Pretoria - Science and technology is a key enabler in government's efforts in expanding employment opportunities in South Africa, says Minister Naledi Pandor.
"The need to expand decent employment opportunities in a growing economy is a core priority of the current government.
"Our aim is to create decent jobs by boosting manufacturing exports and activating industrial policy. Science and technology is a key enabler in our efforts in this regard," the minister said on Tuesday.
Government has prioritised 12 key outcomes to mobilise all levels of government and all sections of society and Pandor believes that science, technology, and innovation have a vital contribution to make to the attainment of all of these outcomes.
"We are the lead department in three projects under the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP), two in vaccines, and one in advanced manufacturing.
"We are the main assisting department in developing an electric car and it we are again an assisting department in 18 other projects," she said at the 3rd Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Biennial Conference.
The minister also challenged the CSIR to think beyond individual projects and to look at how to play a more catalytic role in the development of industry sectors that will constitute a strong and vibrant 21st century South African economy.
"The CSIR needs to redouble its efforts to play a more strategic and influential role in research and development in South Africa. It's crucial, that we harness the power of science to prevent or reduce the burden of disease," she said.
