agreeon research needs, programmes and budgeting.Efforts are made to ensure that the bulk of researchserves the needs of small-scale producers.

Research initiatives have been integrated intothe various industries in line with the overallobjectives of each agricultural sector.

Water researchWater research in South Africa is co-ordinated andfunded by the Water Research Commission (WRC)in Pretoria. The WRC was established in 1971through the Water Research Act, 1971 (Act 34 of1971), following a period of water shortage.

The WRC provides leadership for R&D throughthe support of knowledge creation, transfer andapplication. It engages stakeholders and partners insolving critical water-related problems.

It is a networking organisation, linking the nationand working through partnerships.

Being a water-stressed country, South Africaprogressively needs to find innovative ways ofmanaging water resources to ensure that the basicneeds of its citizens are met, that social andeconomic development is not restricted throughpoor quality or a lack of water, and thatsustainability of water resources and water-dependent ecosystems is achieved.

The WRC continues to play a leading role inbuilding a sustainable water-related knowledgebase in South Africa by:• investing in water R&D • building sustainable and appropriate capacity• developing skills for the water sector • being adept at forming strategic partnerships to

achieve objectives more effectively while makingoptimal use of the latest available globalinformation/knowledge and other technologies.

The Water Research Act, 1971 established theWater Research Fund, which derives incomeprimarily from levies on water consumption.

In supporting the creation, dissemination andapplication of knowledge, the WRC focuses on fivekey strategic areas:• water-resource management• water-linked ecosystems• water use and waste management• water use in agriculture• water-centred knowledge.The WRC also calls for specific mechanisms toaddress key strategic issues of nationalimportance. These issues are dealt with in fourcross-cutting domains:

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• water and society• water and the economy• water and the environment• water and health.The organisations most active in water researchare:• universities and universities of technology

(56,25% of the total number of contracts)• professional consultants (16,6%)• science councils (22,9%)• water/waste utilities (2%)• NGOs (2%).The main areas of research are surface hydrology,groundwater, hydrometeorology, agricultural wateruse, water pollution, municipal effluents, industrialwater and effluents, drinking water, membranetechnology, water ecosystems, hydraulics, mine-water management, water policy, developingcommunities, and the transfer of technology.

The Division: Water, Environment and ForestryTechnology (Environmentek) of the CSIR specialisesin research into water quality, including technologyto meet effluent and water-quality standards, and toestablish reclaimed water as an additional watersource. Environmentek is a world leader in researchinto activated sludge processes and the biologicalmonitoring of water to detect potentially toxicsubstances. It is also involved in research into theeffects of afforestation and veld management on thequantity and quality of catchment water-yield.

Environmental researchThe Chief Directorate: Environmental Managementof the Department of Environmental Affairs andTourism annually finances several research andmonitoring programmes.

The programmes comprise subjects such aswaste management and pollution, natureconservation, river management, the coastline andmarine environment, and the atmosphere.

Some programmes are conducted incollaboration with the NRF, while others areundertaken on behalf of the department by the CSIRand universities.

Research into human-environment interactionsponsored by the department is co-ordinated bythe HSRC.

In addition, institutes of the ARC are concernedwith environmental research insofar asenvironmental problems impact on agriculture orare caused by agricultural practices.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) is astatutory body functioning under the Department ofEnvironmental Affairs and Tourism.

The SAWS delivers public-good services, mainlyfor the protection of life and property, as well ascommercial services to the private sector, asstipulated in the Weather Service Act, 2001 (Act 8of 2001).

Government funds public-good services whilecommercial services are paid for by the user.Public-good services include weather and climateforecasting, a weather-disaster warning system,services to subsistence farmers and fishers, theprovision of information and advice to government,meeting regional and international treaty andagreement obligations, maintaining a nationalmeteorological library, technical and scientifictraining in meteorology, and undertaking researchto improve services.

In 2005/06, the SAWS issued more than 150adverse weather warnings. SAWS was expected tospend over R6 million in 2006/07 to expand itsweather radar network. The SAWS shares weatherradar data with Mozambique and intends toestablish a regional weather radar network involvingneighbouring countries in the SADC in the long term.

Because lightning causes major damage andloss of life, in 2005/06 SAWS installed the state-of-the-art Lightning Detection Network that coversLesotho and Swaziland and parts of Namibia,Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique.

Among other activities, the SAWS runs the GlobalAtmospheric Watch Programme, which measuresand monitors greenhouse gas datasets. The SAWShas also rolled out a number of ozone-monitoringstations in the SADC region.

The NRF directs the multidisciplinary Conser-vation and Management of Ecosystems andBiodiversity Focus Area, primarily in collaborationwith universities and museums, to promote andsupport research into living resources and terres-trial, freshwater, marine, coastal and atmosphericecosystems.

Some 170 projects are approved annually, andglobal issues such as climate change and biologicaldiversity are also included. The sustainable use ofnatural resources is a priority area, resulting in anincrease in projects relying on sociology and thehumanities. The NRF also supports a range ofenvironmental research network organisations

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such as the Arid Zone Ecology Forum, the FynbosForum, the Indigenous Plant-Use Forum and theSavanna Ecology Forum.

Fisheries researchResearch into South Africa’s fish resources, andtheir conservation and judicious exploitation, iscarried out by research personnel of the ChiefDirectorate: Marine and Coastal Management, adivision of the Department of Environmental Affairsand Tourism, and by several universities and NGOs.Research is designed to provide parameters forestimates of stock sizes and sustainable yields forthe different fisheries.

Coastal and marine researchThe Chief Directorate: Marine and Coastal Manage-ment advises on the utilisation of marine livingresources and the conservation of marineecosystems, by conducting and supporting relevantmultidisciplinary scientific research and bymonitoring the marine environment. Sustainableuse and the need to preserve future options in the

utilisation of marine ecosystems and theirresources are guiding objectives in the researchand advice provided by the chief directorate.

The NRF supports marine and coastal research inpartnership with the Department of EnvironmentalAffairs and Tourism and South African Network forCoastal and Oceanic Research.

Private-sector involvementSouth Africa’s gold-mining industry works at deeperlevels and under more difficult conditions than anyother mining industry in the world. The research intogold mining conducted by the CSIR’s MiningTechnology group is concerned primarily withensuring the health and safety of the workforce. Itincludes those working in the areas of rockengineering and the underground environment.

Mining Technology’s coal-mining research takesplace on a smaller scale than that of gold mining,because the coal-mining industry can make use ofvarious overseas developments. Areas in whichresearch is undertaken include strata control,mining, maximising the extraction of coal, and theunderground environment.

Research is also carried out by a large number ofindustrial companies with facilities to meet theirspecific needs.

The more important ones are the Anglo AmericanCorporation of South Africa (applied metallurgy,processing of precious metals, base metals and coal), Agricura (synthesis and testing ofveterinary remedies, insecticides, herbicides andentomology), Cullinan Holdings (refractories andelectrical porcelain), De Beers Industrial DiamondDivision (manufacture and application of syntheticdiamonds and other super-hard material),Johannesburg Consolidated Investment Company(metallurgy, mineralogy, chemistry and chemicalengineering), National Chemical Products (chemistry,microbiology and animal nutrition), Metal BoxCompany of South Africa (corrosion mechanism andmicrobiology), Tellumat (development of electronicinstruments), the Rembrandt Group (developmentand improvement of tobacco and liquor products),South African Pulp and Paper Industries (woodtechnology, paper manufacture and watertreatment), and Standard Telephones and Cables SA(long-distance transmission of information andlightning protection).

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The Department of Science and Technologydeclared June 2006 Antarctica Month to makeSouth Africans more aware of the unique andexciting research done by South Africanscientists on this frozen continent and the sub-Antarctic islands. The mission of the SouthAfrican Antarctic Programme (Sanap) is toincrease people’s understanding of the naturalenvironment and life in the area throughappropriate research, science and technology.Sanap research is undertaken in Antarctica, onthe Prince Edward islands (including MarionIsland and Prince Edward Island), Gough Islandand in parts of the Southern Ocean.

Two government departments are joining handsin managing South Africa's Antarctic initiative.The Department of Science and Technology,through the National Research Foundation, isresponsible for science research, while theDepartment of Environmental Affairs and Tourismtakes care of logistical management.

The month also marked the 45th anniversary ofthe first South African National AntarcticExpedition team to over-winter on the ice.

AcknowledgementsBuaNewsCouncil for GeoscienceEstimates of National Expenditure 2006, published by National TreasuryHuman Sciences Research CouncilMedical Research CouncilMintekNational Department of AgricultureNational Health Laboratory ServiceNational Research FoundationSouth African Bureau of StandardsWater Research Commissionwww.csir.co.zawww.dst.gov.zawww.gov.zawww.iscor.co.zawww.sabs.co.zawww.southafrica.info

Suggested readingAustin, B. Schonland. Johannesburg: Witwatersrand University Press, 2001.Brooke-Simons, P. Cullinan Diamonds: Dreams and Discoveries. Cape Town: Fernwood Press, 2004.Crouch, M. ed. Sparkling Achievements. Johannesburg: Chris van Rensburg Publications, 2001.Fig, D. Uranium Record: Questioning South Africa’s Nuclear Direction. Johannesburg: Jacana, 2005.Harrison, I and Joyce, P. eds. The Book of Firsts: South African Edition. Cape Town: Jonathan Ball, 2005.Harrison, P. South Africa’s Top Sites: Science. Cape Town: Spearhead, 2004.Macrae, C. Life Etched in Stone: Fossils of Southern Africa. Johannesburg: Geological Society of South Africa,

1999.Prout-Jones, D. Cracking the Sky. Pretoria: University of South Africa, 2002.

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