Parliament, Wednesday, 8 July 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation welcomed the 2026 Inaugural Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) Public Lecture held today, as well as the official launch of the ST&I Business Forum.
The committee noted that this is an important opportunity to strengthen dialogue on innovation and the role of science, technology and innovation in driving inclusive economic growth, industrial development and job creation. The Public Lecture was held in line with the objectives of National Science Month (NSM), which is being observed throughout July under the theme: “Science, Technology and Innovation are for Everyone.”
The Chairperson of the committee, Ms Lusizo Makhubela, participated in the event as part of Parliament's constitutional mandate to conduct oversight, facilitate public participation and engage with stakeholders on matters affecting the country's science, technology and innovation landscape. The ST&I Public Lecture, held under the theme: “A Public-Private Partnership Model for Science and Innovation,” brought together representatives from government, business, academia, research institutions and civil society to discuss approaches to strengthening South Africa's National System of Innovation and to increase collaboration to support economic development.
The committee noted that government has already established a clear policy framework through the 2019 White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation and the Science, Technology and Innovation Decadal Plan (2022–2032), which serves as an implementation plan for the 2019 STI White Paper. Both the policy framework and the Decadal Plan emphasise stronger collaboration between government, business, higher education institutions and civil society to increase research and development, improve the commercialisation of research and promote innovation-led growth.
The committee further noted that the ST&I Business Forum seeks to contribute to these national objectives by providing a platform for organised business, academia and other stakeholders to collaborate, promote greater private-sector investment in research and development, advance public-private partnerships, support industrial innovation and commercialisation, and foster skills development and innovation-driven economic growth.
Ms Makhubela said Parliament welcomes constructive engagement with all stakeholders committed to strengthening South Africa's innovation ecosystem. “Organised business has an important contribution to make towards increasing investment in research, development and innovation. As a committee, we will continue to assess proposals objectively against existing government policy, legislative requirements and our constitutional oversight responsibilities,” the Chairperson said.
The committee, however, remains concerned that South Africa continues to experience low levels of investment in research and development compared to national policy targets. Increasing business expenditure on research and development is thus one of the key challenges facing the National System of Innovation and has been a recurring matter during the committee's oversight of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and its entities.
It is expected that the discussions from the Public Lecture will contribute meaningfully to ongoing national conversations on strengthening public-private partnerships, improving the commercialisation of publicly funded research, developing strategic industries, supporting innovation-driven industrialisation and expanding opportunities for skills development and employment.
The committee will continue to monitor government's efforts to strengthen coordination across departments responsible for science, technology and innovation, while ensuring that public resources are used effectively and deliver measurable socio-economic benefits.
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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