This year, 2025, holds much excitement for advancements in science, technology, and innovation (STI) in the country.
In anticipation of new possibilities and opportunities, the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, has said the department recently adopted an overarching mantra that places STI at the centre of government, education, society, and industry.
“As Minister and Deputy Minister, we welcomed the privilege bestowed on us by the President to serve our country and its people, through the recently renamed Department of Science, Technology and Innovation,” the minister said in a statement.
Building on the successes of the sixth administration, the Minister stated that under the seventh administration, the department and its entities have continued to focus on using STI to tackle the country’s most pressing social challenges.
“Therefore, during the past five months, we have accelerated our interventions to strengthen and transform our entities and National System of Innovation (NSI); increased the development of human resources and in particular high-end skills and intensified efforts to accelerate the scale and pace of innovation across the NSI.”
According to Nzimande, the department has intensified its efforts to develop high-quality science infrastructure.
It aims to improve public understanding of STI while producing research and technology that support the government’s priorities, which include reducing poverty, creating jobs, promoting inclusive growth, and building a capable and ethical State.
The department has also hosted several important national and global events, including National Science Week, the Women in Science Awards, and the 32nd General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union.
Recently, the DSTI organised the eight edition of the annual Science Forum South Africa, the official launch of the 2024 Science, Technology, and Innovation Indicators Report, as well as the country’s first Astro-Tourism Strategy.
“In line with the focus of our science diplomacy strategy, in July, we announced a new programme to enable cooperation in science, technology and innovation between South Africa and Palestine.”
The programme has a special focus on supporting the safeguarding, rebuilding, and development of Palestine’s research and innovation capacities and infrastructure.
Strategic priorities
In 2025, Nzimande stated that the DSTI will continue to focus on several strategic priorities.
These include ensuring greater coherence and impact of existing interventions to promote and profile the work of the DSTI and its entities.
In addition, he said they will continue with research and development of emerging technologies and their diffusion into key economic sectors such as energy, agriculture, mining, health, and the circular and digital economies.
The Minister said his department will push ahead with the upgrading and development of new science infrastructure and critical and high-end skills, particularly through the Presidential PhD Programme.
President Ramaphosa in November last year announced that government has established the Presidential PhD Initiative through an initial R1 billion investment from the National Skills Fund in efforts to boost science and technology.
“As South Africa gears up for its G20 Presidency, the DSTI will contribute by using STI to advance our domestic policy priorities as recently articulated by the President. We will also use this opportunity to strengthen STI cooperation with countries on the African continent and those in the Global South.”
Nzimande said his department is also looking forward to hosting several important events in the new year.
“On behalf of the Deputy Minister and myself, I wish to take this opportunity to express our sincerest gratitude to the staff of the department, its entities and the entire NSI, for their hard work and dedication during the year 2024.
“I wish each of you and your families a peaceful and safe festive season. Please use this time to enjoy much-deserved rest. Let us make 2025 another year of great achievements for STI in South Africa.” – SAnews.gov.za
