Address by the Minister of Science and Technology, honourable Mosibudi Mangena, at the launch of the Nanotechnology Innovation centres at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Programme Director
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CSIR, Dr Sibusiso Sibisi
CEO of Mintek, Abiel Mngomezulu
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen

An American Physicist, David Skyrme, asserts:

"Being smart does not inevitably result in being the best. Being more creative does not automatically make you more innovative. Effective innovation requires the translation of creative ideas into improved processes and or commercially viable new products and services. Thus, creation is the starting point of the innovation process, the generation of new knowledge that subsequently needs converting and encapsulating into usable or marketable forms."

The ever growing spending on Nanotechnology Research, both by governments and corporate entities, enunciates the global view of the potential impact of this technology on the global economy. Coupled to an estimate by the independent research firm, Lux Research that by 2014, $2,6 trillion in manufactured goods will incorporate nanotechnology, the evolution of this field of science cannot be left to chance.

South Africa as a developing nation has a lot to benefit from the development of nanotechnology. We must, therefore, create an environment that is conducive to harnessing the potential benefits of this promising field of science. It is in view of this that my department developed a nanoscience and nanotechnology mapping strategy for this country. Among others, the strategy seeks to position South Africa to take advantage of this technology and to address social and economic issues germane to our situation.

Since the launch of this strategy in 2006, a lot has been done towards its implementation. A strategy implementation plan has been developed for the acquisition of the necessary research infrastructure to support our researchers in this field. We are also working tirelessly to forge international relations to enable our scientists to collaborate with their counterparts to tap on the established expertise available internationally. Indeed, a host of programmes have been put in place as part of the strategy implementation process, which is now increasingly gathering momentum.

Significant in the strategy implementation process, ladies and gentlemen, is the establishment of two Nanotechnology Innovation centres that we have gathered here today to launch, marking a very important milestone in our quest to use Nanotechnology to benefit society. Perhaps a very important question that comes to mind as we launch these centres is: "What benefits does this investment have for our nation?"

Apart from these centres being part of our ambitious vision to make science work for society, they practically take us closer to using nanotechnology for addressing some of our social and economic challenges. In line with the Ten-year Plan on Innovation, the centres will provide a dedicated platform for nanotechnology innovation. Their mandate is to focus on the research that has pre-identified and tangible measurable. They will have to be the pace-setters and catalysts of the country's research and development programme in nanotechnology.

In particular, the outcome of the research conducted at these centres should help develop, for example, low-cost filters to provide clean drinking water, primary health care through the development of medical devices, drugs to detect and treat diseases more effectively, and ensure the provision of clean, secure and affordable energy. The collaboration between Mintek, which primarily focuses on water and health research, and the CSIR Centre on Advanced Materials and Energy, is a sure recipe to ensuring we succeed in all the programmes we have envisaged.

In addition, there is a genuine expectation for Nanotechnology to assist in the beneficiation of our natural resources, especially minerals. Therefore, the centres will provide an enabling environment for harnessing the benefits of nanotechnology. As part of their core mandate, these centres will have a strong focus on human capital development to create a competitive and innovative workforce for South Africa in this field. Human capital development is, to borrow from Benjamin Franklin's words, "an investment that always pays the best interest."

In our view, this is where we need to focus now if we are to realise the returns on our investment in the future. A knowledge-based economy rests on a foundation of knowledge workers in all scientific endeavours. Therefore, the strategic relationship between the centres and Higher Education Institutions is of utmost importance. In order to enhance the realisation of the goals we have set in the Nanotechnology Strategy, partnerships between research institutions, including these Innovation centres and industry are essential and encouraged. They must work together in order to share both infrastructure and information. Such partnerships ultimately ensure expeditious delivery by this technology.

For this reason, we now call upon our businesses to take advantage of these centres to conduct research for the enhancement of their competitiveness. The goals we have set in the Nanotechnology Strategy will be in vain if they do not provide an environment for enhancing our industries' economic competitiveness. Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary research and development activity that brings together chemists, physicists, biotechnologists, engineers, etc. Its implementation must be a joint responsibility if we are to realise its full potential.

Owing to the promise of Nanotechnology to improving the quality of lives and contributing to economic growth, my department remains committed to continuing the support of these centres to assist them to develop into globally competitive institutions. At the heart of Nanotechnology is the notion that "Big things" could be achieved from a small world." Therefore, it is our belief that the launch of these Nanotechnology Innovation centres is a small step towards achieving "Big Things" in years to come.

Einstein is often cited as having said: "Not everything you count counts and not everything that counts is counted." This is true about the intellectual capital, which is the basis for a knowledge economy. Most companies are worth several times more in market terms that their balance sheets indicate. After allowing for market imperfections, or sentiment, the difference is essentially intellectual capital.

Ten years ago, the average market to book value ratio for companies that were particularly knowledge-intensive such as biochemical companies, was often 20 times or more than those of resource-based industries. It is clear, therefore, that knowledge accounts for the intangible and enduring value of companies. I am certain that the Nanotechnology Innovation centres we are launching today will give us the edge we need for our knowledge to play an enduring role in the economic growth of our country and the improvement of the quality of life of our citizens.

It is now my singular pleasure to officially launch the Nanotechnology Innovation centres.

I thank you.

Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
26 November 2007