From 1 – 5 December 2025, the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA) – an initiative of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) – will support the South African Science Journalists’ Association in hosting the World Conference of Science Journalists 2025.
Held under the theme “Science journalism and social justice: Journalism that builds understanding and resilience”, the conference will bring together global media professionals, researchers, communicators and policymakers to strengthen science journalism across Africa and the world.
The event is scheduled to take place at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria and will feature a week-long programme comprising keynote talks, workshops, field trips, exhibitions and networking opportunities.
As part of the field trips, journalists will have the opportunity to visit selected CSIR facilities. In addition, CSIR researchers will deliver short tech talks, as outlined below. The talks are scheduled for Wednesday, 3 December 2025, from 13:30 to 14:00.
What can AI do for food security?
A tool that integrates artificial intelligence (AI) and “One Health” towards zero hunger
Hosted by: Dr Essa Suleman, CSIR principal researcher
Artificial intelligence (AI) researchers in South Africa and the United Kingdom (UK) have developed a prototype tool that aims to help government and farmers solve one of South Africa’s long-standing challenges: although the country produces enough food, many people still experience hunger. The tool is being developed by CSIR researchers in agriculture and AI, together with their counterparts from the UK’s Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science. The final version of the tool will feature several advanced AI capabilities to predict potential risks to food supply chains by analysing economic trends, climate conditions, disease surveillance reports and other relevant factors. It will also prescribe strategies to prevent losses and reduce strains on the food supply system.
Read more: https://indd.adobe.com/view/331ae416-bb7a-4f6e-8df1-022b650ebb6d
Building trust from farm to fork
Digital tracing with ILIMA helps small famers
Hosted by: Anieke Swanepoel, Technologist
Anieke will demonstrate how this new platform provides customers with farm-to-fork transparency, covering growth hormones, medicines, feeding practices, farm conditions, storage and refrigerated transport to markets. Read more in the #sustainability edition of the CSIR publication, ScienceScope: https://indd.adobe.com/view/331ae416-bb7a-4f6e-8df1-022b650ebb6d
South African cities’ climate risk zones in high resolution
Use the GreenBook to protect people and places from extreme weather
Hosted by: Amy Pieterse, CSIR senior researcher
Amy Pieterse, who will discuss the GreenBook, a CSIR-developed web-based tool that provides a scientific view of the likely impacts climate change and urbanisation will have on South Africa’s cities and towns. The tool also suggests actions to build climate resilience.
Read more on the Greenbook website: https://greenbook.co.za/
Reporting on localised health technologies for Africa, by Africans
Hosted by: Mutsa Takundwa, molecular biologist and biochemist; Sizwe Tshabalalala, research technician, Mluleki Hlongwane, plant biotechnology student; and Shaik Hoosain, engineer and project manager.
Human, animal and plant health interventions are often not tested in local populations or are not suited to local conditions. It is therefore important to localise technologies or develop new interventions that consider African contexts, including poverty, climate threats, access to care, inequality and unique genetics. In this session, we will share examples of how African scientists are developing medical technologies, diagnostics, cancer treatments and cell lines for pharmaceutical testing to ensure better health outcomes for African populations. Local diagnostic and vaccine technologies also have applications in agriculture, for instance by targeting local plant and animal virus strains.
Members of the media are invited as follows:
Date and time:
Monday, 1 December 2025 to Friday, 5 December 2025, 09:00
Venue: CSIR International Convention Centre
RSVP and enquiries:
Please RSVP by Saturday, 29 November 2025
RSVP with:
Phetolo Phatsibi, CSIR Media Practitioner
Email: @email
Mobile: 081 396 8871
About the CSIR:
The CSIR, an entity of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, is one of Africa’s leading organisations in scientific and technological research, development and implementation. Constituted by an Act of Parliament in 1945 as a science council, the CSIR undertakes directed and multidisciplinary research and technological innovation, as well as industrial and scientific development, to improve the quality of life of all South Africans.
This year, the CSIR celebrates 80 years of touching lives through innovation. For more information, visit www.csir.co.za
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