Questions & Replies: Science & Technology
2013-03-06
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Reply received: November 2013
QUESTION NO. 2968
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 25 OCTOBER 2013, QUESTION PAPER NO. 35-2013
"2968. Ms S K Plaatjie to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
What progress has been made in the construction of the (a) KAT-7 precursor array and (b) MeerKAT array?
NW3519E
REPLY:
a) The KAT-7 radio telescope array has been successfully commissioned and is now being used for scientific observations. A variety of scientific papers have already been submitted to, and some already published by, internationally recognised peer-reviewed journals. The science and engineering teams are gaining significant insight, value and learning from the KAT-7 which will ensure that the MeerKAT telescope will be a world-class facility once completed.
b) Infrastructure deployment for the MeerKAT telescope is ongoing, with most of the infrastructure (including buildings and civil works, power infrastructure, on-site roads and fibre optic reticulation) due to be completed by March 2014. The concrete foundation for the first MeerKAT dish was poured in August of this year. The first dish will be installed and qualified in the first quarter of 2014, with four dishes installed by the end of 2014, 32 by the end of 2015 and 64 dishes by the end of 2016. Scientific operations on the MeerKAT are scheduled to commence in 2017.
Reply received: November 2013
QUESTION NO. 2967
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 25 OCTOBER 2013, QUESTION PAPER NO. 35-2013
"2967. Ms SK Plaatjie to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
Whether the agreement between the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) South Africa and United States National Radio Astronomy Observatory includes financial support to the SKA project; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW3518E
REPLY:
The Agreement with the United States National Radio Astronomy Observatory does not include the provision of financial support to SKA South Africa.
Each party is responsible for its own costs in relation to the agreement. The agreement covers areas of mutual interest such as joint software and algorithm development for radio astronomy, joint workshops, personnel exchanges and development of mutual and reciprocal data usage policies for the respective user communities.
Reply received: November 2013
QUESTION NO. 2933
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 25 OCTOBER 2013; QUESTION PAPER NO. 35-2013
"2933 Mrs N W A Michael (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) How much has (a) his department and (b) each of the entities reporting to him spent on advertisements placed on the Africa News Network 7 (ANN7) news channel;
(2) were these advertisements placed through the Government Information and Communication System?
NW3484E
REPLY:
1(a) The Department of Science and Technology has not advertised on the Africa News Network 7 (ANN7) news channel.
(b) None of the entities that report to the department have advertised on the Africa News Network 7 news channel.
2. As no advertisements were placed on the ANN7 news channel by DST and its entities; there was no engagement with the Government Communication and Information System in this regard.
Reply received: November 2013
QUESTION NO. 2900
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 25 OCTOBER 2013; QUESTION PAPER NO. 35-2013
"2900. Mr D C Smiles (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) What amount has (a) his department and (b) each of the entities reporting to him spent on advertising (i) in The New Age newspaper and (ii) on its website between 1 December 2012 and 31 August 2013;
(2) were these advertisements placed through the Government Information and Communication System?
NW3451E
REPLY:
(1) (a) The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has (i) not advertised in The New Age newspaper and (ii) not advertised on the New Age website between 1 December 2012 and 31 August 2013.
(b) None of the entities that reports to the DST advertised (i) in the New Age newspaper and (ii) on the New Age website between 1 December 2012 and 31 August 2013.
(2) As no advertisements were placed in the New Age newspaper/website by DST and its entities; there was no engagement with the Government Communication and Information System in this regard.
Reply received: November 2013
QUESTION NO. 2811
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 18 OCTOBER 2013; QUESTION PAPER NO. 33-2013
"2811. Mr TD Lee (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) What amount has his department and (b) each of the entities reporting to him spent on advertisements placed on the SABC 24 hour news channel;
(2) Were these advertisements placed through the Government Communication and Information System?"
NW3316E
REPLY:
(1) (a) The Department of Science and Technology has not advertised on the SABC 24 hour news channel.
(b) None of the public entities reporting to the Minister of Science and Technology have placed advertisements on the SABC 24 hour news channel.
(2) As no advertisements were placed on the SABC 24 hour news channel by DST and its entities; there was no engagement with the Government Communication and Information System in this regard.
Reply received: November 2013
QUESTION NO. 2759
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 18 OCTOBER 2013; QUESTION PAPER NO. 33-2013
"2759 Dr JC Kloppers-Lourens (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) (a) What governance issues warranted a forensic probe into the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and (b) What are the costs of the probe;
(2) When is the report stemming from the probe expected to be tabled in Parliament;
(3) Which persons in particular are being investigated?"
NW3259E
REPLY:
(1)(a) The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) Board initiated a forensic investigation as part of its fiduciary responsibilities following the receipt of allegations pertaining to problems in respect of corporate governance processes.
(b) The cost of the investigation is projected at R1.5 million.
(2) There are no plans at this stage to present the report to Parliament.
(3) It would be inappropriate to comment as this matter is being dealt with internally.
Reply received: October 2013
QUESTION NO. 2757
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 18 OCTOBER 2013; QUESTION PAPER NO. 33-2013
"2757. Dr JC Kloppers-Lourens to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
1. (a) Will his department make money available for dedicated scientific cruises in future and (b) why are projects currently funded by the National Research Foundation without secured dedicated ship time;
2. What steps has his department taken to support (a) ship-and (b) land-based scientists in overcoming logistical hurdles;
3. What became of the strategy to create the SA National Antarctic Programme as a separate entity, based on reviews undertaken beween 2000 and 2009 and paid for in part by his department?"
NW3257E
REPLY:
1. (a) Yes
(b) All research grants awarded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) are
jointly evaluated with the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) to
allocate ship time.
2. The Department of Science and Technology officials are engaging with the DEA
officials to ensure that:
(a) Ship-based researcher's needs are met; and
(b) Land- based scientists are supported at the research stations.
The Deputy Directors-General of the two departments are leading the process of engaging with the researchers to address their needs. The two departments have agreed to regularly convene a trilateral forum including the DST, the DEA and the NRF to continuously improve joint support for South Africa's research in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. The first meeting of the forum will be on 5 November 2013.
- The DST and DEA are currently working with researchers to develop a strategy that would provide an overarching framework for research in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. All relevant prior studies and reports will be considered during this process, including those recommending the establishment of a separate entity for polar research.
Reply received: December 2013
QUESTION 2745
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 18 OCTOBER 2013; QUESTION PAPER NO. 33-2013
"2745. Dr JC Kloppers-Lourens (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(a) Why was (i) the Antarctic strategy and research plan not implemented by 31 March 2013 as set out in his department's 2010-2013 Corporate Strategy and (ii) no reference made to the Antarctic strategy and research plan in his department's 2011-12 Annual Report and (b) when will the Antarctic strategy and research plan be implemented?
NW3245E
REPLY:
(a) (i) During 2010/11, developments in the South African astronomy and palaeosciences environment demanded high-level and dedicated attention within the relevant Department of Science and Technology (DST) directorate. In addition, it had been recognised that this strategy would require joint development with the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA). However, in 2010 the DEA Oceans and Coasts division was being restructured as a result of the split from the Fisheries Section which was consolidated under the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. This caused further delays in the process of initiating the development of the Antarctic Strategy.
(ii) No reference was made to the Antarctic Strategy in the 2011/12 Annual Report because no target had been set in the Annual Performance Plan for the 2011/12 financial year, as a consequence of the demands of the Astronomy Desk and palaeosciences strategy development process.
(b) During 2012/13, consultations were initiated with the DEA on the joint development of an Antarctic Strategy, informed by the considerable overlap in DST and DEA research interests in this area. This work is currently underway under the project management of the National Research Foundation. The 2013/14 DST Annual Performance Plan lists the development of this strategy as a target to be achieved by 31 March 2014 and implementation will follow thereafter.
Reply received: October 2013
QUESTION NO. 2651
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 11 OCTOBER 2013; QUESTION PAPER NO. 32-2013
"2651. Mr M Mnqasela (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) Whether any performance bonuses were paid to employees in his department in the 2012-13 financial year; if so, what is the total (a) number of employees that received bonuses and (b) amount paid out by his department for these bonuses;
(2) What percentage of output were achieved by his department as measured against each target set in its Annual Performance Plan in the 2012-13 financial year?"
NW3140E
REPLY:
(1) Performance bonuses were paid to employees in the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in the 2012-13 financial year.
(a) Two hundred and ninety four (294) employees in the department received bonuses.
(b) A total of R3 830 917.13 was paid out for the bonuses.
(2) DST Predetermined Objectives: The DST achieved most of its strategic goals. Evidence indicates that of the 66 indicators set out in the 2012/13 Annual Performance Plan, the DST achieved 47 (71%) and 14 (21%) were partly achieved. Only 5 (8%) could not be achieved.
Reply received: November 2013
QUESTION 2613
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 11 OCTOBER 2013; QUESTION PAPER NO. 32-2013
"2613. Dr JC Kloppers-Lourens to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) (a) What is the average time taken for grant approval from the SA National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) for applications from (i) government departments, (ii) scientific councils, (iii) academic institutions and (iv) individuals and (b) what is being done to ensure that grants are approved timeously;
(2) (a) which projects have been granted funding from SANAP since 1 January 2012, (b) why was the funding given to each project, (c) how much funding was given to each project and (d) how long did grant approval take for each project?
NW3100E
REPLY:
Question 1
(a) (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) It takes five to six months from the beginning of the open call until the time when funds are transferred to institutions. The process of administering the grants starts with a call that the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) puts out to researchers for eight weeks. Applications are then taken through peer and postal review processes in which the candidates who satisfy the requirements as outlined in the call are chosen, this part of the process takes four weeks. The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) then has to further approve the applications based on the availability of ship time and accommodation in the ship and on the island which takes approximately six weeks. A further one month is open for grant-holders to sign grant conditions. There is no difference in the time taken to respond to different institutions and individuals.
(b) The process uses the National Research Foundation (NRF) grant management system and there is constant communication between the NRF and DEA to ensure that there is efficient management of the researchers' needs and logistics and that grants are approved timeously.
Question 2
(a) The following 26 research projects were approved in 2012 and will run until 2014:
1. Geology Sor Rodane - Natal Belt
2. Deep crustal processes recorded in Antarctic rocks
3. Gondwana Amalgamation and Correlation Programme (GAACRP)
4. Landscape processes in Antarctic ecosystems
5. Archaeologies of Antarctica
6. Antarctic blue whales
7. Southern elephant seals mating systems
8. Human impacts on Antarctic biodiversity
9. Conserving penguins and inshore feeding seabirds
10. Killer whales at Marion Island
11. Res conserving albatrosses and petrels
12. Marion Island plant functional traits
13. Occupant comfort on a polar supply research vessel
14. Polar space weather studies
15. Lightning and amp; Very Low Frequency
16. SANAE High Frequency radar experiment
17. Cosmic ray experiments
18. Antarctic Dry Valley soil ecosystems
19. Microbial ecosystem functioning
20. Climate change and genetic diversity
21. South Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (SAMOC)-SA
22. Antarctic marine assessment and management
23. Coccolithophore calcification rates
24. Seasonal cycle of carbon in the Southern Ocean
25. Iron, light limitation in Antarctic phytoplankton
26. Bioactive elements in the Southern Ocean
(b) Funding approval was based on recommendations from the peer and postal review panels managed by the NRF and candidates were selected because they satisfied the requirements as outlined in the call.
(c) The funding ranges from R366 000 to R3 909 660 per project over a three year period.
(d) The grant approval takes five to six months from the call to the signing of conditions and the contract by the grant holder. The grant approval period is the same for all projects.
Reply received: November 2013
QUESTION NO. 2586
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 11 OCTOBER 2013; QUESTION PAPER NO. 32-2013
"2586. Ms E More to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
How much has (a) his department and (b) each of the entities reporting to him spent on promotional events organized by The New Age newspaper between 1 September 2012 and 30 August 2013?"
NW3073E
REPLY:
(a) The Department of Science and Technology has not spent any funds on promotional events organised by The New Age newspaper between 1 September 2012 and 30 August 2013.
(b) No entity reporting to the Minister of Science and Technology has spent any funds on promotional events organised by the New Age newspaper between 1 September 2012 and 30 August 2013.
Reply received: October 2013
QUESTION NO. 2535
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 11 OCTOBER 2013; QUESTION PAPER NO. 32-2013
"2535. Mrs J F Terblanche to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
1) What is the current status of the relationship between the National Research Foundation and the international Barcode of Life Project (IBOL);
2) How will the project ensure South African biodiversity;
3) What will the costs of implementing the IBOL project be?
NW3022E
REPLY:
(a) South Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Barcode of Life (IBOL) in 2011 to establish a national Node for the project. The SA-IBOL which is the South African Node of the International Barcode of Life is managed through the South African Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), a parastatal under the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA). There are no dedicated resources for managing the SA-IBOL Node but responsibility for it is included as part of the work under one manager (Director level), and one entry level scientist at SANBI.
The work of the SA-IBOL is advanced through actual DNA bar-coding projects which are being carried out by various institutions. The National Research Foundation (NRF) is involved in bar-coding activities in the country through its entity the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) where South Africa's fish species are currently being bar-coded. Furthermore, the Agricultural Research Council has been involved in bar-coding scale insects and bees; and the University of Johannesburg has an African Center for DNA bar-coding and has bar-coded trees, medicinal plants, alien invasive species and many indigenous plants species.
(b) The Foundational Biodiversity Information Programme (FBIP) is a new programme formed and funded by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), and is co-ordinated by SANBI and the NRF. DNA bar-coding is included as one of the funding areas in the Programme. Scientists are invited to submit proposals for either large integrated projects (not limited to bar-coding), which are funded up to R2 million per annum for 3 years, or for small grants of up to R100 000 per annum.
In 2013 (the first year that the FBIP has been implemented), one large integrated project on marine biodiversity was selected for funding, and this project includes bar-coding of marine species. Some of the constraints experienced in this area are a lack of awareness amongst scientists of what bar-coding processes and requirements are and a lack of awareness of the value of DNA bar-coding for documenting biodiversity, identifying new species, and for its application in monitoring ecosystems, bio security and biodiversity conservation. Promotional activities and awareness raising amongst scientists are planned through the FBIP and the SA-IBOL node.
The SA-IBOL project promotes South Africa's biodiversity sciences in that it provides a platform for the identification of species thereby allowing taxonomists and biodiversity researchers to know and understand the species to which a plant or animal belongs. Knowing the species to which a plant or animal belongs is a core issue in biological sciences. Taxonomists and biodiversity researchers are studying and documenting all life forms on earth, and the names of species provide the framework for organizing this knowledge. Species identification can also be critically important to our environment, food supply, and economy. Two insects can appear identical, but while one could be benign the other could be an agricultural pest that could endanger food supplies and cause significant economic hardships. There are tens of thousands of species of fungi, many of which are hard to tell. Some are responsible for food-borne diseases and other serious human health problems. Most species of fish are reasonably easy to tell. Once they have been processed for sale to consumers as fillets or canned products they can become nearly indistinguishable. The same is true for many endangered species that are traded illegally as food or medicinal products.
In recent years, researchers have been testing the idea that all biological species could be identified using a short gene sequence from a standardized position in the genome – a 'DNA barcode' - analogous to the black stripes of barcodes used to distinguish commercial products. A large number of studies have shown that DNA bar-coding is effective for identifying species even when only a small amount of tissue is available, and many countries have adopted bar-coding as a standard for identifying pests and disease organisms in bio security procedures.
(c) The IBOL project is currently being partly implemented through SA-IBOL using both national and international funds. Additional resources are provided by several South African institutions that have very well equipped DNA laboratories, funded through universities or, in the case of SAIAB and the National Zoological Gardens, through the NRF.
South Africa has about 100 000 known species of plant, animal and fungi and to date about 8 000 species (8%) have been bar-coded. Bar-coding of all species is not feasible, but priority species are those where identification of species is important for conservation (e.g. threatened species, indicators for water quality or ecosystem functioning) or for the national economy (eg. agricultural pests, traded plants and animals) or for human health (disease vectors, poisonous plants and animals, medicinal plants). There are about 20 000 species that fall into these categories, and about 4 000 have been bar-coded.
The cost of bar-coding one species varies according to where it needs to be collected from, but in general, it is R2 000-R3 000. This means that the estimated cost of completing the barcode reference library for priority species would be estimated at R48 million, and about five years would be required to complete the work (R9.6 million per annum). The DST's annual investment on the FBIP is about R9 million.
Reply received: October 2013
QUESTION NO. 2446
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 20 SEPTEMBER 2013; QUESTION PAPER NO. 31- 2013
"2446. Mrs JF Terblanche (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
With reference to his reply to question 1898 on 2 September 2013, what areas have been specifically defined as astronomy advantage areas?
NW2931E
REPLY:
The areas defined as astronomy advantage areas are all situated in the Northern Cape Province. The declared Karoo Central Astronomy Advantage Areas cover a polygon-shaped region of overlapping geographical areas around the towns of Sutherland, Calvinia, Pofadder, and Britstown defining the outer perimeter of the total area. The towns of Carnarvon, Williston, Brandvlei, Renhardt and Loxton form the inner core of the region.
Reply received: October 2013
QUESTION NO. 2435
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 20 SEPTEMBER 2013; QUESTION PAPER NO. 31-2013
"2435. Dr J C Kloppers-Lourens (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) Whether the transfer of SunSpace to Denel Dynamics was done as a going concern: if not what type of transfer was done;
(2) how were the (a) new employment offers to employees transferring from SunSpace to Denel Dynamics made attractive and (b) provision of the Labour Relations Act, Act 66 of 195, complied with in the transfer of employees from SunSpace to Denel Dynamics;
(3) (a) how many employees from SunSpace were not offered employment at Denel Dynamics, (b) which positions were not transferred, (c) Why were these positions not offered and (d) what benefits did the persons who were not offered employment receive;
(4) (a) when were negotiations held with shareholders of SunSpace and (b) how much were they remunerated for the transfer?"
NW2920E
REPLY:
(1) SunSpace was not transferred as a going concern to Denel Dynamics (DD). The SunSpace intellectual property was acquired by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) as an interested party in a SunSpace board initiated business rescue process. As interested parties, the DST, South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and DD accepted no liabilities associated with SunSpace.
(2) (a) As this was not a transfer, employees resigned from SunSpace and were given new employment contracts in line with Denel Dynamics's own employment policies. Their conditions of service were equal to or better than that those offered by SunSpace. Competitive salary packages were offered.
(b) In order to comply with the provisions of the Labour Relations Act, Act 66 of 1995, employees were required to sign agreements relinquishing their right to hold the DST, SANSA and Denel Dynamics liable in terms of the Act.
(3) (a) Only five employees were not offered employment because they were on or over their retirement age. The focus was on employees who have the core engineering and technical expertise.
(b) The positions which were not transferred are executive positions such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and other support and administrative positions.
(c) Since SunSpace was not transferred as a going concern and because the positions already existed at Denel Dynamics, they were not offered.
(d) People who were not offered employment had personal liabilities stemming from securing and attaching their homes as sureties for loans in order to sustain SunSpace. The biggest benefit would be the settlement of their personal liabilities but this was dependent on the negotiations of the business rescue practitioner with the creditors.
(4) (a) No direct negotiations were held with the shareholders. (b) The business rescue practitioner was responsible for such interactions and negotiations.
Reply received: October 2013
QUESTION NO. 2434
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 20 SEPTEMBER 2013; QUESTION PAPER NO. 31-2013
"2434. Dr J C Kloppers-Lourens (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) (a) How was SunSpace's intellectual property valued, (b) what criteria was used in the valuation process and (c) was the valuation of this intellectual property internally verified by his department;
(2) (a) how did a certain company (name furnished) conduct its valuation of SunSpace's intellectual property, (b) what was the (i) value and (ii) result of the valuation, (c) how was the valuation considered in his department's final offer of R55 million for the purchasing of SunSpace's intellectual property and (d) does the R55 million include Value Added Tax;
(3) (a) who is currently the owner of SunSpace's intellectual property, (b) how will Denel Dynamics have access to this intellectual property if it is not the owner and (c) what costs will be involved in such access?"
NW2919E
REPLY:
(1) (a) To determine the correct quantum of funding required to acquire SunSpace core capabilities, competing valuations of SunSpace intellectual property (IP) by Savant Analytical (commissioned by SunSpace) and National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) [commissioned by the Department of Science and Technology (DST)] were conducted.
(b) The brief of the valuation process was to find a fair and defensible valuation of SunSpace's IP. A specialist IP law firm: DM KISCH was brought in to reconcile the differing valuations provided by Savant Analytical and NIPMO. All valuations proceeded on the basis of information supplied by SunSpace on its current financial status, as well as the previous due diligences and evaluations, where applicable. Apart from this, no other criteria were stipulated.
(c) DST does not have sufficient IP expertise internally. It was for this reason that a specialist IP Law Firm: DM KISCH, was brought in to verify and consolidate the Savant Analytical and NIPMO valuations and make recommendations to the DST.
(2) (a) A reconciliation of the widely differing valuations mentioned above was conducted by DM KISCH by analysing the methodologies employed by Savant Analytical and NIPMO. In all, Savant Analytical and NIPMO used five different methodologies, each providing a different valuation. DM KISCH strongly motivated for using the Royalty Saving Valuation method as the most appropriate. A summary of the valuations is contained in the table below.
| Evaluating Entity | Commissioning entity | Methodology Used | IP offer Recommendation |
| Savant Analytical | SunSpace | Replacement value and Discounted cash Flow (Cost/Replacement Value ) | Between R420 000 000 and R550 000 000 |
| NIPMO | DST | Income/Absolute Value Method | R67 500 000 |
| NIPMO | DST | Market/Comparative Value | R57 000 000 |
| NIPMO | DST | Cost/Replacement Value | R126 000 000 |
| DM KISCH | DST | Royalty Saving Valuation | IP only 43 400 000 Total required to secure productive use of IP R81 932 982 |
(b) (i) The value was R43 400 000.
(ii) The result of the valuation was R81 932 982 to secure the productive use of the IP.
(c) SunSpace Intellectual Property, or better classified as "know how" or trade secrets (as there were no registered designs or IP) includes SunSpace's tacit knowledge embodied in the personnel employed by SunSpace, as well as knowledge in codified form owned by SunSpace. Furthermore, given that the IP is integrally tied to its productive use, which in turn is tied to the employees of SunSpace, it was necessary to provide a strong and legally defensible mechanism to secure the employment of key personnel in the new business unit (NBU) for an extended period of time. Analysing the list of SunSpace's creditors and to ensure that employees' services were secured for the NBU, an IP offer of R55 million was made to SunSpace and an Incentive Offer of R25 million was made to the remaining employees. This was made using the DM KISCH evaluation as the basis.
(d) The Intellectual Property offer of R55 million includes Value Added Tax.
(3) (a) The DST is the owner of SunSpace's intellectual property. This intellectual property will be transferred to SANSA.
(b) Denel Dynamics will have access to use the SunSpace IP on a royalty free basis.
(c) There will be no direct cost associated with the use of this IP by Denel Dynamics. However, any new Intellectual Property derived from this Intellectual Property will be jointly owned by SANSA and Denel Dynamics.
Reply received: October 2013
QUESTION NO. 2433
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 20 SEPTEMBER 2013; QUESTION PAPER NO. 31-2013
"2433. DR J C KLOPPERS-LOURENS (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY:
(1) Why was Denel Dynamics the preferred option to continue with satellite development and production as opposed to SunSpace;
(2) does Denel Dynamics have any (a) experience and (b) success in satellite development;
(3) (a) was Denel Dynamics the cheapest option to take over development and production from SunSpace and (b) what process was followed in choosing Denel Dynamics;
(4) what (a) future involvement will the SA National Space Agency (SANSA) have in the development and production of satellites and (b) expertise does SANSA have in satellite development and production?"
NW2918E
REPLY:
(1) The Department of Science and Technology (DST) took the decision to propose to the SunSpace Board and Executive that SunSpace's core capability (personnel and intellectual property) be absorbed into Denel Dynamics, a division of the state-owned company Denel, by establishing a new business unit dedicated to satellite and space activities. This decision was made so that the new business unit would operate alongside Denel Dynamics' established missiles and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles business units, and thereby benefit from Denel Dynamics's strong engineering management capability in developing complex products and systems. An additional advantage was that Denel Dynamics already had a strong presence and credibility insought after markets. The latter was important for the sustainability of a South African satellite manufacturing entity.
(2) (a) Denel Dynamics does not have specific experience and (b) success in satellite development. However, it has vast experience in managing complex engineering projects, such as missiles. This core management capability complemented with SunSpace's intellectual property and core staff enables the New Business Unit at Denel Dynamics with core capability required for the successful development of satellites.
(3) (a and b) The absorption of SunSpace into Denel Dynamics was the most viable option that resulted from a series of due diligence exercises undertaken on behalf of the Department of Science and Technology and the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) in 2010 and 2011. These due diligence exercises, conducted separately by Deloitte and Savant Analytical, together with the results of a 2007, space capabilities audit undertaken by the DST, informed the decision to approach Denel and the Denel board.
(4) (a) SANSA is the implementer of the National Space Strategy and one of its key mandates is the procurement of space assets to meet South Africa's strategic environmental information needs. It also has the mandate to stimulate industrial development in the space sector. SANSA will therefore procure satellites and other space assets on behalf of the state and thereby promote the maturing and further development of an indigenous space industry.
(b) There is no intention for SANSA to develop any in house satellite development and production capability, apart from the requisite engineering capability to manage the procurement of space assets. SANSA intends to use mature and existing complementary industrial capabilities to meet its mandate.
Reply received: September 2013
QUESTION NO. 2312
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13 SEPTEMBER 2013; QUESTION PAPER NO. 30-2013
"2312. Dr JC Kloppers-Lourens to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
1) Which research chairs are (i) directly applicable and (ii) indirectly applicable to the shale gas extraction process and (b) where is each research chair located;
2) whether there are any plans for additional research chairs related to the shale gas extraction process; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW2760E
REPLY:
1. (i)(ii) The Department of Science and Technology does not have information on specific applied research projects that individual research chairs are working on. The research chairs initiative is a long term programme (15 years) that can make it possible for research chairs to change their applied research projects during the funding period;
(b) In allocating new research chairs, the Department develops a broad allocation framework that the National Research Foundation (NRF) uses in awarding new research chairs. The allocation framework takes into account the broad priorities of the country as articulated in different government strategies. On this basis, research chairs are allocated to strategic, broad areas such as energy security, health innovation, land reform, social cohesion, global change, mining, astronomy etc., without an identification of specific applied research projects. Considering the value chain of processes needed for the extraction of shale gas, this process could benefit from applied research conducted by research chairs in natural resource management, clean alternative fuels, process engineering, waste water treatment, mining exploration, geology, minerals beneficiation, development planning and modelling, social change, etc. The Department has allocated a number of research chairs in the mentioned areas.
2. As stated in (a)(i), the Department is not in a position to tell which applied research projects the research chairs work on.
Reply received: September 2013
QUESTION NO, 2219
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 AUGUST 2013; QUESTION PAPER NO, 28-2813
""2219. Dr J C Kloppers-Lourens (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1)Has his department conducted any cost comparative research on gas options for South Africa; if so, what are the relevant details of the research;
(2) whether research has been commissioned to determine the potential climate change implications of shale gas (a) extraction in the Karoo and (b) consumption; if so, what research?"
NW2637E
REPLY:
(a) No, the Department of Science and Technology has not done a cost comparative research on gas.
(b) The Department of Environmental Affairs has commissioned a study that would look at Greenhouse Gas Emission from shale gas extraction, transport and various use scenarios. This is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2013. The scope of work will address the question on (a) extraction as well as on (b) consumption.
Reply received: September 2013
QUESTION NO. 2217
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 AUGUST 2013
INTERNAL PAPER NO. 28-2013
'2217 . Dr J C Kloppers-Lourens (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(a) When was the hydraulic fracturing monitoring committee established, (b) what is the specified committee's brief, (c) (i) which departments are represented in the committee and (ii) what are the focus areas of each department, (d) what has been accomplished thus far by the committee and (e) why are the Departments of Health and Social Development not represented in the committee?"
REPLY:
(a) The Hydraulic Fracturing Monitoring Committee was established by the Department of Mineral Resources in the beginning of 2013.
(b) The Monitoring Committee's brief is based on the Cabinet approved recommendations of the hydraulic fracturing study. These are to:
i. Augment the regulatory framework and supervise operations
ii. Explore and develop mechanisms for the coexistence of astronomy research projects and development of shale; and
iii. Promote independent research.
c)
i. The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) is the convener of the committee and is best placed to provide a complete list of the departments and government agencies involved.
ii. Please see response to (c) (i) above.
(d) The DMR is responsible for tracking and reporting on the progress that the Monitoring Committee is making with respect to delivering to point (b) above.
(e) The Department of Mineral Resources is the convener of the Monitoring Committee and is best placed to respond.
Reply received: September 2013
QUESUON No. 2143
DATE OF PUBLIBCAION BN INTERNAL QUESTEION PAPER: 16 AUGUST 2013
QUESTION PAPER NO. 27-2013
"2143. Mr J R B Lorimer (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
1) Whether any staff member in his department (a) performed work in addition to the responsibilities related to his or her normal working hours, in the (i) 2008-09, (ii) 2009-10, (iii) 2010-11, (iv) 2011-12, (v) 2012-13 financial years and (b) has been performing such work during period 1 April 2013 up to the latest specified date for which information is available, if not; how is it determined whether such work is being performed or not; if so, in each case (aa) how many staff members and (bb) in what job or work categories are the specified staff members employed;
(2) Whether approval for such work was obtained in each case; if not, what are the relevant details; if so, (a) what is the policy of his department in this regard, (b) by whom are such applications considered and approved, (c) how many contraventions of this policy were brought to the attention of his department in the (i) 2010-11 (ii) 2011-12 (iii) 2012-13 financial years and (d) what steps have been taken against transgressors?
NW2565E
REPLY
(1) Staff members performing work in addition to the responsibilities related to their normal working hours.
| Financial Year | (1) (a)(i) 2008/09 | (1)(a)(ii) 2009/10 | (1) (a)(iii) 2010/11 | (1)(a) (iv) 2011/12 | (1) (a)(v) 2012/13 | (b) 2013/14 |
| Number of staff members | None | 1 | None | 2 | 1 | 5 |
(1) How is it determined if such work is being performed or not, if so how many staff members:
Such work is being determined through evaluation of the financial disclosure forms submitted by employees and/or by applications submitted by employees seeking approval to perform such work.
| Financial Year | (1) (a)(i) 2008/09 | (1)(a)(ii) 2009/10 | (1) (a)(iii) 2010/11 | (1)(a) (iv) 2011/12 | (1) (a)(v) 2012/13 | (b) 2013/14 |
| Number of staff members | None | 1 | None | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Job/work category | (bb) Not applicable | (bb) Chief Director Internal Audit | (bb) Not applicable | (bb) | (bb) Director Legal services | (bb) |
(2) Approval for such work:
2009/10 - Approval was granted to 1 staff member (who was the only staff member who requested permission to perform remunerative work outside public service during this period).
2010/11 - No request was received from staff.
2011/12 - Approval was granted to one (1) staff member.
201 1/12 - A request to perform remunerated outside public service by one (1) staff member was not approved due to insufficient information that was provided.
2012/13 - A request to perform remunerated outside public service by one (1) staff member was not approved due to insufficient information that was provided.
2013/14 - Approval was obtained for 5 staff members who requested to perform remunerative work outside public service.
(a) The Department is guided by the Public Service Act and the Public Service
Regulations.
(b) Such applications are considered and approved by the Executive Authority.
(c) No contraventions have been brought to the attention of the Department.
(d) Not applicable.
Reply received: August 2013
QUESTION NO.2110
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 16 AUGUST
2013 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 27-2013)
"2110. Mrs NWA Michael (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(a) Does his department prepare quarterly interim financial statements and
(b) are these statements considered by the audit committee?"
NW2532E
REPLY:
(a) Yes, the Department of Science and Technology prepares quarterly Interim Financial Statements and
(b) these statements are considered by the Audit Committee.
Reply received: September 2013
QUESTION NO. 1923
DATE OF PUBLICATlON 1N INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 2 AUGUST 2013 NTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 24-2013
1923, Mr NJ van den Berg (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
What (a) make, (b) model, (c) year, (d) purpose, (e) date and/or dates, (f) financial cost and (g) sum of kilometers driven in respect of each vehicle hired for use by (i) him and (ii) the Deputy Minister since January 2012?
NW2272E
REPLY:
(i) Minister Pandor:
| (a) | (b) | © | (d) | (e) | (f) | (g) |
| Make | Model | Year | Purpose | Date | Financial cost | Total kilometers |
| Mercedes | C180 | 2012 | Official use | 17/04/2012 | 1 535.33 | 143 |
| BMW | X5 | 2012 | Official use | 26/09/2012 | 20 438.7 | 1 196 |
| TOTAL | 21 974.03 | 1 339 |
(ii) Minister/Deputy Minister Hanekom:
| (a) | (b) | © | (d) | (e) | (f) | (g) |
| Make | Model | Year | Purpose | Date | Financial cost | Total kilometers |
| Mercedes | Ml | 2012 | Official use | 32/07/2012 | 45 213.28 | 2 312 |
| Audi | A5 | 2013 | Official use | 09/01/2013 | 3 189.10 | 286 |
| Audi | A5 | 2013 | Official use | 10/01/2013 | 3 246.57 | 247 |
| Hyundai | IX35 | 2013 | Official use | 03/03/2013 | 1 612.68 | 253 |
| Audi | A4 | 2013 | Official use | 19/02/2013 | 1 149.84 | 11 |
| Audi | A6 | 2013 | Official use | 21/03/2013 | 10 221.89 | 663 |
| Mercedes | C class | 2013 | Official use | 25/03/2013 | 3 972.24 | 345 |
| Mercedes | C200 | 2013 | Official use | 20/05/2013 | 1 591.70 | 126 |
| TOTAL | 70 197.30 | 4 243 |
Reply received: September 2013
QUESTION NO. 1898
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 02 AUGUST 2013
QUESTION PAPER NO. 24-2013
"1898. Mrs J F Terblanche (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(a) What steps has his department taken in conjunction with the Department of Mineral Resources to ensure the co-existence of Hydraulic fracking and the Square Kilometre Array based on the recommendation in the investigation of the Hydraulic Fracturing in the Karoo basin of South Africa report, (b) What progress has been made in this regard?"
REPLY:
(a) Following the recommendations by Cabinet, the Department of Mineral Resource established the Monitoring Committee on Hydraulic Fracturing whose mandate, amongst others, is to develop hydraulic fracturing regulations, encourage independent research and explore possible coexistence of hydraulic fracturing with astronomy activities. The DST is part of this monitoring committee on Hydraulic fracturing.
(b) The engagements between the Department of Mineral Resources and the Department of Science and Technology to define a co-existence framework that would ensure non-interference between hydraulic fracturing and astronomy are still ongoing. Thus far, the DST has defined the astronomy advantage areas that are sensitive, so that licenses will not be issued for areas in proximity to planned and existing astronomy sites. Also, the department will in partnership with other government institutions conduct research to be used in confirming or finalising the possible co-existence framework.
Reply received: August 2013
QUESTION NO 1838
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTlON PAPER: 26 July 2013 QUESTION PAPER NO.23-2013
"1838. Mr N D Du Toit (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) How many consultants has his department contracted and/or appointed (a) in the (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11,(iii) 2011-2012 and (iv) 2012-13 financial years and (b) since 1 April 2013;
(2) how many consultants contracted and/or appointed by his department (a) in the (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11,(iii) 2011-2012 and (iv) 2012-13 financial years and (b) since 1 April 2013 are former officials of the department and/or former public servants?" NW2186E
REPLY
1 . Number of consultants the department contracted and/or appointed.
| Financial Year | (a)(i) 2009/10 | (a)(ii) 2010/11 | (a)(iii) 2011/12 | (a)(iv) 2012/13 | (b) Since 1 April 2003 |
| Number of consultants | 13 | 20 | 14 | 15 | 10 |
2. Number of consultants the department contracted and/or appointed.
| Financial Year | (a)(i) 2009/10 | (a)(ii) 2010/11 | (a)(iii) 2011/12 | (a)(iv) 2012/13 | (b) Since 1 April 2003 |
| Number of consultants | none | none | none | 1 | none |
Reply received: August 2013
QUESTION NO, 1803
DATE OF PUBLICATlON IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 JULY 2013 QUESTION PAPER NO, 23-2013
"1803. Mrs JF Terblanche (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and technology:
What {a) buildings under the administration of (i) his department and (ii) entities reporting to him are national key points and (b) criteria were used to classify them as such?"
NW2151E
REPLY:
(a)(i) None.
(ii) The South African National Space Agency (SANSA), the National Research Foundation QNRF) and the Council for Scientific Council and Industrial Research (CSIR) have buildings classified as national key points. The information is provided as follows:
SANSA: Farm No 502 JQ, Hartebeesthoek. District Krugersdorp.
NRF: Square Kilometer Array site outside Carnavon in the Northern Cape Province.
CSIR: The Medium Speed Wind Tunnel on the CSIR Pretoria Campus.
(b) The Department 0f Science and Technology made an application t0 the South African Police Service (SAPS) to declare a site as a national key point after assessing the need and concluding that the site is so important that its damage, vandalism or total loss will cause harm to the image or prejudice the county. A Classification Evaluation Questionnaire/form was completed and submitted to the SAPS National Key Points Section. After due consideration and assessment by the Minister of Police, a site is men declared as a national key point in terms of section 2(1) of the National Key Points Act SAPS, 1988 (Act No. 102 of 1980).
Reply Received: August 2013
QUESTION NO. 1796
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 JULY 2013 QUESTION PAPER NO 23-2013
"1716, Dr JC Kloppers - Lourens (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
What ties does South Africa have with the Republic of Kenya in the field of science and technology?"
NW2063E
REPLY:
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) enjoys cordial and active bilateral relations with its counterpart Ministry in Republic of Kenya. A bilateral cooperation agreement was signed between the two countries in August 2804, Ts date the DST has invested about R10 million in joint research activities between South African researchers and their Kenyan counterparts and we are about to launch the 4th joint research call. The research projects as part of this call cover the following thematic areas: biosciences (with a focus on food, agriculture, health technologies, biotechnology and indigenous knowledge systems); space science (with an emphasis on astronomy and each observation); water management, the environment and climate change mathematical sciences; and energy (with a focus on nuclear energy, renewable energy and energy efficiency).
Kenya is a member of the African Square Kilometre Array (SW) consortium and hence also participates in the SKA and African Very Long Baseline Interferometry Network (AVN) activities together with the other African partner countries.
Reply received: August 2013
QUESTION NO, 1718
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTlON PAPER: 26 July 2013 QUESTION PAPER NQ. 23 – 2013
""1798, Dr JC Kloppers-Lourens (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) What initiatives are in place to ensure that technology companies invest in South Africa as opposed to other countries;
(2) has the department found a decline in investments from large technology companies in the country since January 2011; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the details?"
NW2065E
REPLY:
1) The government has introduced specific incentives to ensure that technology companies invest locally. The Department of Science and Technology's (DST) incentives are mainly aimed at expanding the level of R&D activities between SA and foreign countries. The incentives of the Department of Trade and industry (the dti) are aimed at expanding industrial activity. The DST's incentives include the R&D tax incentive offered under Section 11D of the Income Tax Act. The DST announced the industry Innovation Partnerships fund in June 2013, which will facilitate co-funding arrangements between government and the private sector into technological innovation investments. Under an agreement with the European Commission (EU), the department is administering specific initiatives to assist local companies to perform joint research (through a competitive EU proposal evaluation process) with European firms. This often leads to the establishments of longer term research agreements. This also helps in expanding industry development and foreign direct investment (FDI) in general. The dti administers a number of initiatives, such as the Support Programme for Industrial Innovation (SPIl); the Technology for Human Resources in Industry Programme (THRIP) and the Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement Programme (MCEP).
Over the past four to five years, a number of information and communication technology (ICT) multinational companies (MNCs) have approached the DST with the view to foster strategic BC-8 collaboration partnerships with the South African government. Most notable of the MNCs which have had some form of interaction with the DST over the period are Microsoft South Africa, IBM, Nokia Corporation, Systems Applications Products (SAP), Cisco, Hewlett Packard (HP), Novell South Africa, Intel, Huawei South Africa and ZTE, amongst others. The engagements with these MNCs are currently at different levels of maturity, with Microsoft SA, Nokia Corporation and SAP having formalised their partnerships with the DST.
In this respect, the DST has a formal programme dedicated to fostering partnerships with ICT MNCs. The programme is guided by the Conceptual Framework .Far Cooperation b e h e e n the DST and ICT MNCs. The framework provides a platform for "re development of mutually beneficial programmes or projects far both the DST and government on the one hand, and the concerned MNCs on the other. The coordination and management of projects and initiatives agreed upon between the DST and the MNCs is the responsibility of a dedicated programme management office (PMO) at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Meraka Institute, which was set up as the implementation mechanism of the framework for collaboration between DST and BCT MNCs.
Overall, the collaboration with the ICT MNCs has been on the following four broad areas: establishing research and development (R&D) and innovation platforms and laboratories; human capital development, both high-end and technical skills; innovation and technology-based small and medium enterprise (SME) development; as well as the adoption of practices that faster and permit transfer and rapid diffusion of technology without infringing ore applicable laws governing the intellectual property rights.
The DST, the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) and CSBR are currently working on possible strategies and mechanisms for leveraging instruments such as the National Industrial Pai3ieipatisn Programme (NIPP) and the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) - Equity Equivalent (EE) programme to attract additional funding from ICT multinational companies for the implementation of the ICT research, development and innovation Roadmap. The key focus will be on aligning these investments with the areas that offer the greatest opportunity for the local ICT industry, for the economy and for South African society as a whole as identified in the ICT RDI Roadmap. The ICT RDI Roadmap, which was approved by Cabinet earlier this year, provides a strategic direction plan and implementation framework to guide and manage R&D investment over the next ten years in the associated programmes of research, technology development and innovation activity. IBM, Cisco and HP are "re companies that have so far shown interest in using the dti programmes mentioned above to invest into ICT research, development and innovation space. At present, the three companies are at different levels of progress in regard to developing initiatives that meet the requirements of the dti programmes.
2) The Department does not have information suggesting any decline in investments from large "technology companies in the county since January 2011 as this type of information falls within the domain of the dti. However, the latest R&D survey, commissioned by the DST, indicates that the Business Expenditure of Research and Development (BERD) declined from R32.332 billion 2008/09 60 R 11. 139 billion in 2009/10
Reply received: August 2013
QUESTION 1717
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN lNTERNAL QUESTlON PAPER: 26 JULY 2013 QUESTION PAPER NO. 23-2013
"1717. Dr JG Kloppers-Lourens (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) Did his department extend an invitation to Google chairman Eric Schmidt to visit the country in January this year when he toured Africa; if not, why not;
(2) whether his department is taking any steps to encourage Microsoft to "trial its white spaces spectrum in the country; if not, why not; if so, what steps?
(NW2064)
REPLY:
(1) The Department of Science and Technology (DST) did not extend an invitation to Google chairman Eric Schmidt to visit South Africa during his tour of Africa. The officials responsible for the information and communication technology (ICT) research, development and innovation programme of the DST were also not aware of Mr Schmidt's tour of Africa. However, had Mr Schmidt requested to have discussions with the DST he would have been welcomed. The Minister and/ or the Director-General have in the past hosted a number of high-level officials of a number of ICT multinational companies. In these cases, the meetings had been requested by the multinational companies and, in some instances, have resulted in the formalisation of collaboration agreements between the DST and the specific companies.
Furthermore the first Television White Spaces (TVWS) trials aimed to deliver affordable broadband and internet services in South Africa were conducted in 2012. With the support of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, a group of partners set up a TVWS trial for ten schools in the Western Gape. The trial partners led by Google include the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research's (CSIR) Meraka Institute, the Tertiary Education Network (TENET), the e-Schools Network, the Wireless Access Providers' Association and other partners from the private sector.
In addition, on 20 June 2013 officials of the DST met with Mr Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, Policy & Government Relations Manager at Google. Mr Mgwili- Sibanda formally briefed the BST about Google's Project Loon, which aims to provide Internet using specially designed balloons that would float in the stratosphere, carried by wind and powered by the sun. The trials .For Project Loon were launched over New Zealand, but with the movement of these balloons combined with the rotation of the earth on its axis, there is a chance that these balloons may find themselves floating above the southern parts of South Africa's coast line. In this respect, Google is to engage other relevant South African government departments to lobby for support of the trials, as well as to make them aware of how South Africa could be impacted by the trials.
In essence, not meeting Mr Schmidt should not be viewed in a negative light since there are ongoing engagements with various county managers of various IGT multinational companies, including Google.
(2) On 27 July 2013, during the launch of the National Science Week, Minister Derek Hanekom announced a pilot project in rural Limpopo that aims to deliver high-speed and affordable broadband to underserved communities using so-called "television white spaces" technology.
Reply received: August 2013
QUESTION NO. 1583
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 JUNE 2013; QUESTION PAPER NO. 22-2013
"1583 Dr J C Kloppers-Lourens (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) When was the process of incorporating the Africa institute of South Africa (AlSA) into Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) started ;
(2) What is the estimated breakdown of the amount ttiaaWwi41 be saved by incorporating AlSA into HSRC?"
NW1929E
REPLY:
(I) Cabinet noted and approved the incorporation of AISA into HSRC on 22 February 2012 and the Minister officially informed the Chairpersons of both AISA and the WSRC tan 6 June 2012.
(2) The estimated breakdown of the amount that will be saved in the first year is:
| Item | Cost saving | Description of current expense |
| Employee cost savings | 1 622 000 | Salary cost of the AISA CEO |
| Council and Audit Committee remuneration | 700 000 | AISA Council and Audit Committee will cease to exist |
| Office of the CEO and Corporate Affairs | 717 600 | Cost of AISA CEO's planned travel/conference/communication |
| Security fees (full cost to be saved) | 360 000 | Security provided in current rental building |
| Office rental cost | 4 012 182 | Office rental currently paid, including rates/taxes and utilities |
| IT cost (40% saving will be achieved) | 309 000 | IT costs including mail service and bandwidth. |
| Library and documentation (40% saving) | 349 800 | Duplicated cost-management of library |
| Audit fees (50% reduction in current fee) | 577 000 | External audit fees |
| Insurance charges (80% saving) | 115 200 | Building and key personnel insurance |
| Legal fees | 17 928 | Cost of outsourcing legal services primarily contract vetting |
| Maintenance and cleaning costs | 94 000 | Air-conditioning maintenance and hygiene costs |
| Total | 8 874 710 |
Reply received: August 2013
QUESTION NO.1582
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 JUNE 2013;
QUESTION PAPER NO 22-2013
"""1582. Dr J C Kloppers-Lourens [BA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(a) Why was a turnaround strategy implemented after 2009 for the Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA) and (b) why has it failed?"
NW1928E
REPLY:
(a) There was no document that could be titled 'turnaround strategy". However, the AlSA has always initiated plans and subsequently implemented those actions that were aimed at achieving the AISA's goals and at addressing the challenges that existed then.
The AISA Council endeavored to address the challenges with regards to leadership, governance and control deficiencies within the organisation over the past six years through appointments of new leadership in management positions as well as focusing on the recommendations from the institutional review that took place in the 2010/11 financial year. This led to the re-structuring of the Research Division, the re-alignment and consideration of a new five-year Research Agenda. The re-structuring of the Research Division entailed the development of a Research Policy with research guidelines, the appointment of an Executive Director of Research, and the establishment of five research units.
All these initiatives were the implementation of actions aimed at ensuring that AlSA operations and management are improved.
(b) Plans and actions that were implemented and guided by the AISA Council to address the disarray that was inherited prior to 2007 brought about success rather "ban failure, as evidenced in the significantly improved audit outcomes.
Reply received: August 2013
QUESTION NO, 1581
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 JUNE 2013; QUESTION PAPER NO. 22-2013
'1581 Dr J C Kloppers-Lourens (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1)(a)(i) how and (ii) on which grounds was the mandate of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) expanded in 2008 and (b) what did this expansion entail;
(2) how has the HSRC preformed in fulfilling the expanded mandate;
(3) what is the nature of overlaps in research between the HSRC and the Africa institute of South Africa (AISA);
(4) is this overlap considered problematic;
(5) whether there has ever been any directors of African Studies at the HSRC; if not, why not; if so, what are the names of the specified directors?" NW1927E
REPLY:
(1) (a)(i) The mandate of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) was expanded through the promulgation of the HSRC Ad, 17 of 2008, which replaced the HSRC Act, 23 of 1968.
(1)(a)(ii) The mandate was expanded based on the institutional review recommendations
(1) (b) The expansion entailed engagement with the res"6f Africa, development of a strategy for furthering social science research collaboration with partners on the continent, and recruitment of more senior African researchers outside South Africa.
(2) Specific performance indicators and targets were introduced to encourage more research collaborations with other pads of the Africa continent. The HSRC continued to build on initiatives undertaken prior to 2008. In September 2006, the HSRC had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA). This Bed to several collaborative initiatives (some of which also involved the AIISA) ranging from joint book publications, research projects, and international conferences, Apart: from work under the MoU with CODESRIA, the MSRC has made further progress in institutionalizing its""Africa focus" work by signing further MoUs with counterpart "restitutions in other parts of Africa (e.g., University of Namibia), hosting conferences and publications (e.g., social science research in Africa conferences; the Social Aspects of HlV/AlDS Research Alliance - SAHARA - conferences and journal, and publishing an "Africa in Focus" book in 2011) and continuing with a range of research projects and proposals involving counterparts in other parts of Africa.
(3) "Te HSRC and AISA overlaps are in terms of thematic areas covered by their research programmes.
An audit conducted in 2011 identified overlaps in the following research functional areas: socio-economic development; peace and security; governance and democracy; promotion of science and technology; geographic information systems; education and skills development.
Another important area to consider when reviewing the HSRC and the AlSA overlaps is the infrastructure that supports research. Both organisations spend considerable resources on meeting statutory planning and reporting requirements, Human Resources (HR) and financial management, as well as publication and outreach activities.
(4) The overlaps are considered problematic because both entities are financed from the same fiscal and public funds are duplicated.
(5) The HSRC has not appointed any directors for African Studies. The position to head the African Studies Centre (ASC) was advertised but no suitable candidates for short listing were identified. Due to the imminent incorporation of the AlSA into the HSRC, it was agreed to place "Fe establishment of the ASC on hold.
Reply received: June 2013
QUESTION NO 1135
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTlON PAPER: -19 MAY 2013; QUESTION PAPER 16 – 2013
""135. Mr D G Smiles (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(a) What total amount has (i) his department and (ii) each specified entity reporting to him spent on conferences in the (aa) 2009-10, (bb) 2010-11, (cc) 2011 -12 and (dd) 2012-13 financial years and (b) what (i) amount was spent on, and (ii) is the breakdown of the expenditure for, each specified conference?
NW 1368E
REPLY:
(a) The total amount spent on conferences by (i) the Department of Science and Technology and (ii) the Africa Institute of South Africa, the Academy of Science of South Africa, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the Human Sciences Research Council, the National Research Foundation, the South African National Space Agency and the Technology Innovation Agency in the specified periods are as detailed below.
| (a) | (aa) | (bb) | (cc) | (dd) | |
| DST | 4 093 698 | R 799 545 | 4 485 573 | 4 181 388 | |
| African Institute of South Africa |
|
|
|
| |
| Academy of Science of South Africa |
|
|
|
| |
| Council for Scientific and Industrial Research |
|
| |||
| Human Science Research Council |
|
|
|
| |
| National Research Foundation |
|
|
|
| |
| South African National Space Agency |
|
|
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| Technology Innovation Agency |
|
|
|
| |
(b) The breakdown of amounts that was spent on specified conferences by the department and the Academy of Science of South Africa, the Africa Institute of South Africa, the Human Sciences Research Council, the National Research Foundation and the South African National Space Agency are per the attached Annexure A. Please refer to Annexure B for conference details for the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and Annexure C for the Technology innovation Agency details.
Reply received: June 2013
QUESTlON NO. "1103
DATE OF: PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: "1 MAY 2013; QUESTION PAPER "1-2013
"1103. Mrs SV Kalyan (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) What total amounts has (a) his department and (b) each specified entity reporting to him spent on (i) print and (ii) broadcast advertising in the (aa) 2009-10, (bb) 2010-11, (66) 2011-12 and (dd) 2012-13 financial years;
(2) in each case, (a)(i) by which radio or television station were the advertisements broadcast and (ii) in which newspapers were the advertisements published in the (aa) 2009-"1, (bb) 2010-11, (cc) 2011-12 and (dd) 2012-13 financial years and (b) at what cost in each specified case?"
NW1336E
REPLY:
(1) (a) The Department of Science and Technology spent the following on print and broadcast advertising:
| Financial year | (i) Print advertising | (ii) Broadcasting advertising | Total advertising spent |
| (aa) 2009-10 | R 1 734 948,10 | R 5 255 018,80 | R 6 989 966,90 |
| (bb) 2010-11 | R 1 678 413,70 | R 4 085 788,20 | R 5 764 201,90 |
| (cc) 2011-12 | R 3 708 096 | R 4 723 381,60 | R 8 431 478,35 |
| (dd) 2012-13 | R 1 672 051,28 | R 6 281 550,03 | R 7 953 601,31 |
| Total | R29 139 248,46 |
See attachment: The Department of Science and Technology Financial Years
Reply received: May 2013
QUESTION NO. 983
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 10 MAY 2013 (lNTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 15 - 2013)
""989* Dr J C Kloppers - Lourens (BA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) Since 1 January 2011 how many applications under the Promotion of Access to information Act, Act 2 of 2000, were received by [a) his department and (b) entities reporting to him, and in each case, how many were (1) granted, (Oil refused and (iii) deemed refused under section 27;
(2) Since 1 January 2011. how many internal appeals under the Act were received by (a) his department and (b) entities reporting to him, and in each case, how many were (i) granted, (ii) refused and (iii) deemed refused under section 77(7);
(3) Who is the information officer for (a) his department and (b) entities reporting to him, and In each case, what are the contact details of the officer? ''
NW1204E
REPLY:
1. Applications made under the Ad Po the Department of Science and Technology
(a) Three (3) applications were received by the Department of Science and Technology, and,
(i) Three (3) were granted;
(ii) Zero (0) were refused and:
(iii) Zero (0) was deemed refused under section 27'.
(b) Applications made under the Act to the entities that report to the Department of Science and Technology
A total of three (3) applications were received by the entities reporting to the Department of Science and Technology, the breakdown is as follows:
(i) Council for Scientific and Indus"rria1 Research (CSIR) One application made under the Act was received by "re CSIR. Such application was granted.
(ii) National Research Foundation (NRF)
Two applications made under the Act were received by the NRF. Both
applications received were granted.
(iii) Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA)
No application made under the Act was received by AlSA.
(iv) Technology innovation Agency (TIA)
No application made under the Act was received by TIA.
(v) Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)
No application made under the Act was received by the HSRG.
(vi) South African National Space Agency (SANSA).
No application made under the Act was received by SANSA.
(vii) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf).
No application made under the Act was received by ASSAf.
2, Appeals made under the Act
(a) Since 1 January 2013, no appeals made under the Act were received by the Department of Science and Technology:
(b) No appeals under the Act were received by the entities, either; All subsequent questions relating to the appeals fall away.
3. The Information Officer
(a) Department of Science and Technology
Dr Phil Mjwara
Tel: (012) 843-6815
Fax: (086) 681 0006
Email: [email protected]
(h) The Information Officers for the entities reporting Za the Minister of Science and Technology are as follows:
(i) Council far Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
Dr Sibusiso Sibisi
Tel: (012) 841 2429
Fax: 012 841 3549
E-mail: [email protected]
(ii) National Research Foundation (NRF)
Dr AS Van Jaarsveld
Tel: (012) 481 4158
fax: 01 2 48? 4006
Email: [email protected]
(iii) The Africa institute of South Africa (AISA)
Prof. Lukhele-Olorunju (Acting)
Tel: (072) 304 9700
Fax: 012 321 3164
Email: [email protected]
{iv) Technology Innovation Agency (TlA)
Mr Simphiwe Duma
Tel: (012) 472 2742
Fax: 0866384794
Email: [email protected],za
(v) Human Sciences Research Council
Dr Olive Shisana
Tel: (021) 466 7902
Fax: 021 461 1325
E-mail: [email protected]
(vi) South African National Space Agency (SANSA)
Dr Sandite Malinga
Tel: (031) 844 0500
Fax: 012 842 7809
E-mail: [email protected]
(vii) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Prof. Roseanne Diab
Tel: (031) 764 6410
Cell: 083 284 3008
Reply received: May 2013
QUESTION NO: 870
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 03 MAY 2013 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 14-2013)
"87. Dr J C Kloppers-Lourens (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
1 Regarding the Final Report of the Ministerial Review Committee on the Science, Technology and Innovation Landscape in South Africa published in Government Gazette No 35392, (a)(i) who were the members of the working committee and (iii) in what capacity did they consider the report (b )(i) how many public responses were received and (ii) what was the nature of the public responses, (c) when will the draft implementation be formulated and (d)(i) what was Cabinet's recommendations on the draft implementation plan, (ii) how will the recommendations be implemented and (iii) what percentage impact will the recommendations have on the budget of his department;
2. regarding the Final Report: of the Ministerial Review Committee on the Science, Technology and innovation Landscape in South Africa, what does teaching at a11 levels mean in recommendation 15 in the Report
NW1089E
REPLY:
1.
(a)
(i) Mr. Vuyani Lingela, Professor Yonah Seleti, Mr. Tommy Makhode, Mr. Godfrey Mashamba, Advocate Brian Muthwa, Mr. Somila Xosa, Mr. Mlungisi Cele and Ms Urszula Rust.
(ii) As members of the Ministerial Working Committee appointed by the Minister of Science and Technology.
(b)
(i) 38 (mainly organisations).
(ii) The public comments were received from national departments, business, higher education institutions, science councils, civil society, and individuals. The comments were generally positive and contained some very useful suggestions which were considered by the Department in its assessment of the Ministerial Review Report.
(c) The Department has already started drafting an implementation plan of the selected recommendations. The recommendations were classified into short-medium term (1-5 years) and long-term (5 years and above) with respect to the implementation. However, each recommendation will be submitted to Cabinet as and when it is appropriate.
(d)
(i) The Department has not submitted an implementation plan to Cabinet.
(ii) See response above in (i).
(iii) See response above in (i).
2. It means teaching at schooling level (from early childhood development to high school) must be re-classified as an essential public service.
Reply received: May 2013
QUESTION NO. 869
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 3 MAY 2013 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 14 - 2013)
'"89. Dr J C Kloppers-Lourens (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
What was the breakdown of the costs for officials from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research to attend the Portfolio Committee for Science and Technology on (a) 20 March 2013 and (b) 17 April 2013?
NW1088E
REPLY:
The breakdown of costs for officials from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research to attend the Portfolio Committee for Science and Technology on 20 March 201 3 and 17 April 2013 is as follows:
(a) Four (4) attendees travelled from Pretoria, at a cost of R30 052.63, which includes accommodation, car hire, flights, S&T and parking expenses; and
(b) Five (5) attendees travelled from Pretoria, at a cost of R26 490.43, which includes accommodation, car hire, flights, S&T and parking expenses.
Reply received: May 2013
QUESTION NO. 867
DATE OF PUBLICATlON IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 3 MAY 2013 QUESTION PAPER NO. 14-2013.
"8369. Dr JC Kloppers-Lourens (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
Bid the SA National Space Agency (SANSA) supply satellite images of the Central African Republic to the (a) the SA National Defence Force, (b) the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans and (c) the President of the Republic between 1 December 20"s and 31 March 2013; if so, (i) when was the request for each image made, (ii) when was each image taken, (iii) what was the nature of each image and (iv) will he supply copies of the images to Dr JG Kloppers-Lourens?
NW1086E
REPLY
(a) As per its mandate, the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) supplies satellite images to various government departments and entities of state including but not limited to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). The Agency was established precisely to ensure centralised and coordinated satellite image procurement to leverage economies of scale and avoid duplicate image acquisition in the public sector.
(b) and (c) SANSA does not provide images to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans and/or the President of the Republic.
With regard to question (i) to (iv) the provision of such images is governed by proprietary rights and contractual agreements on the confidentiality of the image required. In the case of the SANDF, the stakeholder provides SANSA with the coordinates of the desired image and therefore the accurate geographic location of the area of interest could be better responded to by the SANDF.
In addition the Department of Science and Technology and SANSA are not competent authorities on issues of national security and may inadvertently divulge information that might contravene legislative prescripts and/or compromise national security, the Agency and the DST cannot act outside their spheres of competence.
The SANDF and other security cluster entities are better placed to handle some of the specific details requested.
Reply received: May 2013
QUESTION NO. 766
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19 APRIL 2013: INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 12-2013
"766. MS SK PLAATJIE (COPE): to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
With reference to his reply to question 391 on 18 March 2013, what is the total amount allocated (a) to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) pre-construction phase and (b) by each participating country?"
NW977E
REPLY:
(a) A total of €23.4 million cash contributions have been committed to the SKA, and in-kind contributions are expected to exceed €90 million in value.
(b) South Africa's commitment to the pre-construction phase is €16 million (€4 million in cash to the SKA Organisation and €12 million in kind-contributions to the pre-construction work packages).
The National Research Foundation (NRF) has received R1.1 billion from the 2003/2004 and the 2011/12 financial years through current and capital budget items for SKA bid related expenditure. Approximately R2 billion has been allocated over the medium term towards the SKA, which includes MeerKAT.
The MeerKAT telescope will play a significant role in the future of the SKA. The decision to integrate and expand MeerKAT into the SKA Phase 1 recognises MeerKAT as a key instrument that will make up a significant part of the SKA Phase 1 mid-frequency array. Moreover, the science planned for the MeerKAT is very similar to the science case of the SKA Phase 1.
South Africa will be constructing the 64 MeerKAT dishes in the Karoo up to 2016. Construction of the 190 additional dishes, as part of SKA Phase 1 should start on completion of the initial 64 MeerKAT dishes.
The Australian commitment, publicly announced for the pre-construction phase is €20.7 million (€5.8 million cash contribution to the SKA Organisation and €14.9 million in kind-contributions to the work packages).
Reply received: April 2013
QUESTION NO. 649
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 28 MARCH 2013 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 10-2013) CLAIMS INSTITUTED AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT
"649 Mrs P C Duncan (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and "Technology:
(1) Mow many claims were instituted against his department (a) in the (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 (iii) 2009-10, (iv) 2010-11 and (v) 2011-12 financial years and (b) during the period 1 April 2012 up to the latest specified date for which Information is available;
(2) in respect of each specified financial year, (a) what amount was claimed, (b) how many claims were (i) finalised in court (ii)settled out of court and (iii) are stilt outstanding and (c) what amount has been paid to each plaintiff in each case that was (i) finalised in court and (ii) settled out of court
NW808E
REPLY
1. The following claims were instituted against the Department during the following financial years:
(a) (i) 2007- 08: None.
(ii) 2008 - 09: None.
(iii) 2009 -10: One (1) claim.
(iv) 2010 -11: One (1) claim.
(v) 2011-12: None.
(b) 2012-1 3: Two (2) claims.
2. (a) (i) 2007-08: Amount claimed - Nil.
(ii) 200849: Amount claimed - Nil.
(iii) 2009-10: Amount claimed - R2 099 760.00
(iv) 2010-11 : Amount claimed - R485 634.30.
(v) 2011-12: Amount claimed - Nil.
(vi) 2012-13: (aa) Claim 1: Amount claimed - R401 250.69
(bb) Claim 2: Awaiting statement of claim (with amount) from claimant's attorneys.
(b) (i) 2007-08: None;
2008-09: None;
2009-1 0: None;
2010-11: One (1) - Claimant's application for summary judgement was dismissed by Court;
2011-12: None;
2012-1 3: None.
(ii) 2007-08: None;
2008-09: None;
2009-10: None;
2010-11 : None;
2011-12: None;
2012-13: None.
(iii) 2007-08: None;
2008-09: None;
2009-10: One (1)claim is still outstanding;
2010-11 : None;
2011-12: None;
2012-13: Two (2) claims are still outstanding.
(c) (i) Amount paid - Nil.
(ii) Amount paid - Nil.
Reply received: March 2013
QUESTlON NO. 391
DATE OF PUBLIGATBON JN BNBERNAL QUESTOON PAPER: 8 MARCH 2013 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 06-2013)
"391. MS S K PLAATJIE (COPE): to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
Whether, with reference to the reports of the likelihood for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) to exceed the budget allocated to the preconstruction phase, the project will be on schedule; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?"
NW542E
REPLY:
The Request for Proposals (RfP) to carry out the work packages for the SW pre-construction phase was issued on 12 March 2013. The member countries of the SKA Organisation indicated, at the Board meeting in January 2013, that the amounts committed by them were sufficient to carry out all of the work required for the preconstruction phase. The consortia bidding for the various work packages will largely be self-funded and most of the participating countries, including South Africa, have allocated funds to assist their own industries to participate in the preconstruction phase.
It is anticipated that work will be under way by November 2013 and that all work in the preconstruction phase is scheduled and will be completed by the end of 2016, as planned.
Reply received: March 2013
QUESTION NO. 390
DATE OF PUBLlCATI0N IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 8 MARCH 2013 (INTERERNAL, QUESTlON PAPER NO. 06-2013)
"390. MS S M P PJIE (COPE): to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
Whether, with reference to the likelihood of capping the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) to be affordable for the participating countries, the fact that this country is hosting 70 per cent of the SKA compared to Australia will be taken into consideration; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?"
NW541E
REPLY:
The SKA funding agreement is still being negotiated. The baseline design for the first phase of the SKA has been circulated and will be used as the basis for the cost projection for the construction of SKA Phase 1. The SKA Board will meet in July 2013 to consider the projected cost and decide whether to cap Phase 1 and if so at what level. The cost for Phase 2 is not clear at this stage, as the design for Phase 2 has not been finalized and wilt, in part; depend on the performance of Phase 1 of the SKA.
Reply received: March 2013
QUESTION NO. 389
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 8 MARCH 2013 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 06-2013)
"389. MS S K PLAATJIE (COPE): to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
Whether the SA Square Kilometre Array radio telescope project (SKA SA) has received any registration requests from South African companies to be part of the preconstruction phase; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?"
NW540E
REPLY:
Various contractors have been hired to design and manufacture, and install antennas, buildings and other related infrastructure that support the MeerKAT (and to some extent the SKA requirements). The South African SKA Project Office has received numerous information requests from South African companies on the preconstruction and future phases of the SKA. On 7 February 2013, the South African SKA Project Office held an information session for the local industry, providing insight into opportunities for participation in the MeerKAT project and the SKA request for proposals process. SKA SA is working on a programme to assist South African companies to successfully participate in the pre-construction phase.
Reply received: March 2013
QUESTION NO. 155
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 14 FEBRUARY 2013 (INTERNAL QUESTlON PAPER NO. 01-2013)
""Mr W1 S F de Freitas (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) Wow many legal matters were dealt with by his department (a) in the (i) 2009-10, (ii)2010-1 1 and (iii)201 1-12 financial years and (b) during the period 1 April 2012 up to the latest specified date for which information is available;
(2) (a) how many of the specified legal matters were dealt with by (i)the State Attorney and (ii)private attorneys during the specified periods and (b) what are the reasons why his department was not represented by the State Attorney in each specified case;
(3) What total amounts were paid by his department to (a) the State Attorney and (b) private attorneys during the specified periods?"
NW161E
REPLY:
1. The Department has dealt with the following cases during the concerned financial years:
(a) (i) 2009-2010 - Department of Science and Technology v Hatrans Transport, still pending; and Brentlana Solutions (Pty) Ltd v Department of Science and Technology, Arbitration still pending.
(ii) 2010-2011 - lzinkozi Media Publishers v Department of Science and Technology (Case No. 1 1530110)
(iii) 201 1-2012 - None.
(b) A&T Take Away's v Department of Science and Technology, Arbitration still pending.
2. (a)(i) All the matters were dealt with by the State Attorneys, except the arbitration matters where the Department is represented by private attorneys;
(b)(ii) The reason the Department was not represented by the State Attorneys in the Arbitration matters is that State Attorneys do not represent private arbitrations.
3. (a) An amount of R2 800.00 (two thousand eight hundred rand) was paid to the State Attorney for the lzinkozi Media Publishers matter; and
(b) An amount of R381 503.18 (three hundred and eighty one thousand, five hundred and three rand and eighteen cents) was paid to private attorneys.
Reply received: March 2013
QUESTION NO. 122
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 14 FEBRUARY 2013 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER N0.01 -2013)
"Mr M W Rabotapi (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
1. Whether (a) his department and (b) any entities reporting to him paid any bonuses to senior officials in December 2012, if so; in each specified case; (i) to whom and (ii) what amount was paid;
2. Whether the specified bonuses were performance-based; if not, what is the justification for each bonus, if so, in each case, from which budget were the performance bonuses paid;
3. Whether, in each case (a) a performance agreement was signed with the official and (b) regular performance assessments were conducted, if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?"
NW428E
REPLY:
1. (a) The Department of Science and Technology did not pay bonuses in December 2012.
(b) The Academy of Science of South Africa, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the Human Sciences Research Council, the National Research Foundation and the South African National Space Agency did not pay any bonuses to senior officials in December 2012. The Africa institute of South Africa and the Technology Innovation Agency paid bonuses to senior officials as tabulated below:
2. Responses to questions 1 (i) (ii), 2 and 3 (a) (b).
| Public Entity | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||
| (i) | (ii) | Specified | Which budget | (a) | (b) | |
| Africa Institute of South Africa | Prof PE Lukhele- Olorunju | R34 978 - 00 | Performance Incentives were based on performance. | Performance, retention and succession of employees budget | Performance agreements were signed with each senior official for the 2011/12 financial year. | Regular performance assessments were conducted and final decision making and award of incentives were allocated based on the CEO's recommendation and approved by the AlSA Council. |
| Mr SS Ngobeni | R34 978 - 00 | |||||
| Mrs E Maritz | R34 978 - 00 | |||||
| Mrs II Canham | R17 208 - 83 | |||||
| Mr W Poggenpoel | R27 694 - 28 | |||||
| Ms SP Melamu | R17 208 - 83 | |||||
| Technology Innovation Agency | Mr S Duma | R167 744 - 96 | Bonuses paid to senior officials were performance based. | Bonuses were paid from the normal Human Resources budget. | The TIA has a performance management system in place and all executives have a signed performance agreement. | Performance assessments were conducted bi-annually in September 201 1 and April 2012. |
| Ms M Mkhwanazi | R96 714 - 43 | |||||
| Ms B Kortjass | R145 234 - 81 | |||||
| Mr N Ndou | R103 488 - 61 | |||||
| Ms P Maruping | R145205-53 | |||||
Reply received: March 2013
QUESTION NO. 89
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 14 FEBRUARY 2013 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 01-2013)
""Mr J J van der Linde (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(a) How many tickets did (i)his department and (ii)any of its entities purchase to attend business breakfasts hosted by the New Age during the financial years (aaa) 2010-2011 (bbb) 2011-2812 and (bb) during the period "1pril 2012 up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) what was the total cost in each case?"
NW95E
REPLY:
(a) (i) The Department of Science and Technology purchased:
(aaa) no tickets in the 2010-201 1 financial year.
(bbb) no tickets in the 201 1-2012 financial year.
(bb) Fifty tickets were purchased for the Breakfast meeting held on 31 August 2012, which is during the period 1 April 2012 up to the latest specified date for which information is available.
Minister Pandor, former Minister of Science and Technology, accepted an invitation to be a speaker at a New Age Business Breakfast meeting held on 31 August 2012 to talk to the nation about the SKA project and developments in the science and technology sector. Fifty student tickets were bought and allocated to students studying physics at the University of Pretoria and those that are affiliated to the South African Young Academy of Sciences (SAVAS). The platform provided students and other stakeholders with an opportunity to interact with the Minister on matters related to the SW and other priority areas of the department.
(a) (ii) The science and technology entities purchased:
(aaa) no tickets in the 201 0-201 1 financial year.
(bbb) no tickets in the 201 1-2012 financial year.
(bb) no tickets during the period 1 April 2012 up to the latest specified date, for which information is available.
(b) The total cost for the. tickets by the department during the period 1 April 2012 up to the latest specified date amounted to R35 653, 50.