The Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology, having conducted a study tour to the Northern Cape Province and Eastern Cape Province from 1 – 5 August 2005, reports as follows:

The delegation, under the leadership of the Chairperson of the Committee, Mr. E N N Ngcobo (ANC), included Mr. A R Ainslie (ANC), Professor I J Mohamed (ANC), Ms F Mahomed (ANC), Mr. S N Nxumalo (ANC) and Mr. Johnny Ramrock (Committee Secretary).

To visit various Science Councils and monitor Department of Science and Technology Poverty Alleviation Projects.

The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), located in Sutherland, Northern Cape, is South Africa’s national facility for optical and infrared astronomy, and forms part of the National Research Foundation (NRF). The SAAO’s major focus is to further fundamental research in astronomy and astrophysics, national and international, by providing and utilizing its astronomical facility.

The Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), currently under construction in Sutherland, will be the largest single telescope in the southern hemisphere, with a hexagonal mirror array 11 meters across. SALT is a flagship project, intended to demonstrate that the frontiers of science are not entirely reserved for the developed world. SALT will provide a first –class facility for fundamental research in Africa in a field where South Africa has a long history of excellence. It will strengthen ties with researchers around the world, and provide opportunities for young scientist and engineers in a stimulating high-technology environment. SALT will be able to record distant stars, galaxies and quasars a billion times too faint to be seen with the unaided eye-as faint as a candle flame at the distant of the moon.

The Committee Delegation met with officials and staff of both SAAO and SALT and was briefed on the latest construction development regarding SALT, which will be launch, officially in November 2005. Members were also taken to the sites in the evening to observe SALT in action and were very impressed with the high technology used to operate the telescope and the output derived from it.

Hydroponics is a plant – growing method, without the usage of soil, in a nutrient solution. It is a useful method of conducting research with controlled condition of nutrients availability.

The Hydroponics Project, in Beaufort West, is a Section 21 Company, managed by the CSIR, started in 2002. Funding was provided by both the National (Department of Science and Technology) and Provincial (Economic Development and Social Services) Governments. The Beaufort West Municipality also provided contribution in the form of basic infrastructure, like clearing of land, connection to the municipal water source and provision of discounted electricity and water.

Woolworths and Pick & Pay are current clients of the project, buying herbs like: fresh coriander, basil and spinach. New products are tested on a regular basis. With the extended production capacity, it is envisaged that the company will deliver up to 1000kg of fresh herbs per week.

The project currently employs some 60 people, the majority being women.

The Delegation met officials responsible for the project and was provided with a progress report. Members also met staff and were taken on a tour of the project. The Deputy –Mayor of Beaufort West, who also sits on the Board of the Company, addressed the Delegation on the working relationship with the Municipality. He mentioned that the last major milestone in terms of the expansion of the project was the recent completion of a new packing room for packaged herb products. Some of the challenges faced by the Company, including being forced to implement short – time to avoid lay-offs. This has led to reduced wages and subsequent unhappiness amongst staff. The Deputy-Mayor and the Chairperson of the Committee officiated during the opening of the Beaufort West Hydroponics Company Packaging Room.

Members were also taken to the Central Karoo Leather (CKL) factory to see the leather products that are produced in the factory and were able to interact with management and staff. The factory is a Poverty Alleviation Project funded by the South African Government. The CKL is a joint venture between the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Central Karoo community. The vision is to develop Central Karoo Leather into a sustainable business.

A Coelacanth is a marine lobe-finned fish belonging to a group of primitive fish. It is called a Coelacanth because there is no spine, but rather a hollow notochord, which is a thick walled cartilaginous tube filled with an oily fluid. Coelacanths are very special fish-true survivors.

Coelacanths date back millions of years to well before the time of the dinosaurs. They were believed to have been extinct for over 70 million years. These unique prehistoric creatures provide an extraordinary window to the past, enabling us to look back in time. They also unlock the door to the future, opening opportunities to explore deep reef ecology, build capacity and sustain marine resources so that those who depend upon the sea will have a better future.

The South African government launched a coelacanth programme in 2002, after a colony of these " living fossils" were discovered off the coast of KwaZulu-Natal. It is now one of the flagship programmes of the National Research Foundation (NRF).

The African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme, managed by the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), at the University of Rhodes, in Grahamstown, integrates physical and biological sciences, harnesses engineering and technology, extends collaboration across national and international borders and encourages young people to become knowledgeable. The Programme has also drawn together countries such as the Comoros, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa and Tanzania to work as partners in order to sustain the marine resources they share.

The Delegation met with officials responsible for the Programme and was provided with a presentation on the Coelacanth Ecosystem including an update. Members were very impress with the work done in the Programme and noted the concern raised that the funding for the Programme was inadequate. The Committee agreed to discuss the matter with the National Research Foundation (NRF).

Vice-Chancellor of Rhodes University.

The meeting with the Vice – Chancellor, Dr D R Woods and the Dean of Research, Prof J R Duncan, provided the Delegation with an insight on where the university is regarding transformation. Most black graduates are snapped up by the private sector and don’t go into teaching. A large number, interested in science, take up chemistry as a major, resulting in the largest chemistry honours class in the country, last year. On the downside, the entrance into physics and maths tends to be very low. General research is done at a fundamental level. Fifty seven percent of students are women, fifty percent are black at post graduate level and of undergraduates 70% are black. The university also has a funding programme specifically targeting black female students studying science. A mentorship programme has also started for students who are in their first year of Phd.

The Committee was invited to the National Science Festival held annually in March by the University and Sasol.

The Delegation also visited various Science departments, including the faculty of Pharmacy and the faculty of Human Kinetics and Ergonomics. Human Kinetics encapsulates the academic discipline that focuses on the scientific investigation of human movement. Ergonomics is the scientific analysis of humans within their working environment.

A brief stop at the Makana Meadery introduced Members to a project on bee keeping and the making of honeywine/mead. Makana Meadery was formed to commercialize the traditional Xhosa honeywine/mead, iQhilika. As such it has a research focus on biotechnology, a marketing focus on honey products and a beekeeping focus to provide honey for brewing and sale. Makana Meadery is an entirely independent company operating under the auspices of Rhodes University.

The Delegation ended their visit to the University with a meeting with Science Postgraduate students. Most, and in particular black graduates, expressed frustration in not being able to find employment in their field. This frustration made many consider the option of emigrating.

Members empathized with the frustrations and concerns raise by the students and promised to bring it to the attention of relevant stakeholders, including the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Education.

Recommendations