South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe has reaffirmed government's policy of funding scientific and other research. He was delivering the keynote address at the announcement of new research chairs in Pretoria on Friday. "I wish once again to confirm the government's commitment to supporting your work, all the way," he told the newly appointed professors.
The announcement of the chairs marks the latest phase in the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI). No fewer than 54 new such chairs were announced on Friday. "[S]ociety looks up to you," he told the successful candidates, urging them to produce research, train students and help stimulate national development.
"The country still faces accumulated disabilities from the past," he noted. "In view of these serious challenges, innovation ... assumes particular importance." Innovation will move the country to a higher level of development. "All disciplines must contribute to scientific enquiry, enlightenment and knowledge generation."
"These research chairs are special State-funded academic positions," explained Science and Technology Minister Derek Hanekom. The country now has 150 research chairs, created by SARChI. To date, the government has invested more than R1.1-billion in the programme.
"SARChI is a flexible strategic tool," the Minister stated. "The research chairs initiative is already bearing fruit. ... Thanks to our attention to human capital development, exciting discoveries are being announced by South Africans at an accelerating rate."
Motlanthe pointed out that South Africa had won the right to co-host the international Square Kilometre Array radio telescope because of the excellence of the proposals put forward by the country's scientists, engineers and technologists. He also noted that South Africa is ready to host the third International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology.
He also referred to government strategies that might have an impact on the new research programmes. These are the New Growth Path, the unfolding iterations of the Industrial Policy Action Plan, the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission and the Department of Energy's Integrated Resources Plan.