Date: 13/03/2006
Source: Department of Science and Technology
Title: Mangena: Opening of SA-Flanders Bilateral Co-operation Workshop


  Address by the Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Mosibudi Mangena, Flanders and South Africa: Celebrating 10 years of co-operation in science and technology research in Cape Town

Your Royal Highness, Prince Philippe
Your Excellency, Ambassador Labouverie
Honourable Minister Moerman
Honourable Minister Verwilghen
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen

The year 2006 marks 10 years of collaboration between South Africa and Flanders in science and technology research, a decade of innovative partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation. At the time of signing the Bilateral Agreement on Science and Technology between our two countries in 1996, the current Science and Technology System of Innovation was still in its infancy. Over the years, it has grown into an important tool for stimulating economic growth. Today, the Department of Science and Technology is the driving force behind sound South African scientific research, backed by a vibrant national policy, which boasts a number of strategies and technological advantages allowing the country to offer itself as a competent and competitive partner for international cooperation in research and development.

In this regard it should be noted that the South African National Research and Development Strategy, launched in 2002, rests on three distinct pillars, namely:

* Technological advancement through innovation;
* Increasing the local science, engineering and technology base through investment in human capital;
* Constructing an effective science and technology system through efficient delivery.

Now, I am the first to admit that there is a magnitude of work to be done before we will be able to boast full realisation of this strategy. But what I can confirm is that the majority of the bilateral cooperation agreements concluded by my Department support at least one or all of these pillars as a fundamental underlining structure of all scientific and technological collaboration.

Allow me now to name but a few of our achievements during the last decade:

* The publication of a White Paper on Science and Technology in September 1996 providing an effective framework for our research and development interventions;
* A National Research and Development Strategy, launched in 2002 , which serves as a framework for other strategies such as the Human Resource Development Strategy, the Integrated Manufacturing Strategy and the Strategic Plan for South African Agriculture. This development represents an important milestone for our National System of Innovation as a whole;
* The establishment of a separate Department of Science and Technology in 2003, which demonstrates the importance and growth of research and development in South Africa;
* The National Biotechnology Strategy;
* The Launch of an Advanced Manufacturing Strategy in 2003 has ensured the enhancement of local innovation, the achievement of higher levels of technology use in industry, and the enhancement of the knowledge base and knowledge intensity of our manufacturing industry;
* The inauguration of the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) in 2005. This is the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere, and a milestone in South African scientific, engineering and technological achievement.

Against a backdrop of exponential growth in science and technology on the African continent, the African Ministerial Conference for Science and Technology adopted a Plan of Action in 2003, outlining a strategy for research and development aimed at facilitating greater response to the social and economic needs of the people. In this regard, the scientific and technological cooperation between South Africa and Flanders has set an excellent example of how to do just that, to bring science to the masses and incorporate it into the daily lives of people everywhere.

Furthermore, the launch of the African Laser Centre, the African Biosciences initiative and the Agricultural Research Institute, contribute towards the stimulation of development and implementation of science and technology on the African continent, as research in areas such as agriculture, health, environment and industrial manufacturing all contribute toward improving the basic quality of life. Equally important is the establishment of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, whose aim is to expand the pool of mathematical excellence on our continent.

Inroads have also been made by my Department in the area of human capital development through the Research Professional Development Programme, specifically aimed at increasing investment in South Africa’s scientific and technological human capital by offering post-doctoral fellowships in the fields of science, engineering and technology research.

Ladies and gentlemen, subsequent to ten years of science and technology cooperation between South Africa and Flanders, an agreement was reached in May 2005 for the renewal of our research collaboration, underpinning our commitment to the intensification of our interaction in this regard. It was agreed that our continued cooperation would now aim at increasing technological innovation and establishing centres of excellence by strengthening thematic priorities and human research capacity.

In the course of the past ten years, the focus of our research collaboration has served to illustrate the importance of science and technology in our everyday lives. The 97 joint research projects supported shared a strong emphasis on social research, including subjects such as the role of mother tongue in education, alternative models of social protection, the impact of environmental quality on health, and sustainable development and food security in the Southern Africa Development Community. These topics clearly illustrate our commitment to using science to address everyday challenges and further international collaboration. This strong EU Framework Programme partnership between Flanders and South Africa is a clear indicator.

Notwithstanding our national milestones and those aims achieved through bilateral cooperation in science and technology, we should continue to strive towards greater development and innovation, in particular, by growing an ever-expanding human capital resource base. It is only when there is no longer a disjunction between science and everyday life that we will be able to say that our fundamental goals for development in science and technology have been sufficiently achieved.

To this end, South Africa aims to further its achievements by exploring possibilities offered by strategic international partnerships, of which our collaboration in the FP6 and the upcoming FP7 programmes is an excellent example.

I trust that the development of a new bilateral programme of cooperation later this year will provide a sound platform for another meaningful engagement for years to come.

Thank you.

Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
13 March 2006