Madam Chairperson, the Minister of Science and Technology appears to have a real passion and energy for her new portfolio. However, I would like to bring the Minister back from orbit to earth and share a few a realities. Before I proceed, I would like to ask the hon Ngcobo whether his claim that the ANC will rule until Jesus comes, is based on scientific facts? [Interjections.]
The editorial in the April 2009 issue of the South African Journal of Science states that the Ministry of Science and Technology has never realised its potential in terms of placing the development of science and technology at the centre of government policies. It suggests, and I'm inclined to concur, that the major challenge facing the Minister is to position the department to play precisely this role, as opposed to merely acting as a conduit for funds, as seems to be the current situation. The article goes on to suggest that the Minister should consider appointing a chief scientist to government to assist in this task. I would be interested to hear the Minister's view on this suggestion.
In the face of the world economic crisis, we need to be focusing on how we can bring real improvement to people's lives; where innovation, new ways of doing business, stopping and preventing health epidemics, and creating opportunities are our focus.
We have rich resources, but our regulatory system sometimes discourages innovation instead of stimulating it. As a result we are lacking in both, a high-tech skills base and the intellectual capacity needed to compete with the best in the world. In fact, South Africa is declining in the competitive rankings and we are currently sitting at 53rd position in World Competitiveness.
Professor Dyasi, a South African specialist in scientific education, has criticised the unscientific teaching of science in South African schools. He is of the opinion that if authorities do not correct the serious problems of the incorrect teaching of science, the country's political, economic and cultural development will suffer. This is a serious indictment indeed, and I hope that the Minister will address his comments and ensure that our education system ground South Africans in the knowledge and skills that will allow and encourage them to use their talents to the maximum to innovate.
The department's aim to produce 3 000 science, engineering and technology PhDs a year by 2018 is both ambitious and unreachable. The National Research Foundation, NRF, has cut funding by almost R5 million. The speculation is that this money has been channelled to fund the newly created Technology Innovation Centre and the Biotechnology Regional Innovation Centre. If this is indeed true, then the Minister is taking money away from people, who will drive South Africa's future innovative potential, in order to fund yet another government bureaucracy.
According to the NRF, South Africa needs to produce about 6 000 PhD graduates to ensure that the country stays competitive in a global knowledge economy. Presently, only 4 out of 10 projects and 3 out of 10 students are funded. That's not a recipe for success. South Africa needs more PhD students, not fewer. These funding cuts are in direct contradiction with the Department of Education's goals and the NRF needs to review its funding strategy or face losing skilled graduates to greener pastures.
One of the key objectives of Programme 2, that is, Research, Development and Innovation, is to reduce the disease burden in South Africa by establishing four centres of competence for research and development on TB, malaria, HIV/Aids and improved medical devices in 2009-10.
During the period under review, R17 million was unspent. The main contributor to the unspent funds is the South African Aids Vaccine Initiative with a budget of R15 million, of which R7,3 million will be returned to National Treasury on the grounds of unsatisfactory deliverables. It would appear that this process is derailed because of a dispute over areas of responsibility and funding. [Interjections.] Now, given the fact that more than 5,5 million South Africans are living with HIV, that in the past 25 years 1,8 million have died of Aids-related diseases, and that more than 630 000 people are on ARVs, it is unfortunate that this ray of hope - this plan to produce an affordable, effective and locally manufactured HIV/Aids vaccine - is on the brink of collapse because of fights in our own backyard. It appears, once again, that the Technology Innovation Agency will benefit at the expense of the trial, therefore, this objective will not be achieved.
Another departmental objective is to support the commercialisation of the Joule electric vehicle by demonstrating at least two new alternative energy technologies in 2009 in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, DTI. Can the Minister tell this House what progress has been made to realise this particular objective?
We need to build up our research capacity and stimulate innovation in all sectors of society at all levels. You can do this by accelerating your efforts to: Firstly, make the Farmer to Pharma strategy a reality - by using our indigenous resources we can become a world leader in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals; secondly, make energy security a buzzword and we can become the leading innovator in clean coal technology and renewable energy; and thirdly, we should exploit South Africa's geographic position fully so as to play a leading role in climate change.
In doing so, not only will we attract innovators and entrepreneurs from around the world and retain South African skills, but we will also be recognised as a country that supports the growth of innovative activities and technologies. Thank you. [Applause.]