On 23 May 2023, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) held its Budget Vote Panel Discussion at Iziko South African Museum, under the theme, “Growing Our Country Through Empowering Youth in Science, Technology and Innovation’.

During his opening remarks at the panel discussion, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, elaborated on progress made in science, technology and innovation to address societal challenges. In particular, he highlighted the partnership between the CSIR and local biotechnology company CapeBio, which resulted in the successful production of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Covid-19 diagnostic test kit approved by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority.

Minister Nzimande further highlighted the CSIR’s response to floods and the expertise that the organisation provided through assisting with satellite imagery of the affected sites. This included identifying joint interventions with entities such as the South African Space Agency (SANSA) and the Office of the Eastern Cape Premier. “Our response to the catastrophic floods made it even clearer to us that science, technology and innovation are absolutely critical if we are to meaningfully mitigate the economic and social impacts of climate change,” he said.

Representing the CSIR during the Budget Vote was its Group Executive for Business Excellence and Integration, Dr Kaven Naidoo. The CSIR was given a platform to promote its technological capabilities through an exhibit that featured two of its technologies that were funded by the DSI at the Iziko Museum in Cape Town. The first one is a novel fingerprint system to aid forensic services and security institutions. It was developed by a team of experts including CSIR senior software engineer Crestinah Mudau. The system involves a latent fingerprint acquisition device that uses optical coherence tomography (commonly referred to as a CT scan) ­– a non-invasive imaging system that uses light waves to capture micrometer resolution images. The device makes it possible to lift fingerprint impressions left at crime scenes non-destructively. On the day, Mudau also participated as a guest on SAfm's "The Talking Point" programme for a live radio interview with hostess Cathy Mohlahlana.

With advancing technologies for smart agriculture, CSIR senior researcher Dr Ebrahim Wadiwala and his team have been developing a precision agriculture information system that provides farm-scale information on soil and crop conditions weekly. The system responds to crop-specific needs across different agroecological regions in South Africa. “The Precision Agriculture Information System provides regular farm-based actionable information that supports emerging farmers with their agricultural practices. This crop-specific fourth industrial revolution technology aims to improve crop efficiency, productivity and sustainability, thereby contributing to food security in South Africa,” shared Ebrahim.

Sharing the exhibition area with the CSIR were DSI entities such as SANSA, the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the HySA flagship project. The panel discussion concentrated on talks that emphasised growing the country by empowering youth in science, technology and innovation, which were delivered by speakers such as the Director-General of the DSI, Dr Phil Mjwara; Technology Innovation Agency investees Busiswe Ndabana who is the founder of Smartvein under the Grassroots Innovation Programme; and Thulisie Machi, who is the founder of Thulikaceb Recycling Company in the  Living Labs Programme; Ashley Uys, the founder and CEO of Medical Diagnostech (Pty) Ltd; and Ziba Rajan from the University of Cape Town’s Renewable Energy: Hydrogen South Africa Catalysis.

Masilo Kgatle, who organised the CSIR’s exhibition at the event shares, “Our objectives for participation centred on business development, sharing opportunities for collaboration and providing guidance on careers in science and technology, while creating a sustainable networking platform among the public, academics and policymakers in Parliament.”

Once the successful programme at Iziko Museum South Africa ended, Minister Nzimande, together with Deputy Minister, Buti Manamela, tabled the DSI Budget Vote at the Good Hope Chamber, which is currently being used as an alternative venue for the sittings of the National Assembly.  Here, he announced that National Treasury allocated the DSI R10,9 billion for the 2023/24 financial year – an increase from R9,1 billion in 2022/23. This amount is divided among its five main programmes or branches, which represent various core focus areas, such as research development and support, technology, international cooperations and resources, socioeconomic innovation partnerships and administration.

Each of the public entities that report to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation receives a Parliamentary Grant, and a significant proportion of the department’s budget is allocated as transfers to its entities, such as the CSIR.

Budget Vote debates commenced during mid-May 2023 and will continue until 1 June 2023. These Budget Vote debates provide an opportunity for Members of Parliament to discuss and then formally adopt the budgets of government departments and entities that are funded through a parliamentary vote. They take place in mini plenaries, also known as breakaway sessions, of the National Assembly and allow for Parliament and the public to be updated about the progress of activities in which departments are involved, as well as their performance, by means of a narrative account of how public funds are being spent.