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Date: 23/03/2004
Source: Ministry of Arts, Culture, Science And Technology
Title: B Sonjica: Launch of HSRC's Human Resource Development Review 2003


ADDRESS BY MS B SONJICA, DEPUTY MINISTER OF ARTS, CULTURE, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, ON THE OCCASION OF THE HSRC LAUNCH OF THREE NEW BOOKS ON HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT, 23 March 2004

The Programme Director
Dr Mark Orkin, CEO of the HSRC
Dr Andre Kraak, Executive Director of Research Programme at the HSRC
Professor Hugh Lauder, our international guests from the Bath University, United Kingdom
Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is a great honour and privilege to be asked to address the launch of the HSRC's HRD Review 2003, a handing over ceremony of all the research outputs that have been produced over the past three years.

As the Department of Science and Technology, we would like to thank the HSRC for contributing to this project of great importance not only to our Department but to the country at large.

A word of appreciation goes especially to the editors who must have spent endless hours putting the work of many talented people together into a coherent whole without loosing the essence of the research findings.

The release of the HRD Review 2003 could not have come at a better time and the timing is just on target.

This is the time when we are focusing on tying the loose ends in the consolidation of our democracy. This is the time when we are reviewing the ten years of democracy; when we are celebrating the successes and looking critically at the failures and challenges to ensure that the second decade of democracy addresses more effectively the remaining challenges.

The findings of the research, according to Dr Andre Kraak, are that dynamic growth in HRD demands large-scale investment in education and training institutions, in research and development (R&D) facilities and networking activities across all sectors through various mechanisms.

I also agree fully with the submission that is being made by Dr Kraak that for an HRD policy to succeed there has to be a partnership that involves the state, private sector and the civil society.

The human resource capacity and the skills base remains an area of great challenge that faces us all as South Africans.

The two main objectives of the National R&D Strategy is the need for our government to deliver increased economic growth and an improved quality of life.

The National R&D Strategy identifies the need to pay greater attention to human resources as a wealth and employment creator; to bring innovation to the fore in all activities of the Department and facilitate Science and Technology performance across government.

I have not had an opportunity to go through the HRD Review 2003 but I want to assume that even though it might not be giving us concrete proposal on how to address the challenge of skills scarcity but the research surely provides a starting point that will assist the nation. We trust that the well argued and informative collections of works of the contributors have cogently substantiated their analysis, conclusions and opinions.

We are very grateful to those South Africans, including the HSRC's contributors, who continue to play the role of fact gathering and analysis that gives government the basis for assessing alternative options and facilitate informed policy decisions.

It is true that in recent years significant strides and major policy changes have taken place both within the education and labour sector. These policies without a doubt represent progress but the key question is "is it enough?" Some will argue 'yes' and some will argue 'far from it'.

Let me suggest that we avoid being bogged down by these opposing assertions but diligently observe the outcome of the policy interventions. Let us relentlessly pursue the promotion of all South Africa's people to higher levels of knowledge and skills, learning at each stage from both our successes and mistakes.

Finally, this is without a doubt a day of celebration and I want to specially thank the HSRC for these valuable products. A special thanks to Dr Orkin. Sir, your leadership has enabled this achievement. Dr Kraak and your research team which I will not attempt to mention individually, congratulations for a project well done.

Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you an enjoyable day.

Issued by: Ministry of Arts, Culture, Science And Technology
23 March 2004

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