The Deputy President (DP) of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, visited the CSIR on Friday, 23 June 2017 in his capacity as Board chairperson of the Human Resources Development Council (HRDC). The HRDC had selected the CSIR as the venue for hosting its 18th council meeting. 

The DP was accompanied by ministers and deputy ministers from various departments, as well as Mr Sizwe Nxasana, chair of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and CSIR Board member, Prof. Mamokgethi Phakeng.

CSIR CEO, Dr Thulani Dlamini and CSIR Group Executive: Research and Development, Dr Molefi Motuku, accompanied the DP on a tour of the Nanomaterials Industry Development Facility.   They were welcomed by CSIR chief researcher and director of the facility, Prof. Suprakas Sinha Ray and a few young researchers who impressed the DP with their innovative research projects. Thereafter, the DP visited different exhibition stalls where young researchers waited in anticipation to share their research projects.  

“I was treated to a lot of innovative research, but I must mention one very impressive project that is revolutionising our health sector. The CSIR has created a seamless patient registration and identification system that has resulted in a significant drop in queues at our clinics. Today, I was again shown different projects such as the 3D printing of aviation parts, bomb tracking equipment and more interesting projects developed and managed by young researchers at the organisation. I am very impressed,” affirmed the DP before convening the meeting.