South Africa is to review its policy and plans regarding science, technology and innovation. This was stated by Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor at the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Ministers Responsible for Science and Technology, held recently in Jaipur, India.

“This is an important time for policy reflection in South Africa, and I have launched a process to develop a new White Paper, as well as a Decadal Plan for science, technology and innovation in South Africa,” she said. “With our democracy now 22 years old, the time has arrived for critical reflection on the appropriate policy focus for South Africa in the twenty-first century. I intend to actively seek the input and advice from Brics experts for this important process and would like to thank you in advance for your support.”

‘[I]n South Africa, the policy priority for our government remains addressing poverty, unemployment and inequality,” she pointed out. “I am pleased to report that science, technology and innovation continue to be at the heart of our government’s response to these challenges.” She cited the recent launch of the country’s first national plan for investment in research infrastructure. Priority areas for investment will be cyberinfrastructure, the MeerKAT radio telescope array, life sciences (especially pharmaceuticals manufacturing) and renewable energy – particularly hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.

“We are developing a range of public–private partnerships as we seek to enhance the competitiveness of our economy,” she observed. “Preparing for what the experts refer to as the fourth industrial revolution, we launched earlier this year a comprehensive additive (three-dimensional printing) manufacturing strategy.”

The country’s research infrastructure plans include the development of Pan-African research infrastructures, including the African Data Intensive Research Cloud and improving the continent’s pharmaceuticals manufacturing capacity. South Africa also remains committed to wider international cooperation. “Global cooperation remains one of the cornerstones of our science and technology strategy,” she affirmed. “The sharing with our international partners of experience and expertise is absolutely essential for South Africa’s national innovation system to progress. “In this regard, I am deeply grateful for the outstanding cooperation we enjoy with all Brics partners.”

Pandor recounted that the First Ministerial Meeting of Brics Ministers Responsible for Science and Technology had taken place in South Africa in 2014, at which a memorandum of understanding (MoU) had been successfully negotiated. At the Second Ministerial, in Brazil, in March 2015, the MoU had been signed. And, at a meeting in Moscow in October last year, a work plan had been adopted.

She described the initial “pilot calls” for the Brics Framework Programme for multilateral research and innovation within the grouping as “a proverbial game changer in the field of international science and technology partnerships”. She praised the rapid development of research cooperation within Brics. “What we have achieved in less than a year, other partnerships have taken decades to construct.”

Regarding programmes already under way, “I am pleased to report that the Astronomy Working Group, led by South Africa, has executed its mandate”, she highlighted. “Over the past year, two working group meetings took place and we now have a strategic plan in place for Brics astronomy partnerships. “Two scientific seminars were convened and already our astronomers are at work putting into practice the plans developed by our officials.”

Pandor saluted the Indian government for organising the first Brics Young Scientists Conclave. She reported that the young South African scientists who had participated had been “enthralled by the experience” and had reported “exciting plans to develop joint initiatives with the Brics partners they had met”.

“In conclusion, looking towards the future, I would like to underline the strategic importance of the proposed Brics Science and Technology Enterprise Partnership,” she affirmed. “Now is the time for the Brics partnership enterprise to focus science, technology and innovation on accelerating economic growth. The Enterprise Partnership will provide us with an enabling framework to achieve this objective. . . . Together, we are stronger.”