Chairperson, hon Minister and invited guests, it is important that the department views itself as being at the forefront of the delivery process. South Africa needs to view itself as if it were in a war situation, with very tight timeframes for delivery. Researchers in Africa produce less than two percent of the world's total scholarly scientific publications. South Africa and Egypt, between them, produce half of these. On a slightly brighter side, 88% of scientific activity in Africa is concentrated in South Africa.
It is clear that we are lagging behind the rest of the world in science, technology and innovation. To achieve the Millennium Development Goals, it is absolutely necessary to accelerate the pace of development in science and technology.
In order for there to be faster development, it is necessary to constantly monitor and evaluate various components of our significant enterprises. As the cost of research rises, it is important to make intelligent allocation of resources to get the best results for economic growth and sustainable development.
To us as Cope it is clear that we need an effective programme of evaluation to make three assessments: Which initiatives have been successful? Which initiatives need improvement? Which initiatives need to be discarded?
Moreover, programme evaluation must help to shift our focus from resources, activities and output to actual achievements. Surely, on a yearly basis, Parliament should have a list of achievements. We need to know whether the priorities the department has set are being achieved or not.
With regard to research, development and innovation, this year an amount of R1,284 billion is to be spent on research, development and innovation. However, on page 681 of the Estimates of National Expenditure, the department is unbelievably presenting a scenario that is allocated two years backwards. It is projecting expenditure on research and development for 2008 when we are already in 2010. This doesn't say much for the Department of Science and Technology.
As far as MeerKAT and the Square Kilometre Array are Cope supports continued investment in space science, and in MeerKAT, the 80-dish Karoo Array Telescope that will be a forerunner to the Square Kilometre Array telescope. Will the required seven dishes be set up in two years' time?
A more serious issue regarding this project was the suspension of Professor Phil Charles. It seems to have set South Africa back in the race. Will the Minister please inform the House what the suspension was about? Will the Minister also tell the House whether there are any serious tensions between scientists and administrators at the National Research Foundation? Our country is hotly competing with Australia to host the R20 billion SKA radio telescopes; therefore, we cannot afford power struggles.
With regard to hydrogen and energy, will South Africa have hybrid transport technology ready for roll-out by next year? What exactly are we as a nation being promised in this regard? Also, why is South Africa not moving towards the use of compressed natural gases for use by vehicles in all our cities, as this is now a proven technology? Two years ago, there was also a great buzz about an electrical car. What has happened to this project? South Africa needs a really compelling story of achievement in respect of biotechnology and health. In the Cape we have an entire floral kingdom, one of six in the world. Cope believes that South Africa needs to know about performance, products and direct economic inputs into the economy.
South Africa has always had a high profile in the diamond industry. Scientists are working to make diamonds replace silicon as the preferred choice in electronics, because diamonds demonstrate greater heat resistance and incredible hardness. Electronics, appliances and automobiles will be using diamonds in their manufacturing in future. Cope strongly recommends that we prioritise the use of diamond dust and particles from natural diamonds.
This year, the budget has allocated R135 million to develop good relations with various countries of the world. This needs to be unpacked so that we also understand what has been achieved in the past 16 years. Cope supports this item of the budget.
In conclusion, this year R1,748 billion is being set aside to support science, engineering and technology. The National Research Foundation has backed a number of postgraduate students. Perhaps it is now time to evaluate what benefits have flowed into South Africa from the investment made by the state.
Our economy is in trouble. Our rate of unemployment is one of the highest in the world, at about 40%. Therefore, science and technology has to come to the rescue, quickly and visibly. It must leave aside promises and start to produce products and results. I thank you.