The Necsa Group and Mintek hosted each other to unpack Minister Gwede Mantashe’s Budget Vote pronouncement on Wednesday, 24 July and Thursday, 1 August, respectively.   

Minister Mantashe’s announcement that Mintek will collaborate with Pelchem during the Budget Vote speech delivered in Parliament on Wednesday, 10 July, 2019, is in line with creating synergy and collaboration amongst State Owned Entities. This is of critical importance particularly as these entities now report under the same Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy.

He said “An investment of R120m will go into Mintek’s development of high-value rapid diagnostic kits and a manufacturing infrastructure to supply high-value rapid diagnostic products on a commercial scale… These diagnostic test kits… include kits to rapidly diagnose for HIV/AIDS, Malaria, TB, the Rift Valley fever; utilises gold nano-particles as an active ingredient. They are currently supplied to public health facilities in five provinces; and outperform commercially available products in terms of shelf life accuracy.”

According to Pelchem’s MD, Mr Ivan Radebe ‘’ This collaboration with Mintek augurs well for Pelchem and the country, as the local production of ARVs and other burden of diseases is a key pillar of their Expansion & Growth Strategy to pivot Pelchem towards a sustainable future.

Furthermore, Pelchem is a world leader in Fluorochemical production and will benefit from the expertise of Mintek’s minerals processing technology to improve yields of its production facilities. Ketlaphela is in the final stages of setting up local supply chain processes to ensure the supply of ARVs and other burden of diseases”

These engagements between Necsa Group and Mintek, unearthed possible areas of collaboration on research and development; rare earth element manufacturing industry; cancer treatment diagnostic technology and treatment, to mention a few. This pronouncement has reinvigorated existing relationship between Necsa and Mintek. The possibilities are endless when we collaborate and work together.    

“As Necsa Group we are looking forward to a healthy working relationship with Mintek. It is through such partnerships that we will be able to grow our business as State Owned Entities,” Necsa Acting CEO, Mr. Ayanda Myoli said.

Furthermore, Mintek CEO, Dr Molefi Motuku added: “Mintek is quite excited at the prospect of attaining even greater heights in commercializing its technologies, with the Necsa Group as a strategic partner.

When public entities find seamless alignment, the country’s research and development will undoubtedly change lives and take its rightful place on the global R&D space.”