The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande, has called on the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) to convene a summit to discuss transformation within South Africa's national system of innovation (NSI).
Speaking in Pretoria at the launch of the 2024 Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Indicators Report on 27 August 2024, Prof. Nzimande said that the summit should bring together stakeholders to address the remaining barriers to achieving a fully transformed innovation system.
Despite the report highlighting increases in the numbers of women and black academic staff at higher education institutions in South Africa, the Minister said there is still much room for improvement.
"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," said the Minister.
According to the report, university enrolments in South Africa increased by 12% between 2012 and 2021, with a 41% rise in the number of graduates. Black African academic staff representation rose to 43%, marking substantial progress in gender and racial equity. Scientific publications increased from 3 693 in 2000 to 27 208 in 2022, securing a global share of 1%.
Diversity among authors has also improved significantly, 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%.
The Minister said ongoing transformation of the NSI is about ensuring that the benefits of innovation are shared equitably across society. This includes enhancing access to science and technology education for young people from working-class and poor backgrounds to ensure they can become future scientists and innovators.
However, he said the positive increases in university enrolments and graduates, coupled with the growing representation of women and Black African academic staff, were testament to government's commitment to building a more equitable and inclusive scientific community.”
The National Research Foundation, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last week, said that, among 4 212 rated researchers in South Africa, black South Africans account for 38%, which was testimony to the commitment to transform the country’s research landscape.
The STI report, titled "Measuring science, technology and innovation to guide their contribution to socio-economic development", highlights South Africa's advancements and the challenges that remain.
Commissioned by NACI, the report provides data and insights that inform policy decisions by government, helping to shape strategies aimed at improving the country's STI landscape.
The report reveals that South Africa invested R2,4 billion in national research infrastructure and R1,2 billion in the National Equipment Programme, strengthening research capabilities across the country. The nation's E-Government Development Index improved from 0,49 in 2012 to 0,74 in 2022, with its global ranking jumping from 101st to 65th out of 193 countries, reflecting significant progress in digital inclusion.
Manufacturing exports increased by 11,7% between 2021 and 2022, with medium and high technology (MHT) exports showing strong growth. The sector saw a notable rise in patent filings and publications in emerging technologies, including digitalisation and nanotechnology, indicating a robust commitment to innovation.
The report identified ongoing challenges, including low research and development (R&D) intensity, declining international patent applications, and reduced venture capital investment.
South Africa's patenting activity has declined significantly over the past few years. 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. However, 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," said Minister Nzimande.
Dr Mlungisi Cele, CEO of NACI, underscored the importance of addressing these challenges with a comprehensive strategy.
He emphasised that South Africa is experiencing improvements in STI human resources and research excellence, but to fully unlock the country's potential, there needs to be increased investment in R&D, greater support for startups and innovation, and enhanced collaboration across sectors. Such efforts are crucial to driving sustainable economic growth and reducing poverty and inequality.
This article was first published on 29 August by the South Africa DSI.
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