Parliament, Wednesday, 10 June 2026- The Portfolio Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation conducted an oversight visit to the University of the Western Cape-based Hydrogen South Africa Centre of Competence (HySA Systems) yesterday. This follows the committee’s previous joint meetings with the Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition and the Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy on collaborative efforts to advance South Africa’s hydrogen economy and broader energy innovation agenda.
Explaining the purpose of the oversight, the committee Chairperson, Ms Lusizo Makhubela, said the committee’s visit was informed by discussions held in Parliament over the past two years. These previous meetings had informed committee members of the opportunities presented by hydrogen technologies, which include economic growth, job creation, industrial development, localisation and export opportunities.
However, Ms Makhubela said that concerns were raised about commercialisation, affordability, market readiness, governance and the tangible benefits that must accrue to ordinary South Africans from public investment in this sector. Nonetheless, she noted that the committee is aware of the significant work undertaken through the Hydrogen South Africa programme since its launch in 2008.
“We recognise the contribution of the three centres of competence and, in particular, the important role played by HySA Systems here at UWC in integrating technologies, validating systems and demonstrating practical applications for hydrogen technologies,” she said.
The committee welcomed the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the progress achieved by HySA Systems, the challenges that remain, and the contributions the UWC centre has made in implementing the Hydrogen Society Roadmap and supporting initiatives such as the Hydrogen Valley.
“We are particularly interested in understanding how research outputs are being translated into commercial opportunities, how local industries and communities are benefiting, what skills are being developed for the future economy, and how partnerships with government, industry and academia are being strengthened,” emphasised Ms Makhubela.
In an engagement with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, led by Deputy Director General Dr Kenny Tenza, centres of competence at HySA-University of Cape Town Catalysis, HySA-NWU Infrastructure and Mintek, the committee was informed of progress in a number of areas. These include the employment of TVET college graduates and concrete linkages established between TVET colleges and the industry.
However, the committee is aware that these gains do not reflect the full capability of the programme, which is constrained by the level of available funding.
In welcoming the progress made thus far, the committee called for improved coordination between science, trade policy and legislation to ensure that the money invested in research and development leads to greater commercialisation and localisation of the technologies developed.
Furthermore, the committee is aware that the progress achieved is the result of long-term investment in the development of these capabilities. Without continued investment, South Africa risks losing these capabilities and its ability to participate in future hydrogen-based industries.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION, MS LUSIZO MAKHUBELA.
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