Establishment of an International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Component in RSA; with Deputy Minister

Meeting report

Agreement between the Government of South Africa and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) on the Establishment of an International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) component in South Africa, tabled in terms of Section 231 (2) of the Constitution

Mr Mmboneni Muofhe, DHEST Deputy Director-General (DDG): Technology and Innovation, explained that the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) Cape Town component was officially established in 2007. South Africa had been a member since 2004.

Mr Muofhe added that the ICGEB was a unique intergovernmental organisation that was initially established as a special project of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). The ICGEB ran 46 state of the art laboratories in Trieste, New Delhi and Cape Town and forms an interactive network with over 65 member states.

South Africa’s Cape Town component of the ICGEB marked South Africa as the first African country and only the third in the world that hosted a laboratory of the ICGEB.

This collaboration signified the start of science and technology partnership that contributed to advance global sustainable development.

In 2019, the Host Agreement between South Africa and the ICGEB was signed. This Agreement renewed the commitment and expression of continued support and international relations between South Africa and ICGEB.

The South African component would aim to strengthen the activities of the ICGEB on the African continent and already yielded critical research findings that are important to the African continent.

 The Component ran research that are at the forefront of international scientific excellence in infectious diseases (HIV/AIDS, malaria,TB), non-communicable diseases (cancer) and in plant biotechnology (bio pesticides).

Discussion

Ms D Christians (DA, Northern Cape) asked whether the ICGEB Cape Town Component received any support from the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC). She also wanted to know what benefits South Africa had accrued as a member state.

The Chairperson stated that it was the first time he heard of the PHD programme. He requested more information on the PHD programme and on how the ICGEB was funded.

A question was also asked about the ICGEB’s role in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

An additional question was asked about the significance of South Africa’s biodiversity and the role that it could play in the medical fraternity.

Ms N Ndongeni (ANC, Eastern Cape) wanted to ascertain whether the ICGEB collaborated with any South African tertiary institutions.

Reply by the DHEST

Mr Muofe replied that the three ICGEB Centres in Cape Town, New Dehli and Trieste exchanged information on the sequence of the Covid-19 virus. There had also been consultations on public communication on the Covid-19 pandemic.

He added that South Africa was a biodiverse country and the country’s biodiversity held great medicinal promise. Some are already being used as bio fertilisers and pesticides.

One major advantage of using plants was that it is not chemically based.

He also informed that plans are afoot to bring traditional and western medical experts and researchers together to consult on the medicinal value of some traditional plant based medicine.

On South Africa’s financial commitments to the ICGEB Cape Town Component, Mr Muofe explained that each of the three Components funded their own activities. Member countries are under obligation to pay a membership though.

The DHEST funds about R30 million of the R200 million operating budget of the Cape Town Component’s annual budget.  There was also significant funding from private funders such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

He informed Members that South Africa and the African continent had benefitted greatly from the ICGEB, especially on the state of readiness to address the outbreak of certain diseases on the continent and the ability to develop diagnostic capabilities.

The Committee was also informed that the Cape Town Component that is based at the University of Cape Town had regular outreach activities with universities and schools.

He emphasised that there had been particular engagement with rural based universities and agricultural tertiary institutions.

Mr Daan du Toit, DHEST DDG: Global Partnerships, added that South Africa also accrued benefit as a host nation of an ICGEB Component.

He explained that as a host nation, South Africa will also attract foreign direct investment and continue to champion pan-Africanism within the organisation.

Closing remarks by DHEST Director-General

Mr Phil Mjwara, DG, Department of Science and Technologym thanked the Committee for the time to engage on the ICGEB. He stated that his Department would proceed to finalise all outstanding matters and awaits instructions on how to proceed with the Science and Technology Laws Amendment Bill.

The Chairperson called for the adoption of the Report on the Agreement between the Government of South Africa and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) on the Establishment of an International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) component in South Africa, tabled in terms of Section 231 (2) of the Constitution.

Ms M Gillion (ANC, Western Cape) moved for the adoption and Ms A Maleka (ANC, Mpumalanga) seconded.

The Report was adopted.

The meeting was adjourned.