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August 29, 2024Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Professor Blade Nzimande, has called for the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) to convene a summit aimed at accelerating the transformation within South Africa’s national system of innovation (NSI).
Speaking at the launch of the 2024 Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Indicators Report in Pretoria, Nzimande emphasised the need for stakeholders to address the persisting barriers to achieving a fully transformed innovation system.
Despite the report showing increases in the numbers of women and Black academic staff at South African higher education institutions, the Minister noted that significant work remains.
“We must recognise the ongoing challenges in transforming our STI landscape. We need to ensure that our NSI truly reflects the demographics of our nation, particularly in terms of race, class, and gender,” Nzimande stated.
The report highlights a 12% increase in university enrolments between 2012 and 2021, with a 41% rise in the number of graduates. Black African academic staff now represent 43% of the total, indicating progress in gender and racial equity.
Scientific publications have also seen a substantial increase, from 3,693 in 2000 to 27,208 in 2022, securing a global share of one percent. The diversity among authors has improved, with the percentage of women authors rising from 32% in 2005 to 45% in 2022, and contributions from Black academics growing from under 15% to over 52%.
Nzimande stressed that the transformation of the NSI is crucial to ensuring the equitable distribution of innovation benefits across society. This includes enhancing access to science and technology education for young people from working-class and poor backgrounds to cultivate future scientists and innovators.
While the positive trends in university enrolments and the representation of women and Black African academic staff are encouraging, the Minister acknowledged that these achievements are part of the government’s broader commitment to building a more equitable and inclusive scientific community.
The National Research Foundation, celebrating its 25th anniversary last week, reported that Black South Africans now account for 38% of the 4,212 rated researchers in the country. Nzimande highlighted this as evidence of the ongoing commitment to transforming South Africa’s research landscape.
The 2024 STI report, titled ‘Measuring Science, Technology and Innovation to Guide Their Contribution to Socio-Economic Development,’ showcases South Africa’s advancements while also identifying ongoing challenges. Commissioned by NACI, the report provides crucial data and insights that inform government policy decisions, shaping strategies to improve the country’s STI landscape.
According to the report, South Africa invested R2.4 billion in national research infrastructure and R1.2 billion in the National Equipment Programme, significantly bolstering research capabilities nationwide. The nation’s e-Government Development Index also improved from 0.49 in 2012 to 0.74 in 2022, with its global ranking rising from 101 to 65 out of 193 countries, reflecting significant progress in digital inclusion.
Moreover, manufacturing exports increased by 11.7% between 2021 and 2022, with medium and high technology (MHT) exports showing strong growth. The sector saw a rise in patent filings and publications in emerging technologies, including digitalisation and nanotechnology, demonstrating a robust commitment to innovation.
However, the report also identified challenges such as low research and development (R&D) intensity, declining international patent applications, and reduced venture capital investment. Domestic patents granted decreased from 694 in 2019 to 513 in 2022, while patent applications abroad dropped from 1,457 in 2020 to 968 in 2022. Additionally, patents granted by the European Patent Office decreased from 80 in 2020 to 38 in 2022, although there was a slight increase in patents granted by the US Patent and Trademark Office, from 125 in 2021 to 150 in 2022.
“As we move forward, it is imperative that we make targeted and sustainable policy, institutional, and resource interventions to address the challenges identified in the 2024 STI Indicators Report. Our goal is to place science, technology, and innovation at the core of South Africa’s national development agenda,” Nzimande concluded.
NACI CEO, Dr Mlungisi Cele, underscored the importance of addressing these challenges with a comprehensive strategy to ensure that South Africa’s NSI can fully contribute to the nation’s socio-economic development.