The third flagship programme has developed nutraceutical products from indigenous vegetables, namely cold and hot teas, pestos and dried vegetables.
In the 2012-13 financial year, nine leads were identified and researched for medical, cosmeceutical and nutraceutical potential.
From the above it is clear that the successful development of a bio-economy strategy is indivisible from the development of a viable IKS strategy. If well co-ordinated and implemented, all these strategies, including the Ten- Year Innovation Plan, as guided by the National Development Plan Vision 2030, are surely going to take South Africa where it wants to be in 2030.
It would indeed only be then that the National Planning Commission could proudly proclaim:
We, the people of South Africa, have journeyed far since the long lines of our first democratic election on 27 April 1994, when we elected a government for us all. Now, in 2030, we live in a country which we have remade. In conclusion, please allow me to thank the Minister of Science and Technology for the unreserved support and co-operation that our portfolio committee has enjoyed from his Director-General and his departmental team, leading up to the hosting of this debate. The same goes to my fellow members of the portfolio committee and our committee staff. The ANC supports Budget Vote No 34 - Science and Technology.