INFORMATION SERVICES: RESEARCH

INFORMATION SERVICES: RESEARCH
9^th Floor, Regis House, Adderley Street, Cape Town 8000
Nickie van Zyl Telephone (021) 403-8225; Fax (021) 403-8118
e-mail: [email protected]

3 April 2004

2004 BUDGET OVERVIEW: DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, VOTE 18

Minister: Ms. P Mlambo-Ngcuka (Minister during review period: Ms. P Mlambo-Ngcuka).
Deputy Minister: Ms. B P Sonjica (Deputy Minister during review period: Ms B Sonjica).
Director-General: Dr. R M Adam.

Table 1: Staff numbers of the Department of Science and Technology

Staff numbers	2000/01	2001/02	2002/03	2003/04	2004/05
Administration	74	106	147	118	126
Technology for Development	4	6	14	39	47
International Co-operation and Resources	9	11	28	42	53
Government Science and Technology System	25	36	52	55	56
Science and Technology for Competitiveness	4	5	13	53	52
Total	116	164	254	307	334

Table 2: Budget allocation to the focus areas of the Department of Science and Technology over the Medium Term

Programmes 1-5	2004/05	Approx % of total	2005/06	Approx % of total	2006/07	Approx % of total
1 Administration	60 921 000	4,8	65 522 000	4,3	71 212 000	4,3
2 Technology for Development	264 297 000	20,7	298 686 000	19,7	320 908 000	19,4
3 International Co-operation and Resources	46 186 000	3,6	75 123 000	4,9	81 993 000	4,9
4 Government Science and Technology System	16 197 000	1,3	16 460 000	1,1	17 457 000	1,1
5 Science & Technology for Competitiveness	888 611 000	69,6	1 059 702 000	69,9	1 159 557 000	70,2
Total	1 276 212 000		1 515 493 000		1 651 127 000

Observation of the budgets since 1999/00 – 2003/04 in the social services cluster

The social services cluster is made up of (1) Arts and Culture (2) Education (3) Health (4) Labour (5) Science and Technology (6) Social Development (7) Sport and Recreation South Africa. The 1999/00 estimates reveal that Science and Technology was allocated the fifth smallest budget in this cluster, followed by Arts and Culture, and Sport and Recreation. This allocation remained largely unchanged in the 2000/01 budget allocation, although the Science and Technology allocation moved to the fourth position. In the 2001/02 budget allocation, Science and Technology again moved to the fifth position of the social services allocation, and in the subsequent budget allocations, this position remained unchanged.

Expenditure in the social services cluster is dominated by expenditure on Education, Health and Labour. Funds for the Agricultural Research programme (previously funded from the special poverty relief allocation), the implementation of the National Research and Development Strategy (NRDS), including the establishment of a National Energy Research Institute (NERI), dominate the current financial year’s budget allocation to Science and Technology. This is largely motivated by a focus on productivity and technological progress. For this reason, Cabinet approved the national research and development strategy. Indications are that Cabinet believes that improved oversight of the National Research Council under the Science and Technology Ministry will result in improved research capacity.

During the current MTEF period, on a macro level, the Government’s main focus was on provincial equitable share allocations (R19,7 billion), a comprehensive response to HIV and AIDS (including provision for antiretroviral treatment programmes), a R3,3 billion extension to the child support grant, respectively R1,5 and R1,7 billion more for municipal infrastructure, R1,1 billion additional in support of peacekeeping operations in Africa, R427 million to enhance diplomatic representation abroad, and R1,9 billion towards reinforcing and expanding the S.A. Police Service.

A renewed focus on South Africa’s productive potential is reflected in comments on the Budget allocation by National Treasury. It has been acknowledged that technological progress is a vital component of an improvement in the quality of life of South Africans. In this context it should be noted that the annual growth rate of the allocation to Science and Technology of 22,4% (between 2001/02 and 2003/04) should be seen against the backdrop of additions to the 2003 MTEF allocations, to the tune of approximately R123 million in 2004/05 and approximately R152 million in 2005/06, for continued implementation of the National Research and Development Strategy.

Table 3: Average increase in percentage per programme over the Medium-term Expenditure Framework

Programme		Percentage
1	Administration	4,46
2	Technology for Development	19,93
3	International Co-operation and Resources	4,46
4	Government Science and Technology System	1,16
5	Science and Technology for Competitiveness	69,8

Table 4: Challenges

Focus Areas
Information and HR Development.	Developing South Africa’s Human Resources in the field of Science and Technology.
Information Technology (IT) and Information Communications Technology (ICT), Biotechnology and Technology for Poverty Reduction.	To identify and develop knowledge from natural resources for sustainable development.
Astronomy development as part of innovation.	To build on existing knowledge of astronomy as a vitally important building block of IT and ICT.
Education as part of technological progress	To constantly focus on education as a vital part of unlocking South Africa’s potential in the field of technological progress.
A skills analysis	To place the emphasis on South Africa’s and the continent’s dire needs in the field of technological development as a cornerstone of all efforts to preserve and develop existing science and technology skills.
Research and Development needs	Placing a direct focus on Research and Development (R&D) needs, in support of, amongst others, the Council for Geoscience, the Council for Minerals and Technology, the Human Sciences Research Council, the Medical Research Council and the South African Bureau of Standards.
Co-operation	Interdepartmental co-operation in identifying and developing skills development and transfer.

Table 5: List of and focus on the 15 entities under the Department of Science and Technology

The following organisations are an integral part of the Department of Science and Technology’s efforts in the fields of social and economic development by means of, amongst others, research and development. For the sake of brevity, this section only focuses on a synopsis of the strategic goals and, if available, the financial performance of the various entities.

Entity	Focus Areas
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)	In addition to focusing on industrial and scientific development and contributing to the improved quality of life of South Africans, the CSIR contributed to the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
The Medical Research Council (MRC)	The MRC focuses, amongst others, in its field of expertise on ethics and human rights, research development, innovation and technology and the youth and science.
The Agricultural Research Council (ARC)	The ARC promotes the agricultural and related sectors by means of research and technology development in its effort to encourage the national growth and development of South Africa. Its focal programmes are national support services, horticultural crops, grain and industrial crops, livestock and sustainable rural livelihoods.
The Council for Geoscience	The Council’s staff represents most of the disciplines of geosciences, including geological, geophysical, metallogenic, geotechnical and geochemical mapping, marine geology, groundwater technology, analytical services, cartographic services, information management and dissemination and collections management. The Council has a modern laboratory in Pretoria equipped with a range of analytical facilities. Its work extends to the SADC region, with at least three projects focusing on Southern African activities, such as the development of the Kalahari Basin, the compilation of a Geohydrological map of the SADC region and the compilation of a new Geological map of the same region with a view to correlate the geology of the subcontinent of Africa according to modern lithostratigraphic principles. Apart from the Council’s Southern African endeavours, it was involved in Geohydrology and water supply and related studies in Malawi, Argentina and Mozambique, the production of maps and publications in Mozambique and Angola, geological, geochemical and geotechnical surveys and mapping in Mozambique, the United Arabic Emirates, Botswana, Morocco and Gabon, project management and supervision in Mauritania and Mozambique, mineral resource assessment and management in Argentina and Ghana, geophysical projects in Ghana and Zimbabwe, seismological studies in Swaziland, and Mozambique and marine geoscience projects in Namibia.
The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)	The SABS focuses on improving the competitiveness of South Africa’s economy and to contribute to the quality of life of all South Africans. Its main activities are to produce, maintain and disseminate standards. It consists of two divisions: SABS non-commercial and SABS commercial. Its group financial figures point to an increase in revenue to R266 million, total assets of R283 million and a positive cash flow of R66 million.
The Council for Minerals and Technology (Mintek)	Mintek mainly focuses on developing new technology, taking into consideration the long-term nature of the development of such technologies. Its annual budget currently stands at approximately R206 million, with the State contributing approximately 37% of this amount, while the balance is made up of income from Research and Development contracts with industry and the marketing of Mintek’s technological products.
The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)	The HSRC conducts applied social-scientific research and co-ordinates large-scale and public-sector orientated research programmes. Its research programmes focus on, amongst others, assessment technology and education evaluation, child, youth and family development, democracy and governance, employment and economic policy research, human resource development, integrated rural and regional development, knowledge management, and social aspects of HIV and AIDS. Its recent users and funders include the Botswana Department of Lands, the United Kingdom Department for International Development, the South African Departments of Arts and Culture, Communications, Education, Health, Labour, Science and Technology, Trade and Industry, and Water Affairs and Forestry, the Gauteng Department of Housing, the Independent Electoral Commission, UNESCO, UNICEF, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the World AIDS Foundation, the World Bank, and the World Health Organisation.
The National Research Foundation (NRF)	The NRF supports and promotes research through funding, human resource development and the provision of the requisite facilities in order to facilitate the creation of knowledge, innovation and development in the natural and social sciences, humanities and technology. Funding from the NRF is directed towards academic research, developing high-level human resources and supporting national research facilities in South Africa.
The Innovation Fund	The Innovation Fund promotes South Africa’s economic competitiveness through investment in technological innovation for the establishment of new enterprises and the expansion of existing industrial sectors. Its projects include: plastic waste utilisation in South Africa, the production of thin film solar cell devices, titanium metal technology, culture preservation, promoting the development of South Africa’s official languages, commercial products from the wild, outsourcing South Africa’s wood resource, and crime analysis with a view of supporting the S.A. Police Service.
The Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA)	Established in 1960 as an independent, non-profit organisation, the institute’s primary focus is on political, socio-economic, international and development issues in contemporary South Africa. AISA has links with various African research organisations, including the Institute of West Asian Studies, the Institute of African Studies in Cairo, the West Africa Institute, the International Institute of Applied Cultural Research in Cameroon, the Africa Study Centre in Uganda, the Centre for African Studies in India, and the Institute for African Studies in Moscow.
The National Laser Centre (NLC)	The NLC is active in the field of laser technology knowledge, including the development and implementation of laser-based technology applications. It serves the manufacturing, health, higher education and research and development support markets. In addition, its scope of activities include laser-based systems and instrumentation and the rental pool for South African universities.
The Godisa Trust	Godisa provides support to South Africa’s small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), focusing on direct assistance to investors, first-time and to young entrepreneurs in this field. This is done with a view to improve the competitiveness of products and services. The aforementioned include support to increased profitability and growth, including the employment of more people and entering new markets with leading-edge products and services.
The Tshumisano Trust	The Tshumisano (Venda for co-operation of partnership) Trust supports the South African Enterprise for Technology Transfer and Innovation, in addition to providing access to the expertise of technikons. The trust’s board of trustees is made up of the Department of Science and Technology, the Committee of Technikon Principals, and the German Agency for Technical Co-operation.
The Academy of Science of South Africa	Established in 1996, the Academy is a member of the IAP, the Inter-academy Panel, representing over 80 countries. The Academy’s 200 plus members are drawn from a range of disciplines, such as the applied natural sciences and technology, and the human, social and economic sciences.
The National Energy Research Institute (NERI)	The NERI will be established in 2004, the funding of which forms part of the Science vote. Its first component will be offering financial support to universities and relevant science councils, while the second focuses on establishing and operating the National Energy Research Institute.

Conclusion

Indications are that the Government regards research and development as a vital part of South Africa’s economic strategy. In achieving the goals of technological progress, research and development, as building blocks of South Africa’s development, are therefore seen as essential ingredients of South Africa’s economic strategy. This process cannot be completed without full participation by all role-players, which means that an intersectoral approach to achieving this goal will determine the extent to which science and technology assists in reaching South Africa’s full potential in this field.

Sources

The Estimates of National Expenditure, 2004.
National Treasury: Budget Review, 2004.
The Department of Science and Technology’s website on www.dst.gov.za.

[2004 budget overview dept of science and technology]