NZIMANDE HOSTS FINANCE MINISTER GODONGWANA AT CSIR FOR HIGH-LEVEL SCIENCE AND ECONOMY TALKS

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Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, is hosting Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana and a National Treasury delegation this morning at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria.

Purpose: A strategic engagement on how science, technology and innovation (ST&I) can drive South Africa's development priorities.

The Department said the visit is part of its drive to place science and innovation at the centre of government, education, industry and society.

It will also showcase how the Department's entities (CSIR, HSRC, SANSA, TIA, NRF and others) contribute to inclusive economic growth, better service delivery and building a capable state.

2. BACKGROUND - WHY THIS MEETING MATTERS NOW:

This is not just a courtesy visit - it is about money and policy.

Timing: South Africa is preparing for the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in October and the 2027 Budget in February. Science budgets have been under pressure due to austerity.

Why Finance + Science?
- National Treasury controls the purse. The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation needs more funding to commercialise research - turning lab inventions into jobs and factories.
- CSIR as host is symbolic: CSIR research saved SA R2.8bn+ in load shedding costs estimates, develops vaccines, defence tech, and AI solutions for government.
- The government is pushing the District Development Model and Operation Vulindlela - both need tech solutions for water leaks, energy, logistics, and township economy growth.

Core tension: Treasury wants cost-cutting and fiscal discipline. DSTI wants increased R&D investment (SA currently spends only 0.62% of GDP on R&D, far below the global target of 1.5% and China's 2.4%). Today's meeting is about finding a middle ground - showing Treasury that STI is not expenditure, it's investment.

3. IMPACT ON THE PUBLIC:

For Economy & Jobs:
If Treasury buys into the STI agenda, more funding can go to innovation commercialisation, start-ups, and manufacturing of local tech (drones, hydrogen, electric batteries). This means more skilled jobs.

For Students & Researchers:
Stronger Treasury support could mean more NRF bursaries for Masters and PhDs, more funding for universities' research, and better equipment at TVET colleges.

For Service Delivery:
CSIR develops solutions for municipalities - water leak detection, pothole repair tech, and crime detection tools. Better funding means faster rollout to places like Centurion, Soshanguve, and rural municipalities.

For Taxpayers:
Focus on science can reduce reliance on expensive foreign tech. Example: CSIR-developed biogas, vaccines, and mining tech save foreign exchange.

4. WHAT THE PUBLIC CAN DO / HOW TO BE INVOLVED:

For Innovators / SMEs:
- If you have a prototype, contact the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and CSIR for funding support - this engagement may open new funding windows. Visit http://www.tia.org.za and http://www.csir.co.za

For Students:
- Follow DSTI on http://www.dst.gov.za for upcoming calls for bursaries and the 2027 Science Expo.
- NRF postgraduate funding usually opens March-April - start preparing proposals aligned to national priorities (AI, energy, health, agriculture).

For General Public:
- The CSIR is open for school visits and public exhibitions - learners can see how science solves daily problems.
- Watch for outcomes of this meeting in the upcoming budget - TMGNEWS will track if R&D allocation increases.

SOURCE: Department of Science, Technology and Innovation via http://SAnews.gov.za