On Tuesday, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande introduced a new program aimed at fostering collaboration between South Africa and Palestine through science diplomacy.
Nzimande announced that the new program will focus on enhancing Palestine’s research and innovation capabilities and infrastructure. This initiative will involve joint research projects between South African and Palestinian researchers, seed funding for Palestinian scholars and students in South Africa through exchange programs, and sharing South Africa’s experiences in science and system development.
The program will be managed by the National Research Foundation and funded through the department’s existing international cooperation budget. Nzimande emphasized that the program is a demonstration of South Africa’s solidarity with Palestine and aims to strengthen bilateral ties in the field of science.
He shared this news during the department’s budget vote debate in Parliament, noting that the 2024-25 budget has been reduced from R10.8 billion to R10.5 billion. Nzimande also highlighted South Africa’s significant progress in science, technology, and innovation since 1994, with the country increasing its global research output to 0.98%.
The 2019 white paper and the decadal plan for 2022-2033 focus on transformative changes in society, aiming to tackle major challenges such as climate change, the future of education and work, and societal issues. The plan includes boosting investment in science, technology, and innovation to address these challenges.
Additionally, Nzimande emphasized the commitment to sustaining businesses in agriculture, manufacturing, and mining while developing new growth industries. He also mentioned that the Mandela Mining Precinct is advancing efforts in mineral beneficiation to enhance its impact on the industrial economy.
Nzimande highlighted that fostering a new generation of young Black and female scientists and researchers is a crucial element of their science, technology, and innovation strategy. He noted that in December, the president unveiled the Presidential PhD Program, which aims to expose top PhD students and postdoctoral fellows to cutting-edge knowledge, innovation, and skills development opportunities both internationally and across Africa.
This initiative will receive seed funding of R1 billion from the National Skills Fund, with an additional R4 billion expected through private sector and international development partnerships.
To build a capable state, Nzimande mentioned the establishment of an Earth Data Centre to aid the government in various areas such as fire and flood mapping, food security monitoring, human settlement mapping, forest management, disaster response, climate change, and water resource management.
In response, Isaac Menyatso from the uMkhonto weSizwe Party emphasized the need for a budget that meets the demands of science, technology, and innovation across key sectors like agriculture, energy, environment, health, infrastructure, mining, security, and water.
Natasha Mazzone from the DA stressed the importance of human capital for developing a competitive national system of innovation and urged the department to support bursaries, scholarships, internships, and research funding.
EFF MP Vuyani Pambo criticized the government’s investment in research and development, pointing out that while other countries invest 3% of their GDP, South Africa lags at 0.6%, which he deemed unacceptable.
IFP’s Sanele Zondo expressed concern about the budget cuts, warning that inadequate funding could jeopardize economic development. He suggested prioritizing localized research and development programs with the available funds.
ANC’s Lufefe Mokutu called for active state investment in research and development to drive industrialization and economic beneficiation.