Date: 18/03/2005
Source: Ministry of Science and Technology
Title: Mangena: Sasol SciFest
Address by the Minister of Science and Technology, the honourable Mr Mosibudi Mangena, at the official opening of Sasol SciFest 2005, Grahamstown
Master of Ceremonies;
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We congratulate the initiators and supporters of this event, particularly Sasol, the Grahamstown Foundation and the various sponsors who, through their contributions, empower and equip our youth in science, engineering and technology with appropriate knowledge, skills and values.
The theme “Celebrating Science” for this year’s festival is apt as it evokes images of fun and excitement, thus helping to dispel the myth that science is boring and difficult. Learning should be fun. All children are blessed with a natural sense of curiosity. Their inquiring minds know no limits unless these limits are imposed. For example, science and mathematics, if presented in a difficult and non-illuminating fashion, can easily contribute to quashing a learner’s enthusiasm and interest in the subjects.
It is important to demystify science, and present it in an exciting and stimulating manner to enable learners to properly conceptualise and grasp the scientific concepts and skills. Innovative methods of presenting scientific and mathematical concepts to learners must take priority in our science literacy initiatives. These initiatives must fulfil the purpose of satisfying the intellectual curiosity of a young audience whilst developing their life skills and understanding of science, and how it applies to their daily lives.
The message that must go out to all learners is that there is no reason to be intimidated by Maths and Science. Taught in an exciting way, these subjects can be learned by all. The Department of Science and Technology is proud to support Sasol SciFest in its dedication to making the acquisition of knowledge enjoyable in order to contribute towards the skilled labour force required by our economy.
We believe that the agreement the Department entered into with Sasol SciFest will go a long way towards attracting more of our youth to science and technology.
In addition to making science education fun, it is vital to provide learners with success stories and role models to help them overcome some of the insecurities and lack of interest associated with careers in Maths and Science. Role models can help shatter the myths associated science and maths, and imbue them with a sense of confidence.
In the last year, some of South Africa’s youth have proven themselves in international science events. Fifteen-year-old, Ms Nomathemba Kontyo, from Phillipi in Cape Town was selected to visit NASA and work on the Mars Exploration Rover project, whilst Izak du Preez, a matriculant from Pietermaritzburg, took third position at the 2004 International Science Fair in the United States of America. These achievements on the part of such young South Africans should not go unnoticed; especially by their peers, as it provides them with role models that they can readily identify with.
A nation’s economic competitiveness within the global economy rests almost entirely on the capacity and competency of its workforce to develop innovative products, processes and services that will meet the needs of national and international markets. For us to achieve and sustain our economic growth targets, primacy must be given to the continual investment, renewal and growth of our science and technology human resources. Without a critical mass of well-trained personnel that is able to conduct research and run sophisticated technological systems, South Africa will be exposed to numerous risks associated with under-development. Enthusing our youth, especially African and female, with Science and Technology, remains one of the most effective means of attaining this critical mass.
The National Research and Development Strategy is clear about the need to ensure a radical increase in the number of women, blacks and the disabled entering the science system and remaining within it. South Africa’s Apartheid system gave birth to the current characteristics of our science system - one dominated by ageing white males without proper mechanisms of ensuring adequate recruitment of female and black scientists, engineers and technologists. I would like to take this opportunity to urge the coordinators of Sasol SciFest to ensure that in this and future festivals girls and African youth are encouraged and capacitated to participate meaningfully.
The Department of Science and Technology is involved in a number of exciting programmes that will benefit our youth. These include biotechnology, manufacturing, astronomy and space science interventions. The most powerful optical telescope in the Southern hemisphere is nearing completion just outside Sutherland, and the most powerful cosmic ray telescope in the world is already yielding exhilarating science near Windhoek.
These programmes will give young people the chance to enjoy fulfilling and worthwhile careers that contribute to the development of our country and our continent. In addition, the annual country-wide celebration of science, known as the National Science Week, offers a number of events aimed at raising the understanding of science, engineering and technology, contributing towards improved learner participation and performance in science and maths, and profiling careers in SET.
Given the gender and race disparities that haunt our science system, and the need for our country to develop a critical mass of scientific human resources, the Department is committed to raising the status and profile of science, engineering and technology in the country and, in particular, to attracting the youth into careers in these fields.
This is a Herculean task, one that cannot be successfully achieved without the cooperation and commitment of all those who have a stake in the future of South Africa’s science system and ultimately our economic prosperity. There must thus be a concerted and coordinated effort by government, business and civil society to work collaboratively in trying to improve the performance of our science system. To borrow from the words of our former President, Mr. Nelson Mandela, “on our shoulders rest the challenge of giving science a face that inspires our youth to seek out science, engineering and technology”.
I thus urge civil society and private sector to join hands in developing effective and sustainable partnerships to excite, motivate and encourage our youth to become more interested and involved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
I thank you.
Issued by: Ministry of Science and Technology
18 March 2005
Source: Ministry of Science and Technology
Title: Mangena: Sasol SciFest
Address by the Minister of Science and Technology, the honourable Mr Mosibudi Mangena, at the official opening of Sasol SciFest 2005, Grahamstown
Master of Ceremonies;
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We congratulate the initiators and supporters of this event, particularly Sasol, the Grahamstown Foundation and the various sponsors who, through their contributions, empower and equip our youth in science, engineering and technology with appropriate knowledge, skills and values.
The theme “Celebrating Science” for this year’s festival is apt as it evokes images of fun and excitement, thus helping to dispel the myth that science is boring and difficult. Learning should be fun. All children are blessed with a natural sense of curiosity. Their inquiring minds know no limits unless these limits are imposed. For example, science and mathematics, if presented in a difficult and non-illuminating fashion, can easily contribute to quashing a learner’s enthusiasm and interest in the subjects.
It is important to demystify science, and present it in an exciting and stimulating manner to enable learners to properly conceptualise and grasp the scientific concepts and skills. Innovative methods of presenting scientific and mathematical concepts to learners must take priority in our science literacy initiatives. These initiatives must fulfil the purpose of satisfying the intellectual curiosity of a young audience whilst developing their life skills and understanding of science, and how it applies to their daily lives.
The message that must go out to all learners is that there is no reason to be intimidated by Maths and Science. Taught in an exciting way, these subjects can be learned by all. The Department of Science and Technology is proud to support Sasol SciFest in its dedication to making the acquisition of knowledge enjoyable in order to contribute towards the skilled labour force required by our economy.
We believe that the agreement the Department entered into with Sasol SciFest will go a long way towards attracting more of our youth to science and technology.
In addition to making science education fun, it is vital to provide learners with success stories and role models to help them overcome some of the insecurities and lack of interest associated with careers in Maths and Science. Role models can help shatter the myths associated science and maths, and imbue them with a sense of confidence.
In the last year, some of South Africa’s youth have proven themselves in international science events. Fifteen-year-old, Ms Nomathemba Kontyo, from Phillipi in Cape Town was selected to visit NASA and work on the Mars Exploration Rover project, whilst Izak du Preez, a matriculant from Pietermaritzburg, took third position at the 2004 International Science Fair in the United States of America. These achievements on the part of such young South Africans should not go unnoticed; especially by their peers, as it provides them with role models that they can readily identify with.
A nation’s economic competitiveness within the global economy rests almost entirely on the capacity and competency of its workforce to develop innovative products, processes and services that will meet the needs of national and international markets. For us to achieve and sustain our economic growth targets, primacy must be given to the continual investment, renewal and growth of our science and technology human resources. Without a critical mass of well-trained personnel that is able to conduct research and run sophisticated technological systems, South Africa will be exposed to numerous risks associated with under-development. Enthusing our youth, especially African and female, with Science and Technology, remains one of the most effective means of attaining this critical mass.
The National Research and Development Strategy is clear about the need to ensure a radical increase in the number of women, blacks and the disabled entering the science system and remaining within it. South Africa’s Apartheid system gave birth to the current characteristics of our science system - one dominated by ageing white males without proper mechanisms of ensuring adequate recruitment of female and black scientists, engineers and technologists. I would like to take this opportunity to urge the coordinators of Sasol SciFest to ensure that in this and future festivals girls and African youth are encouraged and capacitated to participate meaningfully.
The Department of Science and Technology is involved in a number of exciting programmes that will benefit our youth. These include biotechnology, manufacturing, astronomy and space science interventions. The most powerful optical telescope in the Southern hemisphere is nearing completion just outside Sutherland, and the most powerful cosmic ray telescope in the world is already yielding exhilarating science near Windhoek.
These programmes will give young people the chance to enjoy fulfilling and worthwhile careers that contribute to the development of our country and our continent. In addition, the annual country-wide celebration of science, known as the National Science Week, offers a number of events aimed at raising the understanding of science, engineering and technology, contributing towards improved learner participation and performance in science and maths, and profiling careers in SET.
Given the gender and race disparities that haunt our science system, and the need for our country to develop a critical mass of scientific human resources, the Department is committed to raising the status and profile of science, engineering and technology in the country and, in particular, to attracting the youth into careers in these fields.
This is a Herculean task, one that cannot be successfully achieved without the cooperation and commitment of all those who have a stake in the future of South Africa’s science system and ultimately our economic prosperity. There must thus be a concerted and coordinated effort by government, business and civil society to work collaboratively in trying to improve the performance of our science system. To borrow from the words of our former President, Mr. Nelson Mandela, “on our shoulders rest the challenge of giving science a face that inspires our youth to seek out science, engineering and technology”.
I thus urge civil society and private sector to join hands in developing effective and sustainable partnerships to excite, motivate and encourage our youth to become more interested and involved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
I thank you.
Issued by: Ministry of Science and Technology
18 March 2005
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