People's Assembly

2015-w3236 - 14 September 2015

Terblanche, Ms JF to ask the Minister of Science and Technology

(1)Are there measures that are put in place to protect the reputation of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) in order to ensure that evidence-based output remains independent and authoritative in all spheres; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) What additional steps is the HSRC taking to preserve its autonomy

NW4086E - 11 September 2015

Annelie Lotriet to ask the Minister of Science and Technology

Whether the discontinuation of the student programme at the SA Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) will have any impact on the future need for scientists in the field of astronomy; if so, what is her department doing to remedy the situation at the SAAO?

Reply from the Minister of Science and Technology on 11 Sep 2015

Yes, the discontinuation of these programmes could have a negative impact on SAAO science operations and hence training of scientists, if not addressed. Telescopes and astronomy instruments that are used by astronomers are maintained and developed by optical, mechanical and electronic engineers/technicians. SAAO is the ideal ground to develop and sustain the skills of local engineers and technicians who are developing instrumentation at the ...

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NW4085E - 11 September 2015

Annelie Lotriet to ask the Minister of Science and Technology

Whether any measures have been put in place to ensure that there is further growth of the Southern African Large Telescope and its instruments; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

2015-w3080 - 07 September 2015

Annelie Lotriet to ask the Minister of Science and Technology

(a) How does (i) her department and (ii) entities reporting to her define red tape and (b) what (i) specific interventions and/or (ii) systems have been implemented to (aa) identify and (bb) reduce red tape in (aaa) her department and (bbb) the entities reporting to her?”

NW4026E - 04 September 2015

Johanna Fredrika Terblanche to ask the Minister of Science and Technology

(1) What is the current status of young scientists participating at different meetings of the Academy of Science of South Africa related to science policy; (2) how many young scientists have participated in meetings related to science policy in the (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and (c) 2014-15 financial years?

NW4025E - 04 September 2015

Johanna Fredrika Terblanche to ask the Minister of Science and Technology

(1) (a) What is the outcome of the Ministerial Review Committee on the enhanced role of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) in the policy advisory niche and (b) what is the current status of the election of the 32 members of ASSAf; (2) have any members been elected; if so, (a) what are the names of each of the elected members and (b) on which date was each of the specified members elected; (3) has a human resource manager been appointed in ASSAf; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the name of the appointed manager and (b) when was the specified person appointed; (4) did ASSAf appoint four additional interns as at 30 April 2015; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the names of each of the specified interns and (b) on what date was each of the specified interns appointed; (5) has the policy and liaison managerial post within ASSAf been filled; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the name of the appointee and (b) on what date was the specified person appointed?

Reply from the Minister of Science and Technology on 4 Sep 2015

(a) The roles of ASSAf and the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) have been clarified, with ASSAf being best positioned to provide formal scientific advice through its in-depth, evidence-based long-term studies, and NACI being more suited to provide informal, short-term advice that may be of a confidential and policy nature. ASSAf and NACI have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to this effect.
(b) ...

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NW4024E - 04 September 2015

Johanna Fredrika Terblanche to ask the Minister of Science and Technology

(1) What progress has been made by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) to promote and inspire all fields of scholarly inquiry and evidence-based solutions that are aligned with the goals of her department and the challenges reflected in the National Development Plan; (2) how does the mandate of ASSAf assist with (a) unprecedented unemployment rates, (b) poverty and (c) inequality?

Reply from the Minister of Science and Technology on 4 Sep 2015

The broad objectives aimed at addressing the triple challenges of the NDP through a set of priority interventions are unpacked below:

(a) Develop an economy that will create more jobs

The State of Green Technologies in South Africa. (Consensus study - completed)
South Africa’s technical readiness to support the shale gas industry. (Consensus study - ongoing)
“Our Nuclear Future: Delay or ...

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NW3908E - 04 September 2015

Mogamad Nazier Paulsen to ask the Minister of Science and Technology

(1) (a)(i) What total amount did her department spend on her travel costs between Gauteng and Cape Town in the 2014-15 financial year and (ii) how many trips did she undertake between Gauteng and Cape Town in the specified financial year and (b) what total amount did her department spend on (i) hotel and (ii) residential or other accommodation for her in (aa) Cape Town and (bb) Pretoria in the 2014-15 financial year; (2) (a)(i) what total amount did her department spend on the Deputy Minister’s travel costs between Gauteng and Cape Town in the 2014-15 financial year and (ii) how many trips did the Deputy Minister undertake between Gauteng and Cape Town in the specified financial year and (b) what total amount did her department spend on (i) hotel and (ii) residential or other accommodation for the Deputy Minister in (aa) Cape Town and (bb) Pretoria in the 2014-15 financial year?

Reply from the Minister of Science and Technology on 4 Sep 2015

Since October 2010, Cabinet has supported a more competitive and stable exchange rate. This does not involve a “devaluation of the rand by the SA Reserve Bank”.

-END-

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NW3869E - 28 August 2015

Mogamad Nazier Paulsen to ask the Minister of Science and Technology

(1) What (a) total amount did her department spend on air travel between Gauteng and Cape Town for employees attending Parliament business in the 2014-15 financial year and (b) is the total number of trips that were undertaken; (2) what is the total amount that her department spent on (a) accommodation and (b) car rental in Cape Town for employees attending Parliament business in the specified financial year?

Reply from the Minister of Science and Technology on 28 Aug 2015

1.

(a)	(b)
R6 706 495,32	1596

2.

(a)	(b)
R1 377 154,53	R381 595,41

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NW3853E - 28 August 2015

Annelie Lotriet to ask the Minister of Science and Technology

(1) Is the Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA) effectively collaborating with the SA National Space Agency to advance its agenda to collect, collate and analyse data on Africa’s development through its Geo-Information System; if not, why not; if so, how; (2) what tools will be used by AISA to promote an African research agenda?

Reply from the Minister of Science and Technology on 28 Aug 2015

(1) There is currently no collaboration between the AISA research programme and SANSA.

(2) The HSRC is in the process of developing its Africa Research Partnership and Collaboration Strategy. The Strategy for AISA will be nested within this broader HSRC Strategy.

END

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