The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, has urged South Africans to participate in National Science Week (NSW) activities.
This year’s theme is “Living in a high-tech world: Should we be concerned?” and it aims to inspire young people and involve the public in understanding the importance of science in addressing societal concerns.
The National Science Week activities across South Africa kickstarted on Monday, 30 September, and will wrap up on Saturday, 5 October 2024.
A flagship initiative of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), National Science Week is a platform for schools, universities, research institutions and community organisations to participate in a range of interactive events, exhibitions and seminars countrywide.
The Minister officially opened the annual science engagement initiative in Bloemfontein on Saturday. Almost 1 500 learners attended the launch event at the Central University of Technology, which included a science, technology and innovation (STI) exhibition.
In his opening address at the launch, Nzimande said South Africa needs to foster a culture of using STI in the country to drive economic growth and respond to issues such as sustainable development and social inequality.
He said this year’s theme responds to the highly technology-driven world in which the country finds itself.
Through this theme, he said, “We seek to encourage a culture of critical conversations among ordinary people and especially our youth about the value of science to society”.
According to Nzimande, the country has made commendable progress since 1994 in increasing the numbers of black and women scientists.
“There is, of course, still more work that needs to be done in this regard, but we cannot deny the progress that has been made over the past 30 years.”
The Minister reminded the learners in the audience that they have more opportunities today than their grandparents who grew up during the dark days of apartheid when Black people were told they did not need mathematics and science.
“My message to all the learners here today is that you were born into a democratic order, for which your grandparents fought. Unlike your grandparents, you have available to you many opportunities to develop yourselves.”
The Minister urged the young people to make use of the opportunities that are available to them.
“Most importantly, we expect you to take up the various careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and innovation (STEMI) so that we can produce the critical skills we need to deal with such things as poverty, inequality, pandemics and the impact of climate change.”
The Minister highlighted the stellar achievement of a Grade 10 learner, Munei Netsharotha, from Tshivhase Secondary School in Limpopo, who constructed a hydrogen-fuelled vehicle.
The Minister said Netsharotha’s invention is well aligned with the hydrogen economy, which is one of the department’s priorities.
Other brilliant innovators included mechatronics apprentice, Hlompho Malehodi, who spoke about her career.
Malehodi studied electrical engineering at a technical vocational education and training college and recently won a gold medal in the South African leg of the WorldSkills Competition.
She became the first Black woman in mechatronics to represent South Africa in the international WorldSkills Competition in Lyon, France.
The public is encouraged to participate in the activities in their communities and to follow the event on social media using the hashtag #NSW2024 for live updates and information and visit https://www.saasta.ac.za/programmes/focus-weeks/national-science-week/. – SAnews.gov.za
