The National Development Plan (NDP) has identified science, technology and innovation as a crucial weapon in the arsenal to free South Africans from poverty, underdevelopment and unemployment. This is what National Assembly (NA) Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology Mr Cassel Mathale told other MPs during the Department of Science and Technology Budget Debate Vote in Parliament yesterday.

In order to achieve this objective, Mr Mathale said there must be continued funding for research, development, innovation and infrastructure development. There is also a pressing obligation to finance the production of a new generation of patriotic scientists, including artisans and technicians.  “Invest more in human capital development through funding postgraduate education in the areas of scientific research, innovation and technology,” he said.

Supporting the Budget Vote 30 Science and Technology Mr Mathale said that after considering the proposed budget of R7.6 billion, the Committee recommend that among other things the ministers in the departments of Science and Technology and Treasury pursue all mechanisms to increase the department’s budget allocation. The committee also recommended that the department should table as soon as possible the 2015/16 and 2016/17 research and development Programme Tax Incentive performance reports.

Participating in the debate and rejecting the Budget Vote, MP Mr Mogamad Paulsen of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said although the EFF agrees with the aims of the Department of Science and Technology on industrialisation, diversification and green industries, the sustainable development goals and Agenda 2063, these will not translate into practical achievement because the government is all talk and no action.

He said to achieve the objective of transforming the South African economy from an economy based on resource extraction, the provision of services and consumption of imported goods to one that is industrialised, diverse and green speaks to the needs of the people. The EFF believes that the government should increase the department’s funding to help develop new industries.

Mr Nhlanhlakayise Khubisa of the National Freedom Party (NFP), who spoke on behalf of NFP party leader Ms Kamagwaza-Msibi, supported the Budget Vote. He said in light of the enormous work done by the department, the NFP proposes that the National Treasury increases the department’s budget. “This is one department that has for many years done well, as can be seen in the Auditor-General’s reports,” said Mr Khubisa.

He told the NA that the NFP applauded the department for awarding bursaries to 3 136 students in the 2016/17 financial year. “In the 2017/18 financial year the department will award 3 100 PhD students with bursaries.

Ms Cheryllyn Dudley of the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) congratulated the Minister of the Department of Science and Technology, Ms Naledi Pandor, on the department’s good work. Ms Dudley said the NDP believes science and technology is crucial for development. She said that countries that have alleviated poverty by growing their economies have done so by investing in strong science, technology and innovation.

In supporting the budget vote, Ms Dudley said the ACDP welcomes the department’s efforts to drive the research and development agenda. “We would like to see them engage even more energetically with business to get maximum support for research and development and innovation, especially since a tax incentive exists for companies undertaking research and development in South Africa,” Ms Dudley said.

Mava Lukani
17 May 2017