Programme Director
Minister of Communications, Science and Technology, Mr Metsing
Director of Science and Technology, Mrs Williams
CEO of LIFELab, Dr Okole
Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Lesotho, Dr Odenya
Representative of the Department for International Development of the United Kingdom, Mrs Karen Terblanche
Officials of the governments of South Africa and Lesotho
Representatives of the Agricultural Research Council of South Africa
Representatives of various Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen

Today's launch of Lesotho's 2008 Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) Week, which will showcase the role that science plays in improving the quality of our lives, is an important milestone for the Southern African Development Community.
It marks yet another cross-border achievement in our collective efforts to promote science, engineering and technology within the continent, and particularly in our region.

My department was involved when Lesotho convened its first SET Week last year, and the relationship we built has resulted in our participation in the planning and execution of this event. South Africa's many years' experience of running National Science Week events has taught us many lessons, including the importance of teamwork and commitment.

In order to ensure the sustainability and impact of our efforts, we are currently involved in developing a national network of science centres as a part of the implementation of our Youth into Science Strategy. We are aware that the Southern African Association of Science and Technology Centres are already in the process of mobilising member states to establish a network of science centres within the SADC.

The successful implementation of this initiative will not only strengthen collaborative efforts among our school going children, but will also form a firm foundation for making science and technology a key driver for Africa's development. Please ensure you visit our science centre stand where you will find the materials and interactive exhibits developed and used by our existing science centres useful and exciting.

Today we are proud to report on the success of a joint initiative among South Africa, Lesotho and Department of International Development (DFID) in the Plant Genetic Conservation and Utilisation through Tissue Culture Project. Some of you know how the tissue culture technique revolutionised the global banana industry in the past two decades, and made Ecuador the largest banana exporter in the world. It had only 48000 ha of banana trees in 1985, but by 2000, the number had grown to 190 000 hectares (ha).

Although the purpose of this joint initiative has been to establish a multipurpose micro propagation facility in Lesotho, our governments decided to extend the work of the facility to complement other food security and poverty alleviation efforts in the region, and potato seed micro propagation became the point of departure.

This is one of the projects that are demonstrating how we can exploit our geographic positions within the region to our advantage. For example, Lesotho's climate, which, due to its high altitudes and low temperatures, including its relatively disease-free conditions, favours the production of seed potato, which has, to a large extent, influenced the decision to locate this project here. We are looking to our researchers and scientists to find many more ways through which collaborating countries can use their competitive advantages to establish mutually beneficial joint projects. In response to such demands, South Africa has, in the field of astronomy, recently promulgated the Astronomy Geographic Advantage Act through which, among others, we want to protect and preserve the environment of the Northern Cape as a global astronomy hub and for attracting international investment.

We are reliably informed by South African officials working on the tissue culture project that as this initiative expands, its focus will widen to include the propagation of medicinal and other value crops. Such a move will obviously enhance the sustainable use of plant resources in the SADC region. Considering that 80% of the population in the region uses traditional medicines and herbs, this project will definitely be of great economic importance. For example, South Africa's traditional medicine industry alone is currently estimated in the region of R2,3 billion a year. Through regional cooperation, its economic benefits can easily be increased manifold within a few years.

It is perhaps a lucky coincidence that the launch of this project coincides with the International Year of the Potato, which is a means of raising global awareness about the role played by the potato in agriculture, the economy and world food security. As food prices continue to soar and food shortages become a reality, the world is turning to this number one non-grain food commodity for salvation. South Africa is already a force to reckon with in global potato production, with an estimated annual production of 1,9 million tons. Our average annual potato consumption is three kg per person. So you can understand why we are so interested in potato micro propagation.

This tissue culture project bears testimony to the value of partnerships in the implementation of interventions responding to people's basic needs. The Department for International Development of the United Kingdom provided the sorely needed funding to make this project a reality. The implementing agents for this partnership include the National University of Lesotho, South Africa's LIFELab and the Agricultural Research Council, Potatoes South Africa and the Potato Seed Certification Agency. The broad nature of this partnership reminds me of an old Venda saying: Munwe muthihi a u tusi mathuthu; meaning "One finger does not pick up grains". Together, as a team, we have made this project a reality.

I am also heartened by the way this initiative is furthering the agenda of SADC, specifically the 2004 Dar es Salaam Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security in the SADC Region. In reaffirming their commitment to accelerating agricultural development, on which the majority in the region depend for food, income and employment, the heads of state and government of the SADC member states identified the seminal role played by quality seed in both subsistence and commercial farming.

The immediate beneficiaries of this initiative will be the Lesotho and South African farmers. We sincerely hope they will feel inspired to collaborate with other farmers in the region in similar projects, and share the benefits they derived from this project in their partnerships elsewhere.

In closing, I wish to convey South Africa's and my department's pride and gratitude for the opportunity of participating in this groundbreaking project.

I thank you.