Chair, in order to ensure that we fully utilise the wonderful natural resources of our country and that our people are able to exercise their rights to trade where they choose, to manufacture and to enter all trades, crafts and professions, as stated in the Freedom Charter, we must ensure that our people realise their potential to be great scientists, engineers, technologists and industrialists. It is for this reason that we recognise the importance of the annual Scifest which will be held in Grahamstown from Wednesday, 18 March to Tuesday, 23 March 2015.

This event is designed to stimulate and encourage our young people to take up careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The festival includes a high-profile lecture programme which provides a wonderfully international flavour, and has successes in bringing in some of the world's most esteemed scientists as well as South Africa's young researchers to celebrate science and to promote the inquiring minds of our children. Lectures are followed by workshops of fun, hands-on activities that enable visitors to immerse themselves in the practice of science. Activities for learners are related to the revised National Curriculum Statements where possible.

We move that this House applauds the Department of Science and Technology, Scifest and all the supporters and funders who roll up their sleeves and work hard to grow our next generation of scientists. Thank you, Chair. [Time expired.] [Applause.]