SUB-COMMITTEE - SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY

Science and Technology can contribute to the transition period by shifting the population to come to have a consciousness that says each person contributes to Science and Technology and Science and Technology touches the lives of everybody everyday. We need to ensure the following four points are addressed:

Key Projects:

1998 the Year of Science and Technology:

Cabinet has declared 1998 The Year of Science and Technology, at the initiative of the Portfolio Committee for Arts, Culture, Science and Technology. Whilst there will be other issues handled during 1998, the Portfolio Committee has put forward the following six points:

  1. Audit of Science and Technology (S&T) in South Africa
  2. Audit of Indigenous Technologies
  3. Projects to raise culture and consciousness of S&T
  4. Capacity building for S&T teachers at primary school level.
  5. S&T impact on productivity.
  6. Campaigns to profile 1998 as the Year of S&T

Indigenous Technologies:

In discussing its five year mandate for the transformation of the nation and contributing to the democratisation of the country, the Portfolio Committee initiated the concept of a year of Science and Technology. Within this discussion on of the six key points that emerged was the audit of indigenous technologies. There was then a discussion between the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee and the President of the CSIR, giving rise to this project.

These discussions and further discussions with Dr Serote resonated with the relationship developing between CSIR and the University of the North through Professor Phuti Ngoepe who has spend considerable time looking for linkages to natural and community resources in the Northern Province to contextualise and inform the research agenda of the University. Prof. Ngoepe was requested to assist in finding a champion to assist in a pilot study in the northern province in December 1996-January 1997. A significant meeting was held at the University of Venda at which the audit was discussed

The approach from the beginning of these discussions has been informed by an intense pragmatism and a commitment to finding economic and social benefits in the technological resources of communities rather than adopting an analytical sociological or anthropological approach.

The pilot study exceeded the expectations of the organisers and has provided a good platform for more extensive programme design and further pilots. This process has also been informed by the need to protect the vested intellectual property rights of communities individuals, the strengthening of the relevance of research at tertiary institutions, linkage to provincial structures and governmental small business support initiatives and to the development of a sustainable approach to the management of information and data assembled with the assistance of the community partners.

An audit has been envisaged which the Portfolio Committee intends to conduct in the historically disadvantaged institiutions to get information on their involvement in the project.

Legislation:

This bill details how a council called the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) is to be established. This council shall advise the Minister, Minister's Committee, and the Cabinet on the role and contribution of science, technology and innovation in promoting and achieving national objectives, namely to improve and sustain the quality of life of all South Africans, develop human resources for science and technology, build the economy, and strengthen international competitiveness. The amendments by the Portfolio Committee have focused around the inclusion of Indigenous Technologies.

Has yet to be tabled with the Portfolio Committee.

Links to Science Councils and the Department:

ARC Council for Geoscience CSIR FRD HSRC Mintek MRC SABS DACST

Convenor: Dr Wally Serote

Tel: (021) 403-2674;
Fax: (021) 403-2070;
E-mail: parltech@cis.co.za

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Last Updated October 6, 1997 by Leanne Luger from the CSIR