Parliament, Wednesday, 15 March 2017 – The Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology today received a briefing from the Department of Science and Technology (DST) on its 2016/17 3rd quarter financial and non-financial performance.
The Acting Chairman, Mr Cassel Mathale, noted the explanation from Minister of Science and Technology, Ms Naledi Pandor, on the change of the annual target of 53 MeerKAT antennas to 32 antenna single polarisation array by 31 March 2017. The Chair commended the Minister on her leadership to fix what is wrong whilst the process is underway rather than to incur additional costs at the end. The problem arises from the manufacturer’s faulty component in the drive mechanism. The Department will meet its target of 64 MeerKAT antennas by 31 March 2018.
The Committee is satisfied with the strides the Department has made to develop human capital through providing bursaries to 3 239 PhD students and 9 353 honours and masters students, and has surpassed its target of 913 interns to 950 in the third quarter.
The Acting Chairperson urged the Department to fill its key vacant posts, bearing in mind the current government drive to do more with less.
ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Acting Chairperson of Science and Technology,
Mr Cassel Mathale, please contact:
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