Questions and Replies

Reply:

a) In a quest to maintain continuity in the G20, the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation will build on what Brazil has achieved in 2024. Brazil has managed to achieve the following: Developed Terms of Reference for the G20 Research and Innovation Working Group (RIWG); G20 Strategy to Promote Open Innovation Cooperation; G20 Overview of Clean Energy Technologies; G20 Compendium of National Clean Energy Innovation Policies; G20 and Belmont Forum Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Amazon and Tropical Forests; G20-GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) Facilitation Process for Species Cataloguing; G20 International Seminar on Amazon and Tropical Forests; G20 Recommendations on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Science, Technology, and Innovation. Stemming from these deliverables from Brazil, South Africa has identified the following three priority areas which are i) Open Innovation for Development with the following two deliverables focusing on the G20 Open Innovation Platform of Platforms and an Open Innovation Demonstrator Project on Disaster Risk Reduction; ii) Biodiversity Information for Development; and iii) Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Science, Technology, and Innovation. The approach is to target low hanging fruits that are tangible and achievable in a one-year period of our Presidency. We further would like to address issues that unify rather than divide the G20. It has been observed that geopolitics tend to encroach on Science, Technology and Innovation. Specific to the sector are issues related to Intellectual Property Rights which the global north countries do not want to discuss in the STI platforms limiting the discussions to the World Trade Organization (WTO). In addition, we would like to address developmental issues with a focus on Africa through the three priority areas where we would host a dialogue with the African Science leaders to discuss a plethora of issues including the Science Advice on the African continent.

b) As part of the programme for the G20 STI meetings in 2025 and to be more inclusive, we will have several engagements with the non-traditional G20 delegates, including youth, Indigenous knowledge holders, women and girls and African Science leaders. This will be done through a series of side events to afford these groupings an opportunity to engage with the G20 members. We also have identified areas where South Africa is still lagging behind, for an example the concept of Open Innovation which promote the sharing of technologies and the know-how to assist countries, mostly developing countries and those from the African continent in particular to leapfrog and catchup to the rapid technological change. South Africa is the country with third most biodiversity in the world and as part of the Research and Innovation priorities for 2025, we will focus on Biodiversity cataloguing as one of the tangible deliverables working with the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

In addition, The DSTI will work with international and local organisations such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), GBIF, the African Open Science Platform, South African Universities, DSTI entities such as the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), Academy of Sciences of South Africa (ASSAf), the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) and many others to enhance the capabilities of the Republic in these critical fields mentioned above.

Reply:

Find reply here

Reply:

1. The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) is committed to removing bottlenecks that hinder innovation, particularly assisting with the high costs associated with intellectual property (IP) protection. Key initiatives include:

• Inventor Assistance Programme: In partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), this initiative offers pro bono patent drafting and prosecution services to resource-limited individual inventors and small and medium enterprises (SMMEs), helping to mitigate legal costs.
• IP Fund: Managed by DSTI-NIPMO, this fund as established by the Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development Act (IPR Act) provides rebates to public research institutions for IP protection and maintenance costs. To date, over R450 million has been disbursed to 28 institutions to support their IP-related expenses.
• Technology Innovation Agency (TIA): The DSTI, through TIA, provides funding opportunities for SMMEs, including the Seed Fund, Grassroots Innovation Programme, and Technology Acquisition and Deployment Fund.
  • The Seed Fund assists innovators by providing early-stage funding and non-financial support allows innovators to demonstrate their intended product and services’ innovation and its underlying technological and commercial value propositions. It assists innovators, entrepreneurs and startups with addressing the following:
    • initial product, process, and prototype development;
    • sourcing of intellectual property opinions;
    • refining and implementing designs;
    • conducting field studies to test the assumptions made
    • piloting, and technology scale-up;
    • techno-economic evaluation studies;
    • production of market samples and/or associated testing;
    • support of certification activities and specification sheet development;
    • detailed primary market research; and
    • business plan development.

This helps innovators build a business or investment case for follow on funding from other funders, commercial partners and other innovators who could contribute to the next phase of development and its commercialisation.

• • The Grassroots Innovation Programme offers support for idea development, IP protection, business model validation, and training.
  • The Technology Acquisition and Deployment Fund offers up to R1 million for market testing and validation of local technologies over 24 months.
• Innovation Fund: The Innovation Fund catalyses the growth of tech enterprises and entrepreneurship. The programme is a public private partnership aimed at de-risking the commercialisation of locally developed IP through a Venture Capital (VC) investment model.
• High Impact Seed Fund of Funds (HISFoF): Aims to provide seed funding to drive innovation and entrepreneurial growth. In the rapidly evolving landscape of entrepreneurship and innovation, pre-seed funding emerges as a crucial stage in catalysing the development of nascent ideas into viable business ventures.
• In addition, the DSTI collaborates with the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) and other partners to foster an inclusive innovation ecosystem. This includes the Innovation Bridge Portal (IBP), which connects innovators with over 300 ecosystem supporters, such as funders and incubators, providing essential mentorship and funding opportunities.

2. To further enhance accessibility to IP services, the Technology and Innovation Support Centre (TISC) Programme, in collaboration with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and WIPO, offers support through a network of entities that assist innovators with IP protection processes, as well as IP commercialisation. DSTI-NIPMO is committed to enhancing accessibility to IP services, by expanding the TISC host network to more entities each year.

Reply:

1. While acknowledging that the significant budget cuts will undoubtedly impact on overall innovation performance, below are some of the key technological commercialisation priority programmes that Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) is supporting to drive economic growth and job creation:

• Innovation Fund: The Innovation Fund catalyses the growth of tech enterprises and entrepreneurship. The programme is a public private partnership aimed at de-risking the commercialisation of locally developed IP through a Venture Capital (VC) investment model. It is a crucial instrument to support the capital access component of the innovation-enabling ecosystem framework policy objective identified in the Decadal Plan.
• Metalix: Metalix, involves the industrialisation of technology developed under project Aeroswift to build a local, medium-sized additive manufacturing (3-D printer) machine that will be globally competitive. The project is currently in the industrialisation stage, and the completed industrial prototype is expected by March 2026. The industrial impact of the project will be modest through the establishment of two value streams (i) building additive manufacturing machines and (ii) utilising the Metalix machines to manufacture components for the local and global value chains. The value chains are technology intensive and are therefore also expected to create multiple spillovers/benefits into other lower technology or related domains.
• CSIR Commercialisation Vehicle (CSIR C3): The DSTI has recently also made a significant investment to establish the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) C3. The CSIR C3 is a technology commercialisation enterprise established by the (CSIR). Its mission is to accelerate the commercialisation of cutting-edge technologies developed within CSIR to foster economic growth, industrial development, and societal impact. CSIR C3 acts as a bridge between scientific research and commercial success, transforming research and intellectual property (IP) into market-ready solutions through strategic investment, licensing, and incubation.
• The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) will continue to strengthen and explore new strategic international cooperation, with key partner countries to promote innovation. This includes, the European Union, through its research program, to which South African institutions can access funding on a competitive basis. In addition, development partnerships will continue to be strengthened to support strategic national priorities, to facilitate the strengthening of the innovation system. Through science diplomacy, the DSTI will seek to deepen engagements in strategic international platforms that raise the visibility and profile of South Africa as an investment destination for research and development. Through the interface of science and economic diplomacy, the Department will also seek to build innovation through SMEs with partners internationally.

Reply:

a) In September 2021, the Cabinet approved the Hydrogen Society Roadmap (HSRM), which was released to the public by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation in February 2022. The HSRM maps out South Africa’s ambitions to leverage its endowment in platinum group metals and government’s investment in their local value addition to develop and deploy hydrogen related technologies to decarbonize key sectors of the economy in support of the country’s ambitions to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. On 14 February 2024, Cabinet approved the establishment of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Hydrogen to be led by the Deputy President, to ensure coordination across government and effective implementation of the HSRM.

b) The implementation of the HSRM seeks to promote a collaborative approach among key stakeholders from government, private sector, academia and civil society to achieve the following high-level outcomes:

• Decarbonization of the transport sector including road transport, rail and aviation.
• Decarbonization of the energy intensive industry, which includes steel and cement production, petrochemicals and power generation.
• A green and enhanced power sector that supports economic development.
• Local manufacturing of value-added components along the hydrogen and fuel cell value chain, leveraging on the intellectual property that government has funded through the Hydrogen South Africa Programme;
• Creation of a domestic and export market for green Hydrogen and derivatives such as ammonia, leveraging on the availability of land and renewable energy in the country; and
• A responsible and phased transition from grey to blue to green hydrogen.

In pursuing the above outcomes, the issues of gender, equality and social inclusion, as well as skills development will be prioritised.

Reply:

The Meerkat National Park was declared by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment on 27 March 2020 in terms of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No 57 of 2003) as per Government Gazette No 43145, Proclamation No 15 of 2020 dated 27 March 2020.

As per the signed Management of Agreement between the National Research Foundation (NRF) and SANParks, management of the NRF owned land, and implementation of the approved Meerkat National Park Management Plan, have been the responsibility of SANParks since October 2019. This responsibility has been duly executed, insofar as it is possible in the absence of the boundary fence.

The responsibility of constructing the boundary fence, as a capital project, resides with the NRF through its national facility, the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO). A tender to appoint a suitably qualified service provider to construct the fence was published on 2 August 2024 and closed on 6 September 2024. This was a re-advertisement of the tender after a suitable service provider could not be found in response to the first call for tenders issued in April 2023. The tender is currently in the evaluation phase, which is anticipated to be concluded by 30 November 2024 for final recommendation and decision.

Reply:

(1) The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) is implementing several initiatives or measures to assist innovation start-ups in South Africa. The support instruments can be defined as technological and non-technological innovations, and these include:

• High Impact Seed Fund of Funds (HISFoF): In October 2024, the DSI, in partnership with SASME Fund, Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), and impact investor E Squared Investments launched the Seed Fund of Funds to boost technological commercialisation. This initiative aims to provide seed funding to drive innovation and entrepreneurial growth. In the rapidly evolving landscape of entrepreneurship and innovation, pre-seed funding emerges as a crucial stage in catalysing the development of nascent ideas into viable business ventures. The early stages of startup development often present significant challenges in securing traditional funding. Pre-seed funding addresses this gap and is critical in the ideation and development phases, enabling entrepreneurs to transform abstract ideas into actionable and validated concepts without the pressure of established revenue streams. through experienced fund managers, with a focus on innovation and transformation in South Africa.
• The Technology Acquisition and Deployment Fund (TADF) is another initiative implemented by the DSI to strengthen government procurement and utilisation of locally-developed technologies. This instrument has been successfully piloted in the country with the acquisition and deployment of local technologies to schools in and around the townships to improve teacher-parent communication, improve learning outcomes for physical science, maths and technology and to combat crime in communities.
• Grassroots Innovation Programme: The Grassroots Innovation Programme is one of the DSI instruments to achieve an inclusive system of innovation that can respond to supporting all kinds of innovation. This programme is also intended to contribute towards the DSI targets of using STI in local economic development and improving the standard of living. The Grassroots Innovation Programme is aimed at identifying innovators and inventors who do not have a formal education and/or have access to formal facilities.
• Innovation for Local Economic Development (ILED) is a new approach to Local Economic Development (LED), introduced by the DSI, which is anchored on the notion of organising a local economy around a local system of innovation and placing innovation as a driver of inclusive development. Among the programmes of ILED, the DSI is funding the Living Labs Programme and Mobile Application Labs (mLabs) in the country. Seventeen living labs and mLabs have been established in KZN, Eastern Cape, Free State, North-West, Western Cape, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Northern Cape and Gauteng. In partnership with municipalities and other LED stakeholders, the labs provide creative spaces comprised of innovation infrastructure and training programmes to support the development of solutions to promote innovation-driven local economies by enabling young innovators, through skills transfer and enterprise development, to create and diffuse solutions for systemic challenges in the local economies.
• Technology Stations Programme provides broad-based technological support to firms (especially SMMEs and potential entrepreneurs) in helping to mature their technology, performing qualification testing, manufacturing small batches, and so forth. The fifteen technology stations are located at 13 Universities across the country and represent different sectors. The support provided to firms (especially SMMEs) is only technological and might not meet the needs of start-ups on, for example, financial management.

Reply:

The DSTI’s Regional Innovation Support Programme (RISP) is one of the Department’s programmes aimed at increasing the spatial footprint of innovation. To this end, the RISP makes a deliberate effort to support non-traditional actors in areas that are typically underserved in terms of Science, Technology and Innovation support. The RISP supports 2 main types of interventions: Regional Innovation Networking Platforms (RINP) and funding support for feasibility studies and business plans for innovation enabling mechanisms such as science parks, tech hubs, technology incubators and the like. RINPs are aimed at developing and supporting inclusive sub-national innovation ecosystems through establishing physical platforms that bring together the innovation multi-helix stakeholders in the area. The RINPs are required to undertake several activities providing innovation support and capacity building of the local population in various aspects of technology development and innovation and intellectual property and innovation awareness events. RISP has implemented several interventions in rural and peri-urban areas across the country.

Interventions have been introduced especially in the rural areas of (i) KwaZulu-Natal, (ii) Limpopo and (iii) the Eastern Cape:

a) KwaZulu-Natal

• RISP has funded the development of a Feasibility Study for the establishment of an Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) Centre and Makerspace in Manguzi in KZN. Key recommendations included:
• Potential opportunities for R&D and manufacturing of African traditional medicines and dietary supplements, including natural extracts containing bioactive ingredients from traditional medicinal plants.
• Potential manufacturing of related products based on the flora and other natural ingredients endemic in the area (e.g. cosmetics).
• A need to review the KZN IKS based plants database to enable a deeper understanding of the fauna and flora in the area and to assist in identifying a comprehensive list of plants that the Manguzi-based IKS holders and innovators can develop and commercialise.
• A need to develop a mechanism to engage IKS knowledge holders/IP to avoid potential exploitation.
• A need to create an IKS plants booklet for 2024/25 to enlist the IKS plants in Manguzi as a starting point of the project.
• The study recommended that the IKS makerspace centre be piloted using available infrastructure whilst raising funds to establish a permanent facility.
• It also suggests that the centre could start by offering quarterly training programmes on topics such as drying, processing and pricing of IK products.
• Consensus amongst regional stakeholders was that applications for machinery and equipment funding and technology development support must be submitted to the Industrial Development Corporation and the Technology Innovation Agency for consideration.
• To unlock some of the economic opportunities mentioned above, the study proposes the implementation of the IKS Makerspace by initially starting with an incubation programme, laboratory space for product development, bench scale facilities, co-working spaces and training facilities.
• While a potential site has been identified, with the support of the traditional authorities in the area, the Manguzi IKS Centre and Makerspace has not yet secured the required funding for implementation.

b) Limpopo

RISP has supported the establishment of 2 Regional Innovation Networking Platforms in Limpopo. The first is AgriTourZA, which is headquartered in Polokwane but has implemented activities across the province. AgriTourZA has implemented the following activities:

• Design Thinking Workshop – This programme seeks to equip innovators, technology entrepreneurs and tertiary students with a creative and innovative problem-solving mindset by adopting customer-centred approach to creating effective solutions.
• Online Bootcamp – which provide learning experience in various aspects of innovation, business development, and digital skills, and they include training to Business Model Canvas, development of Minimum Viable Product/prototypes and Pitching techniques.
• Digital Entrepreneurship training workshops – which seeks to upskill entrepreneurs with digital knowledge, entrepreneurship and tools.
• An Annual Innovation Challenge, which brings together startups within the Agri-tech and Tourism-tech industries, aspiring entrepreneurs, seasoned industry professionals, and key stakeholders, with the aim to demonstrate the innovation potential of the Limpopo Province.

The second RINP in Limpopo is the Blouberg Innovation Networking Platform, which has the following activities:

• Training and capacity development for agriculture and agricultural production using smart technologies. The practical training covers crop production, coding, basic electronics and Internet of Things (IoT), with specific reference to agriculture.
• Intellectual Property (IP) awareness workshops – seeks to create awareness on IP and equip beneficiaries with basic knowledge and protection of IP.
• Innovation Awareness Campaigns – these campaigns focus on conscientising regional stakeholders and potential entrepreneurs on the role of innovation in local economic development.
• Smart Agriculture Hackathon – these hackathons create a collaborative environment for innovators and technology SMMEs, aimed at solving problems facing the region, as well as identifying innovation opportunities.
• Mentorship and coaching support to innovators and technology SMMEs
• Facilitating access to appropriate support offered by entities within the National System of Innovation.
• Linking innovators and SMMEs with other innovation support entities.
• Assisting beneficiaries to translate their ideas into proof of concepts and prototypes through network partners.

a) quantifiable benefits have rural communities reaped from provincial and rural innovation and production systems so far.

The RISP interventions in rural areas have created access to, and awareness of, innovation support mechanisms and programmes and provided some capacitation of local populations to enable them to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by a knowledge driven economy.

Several innovators and technology SMMEs from the RINPs have competed, and placed, in national Innovation Challenges and Competitions as a result of the support received through the RINPs. The beneficiaries of the rural-based RISP interventions are as follows:

	F	M	Total
B	601	982	1583
W	0	0	0
Total	601	982	1583

Training:

Workshops:

	F	M	Total
B	191	424	615
W	0	0	0
Total	191	424	615

Mentorship:

	F	M	Total
B	48	115	163
W	0	0	0
Total	48	115	163

Innovation for Local Economic Development (ILED) is a new approach to Local Economic Development (LED), introduced by the DSTI, which is anchored on the notion of organising a local economy around a local system of innovation and centering innovation as a driver of inclusive development. Among the programmes of ILED, the DSTI has introduced and funded the Living Labs Programme, the Innovation Champions for LED Programme (IC4LED) and the Mobile Application Labs (mLabs) in rural and township communities.

In the rural communities of Bofolo in Fort Beaufort (Eastern Cape) and Bhongweni in Kokstad (KwaZulu Natal), the DSTI has supported the establishment of 2 new living labs. A newly established mLab has been setup in the Imbali community of Pietermaritzburg at the Durban University of Technology (DUT). In the Vhembe District of Limpopo, the DSTI introduced the first pilot site of the IC4LED.

a) Living Labs Programme

The Bofolo and Bhongweni living labs have been setup to service communities in Bofolo and Bhongweni, respectively. In partnership with the Raymond Mhlaba, and the Great Kokstad Local Municipalities together with other LED stakeholders, the labs provide creative spaces comprised of innovation support infrastructure and development programmes. The labs support the development of solutions to promote innovation-driven local economies by enabling young innovators and other innovation actors, through skills transfer and enterprise development, to create and diffuse solutions to systemic challenges in those economies.

Both labs are currently undergoing some upgrades to ensure that they are fully equipped with internet connectivity, rapid prototyping equipment, 3-D printing and other equipment to provide maker-spaces. To date, 37 beneficiaries (25 in Bofolo and 12 in Bhongweni) have gone through the Innovation Support Programme, receiving support to translate their ideas into social innovations that have the potential to contribute to the transformation of the local economies. The beneficiaries are mainly unemployed youth. The training they have received includes: ideathons, hackathons, Design Thinking, prototype development, drone training, etc.

b) mLab

A new mLab site within the Indumiso Campus of DUT, in the Imbali community, was established in 2023/24. Since its establishment, 369 community members from Imbali and surrounding areas were involved in ICT, 4IR and entrepreneurship ecosystem building events (i.e. building pipeline of trainees) and 20 students were enrolled in a 5-month Code Skills training programme that led to the development of 3 website solutions for locally identified socio-economic priorities.

b) IC4LED, Vhembe District

For municipalities to foster innovation-driven LED, they must be capacitated through training, knowledge, and skilled people (i.e. Innovation Champions) as resources to support the innovation agenda. The IC4LED Programme has ensured that Innovation Champions are placed in the District LED office, the Local LED offices and the University of Venda (UniVen) to support the municipalities as they carry out the following tasks:

• Coordinating the mapping of local innovation systems using the Local Innovation Advancement Tool (LIAT).
• Utilising LIAT in the development of Integrated Development Planning processes.
• Incorporating innovation in LED strategies and implementation plans.
• Creating linkages among actors and agents within local innovation systems and building linkages between local systems and the National System of Innovation (NSI).
• Sourcing funding and expertise from NSI institutions to implement innovation-based LED interventions.

To date, 6 Innovation Champions have been placed in the LED offices and UniVen. A LED Strategy for the District has been developed with maximum participation from the communities, foregrounding innovation as a driver of development in the localities. The project has catalysed the following investments from different organisations for innovation-based LED interventions:

• Approximately R450,000 for rainwater harvesting engagements in the Collins Chabane Local Municipality.
• Over R850,000 from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation for community hackathons around energy solutions and to develop a strategy on how to further develop the proposed solutions.
• R560,000 for 14 solutions developed in communities.
• R2,000,000 from the National Youth Development Agency for training of young people in ecommerce and entrepreneurship.

Reply:

1. INTRODUCTION

The Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development Act (IPR Act) was enacted in 2010 with the objective of ensuring that intellectual property (IP) arising from publicly funded research and development (R&D) is identified, protected, utilised, and commercialised for the benefit of the Republic.

The protection and management of IP from publicly financed R&D is a priority for the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation’s National Intellectual Property Management Office (DSTI-NIPMO). DSTI-NIPMO aims to ensure that publicly funded IP is not only appropriately identified and protected but also utilised effectively to maximise benefits for South Africa’s innovation ecosystem and society. We recognise the importance of fostering a transparent and compliant environment for all IP transactions related to publicly funded research.

2. LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK AND COMPLIANCE MEASURES

The IPR Act provides a legislative framework designed to safeguard IP generated through public funding. In particular, Regulation 17 of the IPR Act states:

"Failure by a recipient to obtain from DSI-NIPMO approval for an intellectual property transaction for which approval is required in terms of the Act and these regulations; will render such intellectual property transaction and relevant agreement void from the beginning."

This provision emphasises the importance of compliance and accountability in all IP transactions. DSI-NIPMO is committed to ensuring that all institutions engaged in publicly funded R&D activities are fully aware of and adhere to these regulations.

As mandated by the IPR Act, DSI-NIPMO is responsible for ensuring the following regulatory compliance requirements:

• Recipients and institutions must seek DSI-NIPMO’s approval before entering into IP transactions involving publicly funded R&D. These transactions include local and offshore assignments, IP transactions concluded on a royalty-free basis, and all offshore exclusive licences. These provisions in the IPR Act are crucial for safeguarding national interests and ensuring that IP is managed in accordance with the law.
• DSI-NIPMO does not directly conduct all compliance activities, we collaborate with stakeholders to promote adherence to the IPR Act and monitor IP transactions involving publicly funded research.
• In cases of non-compliance or unauthorised IP transactions, DSI-NIPMO is empowered to take decisive action, which may include rendering such agreements void. This protects the integrity of the IP system and reinforces expectations for adherence to regulatory standards.
• Should we identify any transactions that potentially violate the provisions of the IPR Act, DSI-NIPMO will conduct a thorough investigation. We are committed to taking appropriate remedial actions to address any discrepancies and ensure compliance.

DSI-NIPMO recognises the importance of proactive engagement with research institutions and stakeholders. We conduct regular workshops and training sessions to educate institutions about their responsibilities under the IPR Act, the significance of compliance, and best practices in IP management. We acknowledge that challenges may exist within the IP landscape, and we believe that a robust regulatory framework, combined with consistent oversight and stakeholder collaboration, is essential to mitigating risks related to IP misappropriation.

3. CONCLUSION

While DSI-NIPMO has not become aware of any IP transactions that violate the provisions of the IPR Act, we remain vigilant and committed to investigating any potential non-compliance.

The legislative framework ensures compliance and accountability in dealing with publicly funded IP and empowers the Department to take decisive action in the event of non-compliance.

DSI-NIPMO strives to advance national interests and foster an environment where innovation can flourish, ultimately benefiting all South Africans.

Reply:

1. The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) implements policy instruments aimed at de-risking the upstream of the innovation value chain. These interventions include support for the protection of intellectual property (IP) rights, and various business development support associated with technological innovation, such as proof of concept, business advisory support services and more.

The Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development Act (IPR Act), enacted in 2010, ensures that IP from publicly funded R&D is identified, protected, and commercialised for the benefit of South Africa. The National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO a unit within the Department, oversees its effective implementation).

Below are some of the business innovation policy support instruments that the DSTI is implementing to benefit the South African youth entrepreneurs:

• Inventor Assistance Programme: NIPMO participates in this World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) initiative that provides pro bono patent drafting and prosecution services to resource-limited individual inventors and small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs).
• TIA Seed Fund: Through the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), various funding opportunities for SMMES are provided, including the Seed Fund Programme, which offers early-stage risk-adjusted funding and support for establishing proof-of-concept and business cases. In the past three financial years (2021/22 to 2023/24), 42 youth beneficiaries received support.
• Innovation Fund: This public private partnership has benefitted 598 youth recipients over the past three financial years, aiming to de-risk the commercialization of locally developed IP.
• Partnership with Technological Higher Education Network South Africa (THENSA): The DSTI has supported youth capacity development and commercialization programmes, including support to 200 youth entrepreneurs, 20 youth PhDs programme, 18 Master support programme and 92 new venture youth.
• Regional Innovation Support Platform: This initiative focuses on grassroots innovation, with regional innovation hubs providing tailored support and resources for young innovators
• IP Fund: Administer by NIPMO, this fund offers a rebate to institutions for IP protection and maintenance costs. Over the past decade the Department has disbursed over R450 million to 28 institutions.
• Venture building programme: In partnership with the private sector, the DSTI will implement a two-year program to improve the success rates of black youth startups. Over the current MDTP, 2025 – 2030, the programme intends to train 20 youth startups in the mid-term and 40 to 50 at the end of the term.
• Pre-Seed funding instrument: Planned for the current MDTP (2025 to 2030), the DSTI intends to launch this instrument to ensure financial backing for young innovators.

The DSTI recognizes that financial support alone is insufficient and is committed to empowering young innovators through IP education and training. The Technology and Innovation Support Centre (TISC) Programme, a collaboration between DSTI-NIPMO, CIPC, and WIPO, offers access to patent, design, and trademark databases and IP commercialization support, with over 20 TISC host institutions established. Additionally, the WIPO-SA Summer School, one of only ten worldwide, provides in-depth IP training, equipping young innovators to protect and commercialize their ideas effectively.

The DSTI further collaborates with the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) and partners to foster a robust innovative ecosystem through the Innovation Bridge Portal (IBP), connecting innovators with over 300 ecosystem supporters, including funders, incubators, and investors. This platform provides access to mentorship, funding, and incubation support to help young innovators turn their ideas into market-ready products and services.

Through this multi-faceted approach, the DSTI ensures that young innovators have access to not only financial resources but also the knowledge, training, and ecosystem support necessary to contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s scientific and economic progress.

Reply:

Question (a) (ii) between 2014/15 and 2024/25, 236 digital innovations were proposed and funded through the Mobile Applications Laboratory (NPC); (b) These were funded to a total amount of R34,660,037. The funds were made available by the ICT and Services Industry directorate (2014/15 – 2020/21) and the Technology for Sustainable Livelihoods directorate (2021/22 – 2024/25).

Question (a) (ii) Since the Grassroots Innovation Programme (GIP) was transferred to the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) in 2019 for scale-up, 170 GIP innovations have been supported on ICT innovation; (b) Over this period the S&T for Sustainable Human Settlements directorate has funded through TIA to an amount of R57,860,000.

Question (a)(ii) Since 2022/23 financial year, the Technology Innovation Agency has supported 15 digital economy tech applications. Historically (2013 to date), the portfolio comprises a total of 46 technologies; (b) The 46 technologies have been funded to an amount of R280,704,721.

The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) also established the Foundational Digital Capabilities Research platform which is deliberate about building the foundational digital capabilities that are required to form the building blocks of application development and customisation within all the factor economy sectors that could be leveraged for South Africa to leapfrog into the Digital Economy space, as per the Digital Economy Masterplan of the Department of Communication and Digital Technologies. From 2022/23 to 2023/24, the DSI invested a total amount of R226,726,000. In 2024/25 the DSI will invest R110 million into the FDCR platform, with projections that the funding will increase by compounded 5% per year in the following 8 years. The FDCR platform research spans five digital domains that include Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Cybernetics; Cloud-to-Edge Computing, Networking and Advanced-IoT; Augmented, Virtual and Mixed Reality; Blockchain and Cybersecurity; and Modelling and Simulation.

Reply:

a) Total number of staff employed and/or provided as Ministerial support of 01 August 2024.

(i) Minister	(ii) Deputy Minister
Nine (9) Staff employed	Six (6) Staff employed
Two (2) Reassignment from the Department	One (1) Reassignment from the Department
Two (2) Departmental Support	Two (2) Departmental Support

(b)(i) job titles (ii) annual remuneration package and (iii) highest level of academic qualification of each specified member of staff in the office of the Minister?

Minister			Deputy Minister
(i) Job titles	(ii) annual remuneration package and	(iii) highest level of academic qualification	(i)Job titles	(ii) annual remuneration package and	(iii) highest level of academic qualification
Special Advisor to the Minister	R1 962 090	Master’s in Business Administration	Head of Office (acting)	R1 216 824	National Diploma: Public Administration
Private and Appointment Secretary	R1 216 824	BA Developmental Studies	Parliamentary and Cabinet Support	R849 702	Advanced Diploma in Public Administration
Parliamentary Officer	R1 216 824	BTech Human Resource Development	Community Outreach Officer	R849 702	Senior Certificate
Community Outreach Officer	R849 702	BCom Marketing Business Management	Office Administrator	R308 154	Advanced Diploma in Business Management
Assistant Appointment and Administrative Secretary	R444 036	National Diploma: Public Relations Management	Household Aid	R155 148	Bachelor of Education
Minister			Deputy Minister
Receptionist	R216 417	Master’s in Public Administration	Household Aid	R155 148	Professional Secretary (Human Resource)
Food Service Aid	R131 265	Senior Certificate
Household Aid	R155 148	Senior Certificate
Household Aid	R155 148	Senior Certificate
REASSIGNMENTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT
Chief of Staff	R1 436 022	Master’s in Business Administration	Private and Appointment Secretary	R1 130 874	BTech in Public Management
Media Liaison Officer	R1 216 824	Senior Certificate
DEPARTMENTAL SUPPORT
Registry Clerk	R216 417	National Diploma: Marketing	Registry Clerk	R216 417	N5 Public Management
Driver/ Messenger	R183 279	Senior Certificate	Driver/ Messenger	R183 279	Senior Certificate

N.B. It is important to bring to the attention of the Honourable member that the information provided will need to be handled in accordance with POPIA.

Reply:

Minister		Deputy Minister
(i) N/A	(ii) Audi
(i) N/A	(ii) Q7
(i) N/A	(ii) R960 140.00
(i) N/A	(ii) 18/05/2017
(aaa) N/A (bbb) N/A	(aaa) N/A (bbb) 18/05/2017
N/A	N/A

Reply:

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Reply:

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Reply:

	Number of tender briefings in 2018		Number of Compulsory briefings
Department of Science Technology	6		5
Entities reporting to the DST
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research		86	82
National Research Foundation		22	22
Technology Innovation Agency		3	3
Human Sciences Research Council		11	11
South African National Space Agency		5	1
Academy of Science of South Africa		None	None

Reply:

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Reply:

1. The Department implemented Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) resolution 3 of 2009, for employees that qualified. There was no one on salary level 9 and 11 who qualified for upgrade.
2. This resolution is not applicable to entities

Reply:

1. (a) The department cloes not own any artwork.

    (b) Not applicable.

2. (a) Not applicable.

    (b) Not applicable.

Reply:

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Reply:

 

1.1 Yes, The Board of the National Research Foundation (NRF) was appointed in line with section 6(3) of the NRF Act,1988 (Act No 23 of 1988) as amended by the Science and Technology Laws amendment, 2014 (Act No 7 of 2014). In terms of the Act, members of the NRF Board must all be persons who havs achieved distinction in the fields of research, technology, technology management, business or civil society, and they must broadly represent the higher education, broad scientific disciplines the business sector and civil society.

1.2  The three Board members from the University of Johannesburg were appointed to represent the sectors, namely; Higher Education; Broad Scientific Disciplines and Governance. Due consideration was also given to, among other things, the capacity of an individual to influence preferred outcomes (internally and externally) through his/her involvement on the Board, and the availability to meaningfully contribute their time and abilities to the affairs of the Board irrespective of their institutional association.

Reply:

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) Oversees six entities, namely, the National Reseamh Foundation (NRF), the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), and the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). Currently 6 967 researchers and scientists are supported by the DST and its entities through a number of projects and programmes. A total investment of R2.5b has been made towards this in the current year, details are provided in Table 1, below.

 

Table 1: DST and entitiss’ support towards scientists/researchers

Source of Funding	Number	Researcher/Group	Funding (R)
DST	403		212,087,703
	144	Sector Innovation Fund	73,593,241
	41	Water Technologies Demonstration and Management Programmes	19,248,499
	43	Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) Catalysts, Infrastructure and System	1,000,000
	5	USAID Peer Projects	218,000
	08 10	European Union Collaborale P acts Indigenous Knowledge System	7,285,863 26,360,000
	39	Strategic Health Innovation Partnership	SHIP)	66,588,000

 

Source of Funding	Number	Researcher/Group	Funding (R)
	15	Nuclear Technologies in Medicine and Biosciences Initiative (NTeMBl)	3,000,000
	4	Sterile Insect Technique for Malaria Mosquitoes Project	1,273,000
	4	Wheat and Breeding Platform	13,500,000
NRF	4708		1,684,293,868
	31	Academic Statistics Programme	6,130,126
	7	African Coelecanth Ecosystem Programme	3,217,949
	31	Academic Statistics Programme	6,130,126
	7	African Coelecanth Ecosystem Programme	3,217,949
	29	African Origins Platform	14,337,917
	1	African Origins Platform - Research	147,499
	1	Astronomy in Africa (Newton Fund)	1,500.000
	15	Astronomy Sub-Agency Funding Programme	1,919,625
	25	Blue Skies Research Programme	9,968,239
	5	Centre of Excellence (CoE) Grants	59,601,428
	1	CoE: Indigenous Knowledge Systems	8,000,000
	40	Community Engagement Programme	13,507,ze2
	477	Competitive Programme for Rated Reseamhers	127,486,515
	244	Competitive Support for Unrated Researchers	43,403,363
	11	Development Grant for Knowledge Fields Development (KFD)	1,345,679
	1	DST-NRF CoE in Epidemiological Modeling and Analysis	8,445,635
	1	DST- NRF CoE in Biomedical TB Research	11,862,714
	1	DST- NRF CoE in Birds	7,161,899
	1	DST- NRF CoE in Catalysis	s,ses,oo
	1	DST- NRF CoE in Integrated Mineral Resoumes and Analysis	12,151,063
	1	DST- NRF CoE in Invasion Biology	10,334,033
	1	DST- NRF CoE in Strong Material	14,287,643
	1	DST- NRF CoE in Tree Health Biotechnology	7,161,899
	1	DST- NRF CoE in Tree Health Biotechnology	4,268,445
	1	DST-NRF CoE in Palaeoeciences	12,155,063
	20	DST-NRF Conference Fund	13,934,819
	9	Education Research in South Africa	481,657
	4	Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)/NRF Collaborative Research: Urban Transformation in SA	1,528,268
	5	ESRC/NRF Higher Education In Africa	3,519,957
	4	ESRC/NRF International Centre Partnership	610,150
	54	Foundational Biodiversity Programme	9,788,293
	2	French South Afnca Institute of Technology/ Cape Peninsula University of Technology	2,760,548
	40	Global Change Grand Challenge	47,104,215
	18	Human and Social Dynamics in Development	7,432,663

Source of Funding	Humber	Researcher/Group	Funding (R)
	4	Human Capital Development for Multi- Wavelength Astronomy	282,500
	2	IEPD - Institutional Engagement and Partnership Development	509,632
	1	Institutional Engagement and Partnership Development (IEPD) Flagship - UKZN	1,084,909
	1	IEPD Flagship - UWC	830,407
	1	IEPD Mobililty Support for UMP	150,000
	3253	Incentive Funding for Rated Researchers	146,ses,s37
	36	Indigenous Knowledge Systems	9,798,034
	24	International Council of Scientific Unions	1,150,263
	122	International Science and Technology Agreements	38,723,226
	5	International Research Grants (IRG) - Argentlna / South Africa Research Cooperation Programme	673,458
	8	IRG - BRICS Multilateral Joint Call	847,183
	6	IRG - China / South Africa Research Cooperation Programme	1B4,678
	14	IRG - Egypt / South Africa Research Cooperation Programme	1,307,71g
	3	IRG - Finland / South Africa Reseamh Cooperation Programme	879,580
	6	IRG - Flemish / South Africa Research Cooperation Programme	2,698,674
	14	IRG - France / South Africa Research Cooperation Programme	1,249,520
	12	IRG - Germany / South Africa Research Cooperation Programme	3,391,626
	14	IRG - India / South Africa Research Cooperation Programme	2,238,121
	8	IRG - Japan Society for the Promotion of Science / NRF Research Cooperation Programme	2,145,635
	11	IRG - Kenya / South Africa Research Cooperation Programme	1,081,289
	10	IRG - Namibia / South Africa Research Cooperation Programme	1,095,444
	3	IRG - National Natural Science Foundation of China / NRF Research Cooperation Programme	389,905
	3	IRG - NEPAD Flagship Programme	10,223,799
	5	IRG - NRF/International Centre for Theoretical Physics Joint Collaboration for Science Advancement	216,081
	6	IRG - Poland / South Africa Research Cooperation Programme	847,378
	10	IRG - Romania / South Africa Research Cooperation Programme	1,194,403
	16	IRG - South Africa / Austria Joint Scientific and Technological Cooperation Programme	1,976,553

 

 

Source of Funding	Number	Researcher/Group	Funding (R)
	6	IRG - South Africa / Canada Research Chairs Mobility Initiative	459,053
	2	IRG - South Africa / Canada Research Chairs Trilateral Partner9hips initiatives	431,907
	6	IRG - South Africa / Uganda Cooperation Bilateral Programme	1,023,46e
	4	IRG - South Africa / Wallonia-Brussels Federation Science and Technology Research Collaboration Programme	369,899
	1	IRG - South Africa/China Joint Science and Technology Research Collaboration (Water Research Flagship Projects)	6,660
	5	IRG - South Africa/Tunisia Research Cooperation Programme	800,312
	12	IRG - South Africa-Joint ln9titute for Nuclear Research (SA-JINR)-Grants for JINR Student Practice	277,531
	20	IRG - Sweden / South Affica Research Cooperation Programme	4,679,652
	12	IRG - Switzerland / South Africa Research Cooperation Programme	5,065,o7e
		IRG - Taiwan / South African Research Cooperation Programme	1,149,283
	12	IRG - UK / South Africa Rasearchar Links Grants for Travel	1,961,770
	4	IRG - Zambia / South Africa Research Cooperation Programme	187,201
	447	Knowledge Interchange and Collaboration	11,390,207
	4	Nanotechnology Flagship Programme	389,348
	22	National Bioinformatics functional Genomics bursary & research granting	7,167,714
	59	National Equipment	154,914,522
	1	National Institute for Theoretical Physics	8,000,000
	3	Natural History Collections Funding Instrument	715,747
	4	NRF - European Research Council Partnership	367,827
	1	National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)/NRF Awards (Under Thuthuka)	1,492
	1	Palaeo/Anthropology Trust	2,050,000
	6	Research and Innovation Reward Programme	11,050,240
	81	Research and Technology Fund	22,651,474
	77	Research Development Grants for Y-Rated Researchers	8,094,221
	87	Research Equipment Programme	6,977,415
	29	SA National Antarctic Programme	38,680,172
	15	SA Research Chairs	44,615,506
	1	SA Research Chairs - Indigenous Knowledge	1,822,144
	3	SA Research Chairs - Maths Education Chair Initiative	7,326,367
	2	SA Research Chairs - Nano Technology	8,683,390
	2	SA Research Chairs - Numeracy Chairs Initiative	6,92g,593

 

Source of Funding	Number	Researcher/Group	Funding (R)
	171	SA Research Chairs - Open	443,833,663
	1	SA Research Chairs - PBMR	3,336,198
	4	Sancor	214,843
	17	Special Transformation Awards	1,572,537
	101	Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP)	72,331,645
	624	Thuthuka	66,200,126
	5	Vulnerable Disciplines - Developing Health Sciences Research	700,000
CSIR	1664		530,010,802
	84	Biosciances	77,437,020
	159	Bullt Environment	52,132,354
	382	Defence, Peace, Safety and Security	53,398,900
	220	Implementation Unit	8,80,5000
	72	Integrated Energy Centre	43,073,000
	236	Materials Science and Manufacturing	106,818,631
	86	Modelling and Digital Science	32,675,450
	174	Meraka Institute	37,333,700
	72	National Laser Centre	39,839,756
	179	Natural Resources Environment	78,496,991
	12		7,799,635
SANSA	1	Rhodes University	40,000
	1	Universlty College London	150,000
	9	NRF Funding	7,033,710
	1	European Commission	576,025
TIA	180	TIA Programmes	115,000,000
HSRC	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable Not applicable
ASSAf	Not applicable	Not applicable

Reply:

(a) (i) and (ii)	(aa)	(bb)	(b)	(c)	(d)
	2015/16 R’000	2016/17 R'000	2017/18 R'000	Since 1 April 2018 R'00O
Department of Science and Technology(DST)	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	N/A	N/A	N/A
Technology lnnovationAgency(TIA)	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	N/A	N/A	N/A
South African National Space Agency(SANSA)	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	N/A	N/A	N/A
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR)	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	N/A	N/A	N/A
National Research Foundation(NRF)	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	N/A	N/A	N/A
Academy of Science of South Africa(ASSAf)	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	N/A	N/A	N/A
Human Sciences Research Council(HSRC)	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	N/A	N/A	N/A

 

Reply:

(a) (i) No

(ii) (aa) No

(bb) No

(cc) No

(b) No

Reply:

See the REPLY here: http://pmg-assets.s3-website-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/RNW2841-2018-10-29.pdf

Reply:

(a) The Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) in China run a Joint Research Programme under the Science and Technology Agreement signed by the parties in 1999. The Joint Research Programme is a joint mechanism for soliciting joint research projects from science communities in both countries, which are evaluated, ranked and funded with matched funds provided by the DST and the MOST. The DST funds the South African researchers and the MOST funds the Chinese researchers, with equal matched funds.

(b) The collaborative areas of joint research supported includes themes such as mining, traditional medicines, advanced materials, renewable energy, biotechnology, water research, palaeontology, environment and geosciences.

PLEASE FIND HERE: The tables below indicate the joint projects funded in line with the agreements negotiated between the DST and the NRF and the MOST and the Natural Science Foundation, China (NSFC).

Reply:

Department	a)(i) name of each investing company t hat invested on land	b)(i) Nature of investments.	b)(ii)) value investments.	b)(iii) length of each investment.
DST	None	None	None	None

 

Entity	a)(i) name of each investing company t hat invested on land	b)(i) Nature of investments.	b)(ii)) value investments.	b)(iii) length of each investment.
CSIR	None	None	None	None
NRF	None	None	None	None
SANSA	None	None	None	None
HSRC	None	None	None	None
TIA	None	None	None	None
ASSAF	None	None	None	None

 

Reply:

(1) Block Chain is supported by the DST through research projects and human capital development. The total funding provided is R550 000.00 with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) spending R4 081 800.00 of their Parliamentary Grant on the application and understanding of blockchain and the wider distributed ledger technologies.

(2) Details of the research:

Between 2011 and 2017, the DST funded a human capacity development programme in Information Security. The programme funded mostly MSc and PhD candidates. Amongst the students funded were two MSc candidates who completed their studies in 2016, and their areas of research were related to the Blockchain, i.e.

(2.1) A study of the Blockchain involving its application to the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) was conducted. The study assessed how the Blockchain functions and also assessed the application of the Blockchain to other systems other than cryptocurrencies, e.g. electronic voting, smart contracts, and intellectual property rights.

(2.2) On 19-20 July 2018, the DST through the Office of Digital Advantage (ODA), hosted a workshop that looked at Blockchain beyond its application in crypto-currencies. The workshop pulled together SMEs, and other role players. The long-term aim is to stimulate innovations for socio-economic benefits of distributed ledger technologies (DL Ts) and Blockchain technology in areas such as public health, agriculture, food safety/security, energy availability, environmental management etc. The DST, ODA and the CSIR are working on a concept to further unpack this work whose funding will extend beyond the CSIR.

(3) Renewable Energy initiatives supported by the DST amounts to R167 million (2018/19) that is split amongst the following interventions:

(3.1) Solar energy and Wind energy technologies - R27 million per annum;

(3.2) Bio-energy - R14 million per annum (algae based, lignocellulose based and decision support tools - R7 million and Research Chairs - R7 million);

(3. 3) Energy storage (to support performance of alternative/renewable energy) - R 15 million per annum; and

(3.4) Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies - R96 million per annum.

(4) The above mentioned investments are made in support of broader government initiatives in support of the National Development Plan, energy security and access (Integrated Resource Plan) with the intent of diversifying South Africa's energy portfolio (Integrated Energy Plan). The different focal areas have specific strategic plans articulating the desired outcomes.

(5) Water savings initiatives supported by the DST amounts to R2 540 000.00.

This includes demonstration projects and post-graduate research.

(6) Details of the demonstrations and post-graduate research:

(6.1) The DST through the Water Research Commission conducted a study into Water Efficiency for R200 000.00. The main finding in relation to non-revenue water and broader efficiency is that it is a highly mature and well invested RDI area in SA The major challenges lie in the implementation of recommendations by government (particularly at municipalities). In our view, water reuse needs to be considered in relation to water savings as well.

(6.2) In addition the DST funded 3 post-graduate students to a total of R640 000.00 with a focus on water savings through the following projects: Economic Analysis of water recovery from flue gas: A South African Case Study, UWC; Water recovery from flue gas through membrane technology, UWC; Assessment of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment and reuse, UKZN with one student focussed on agricultural water efficiency and savings.

(6.3) Three demonstration projects were conducted with the City of Johannesburg, who offered up test sites after a call to all municipalities to a total of R1.7 million. The City of Johannesburg not only provided test sites but also their staff to be trained on the technologies. The three technology demonstrations were for:

(6.3.1) Look.See Do, which is an augmented reality tool to assist technicians in municipalities to fix machinery. This can get around waiting for specialised technicians to fly out from Europe and elsewhere to assist with maintenance. The technician can assist the municipal technician through this tool without being physically present.

(6.3.2) Aquatrip is a technology that can assist with water leaks through detecting a drop in pressure, signifying a leak, and closing the valve in the pipe. This then alerts the consumer that there is a problem and the leak can be fixed and the valve reset, much like the trip switch on an electrical distribution board.

(6.3.3) Arumloo is a low flush toilet developed on Biomimicry principles.
The shape of the arum lily was the inspiration for the design of the toilet It allows for a complete flush to occur on 1.5 - 2.0 litres of water, which is significantly better than the current 6 litre flush of the smallest cistern.

Reply:

1. (a)(i) 6 Deputy Director-Generals (DDG)

(ii) 21 Chief Directors (CD)

(aa) 3 Acting Chief Directors (CD)

(bb) 18 permanent Chief Directors (CD)

(b) 11 females in each case (1 DDG and 10 CD)

2.

Entity	(a)i Number of Chief Executive Officers	(a)ii Number of directors of each entity reporting to the department	(b) Number of women in each case
CSIR	01	06	04
NRF	01	06	02
SANSA	01	06	04
HSRC	01	10	06
TIA	01	05	03
Assaf	None	None	None
NACI	01	None	None

The National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) is not a public entity. It is a Council, which is comprised of specialists that reports to CEO as secretariat to council. Currently the Council has an Acting CEO, who was seconded from the Department.

Reply:

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) does not have any standing agreement with Mr Melusi Ntuli.

The DST is the custodian of the Grassroots Innovation Programme, which is implemented by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on behalf of the department. Mr Ntuli was a beneficiary to the programme. He concluded a Memorandum of Agreement with the CSIR on 29 November 2016 which was terminated on 21 July 2017, at his request.

Mr Ntuli has innovated the Chargeless Electric Engine, which is meant to be an alternative to the current piston and turbine engines. It has a PSDC motor that operates as the heart of the engine. The chargeless motor engine is also intended to be used in aircrafts and helicopter propulsion.

operates as the heart of the engine. The chargeless motor engine is also intended to be used in aircrafts and helicopter propulsion.

a) The Memorandum of Agreement between the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and Mr Ntuli was signed on 29 November 2016 and was terminated on 21 July 2017.

b) The agreement between Mr Ntuli and the CSIR was concluded to assist Mr Ntuli's innovation, the chargeless electric engine, with a technology assistance package. The Grassroots Innovation Programme assists beneficiaries with the following;

• • Product research and development with a subject matter expert at institutions of higher learning, science council and/ or technology transfer office;
  • Product design and machining support through a technology station with machining expertise;
  • Product electronic support through a technology stations with eleGtronics specific expertise;
  • Product testing with testing and certification bodies to meet/comply with standards body;
  • Intellectual Property protection of the innovation/ invention; and
  • Marketing and profiling of the innovators and their innovations.

The assistance granted to Mr Ntuli through the programme is valued at R205 096.00 and covered the payment for design and machining expertise, provision of management development support and training as well as marketing and profiling his innovation.

Reply:

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Reply:

1. 0

(a) NIA

(b) (i) N/A

(ii) N/A

(iii) N/A

(iv) N/A

2. NIA

Reply:

1. Yes
(a) N/A

(b) N/A

(c) (i) N/A
(ii)NIA

2. N/A

3. (a) N/A
(b) N/A

4. N/A

Reply:

1. The Department statistics stand as follows:

(i) Zero· from the department.

(ii) Entities.

(aa) 2016· two incidents.

(bb) 2017- two incidents.

(b) Yes.

2. Was each incident investigated, yes: what were the outcome of the investigation in each case? In 2016, the employee was dismissed during the disciplinary hearing process and in another incident, the employee resigned. In 2017, one employee resigned and another was given a final written warning and suspended for one month to attend a rehabilitation centre

Reply:

(1)	(2)
(a)	(b)	(a)	(b)
(i)	(ii)	(i)	(ii)		(i)	(aa)	(bb)
none	none	none	none	none	none	none	none

Reply:

1

	(ii) 2015/2016	2016/2017	2017/2018	2018/2019
(a)	(i) 01 (one)	N/A	01 (one)	01 (one)
(b)	R14 112.76	N/A	N/A	R11 469.94
(c)	(i)	N/A	N/A	N/A
	(ii)	N/A	Disposed through Auction	N/A

2. YES

Reply:

1. (a) Spouse accompanied the Minister on her international trips (b) No other family member accompanied her

(i) in the financial year 2017 /18 spouse qualified for two trips and he accompanied Minister on one trip to Germany

(ii) Since April 2018 Minister travelled with her husband to Switzerland, as per the Ministerial Handbook Chapter 6:3.1

(aa) Mr. S J Ngubane

(bb),(aaa) in the financial year 2017/18 Germany attending G20 Summit and the year 2018/19 Switzerland, Genava to attend the United Nations

Commission on Science and Technology for Development;

(bbb) Germany; and Switzerland, Geneva;

(cc), (aaa) R121, 139.25;

(bbb) Germany R55,042.49; and Switzerland R66, 096.76.

2. Both trips were approved by the Honourable President and there are no

further details.

MS MT KUBAYl-NGUBANE, MP

MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DATE: 15/06/2018

Reply:

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Reply:

1. (a) 0.

(i) 0.

(ii) 0.

(aa) 0.

(bb) 0.

(b) Not applicable.

2. Not applicable

Find here: DST Entities

Reply:

(a) No, the Honourable President made the announcement in year 2018 and therefore the matter can't relate to the past 3 years

(b) No
(c) No

(i) N/A.

(ii) N/A

(iii) N/A

(iv) N/A

(2) N/A

Reply:

(a) The Karoo Central Astronomy Advantage Area declared by the Minister of Science and Technology in 2014 through a public participation process (Government Gazette Number 37434 of 2014, Notice Number 198) in terms of the Astronomy Geographic Advantage Act of 2007, includes 4459 farm portions with a total area of 11,349,628 hectares. This is approximately 30.5% of the entire land in the Northern Cape. Within the declared area, the two most common economic activities taking place on some of these farm portions are renewable energy facilities and sheep farming. Of the 4459 farm portions, 36 have been purchased for the purposes of SKA project roll-out and the total extent of this land is 128,000 hectares, about 1.1% of the declared area.

Reply:

(1) Does her department have a working relationship with Mr Melusi Ntuli, who invented a chargeless electric engine, which is 100% green technology, if not why not?

The department established the Grassroots Innovation Programme as a means to improve access and participation in the national system of innovation. This programme specifically targets innovators who are not part of formal institutions of innovation nor have access to formal facilities critical for their innovative solutions. The department appointed the Technology Localization Implementation Unit (TLIU), of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) as an implementing agent of the Grassroots Innovation Programme. When Mr. Ntuli approached the department requesting assistance with the development of his invention in 2016, the department swiftly responded and advised him to enroll in the Grassroots Innovation Programme. As this programme was implemented by the CSIR's TLIU, all participants of this programme entered into a contractual relationship with the CSIR. Mr. Ntuli duly signed a contract on 24 April 2016. The contractual relationship between Mr. Ntuli and the CSIR was terminated at Mr. Ntuli's insistence. The termination was finalized by 21 July 2017.

Prior to voluntarily terminating the contractual relationship which effectively ended his participation as a beneficiary of the Grassroots Innovation Programme, Mr. Ntuli was receiving prototype design assistance from the Durban University of Technology; had been provided with computer aided design equipment; had been profiled nationally and participated at the India Festival of Innovation, a platform intended to assist innovators to market and profile their innovations in India.

(2) if so, (a) what are the details of the specified relationship?

Since Mr. Ntuli's insistence of terminating the contractual relationship, there is no longer a relationship between him and the department. The department in its communication with indicating him that he is still . welcome to participate in the Grassroots Innovation Programme within its existing terms and conditions.

(b) how is her department assisting him in developing and making prototypes of his invention?

The Grassroots Innovation Programmes funds prototype development, technical training e.g. machining and tooling, computer aided design, markets and profiles innovation to raise awareness, etc. It does not fund accommodation costs nor does it pay stipends.

(c) what amount of funding has her department allocated towards his project.

The assistance granted by the programme to Mr. Ntuli is valued at R205 096.00 and covered the payment for prototype development, design and machining expertise, provision of management development support and training as well as marketing and profiling his innovation. This amount excludes the costs of CSIR and DST staff who assisted Mr. Ntuli in the development of his networks and for marketing his innovation.
 

Reply:

(1) The information we have is unverified. I will provide details once the information is available.

Reply:

I was not a Member of the Executive for the period requested. I only became a member of the Executive from 31 March 2017 and as a Minister of Science and Technology with effect of 26 February 2018.

 

QUESTION 368 FOR WRITTEN REPLY: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY: MR MS MALATSI (DA): BUDGET FOR THE MINISTER OF SCIENNCE AND TECHNOLOGY'S PRIVATE OFFICE

INTRODUCTION

1. The above-mentioned question appears on the internal Question Paper No.2-2018 dated 16 February 2018 for written reply in the National Assembly. (Tag A).

2. A draft reply to the question is enclosed in Pocket 2 for the Minister's consideration.

RECOMMENDATIONS

3. It is recommended that the Minister approves the draft reply enclosed in Pocket 2.

DIRECTOR GENERAL
DATE: 07/03/2018

Reply approved
Proposed date for discussion:


MS M T KUBAYl-NGUBANE, MP

MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Date: 11/03/2018

Reply:

1. (a) Non-applicable.

(a)(i) Non-applicable.

(a)(ii) Non-applicable.

(aa) Non-applicable and (bb) Non-applicable.

(a)(iii) Non-applicable.

(a)(iv) Non-applicable.

(aa) Non-applicable and (bb) Non-applicable.

1. (b) Non-applicable.

(b)(i) Non-applicable.

(b)(ii) Non-applicable.

(aa) Non-applicable and (bb) Non-applicable.

(b)(iii) Non-applicable.

(b)(iv) Non-applicable.

(aa) Non-applicable and (bb) Non- applicable.

Reply:

(i) The Department of Science and Technology has not supported studies aimed at investigating whether Depo-Provera could affect the body's immune system and increase the risk of contracting HIV.

(ii) My department is aware that there are other studies underway - that include researchers from WITS university in the "Evidence for Contraceptive Options and HIV Outcomes (ECHO) study, supported by the South African Medical Research Council- to determine the relationship, and there is therefore not a need for a duplicative study by the Department of Science and Technology.

(iii) N/A

 

Reply:

(a)(i) None

(a)(ii) None

(b)(ii) None

(b)(ii) None

(c) None

(d) None

 

Reply:

1(a)	i) Services were procured	ii) Total amount paid
	Services were procured	Total amount paid
Yes, the DST procured services through Travel With Flair Ltd from April 2012 to March 2015	International Air Travel (Int)	33 529 172
	Domestic Air Travel (Dom)	30 673 628
	Accommodation (Acc)	24 704 386
	Paid to TWF	3 957 367
	Car Hire (Car)	2 700 065
	Transfers Domestic (Tra)	2 607 826
	Accommodation International & Cross Borders (Aci)	2 024 718
	Group Conference & Incentives (Cfr)	1 564 018
	Air Charter International (Che)	1 340 151
	Air Charter Domestic (Chw)	436 516
	Car Hire Booking Cxl Penalty (Cap)	128 288
	Airport Parking (Aap)	79 956
	Insurance (Ins)	40 717
	Railways, Bus , Ferry Res. (Rai)	28 460
	Restaurant Reservation (Res)	23 156
	Regional Ticket (Reg)	7 799
	International Accommodation (Inh)	7 351

1(b)
Entity	Services were procured	Total amount paid
NRF	Yes, the NRF procured services through Travel With Flair Ltd from March 2016 to October 2017	Accommodation	R 4 696 493.53
		Transfers and Shuttles	R 265 210.66
		Car Hire	R 334 277.95
		Conference	R 6 355 549.01
		Domestic Air Travel	R 2 249 213.11
		Insurance and Foreign exchange	R 15 930.12
		International Air Travel	R 7 456 141.58
		Visas and Passports	R 176 053.00
ASSAf	Yes, ASSAf procured services through Travel With Flair Ltd from 16 July 2016 to 31 October 2017	Booking of flights	R 2 200 989.80
		Booking of accommodation	R 376 164.38
		Car hire	R 32 407.95
		Conferencing	R 47 8941.34
		Travel insurance	R 7 580.00
SANSA	Yes, the SANSA procured services through Travel With Flair Ltd from 1 July 2017 to 20 November 2017	International Air Travel	R 532,308.00
		Domestic Air Travel	R 527,910.00
		Accommodation	R 405,122.00
		Car Hire	R 96,723.00
		Food & Beverage	R 39,722.00
		Railway /Bus / Ferry	R 27,025.00
		Transfers	R 25,275.00
		Other	R 10,486.00
		Regional Air Travel	R 3,449.00
		Visas And Passports	R 2,879.00
		Groups Conference & Incentives	R 2,850.00
		Conference Venue Hire	R 1,000.00
		Deposit Refundable	R 0.00
CSIR, TIA and HSRC	No, the CSIR, TIA and HSRC has not procure any services from Travel With Flair Ltd	Not applicable	Not applicable

2(a)
Entity	Person travelled	Route travelled	Total amount paid
Yes, Travel with Flair Ltd provided services related to International Travel	Please refer to Annexure A

2(b)
Entity	Person travelled	Route travelled	Total amount paid
NRF	Yes, Travel with Flair Ltd provided services related to International Travel	Please refer to Annexure B
ASSAf	Yes, Travel with Flair Ltd provided services related to International Travel	Please refer to Annexure C
SANSA	Yes, Travel with Flair Ltd provided services related to International Travel	Please refer to Annexure D
CSIR TIA, and HSRC	No, the CSIR, TIA and HSRC has not procured services from Travel with Flair Ltd in relation to international travel	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable

Reply:

	(a) and (b) Whether Department/ Entity owns land	(i) where each plot of land is located	(ii) what is the size of each specified plot	(iii) what each plot is currently used for
Department of Science and Technology (DST)	Yes	The land is located on Portion 3, Scientia 627 Meiring Naude Road, Brummeria, Pretoria East	4.9496 hectares	Office building for the DST
Technology Innovation Agency	Yes	Remainder of Portion 84 of the Farm Moerasrivier No. 233; Division George in the Eastern Cape Province	11.8737 hectares	The land was acquired as security for funding a project that failed, that was housed at the farm. Ministerial approval has been obtained in terms of PFMA Section 54(2) to dispose of the farm and the transfer is expected to be completed before the end of March 2018
South African Space Agency (SANSA)	Yes	Westcliffe suburb of Hermanus in the Western Cape.	16 hectares	The land is used to house the Space Science Facility of SANSA, which includes a magnetically clean area and is specified in the title deed as for "scientific use only".
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)	Yes	Pretoria- Scientia 627 Meiring Naude Road, Brummeria, Pretoria East.	170 hectares	Research and Development
	Yes	Stellenbosch- Erf 4909, Stellenbosch, Western Cape (Jan Cillers Street)	4.3650 hectares	Research and Development
	Yes	Rosebank - Erf 140278 and remaining Extend of Erf 44291, Cape Town (Lower Hope Road)	1.0442 hectares	Research and Development
	(a) and (b) Whether Department/ Entity owns land	(i) where each plot of land is located	(ii) what is the size of each specified plot	(iii) what each plot is currently used for
	Yes	Johannesburg - Portion 167 of the farm Braamfontein 53 IR, (Cnr Menton and Frost Avenues) and Portion 10 of the Farm Emmarentia 52 IR, City of Johannesburg (Cnr Rustenburg and Carlow Roads)	3.5261 hectares	Research and Development
Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)	Yes	Erf 3242, City of Tshwane, Gauteng Province; 134 Pretorius Street, Pretoria	7.655 square meters	The land is used for housing the HSRC.
National Research Foundation (NRF)	Yes	Portion 1 of the farm Scientia No. 627, Meiring Naude Road CSIR Campus Brummeria; Pretoria	2.8187 hectares	Office buildings for RISA and Corporate constructed on the land
	Yes	Portion 4 of the farm No. 996, Blue Downs, Stellenbosch; Old Faure Road; Faure Cape Town	37.2254 hectares	Research laboratories, mainly with some office space for iThemba LABS
	Yes	Portion 6 of the farm Kuilenburg No. 96, Sutherland	535.5667 hectares	Research and office buildings for SAAO
	Yes	Stand 26423, Observatory, Cape Town	9.7620 hectares	Research and office buildings for SAAO
	Yes	Stand No. 2859, 211 Nana Sita Street, Pretoria	5102 sqm	Office buildings for use by SAASTA, of which some office space let out
National Research Foundation - Square Kilometer Array (SKA)	Yes	Portion 1 Erf 1, Observatory, Johannesburg 18 A Gill street	3.8495 hectares	Office building for use by SAASTA, of which some of the space is let out SAASTA
	Yes	Mey's Dam Farm No 68, Fraserburg Regional District Karoo Hoogland, Fraserburg Regional District Northern Cape	7046.0463 hectares	Office building and storage facility. Science and MeerKAT antennaes constructed
	(a) and (b) Whether Department/ Entity owns land	(i) where each plot of land is located	(ii) what is the size of each specified plot	(iii) what each plot is currently used for
	Yes	LAND003 Blauuw Heuvel No96 Karoo Hoogland, Fraserburg Regional District Northern Cape	5465.0025 hectares	Science (Antennae's to be constructed) - SKA Phase 1
	Yes	LAND004 Groot Paarde Kloof Karoo Hoogland, Fraserburg Regional District NC	7779.923 hectares	Science (Antennae's to be constructed) - SKA Phase 1
	Yes	LAND005 Waterkloof & DeHoek Karoo Hoogland, Fraserburg Regional District Northern Cape	6494.0401 and 4667.1001 hectares	Science (Antennae's to be constructed) - SKA Phase 1
	Yes	LAND006 Ptn1 Farm Schiet Poort Karoo Hoogland, Fraserburg Regional District Northern Cape	1571.9601 hectares	Science (Antennae's to be constructed) - SKA Phase 1
	Yes	LAND007 Ptn2 Farm Schiet Poort Karoo Hoogland, Fraserburg Regional District Northern Cape	1571.9748 hectares	Science (Antennae's to be constructed) SKA Phase 1
	Yes	LAND008 Boter Leegte (Lovedale) Karoo Hoogland, Fraserburg Regional District Northern Cape	5382.0434 hectares	Science (Antennae's to be constructed) SKA Phase 1
	Yes	Pnt 3 Farm Visserskloof No 69 Pnt 2 Farm Blaauwpoort No 71 RE Plot 4 Van Wyksvlei Plot 149 Van Wyksvlei Karoo Hoogland, Fraserburg Regional District Northern Cape	4355.4765 hectare 2753.9231 hectare 1827.8670 hectare 913.9345 hectare	Science (Antennae's to be constructed)
	(a) and (b) Whether Department/ Entity owns land	(i) where each plot of land is located	(ii) what is the size of each specified plot	(iii) what each plot is currently used for
	Yes	Pnt 4 Farm Narrogna No 200 Pnt 2 Farm Zout Rivier No 71 Farm Zout Rivier 71 Karoo Hppgland Fraserburg Regional District Northern Cape	1322.4205 hectare 1462.0489 hectare 1487.3191 heectare	Science (Antennae's to be constructed)
	Yes	Pnt 1 Farm Rooizand No 72 Karoo Hoogland, Fraserburg Regional District Nortern Cape	3809.8590 hectare	Science (Antennae's to be constructed)
	Yes	Rooizand 72 Karoo Hoogland, Fraserburg Regional District Northern Cape	3809.9209 hectare	Science (Antennae's to be constructed)
	Yes	Pnt 2 Farm Visserkloof No 69 Farm Dubbelde No 63 Pnt Farm Willem Karoo Hoogland, Fraserburg Regional District Northern Cape	4364.4744 hectare 3471.6445 hectare 2648.2299 hectare	Science (Antennae's to be constructed)
	Yes	Erf 1883 Carnarvon Karoo Hoogland, Fraserburg Regional District Northern Cape	1982 hectare	Science (Antennae's to be constructed)
	Yes	Pnt 3 Farm Zoutrivier Karoo Hoogland, Fraserburg Regional District Northern Cape	4386.0966 hectare	Science (Antennae's to be constructed)
	(a) and (b) Whether Department/ Entity owns land	(i) where each plot of land is located	(ii) what is the size of each specified plot	(iii) what each plot is currently used for
	Yes	Farm Jaskloof No 76 Karoo Pnt 1 Farm Jaskloof no 76 Hoogland, Fraserburg Regional District Northern Cape	3681.6733 hectare 3660.8330 hectare	Science (Antennae's to be constructed)
	Yes	Pnt 1 Farm Visserskloof No 69 Karoo Hoogland, Fraserburg Regional District Northern Cape	8730.1999 hectare	Science (Antennae's to be constructed)
	Yes	Pnt 1 Farm Swartfontein 496 Karoo Hoogland, Fraserburg Regional District Northern Cape	2288.3589 hectare	Science (Antennae's to be constructed)
	Yes	Pnt 1 Farm Zoutrivier No 71 Karoo Hoogland, Fraserburg Regional District Northern Cape	4386.0966 hectare	Science (Antennae's to be constructed)
	Yes	Pnt 2 Farm Pofadderfontein No 494 Pnt 1 Farm Pofadderfontein No 495 Farm 117 Farm 118 Farm 119 Karoo Hoogland, Fraserburg Regional District Northern Cape	2220.2674 hectare 2220.2627 hectare 1243.305 hectare 23.1264 hectare 46.2527 hectare	Science (Antennae's to be constructed)
	(a) and (b) Whether Department/ Entity owns land	(i) where each plot of land is located	(ii) what is the size of each specified plot	(iii) what each plot is currently used for
	Yes	Pnt 2 Farm Pofadderfontein No 495 Pnt 3 Farm Pofadderfontein No 495 KarooHoogland, Fraserburg Regional District Northern Cape	1882.1315 hectare 1756.9467 hectare	Science (Antennae's to be constructed)
	Yes	Farm Scietpoort no 64 Karoo Hoogland, Fraserburg Regional District Northern Cape	3165.0657 hectare	Science (Antennae's to be constructed)
	Yes	SERVITUDES: Pnt 1 of Farm Waterval Farm Waterval Pnt 1 Riet Poort 75 Karoo Hoogland, Fraserburg Regional District Northern Cape	Unknown Unknown	Science (Antennae's to be constructed)
South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON)	Yes	Erf 66 Floris street, Colbyn, Hatfield, Pretoria	2500 sqm	Office Building
Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAF)	No	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable
National Advisory Committee on Innovation (NACI)	No	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable
National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO)	No	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable

Reply:

(i)	(aa)	(bb)	(cc)	(dd)
	(a)	(b)	(a)	(b)	(a)	(b)	(a)	(b)
DST	Nil	R0.00	Nil	R0.00	Nil	R0.00	Nil	R0.00

(ii) Entities	(aa)	(bb)	(cc)	(dd)
	(a)	(b)	(a)	(b)	(a)	(b)	(a)	(b)
HSRC	13	R160 432.55	6	R64 673.43	20	R358 300.44	Nil	R0.00
TIA	96	R747 415.30	3	R638 162.00	Nil	R0.00	Nil	R0.00
SANSA	9	R20 387 413.93	1	R132 558.67	3	R66 755.42	2	R1 142 322.42
NRF	53	R549 973.00	23	R709 602.00	14	R1 311 780.00	121	R1 332 878.00
CSIR	758	R13 300 978	165	R2 096 378.00	93	R890 065.00	286	R5 127 789
ASSAF	Nill	R0.00	Nil	R0.00	Nil	R0.00	Nil	R0.00