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South Africa - the science and research landscape

South Africa's science and research infrastructure and capacity are world class. A comprehensive National Research and Development (R&D) Strategy has been put in place by Government, which seeks to realise the full potential of science and technology (S&T) in social and economic development, through the enhancement of human resources, research and innovation.

South Africa's R&D expenditure is fairly high compared with that of other developing countries. In 2003/04, the country spent R10,1 billion on R&D. The largest percentage, 28% of R&D, is performed in the field of engineering sciences. This is followed at 21,9% in natural sciences and 13,5% in the medical and health sciences.

The major performer and financier of R&D is the business sector, which performs 55,5% of all R&D undertaken and finances 52% of the total spent in this field. Government finances approximately 28%, while 10% is financed from abroad. Higher education institutions perform 20,5% of national R&D and Government 21,9%.

National Research and Development Strategy

The National R&D Strategy emphasises the enhancement of innovation, primarily through technology. The emphasis is on technological innovation, demonstrating technology, incubating new technology-based businesses, and enhancing networks of knowledge workers and organisations in specific areas of technology. A second key focus is strengthening science, engineering and technology (SET) human resources and transformation.

The R&D Strategy also aims at creating an effective government S&T system by, among others, defining the roles and functions of the country's role players in S&T and expanding this network to optimize R&D.

The National System of Innovation (NSI)

The country's National System of Innovation (NSI) comprises institutions such as the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) that advises government on policy and the allocation of funding.

Science councils

The statutory science councils are a key part of the NSI. Through them, government is able to directly commission research in the interest of the nation and support technology development in its pre-competitive phase:

The National Research Foundation (NRF) is the key public entity responsible for supporting the development of human resource capacity for research, technology and innovation in all fields of S&T. It also manages the national research facilities which are focused on the geo-astro sciences, biodiversity and the accelerator-based sciences. The NRF also manages one of the biggest investments in R&D in the country - a R25-million grant to six Centres of Excellence over the next 10 years for research in engineering, biotechnology, biodiversity and diseases.

The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) is committed to the promotion of agriculture and related sectors through research, and technology development and transfer. Through its wide network of research institutes and experimental farms, the ARC provides a strong scientific base and a broadly distributed technology-transfer capacity for the entire agricultural industry in South Africa.

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is one of the largest scientific and technology research, development and implementation organisations in Africa. The CSIR's parliamentary grant is intended to keep its knowledge base and facilities at the leading edge of technological development. The grant is invested in developing new areas of expertise in emerging research fields, undertaking 'pre-competitive' research too risky for the private sector to fund, and training young researchers.

Mintek, South Africa's national mineral research organisation, is one of the world's leading technology organisations specialising in mineral processing, extractive metallurgy and related areas. Working closely with industry and other R&D institutions, Mintek provides service testwork, process development, consulting and innovative products to clients worldwide.

The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) is South Africa's statutory research agency dedicated to the applied social sciences. The HSRC conducts social-science research concerned with all aspects of development and poverty alleviation in South Africa, the region and in Africa.

The mission of the Medical Research Council (MRC) is to improve the nation's health status and quality of life, through relevant research aimed at promoting equity and development.

Geo-scientific research, analysis and support are the key priorities of the Council for Geoscience. The council is a world leader in the domain of geophysical surveys and conducts research in several African countries. The South African Bureau of Standards develops, maintains and disseminates standards in South Africa.

Other scientific and research organisations

The Biotechnology Partnership for Africa's Development (Biopad) was initiated early in 2003 by a community of biotechnologists and professionals as a means to put South Africa among the world leaders in the application of biotechnology.

The National Health Laboratory Service, which comprises about 240 laboratories countrywide, conducts research into the prevention and treatment of human diseases. The National Institute for Tropical Diseases in Tzaneen, Limpopo, is responsible for the ongoing assessment of malaria-control programmes carried out by various authorities in South Africa.

International science and technology co-operation

Science is an increasingly global activity, and international funding for South African science rose from essentially nil in 1994 to 6% in 2002. The strategy to use southern Africa's local, geographical advantages and expertise to attract large international science-based investments is paying off. Key examples include the construction of the High-Energy Stereoscopic System observatory in neighbouring Namibia and the Southern African Large Telescope in Sutherland in the Northern Cape, as well as winning the bid to host the European Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership. South Africa is also bidding to host the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope in the country.