Science is at the center of all human progress and it was in Africa that humans discovered what we now know as science, said South Africa deputy president, Cyril Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa was speaking at the 5th CSIR Conference under the theme, ‘Ideas that work’,  which aims to share the organisation’s research progress, breakthroughs and impact. The conference also marks 70 years of CSIR’s existence.

Ramaphosa said that science was at the center of all human progress.

“The work of the CSIR is helping to transform our society. It is changing the way we live, the way we do business, the way we solve problems. It is improving lives, creating opportunities and enabling us to develop more sustainably,” he said..

He added that the continuous investment in research and development is critical to South Africa’s achievement of its National Development Plan.

“The NDP says that science and technology must be used to address some of the problems in education, health and economic development, and it must facilitate access to information and knowledge,” said Ramaphosa.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, said the CSIR was the jewel in the crown regarding its enhancement of and contribution to science and technological development in South Africa. She said South Africa was in support of advancing the recently launched Sustainable Development Goals and to revolutionise science.

The CSIR conference was also significant as it coincided with the company’s 70 years celebration. The CSIR CEO, Dr Sibusiso Sibisi, emphasised that this was an opportunity for the organisation to reflect on its journey and the continuous fulfilment of its mandate, which is to use science and technology to benefit the people. He added that looking to the future, it was increasingly important to focus on the nexus between science and technology as a means to achieving their mandate.

Prof Thokozani Majozi, CSIR Board Chairperson, congratulated the organisation on its achievements and encouraged it to be visible and accessible to all, especially young people.

He highlighted the key role the CSIR could play in identifying the key determinants of poverty, inequality and unemployment and explicitly draw the link between its research work and addressing these determining factors.

The 5th CSIR conference programme will feature presentations from the CSIR’s own leading experts, as well as talks by various local industry leaders and international experts in various scientific and technological fields.

 

Issued by Council for Scientific and Industrial Research