The National Science Month (NSM) initiative, launched by Science, Technology and Innovation Deputy Minister Dr Nomalungelo Gina on July 4, is intended to create a broader and more sustained science engagement programme.
Science, technology and innovation are increasingly central to addressing the complex challenges facing the world, she said in a prepared speech.
“Science is more than a driver of discovery. It is also a powerful engine of economic transformation, industrialisation and national competitiveness. Around the world, countries that have successfully advanced to high-income status have done so by placing science, research and innovation at the centre of government policy, industry and education.”
While South Africa has world-class scientists and globally recognised research institutions, its investment in research and development remains low, at about 0.61% of GDP.
“This level of investment is significantly below the National Development Plan target of 1.5% and far behind leading innovation economies. South Korea invests more than 4.5% of GDP in research and development, Israel invests more than 5%, while the average for member countries of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development is about 2.7%,” Gina noted.
