Department of Science and Innovation - Revised 2020 - 2025 Strategic Plan

1. Constitutional mandate 15

2. Legislative mandates 15

3. Policy mandates 16

4. Institutional policies and strategies governing the five-year plan 17

5. Relevant court rulings 17 PART B: OUR STRATEGIC FOCUS 18

1. Vision 19

2. Mission 19

3. Values 19

4. Situational analysis 20 PART C: MEASURING OUR PERFORMANCE 43

1. Impact statement 44

2. Measuring outcomes 44 2.1 Explanation of planned performance over the five-year period 47 2.2 Key enablers 49 2.3 Responding to the District Development Model 55

3. Key risks and mitigations 61

4. Public entities 62 PART D: TECHNICAL INDICATOR DESCRIPTIONS 65 DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 4 MINISTER’S FOREWORD commercialisation; Investing for accelerated inclusive growth – Skills Priority Plan led by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and supported by the Department and on Industrialisation, localisation and exports – Masterplans developed for all national priority sectors. On the Apex Priority 3: Education, skills and health, the Department is contributing to Expanding access to post-school education and training (PSET) opportunities, Improving success and efficiency of the PSET system, Improving the quality of provisioning within the PSET system and Ensuring the PSET system is responsive to the needs of industry and society as a whole. Work on the Decadal Plan underway, which implements the 2019 White Paper on Science Technology and Innovation (The White Paper) vision, namely STI ‘enabling inclusive and sustainable South African development in a changing world’. The Decadal Plan emphasises four societal grand challenges or SGCs namely: climate change; future-proofing education and skills; re-industrialising the Dr BE Nzimande, MP modern economy; and future of society, as well as two Minister of Higher Education, STI priorities (health innovation and energy innovation). Science and Innovation It proposes the new strategic management model, budget coordination and innovation compact as critical The National Development Plan, as the overarching components of the new NSI governance architecture. government framework for the socio-economic transformation of South Africa, has been divided into five- Science, technology and innovation have significant year implementation plans, the second of which is the transformative potential. For developing countries, STI, 2019-2024 Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF). and specifically innovation, can support economic growth In supporting the economy and employment, the period and employment, create livelihoods at grassroots level, and 2018-2023 marks phase two in the use of STI in laying improve government performance and service delivery. the foundations for more intensive improvements in the While innovation is not the only factor in faster economic productivity where innovation across state, business and growth, industrialisation and inclusive development, it social sectors start to become pervasive. remains a significant and vital catalyst. However, in South Africa, there is a need to view innovation through the prism of the triple challenge of poverty, inequality and As part of the 2019-2024 Medium-Term Strategic unemployment (PIU). Particularly, it is necessary to plan Framework, the Department’s focus and commitments interventions aimed at significantly upscaling the impact are mainly on priorities 2 and 3 and the associate of innovation to address this triple challenge and thereby outcomes over the medium-term, which is Economic improve the quality of life of citizens. transformation and job creation and Education, skills and health. On the Apex Priority 2: Economic transformation and job creation, the Department is contributing on Improving competitiveness through ICT adoption – GERD and IP DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 5 It is envisaged that over time, the STI system will publicly funded R&D to establish new firms and support pivot towards the Decadal Plan’s STI priorities and, SMMEs can change the ownership profile of the economy. consequently, all NSI actors would have to plan for this Given this backdrop, new STI-centred ideas need to transition. Innovation is thus envisaged to: deliver transformative outcomes in South Africa. South • support the modernisation of key sectors of the Africa has to use its science and innovation capabilities to economy (agriculture, mining and manufacturing) build the resilience of society. by driving competitiveness and productivity improvements and, ultimately, higher GDP South Africa is facing a crisis of Gender-based violence contributions; (GBV) and proposes the Research on Poverty, • explore opportunities presented by emerging Inequality and Unemployment (PIU) – through the innovation concepts of the circular and digital South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) and economy as new sources of economic growth; the Centre of Excellence (CoE) programme. The DSI will • harness the capabilities built by NSI over the years establish an impartial and trusted platform to promote to drive innovation across several sectors (such inclusive debate on PIU and deliberate on a vision of a as the health and energy sectors) to support the people-centred, inclusive and sustainable society. To development of a capable and entrepreneurial ensure research translates into impact on policy and state; practice, we need to better understand how to deliver • address the SGCs in the areas of climate change robust evidence to the right actors, at the right time and and environmental sustainability (SGC 1); future- in the right way. The CoE will also be at the forefront proof education and skills (SGC 2); and a secure, safe for recommending strengthened national data systems and equitable society (SGC 3). to realise the full potential of the data revolution to transform the lives of poor people. The White Paper advocates a purposeful approach to increasing STI’s impact on addressing the socio-economic The DSI will build a comprehensive research programme growth and development challenges South Africa faces, focused on measuring and explaining trends in poverty, considering environmental sustainability. This approach is inequality and labour market outcomes, geared to anchored in the NDP ambitions for South Africa and the improving the interface between research and policy by SDGs. producing cutting-edge research for inclusive growth and economic transformation in South Africa. Furthermore, the concept of inclusive innovation or innovation for inclusive development, in which Strategic governance of the NSI is key, as set out in this all citizens share in the benefits, is central to the White Decadal Plan, will include the high-level inclusive structures Paper. This encapsulates a broader view of actors, to set the agenda for the NSI, namely an annual Presidential forms of innovation and spatial footprint of innovation. STI Plenary involving all NSI actors (government, It means supporting communities and civil society to academia, industry, civil society), as well as a Science innovate; embracing a more diverse knowledge system and Innovation IMC. An agreement across government (that includes indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) and on initiatives to improve the enabling environment for addresses the “de-colonialisation of knowledge”); as well as innovation, e.g. an Innovation Compact is critical including using innovation to improve service delivery, government a mechanism to enable the use of the budget to improve decision-making, educational outcomes and broadband coordination, e.g. an STI Public Budget Coordination, and access. Inclusive innovation improves science literacy and equally important, is the harmonised set of incentives and awareness, as well as the demographic representation instruments to improve coordination at the sector and of all aspects of the NSI. For example, utilising IP from programme level, e.g. RDI Plans, and Public Private Sector DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 6 Partnerships (PPPs) to leverage the capabilities and resources of the private sector. Science Diplomacy is key in Stimulating STI and trade synergies especially on science-related initiatives to specific innovation and commercialisation initiatives. On innovation and support of a capable state there are a several ongoing policy and technology initiatives across government designed to transform the public sector towards a capable state, including decision-support tools to support the functioning and performance of municipalities and government departments in areas such as energy, sanitation, procurement, spatial planning, human settlements, service delivery, infrastructure, risk and disaster management, health, climate change, education and crime prevention. The Decadal Plan seeks to prioritise the further deployment of decision-support tools and data analytics capability initiatives to support the capable state project. ______________ Dr BE Nzimande, MP MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND INNOVATION DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN DEPUTY MINISTER’S REMARKS 7 For the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan period, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) will work with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) on the implementation of the Historically Disadvantaged Institution Development Programme, an intervention aimed at the holistic development of the country’s historically disadvantaged institutions (HDIs). This will be done, among others, through student, staff and infrastructure development support. Through the DSI-DHET joint task team, the DSI and the National Research Foundation (NRF) will align their instruments to those proposed in the HDI Development Programme. In addition to starting new tailor-made initiatives to support the HDIs, the DSI and NRF will ring-fence a certain quota of awards and grants for HDIs. A key component of the HDI Development Programme is the United States-South Africa Higher Education Network, which operates in a triad including one HDI, Mr B Manamela, MP one historically advantaged university and one United Deputy Minister of States university. The main purpose of the initiative is to Higher Education, Science and Innovation increase the percentage of PhD-qualified staff at HDIs. Given the relatively low levels of PhD-qualified teaching and research staff in our universities (currently at 45%), The new era of science, technology and innovation (STI) and therefore limited research and supervisory capacity, policy is geared towards increasing the responsiveness of the Department will reorient its international partnership our national system of innovation (NSI) and strengthening networks towards enhancing doctoral and research its contribution to the resolution of South Africa’s socio- training. economic challenges. Further to this, a strong partnership between the DSI, For this reason, the new era of STI policy places greater the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and provincial emphasis on technology and innovation deployment, and education departments will act as a catalyst for identifying the harnessing of innovation in support of a capable state and nurturing the young talent required to build a science, and improved service delivery. technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) human capital pipeline, while advancing the goals of the DSI-led It further emphasises the importance of inclusivity, science engagement programme. transformation, partnerships to address policy coherence, the development of human capabilities, knowledge For this reason, the feasibility of an interdepartmental expansion, innovation performance, and increased model for establishing and managing science centres will investment that will result in the economic, socio-political be tested over the next five-year period. A test case will and intellectual benefits of STI being enjoyed by all South be the Albertina Sisulu Science Centre in Cofimvaba in Africans. the Eastern Cape, a partnership initiative involving the DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 8 DSI, the DBE, the Eastern Cape Department of Education development. and Intsika Yethu Local Municipality. In addition, the DSI will continue to prioritise women Such areas include information and communications in support programmes targeting researchers and technology, system-wide ehailing applications, the 4th innovators. Current empirical data shows that women, industrial revolution, special economic zones, circular youth and people with disabilities continue to be under- represented in our science and research system. economy and renewable energy technologies, and mission- oriented areas such as the future of society, the future of Currently, the Department mainstreams transformation work and the future of education. through set quotas in its instruments, such as bursary support and research grant holders. Going forward, in collaboration with its entities and key stakeholders, the DSI Through the Regional Innovation Support Programme will develop a comprehensive transformation framework (RISP), the DSI will support the DDM by means of to address inequities in gender, race and spatial distribution throughout the system. interventions aimed at creating innovation ecosystems that advance inclusivity. These interventions will increase To advance innovation policy, the DSI will continue to the spatial footprint of innovation in the provinces, thereby strengthen its participation in leading-edge innovation supporting district municipalities to enable innovation for policy programmes, including the Transformation socio-economic development. Innovation Policy Consortium, the Mission-Oriented Innovation Network, and various programmes looking at the interface between innovation policy and the To this end, the DSI will seek to understand provincial Sustainable Development Goals. growth and development strategies, district development profiles, planned socio-economic infrastructure projects To achieve knowledge utilisation for inclusive development at district level, and existing local economic development at district level, and contribute to the building of a capable state, an enabling environment for using innovation and strategies and initiatives. The Department will then link knowledge to achieve inclusivity will have to be created innovation with these ongoing initiatives at district level. at district level. These and other strategic interventions are aimed at enhancing the performance of our national system of This will require increased access to intellectual innovation and increasing its capacity to address the property arising from publicly funded research by youth entrepreneurs and SMMEs. The DSI will support youth interconnected challenges of poverty, unemployment entrepreneurs in scaling up successfully demonstrated and inequality, with a view to enabling the government technology solutions that can improve service delivery. to achieve the objectives of our country’s Economic Appropriate resources and innovation instruments will Reconstruction and Recovery Plan. be made available in the District Development Model (DDM) context. Further to this, the DSI will prioritise the implementation of its youth innovation incentives programme to support ________________ youth enterprises and entrepreneurs, as well as innovation for local economic development. This will include the Mr B Buti Manamela, MP implementation of innovation for inclusivity programmes in partnership with industry stakeholders and other DEPUTY MINISTER HIGHER EDUCATION, government departments in catalytic areas for inclusive SCIENCE AND INNOVATION DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN ACCOUNTING OFFICER’S STATEMENT 9 as human resource development, institution building, infrastructure, knowledge production and international collaboration. The review of the NRDS and TYIP suggested that the DSI should pursue the notion of “grand societal challenges” as a framing principle for the development of high-level interventions in the next decadal plan. The review study recommends that the DSI retain the science missions of the NRDS, the palaeosciences, astronomy, marine and Antarctic research and indigenous knowledge systems (biodiversity).The review has shown that the specific focus on and funding of these fields has produced demonstrable gains in scientific knowledge output, human resource capabilities and infrastructure. It is recommended that SouthAfrica continues to pursue the implementation of both the high technology platforms (biotechnology, ICT and advanced manufacturing) and grand societal challenges (the bioeconomy, space science and technology, energy security, climate change, and human Dr Phil Mjwara and social dynamics) as prioritised under the NRDS and Director-General of Science and Innovation TYIP, respectively. However, the review suggests that it is crucial for the government to refine the technology The Decadal Plan has three mutually reinforcing aims, missions to ensure continued relevance, to align them namely, pivoting the NSI towards making an increased with technological advances, and to make sure that the positive impact on SA’s socio-economic and environmental concept of missions is given its full meaning. priorities, maintaining equilibrium between a focus on impact (e.g. inclusive innovation) and continued investment The Decadal Plan identifies three Societal grand to develop the system (e.g. in systemic enablers such as challenges (SGCs) that capture the core domains for knowledge creation and institutions) and transformative STI priorities and associated interventions and these are role of innovation Climate change and environmental sustainability; Future proof education and skills; and a secure, safe and equitable Science, technology and innovation (STI) are critical to a society. competitive and sustainable economy and for addressing societal challenges. The Science Technology and Innovation The innovation for inclusive development (IID) Decadal Plan (Decadal Plan) has a dual purpose of agenda is about government creating an environment pivoting of the National System of Innovation (NSI) for innovation that enables all sectors of society to towards making an increased positive impact on South enjoy equality and equity in access to RDI knowledge Africa’s socio-economic and environmental priorities, and infrastructure; participate in creating and actualising maintaining equilibrium between impact (e.g. inclusive innovation opportunities; and sharing in the benefits of innovation) and continued investment and development science, technology and innovation to advance their own of the NSI. The latter includes systemic enablers such development goals. The proposed interventions in support DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 10 of innovation for inclusive development are targeted new knowledge plays. The DSI will establish a dedicated at three impact areas, viz. the change in livelihoods for CoE to focus on the complex interrelationship between youth entrepreneurs, women and people with disabilities; poverty, inequality and unemployment and convene a improved access to market and income opportunities for community of practice comprising SARChI Chairs and grassroots innovators; and the efficient use of scientific COEs working in the PIU knowledge field. It will also knowledge and tools in providing evidence-based decision provide dedicated funding for monitoring and evaluating support to improve service delivery. interventions aimed at addressing the complex challenges of PIU. The envisaged CoE will play a vital role in documenting the pathways that individual researchers To improve access to livelihoods opportunities, it is and research projects have taken to achieve impact; how envisaged that at least 10% of beneficiaries belonging to research programmes and knowledge managers can build the designated categories of youth entrepreneurs, women networks, broker knowledge and synthesise evidence; and and people with disabilities, would be supported through how bodies of research have been brought together to IID programmes. The realisation of income opportunities ensure impact. for grassroots innovators would be implemented through the implementation of several interventions across the innovation value chain – from ideation, product Science knows no borders and commercialisation to market access – aimed at Science Diplomacy is an enabler to improve opportunities the creation of sustainable and profitable innovation- for technology diffusion to benefit small firms and promote based enterprises. In this regard, about 500 grassroots commercialisation of IP filed in South Africa by technology innovators are targeted for support with various technical start-ups and SMMEs that have been supported in kind and business development interventions by 2030. or financially by the DSI, within foreign markets. It is imperative to promote the commercialisation of publicly To enable inclusive growth and employment opportunities funded IP beyond South Africa’s borders and to make for the unemployed, the youth and the participation innovation and economic diplomacy the conduits for of SMMEs and women in the NSI, RDI initiatives and driving industrialisation and economic competitiveness. programmes are needed for local economic development, grassroots innovation and programmes designed to support youth innovators and entrepreneurs, and businesses in a manner that creates employment. ________________ Dr Phil Mjwara In this regard, the Decadal Plan proposes further Director-General of Science and Innovation strengthening of the ongoing Grassroots Innovation Programme. The STI interventions envisaged under this programme include the establishment of a national institution to coordinate grassroots innovation interventions; to expand the programme to provincial innovation systems and forums, establishing partnership for unlocking technology transfer and localisation opportunities and market access for grassroots innovators. On Gender-based violence (GBV), the department proposes the Research on Poverty, Inequality and Unemployment (PIU), which will demonstrate the vital role that rigorous research, scientific innovation and DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN OFFICIAL SIGN-OFF 11 It is hereby certified that this Strategic Plan – • was developed by the management of the Department of Science and Innovation under the guidance of the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation; • considers all the relevant policies, legislation and other mandates for which the Department of Science and Innovation is responsible; • accurately reflects the impact, outcomes and outputs which the Department of Science and Innovation will endeavour to achieve over the period 2020-2025. Ms Gugulethu Zwane DDG: Institutional Planning and Support Ms Nombuyiselo Mokena DDG: Corporate Services Mr Mmboneni Muofhe DDG:Technology Innovation Mr Daan du Toit DDG: International Cooperation and Resources Prof.Yonah Seleti Acting DDG: Research Development and Support Mr Imraan Patel DDG: Socio-economic Innovation Partnerships Mr Robert Shaku Acting Chief Financial Officer Dr Phil Mjwara Accounting Officer Mr B Manamela, MP Deputy Minister Dr BE Nzimande, MP Executive Authority DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 12 ABBREVIATIONS 4IR Fourth Industrial Revolution APP Annual Performance Plan ASSAf Academy of Science of South Africa AU African Union BRICS Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa CSIR Council for Scientific and Industrial Research DDM District Development Model DHET Department of Higher Education and Training DPME Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation DSI Department of Science and Innovation EPMO Enterprise Project Management Office EU European Union FTE Full-Time Equivalent GERD Gross Expenditure on Research and Development HDI Historically Disadvantaged Institutions HEI Higher Education Institution HSRC Human Sciences Research Council HySA Hydrogen South Africa ICT Information and Communication Technology IP Intellectual Property ISI Institute for Scientific Information KAT Karoo Array Telescope MTEF Medium Term Expenditure Framework MTSF Medium-Term Strategic Framework NACI National Advisory Council on Innovation NDOH National Department of Health NDP National Development Plan NEET Not in Employment, Education or Training NICIS National Integrated Cyberinfrastructure System NIPMO National Intellectual Property Management Office NRF National Research Foundation NSI National System of Innovation QLFS Quarterly Labour Force Survey R&D Research and Development RDI Research, Development and Innovation DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 13 SACNASP South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions SADC Southern African Development Community SADiLaR South African Centre for Digital Language Resources SAHPRA South African Health Products Regulatory Authority SANReN South African National Research Network SANSA South African National Space Agency SAPRIN South African Population Research Infrastructure Network SASTEP South African Sanitation Technology Programme SDG Sustainable Development Goals SMME Small, Medium or Micro-Enterprises STEM Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics STI Science, Technology and Innovation TIA Technology Innovation Agency TVET Technical and Vocational Education and Training TYIP Ten-Year Innovation Plan UCDP University Capacity Development Programme DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 14 OUR MANDATE PART A DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 15

1. Constitutional Mandate Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Not applicable Financed Research and Development Act, 2008 Provides for the more effective use of intellectual property emanating from publicly financed R&D through

2. Legislative Mandates the establishment of the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO), the Intellectual Property Academy of Science of South Africa Act, 2001 Fund and offices of technology transfer at higher education institutions and science councils. Establishes the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) to promote common ground in scientific thinking across all disciplines, including the physical, mathematical and National Advisory Council on Innovation Act, life sciences, as well as the human, social and economic 1997 sciences; to encourage and promote innovative and independent scientific thinking; to promote the optimum Establishes the National Advisory Council on Innovation intellectual development of all people; to advise and to advise the minister responsible for science and facilitate appropriate action in relation to the country’s technology and, through the minister, the Cabinet, on the needs, opportunities and challenges; and to link South role and contribution of science, mathematics, innovation Africa with high-level scientific communities within the and technology in achieving national objectives. Southern African Development Community, the rest of Africa and internationally. National Research Foundation Act, 1998 Establishes the National Research Foundation (NRF) Astronomy Geographic Advantage Act, 2007 to promote basic and applied research and human Provides for the preservation and protection of areas capital development in the various fields of science and in South Africa uniquely suited to optical and radio technology and to coordinate the implementation of the astronomy, and for intergovernmental cooperation and DSI-led science engagement programme. public consultation on matters concerning such areas. Natural Scientific Professions Act, 2003 Human Sciences Research Council Act, 2008 Establishes the South African Council for Natural Provides for the continued existence of the Human Scientific Professions (SACNASP) and legislates the Sciences Research Council (HSRC), which carries registration of professional natural scientists, scientists- out research that generates critical and independent in-training, technologists and technologists-in-training. knowledge relative to all aspects of human and social development. Protection, Promotion, Development and Management of Indigenous Knowledge Act, 2019 Income Tax Act, 1962 Provides for the protection, promotion, development and Section 11D of the Income Tax Act gives the minister management of indigenous knowledge; the establishment responsible for science and innovation authority to and functions of the National Indigenous Knowledge approve scientific and/or technological research and Systems Office; the registration of indigenous knowledge development (R&D) undertaken or funded in South and the management of rights of indigenous knowledge Africa by the private sector for a 150% tax deduction on communities; the recognition of prior learning; and the qualifying R&D expenditure. facilitation and coordination of indigenous knowledge- based innovation. DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 16 Scientific Research Council Act, 1988 3. Policy Mandates Refers to the activities of the Council for Scientific and The following are the policies, strategies and plans the Industrial Research (CSIR), which undertakes R&D for Department plans to continue implementing over the socio-economic growth. 2020-2025 medium-term planning horizon: Science and Technology Laws Amendment Act, National Development Plan, 2011 2014 The country’s long-term vision which provides a broad Amends the Scientific Research Council Act, 1988, the strategic framework to guide key government choices National Research Foundation Act, 1998, the Academy and actions, and focuses on the critical capabilities needed of Science of South Africa Act, 2001, the Natural to transform the economy and society. Scientific Professions Act, 2003, the Human Sciences Research Council Act, 2008, the Technology Innovation Agency Act, 2008, and the South African National Space 2019-2024 Medium-Term Strategic Framework Agency Act, 2008, so as to harmonise the processes (MTSF) for the appointment of the chairpersons of the boards Provides seven priorities which the sixth administration of the entities reporting to the Minister; to streamline will focus on during the medium-term planning period the processes for the appointment of members of the in mitigating against the persisting triple challenge of boards and of the chief executive officers of the entities; poverty, inequality and unemployment faced by the to provide for the filling of vacancies on the boards; to country through three National Development Plan Pillars, provide for the qualification requirements for membership namely of the boards and the disqualification of members of the • achieving a more capable state; boards; to provide for the extension of the term of office • driving a strong and inclusive economy; of members of the boards; to provide for the dissolution and reconstitution of the boards; and to provide for • building and strengthening the capabilities of matters connected therewith. South Africans. South African National Space Agency Act, 2008 Budget Prioritisation Framework Establishes the South African National Space Agency Aims to guide the allocation of budget towards the (SANSA) to promote space science research, achievement of government priorities by establishing cooperation in space-related activities, and the creation a systematic basis for making strategic choices among of an environment conducive to industry’s development competing priorities and limited resources in order to of space technologies. better optimise the budget as a key lever for driving the National Development Plan (NDP). Technology Innovation Act, 2008 District Development Model Establishes the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) to promote the development and exploitation of discoveries, Aims to improve coherence and impact of government inventions, innovations and improvements in the public service delivery and development by using existing legal interest. framework for coordinating and aligning development priorities and objectives between the three spheres of government. DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 17 South African Economic Reconstruction and • Science Engagement Strategy, 2015 Recovery Plan • Multiwavelength Astronomy Strategy, 2015 Aims to stimulate equitable and inclusive economic • Human Capital Development Strategy for growth through its nine interventions, to reconstruct Research Innovation and Scholarship, 2016 and reignite the South African economy in three phases • Marine and Antarctic Research Strategy, 2016 namely: • Human Capital Development Strategy for • Phase 1: Engage and preserve, which includes a Research, Innovation and Scholarship, 2016 comprehensive health response to save lives and curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic; • South African Additive Manufacturing Strategy, 2016 • Phase 2: Recovery and reform, which includes interventions to restore the economy while • Innovation for Inclusive Development Strategy, controlling health risks; 2018 • Phase 3: Reconstruct and transform, which entails • Science, Technology and Innovation Decadal Plan, building a sustainable, resilient and inclusive economy. 2021

4. Institutional Policies and Roadmaps • South African Solar Energy Technology Roadmap, Strategies Governing the Five- 2010 year Plan • ICT Research, Development and Innovation White papers Roadmap, 2013 • White Paper on Science, Technology and • Water Research, Development and Innovation Innovation, 2019 Roadmap, 2015 • White Paper for Post-School Education and • Waste Research, Development and Innovation Training, 2013 Roadmap, 2015 • South African Research Infrastructure Roadmap, 2016 Strategies and plans • Human Resources Development Strategy, 2001 • National Strategy for Mathematics, Science and

5. Relevant Court Rulings Technology Education, 2001 None. • National Research and Development Strategy, 2002 • Bio-economy Strategy, 2003 • National Water Resources Strategy, 2004 • National Nanotechnology Strategy, 2005 • Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy, 2006 • South African Earth Observation Strategy, 2008 • National Space Strategy, 2010 DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 18 OUR STRATEGIC FOCUS PART B DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 19 MISSION VALUES VISION To provide leadership, To provide leadership, Increased an enabling environment, an enabling environment, well-being and and resources for and resources for prosperity through science, technology science, technology and science, technology and and innovation. innovation in support of innovation in support of South Africa’s inclusive South Africa’s inclusive development. development.

1. Vision Increased well-being and prosperity through science, technology and innovation.

2. Mission To provide leadership, an enabling environment, and resources for science, technology and innovation in support of South Africa’s inclusive development.

3. Values Professionalism The Department will seek to be professional and deliver top-class performance to both internal and external stakeholders. Innovation The Department will seek to be innovative in solving problems, and enhancing effectiveness and efficiency. Ethical behaviour The Department and its employees are consistent in their actions, and responsible, accountable and transparent in dealing with public funds, property and other resources. Knowledge sharing The Department is a knowledge organisation and its employees will share and use knowledge in a constructive way to ensure that the Department contributes to the building of a robust and productive knowledge economy. DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 20

4. Situational Analysis The strategic planning horizon between 2020/21 and 2024/25 and the process of revising the DSI planning instruments was informed by the requirements of the Public Finance Management Act, the National Treasury Regulations and the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation’s revised Framework for Strategic Plans and Annual Performance Plans. The DSI conducted a comprehensive analysis of its performance and organisational environment to ensure that it responds optimally to the key challenges faced by the national system of innovation (NSI), as well as the national imperative to address poverty, unemployment and inequality, taking into account the 2019-2024 MTSF apex priorities, the South African Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the analysis was to identify and assess critical areas of the DSI’s contribution to the changed government agenda, aligned to the three pillars of the NDP and the seven apex priorities of the 6th administration, to reprioritise interventions, and to set out defined performance measures that would accelerate service delivery. The DSI also identified critical success areas and notable challenges in the previous financial year, which assisted in developing appropriate remedial strategies going forward. The disruptive onset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown affected plans and operations in both the public and private sectors in South Africa, including the NSI. The impact, particularly during Lockdown Alert Levels 5 and 4, slowed, and in some cases halted, various targeted interventions set out in strategic and annual performance plans. This initiated the revision of the fiscal framework of the government for the 2020/21 financial year. In terms of section 10 of the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act, 2009, government institutions were required to revise strategic and annual performance plans to incorporate revised budget figures, reduced baselines, reprioritisations and, in some instances, reallocations. This had far-reaching implications for the NSI strategic and annual performance plans over the MTSF period. Following requests made by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) in relation to the revision of the MTSF, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), in consultation with its public entities, submitted inputs into the revision of medium-term targets. The inputs focused mainly on downscaling targets and reprioritising objectives in line with confirmed and projected cuts to fiscal resources pronounced by the National Treasury. During the 2020/21 financial year, the signing of delivery agreements between the President and ministers provided another key step in enhancing performance in line with government priorities. In May/June 2021, the DSI used a new “thinking framework” for revising and re-tabling its 2020-2025 Strategic Plan, incorporating new performance information including targets in other NSI strategic and annual performance plans. Inputs arising from Ministerial, DSI Exco, DSI Extended Exco budget programme and strategic sessions between June and September 2021 were used to ensure alignment between the science, technology and innovation (STI) policy mix and planning instruments, and delivery in line with the signed delivery agreement. DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 21 4.1 External environmental analysis South Africa’s political transition is known as one of the most remarkable political feats of the past century. The new dispensation in 1994 inherited an ailing science and technology system, with challenges that included the financial consequences of the termination of apartheid technology missions (such as military dominance in the subcontinent and energy self-sufficiency) by the apartheid government between 1990 and 1994, as well as the strategic risks faced by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) from a human, economic and security perspective. The evolution of planning in government follows reflections on South Africa’s development since the advent of democracy, such as the 25-year review conducted the DPME in 2018 and a report, jointly authored by the World Bank, the DPME and Statistics South Africa, titled “Overcoming Poverty and Inequality in South Africa: An assessment of Drivers, Constraints and Opportunities” published in the same year. (a) Sustainable Development Goals As a member of the United Nations, South Africa is committed to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, agreed to by all members of the United Nations in 2015, which sets out 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 2030 Agenda recognises the role and contribution of STI in the implementation of all 17 SDGs, with dedicated programmes of support emerging from the STI community. In implementing the 2030 Agenda, the STI community’s contribution includes research to strengthen evidence-informed decision making, and providing innovative solutions to ensure that no one is left behind, e.g. equitable access to basic services (water, energy, education and health). The DSI supports various initiatives to help municipalities localise the SDGs. South Africa has a national working group to develop an integrated and harmonised national approach to the implementation and monitoring of the SDGs. The working group, led by Statistics South Africa, published a self- assessment report, “South Africa’s Voluntary National Review”, in 2019. The report evaluated what had been done and determined the remaining obstacles to ridding South Africa of extreme poverty. The Department has supported the working group by coordinating the NSI to achieve maximum impact from efforts to achieve the SDGs, by identifying strategic partnerships and mobilising resources, assisting in the development of indicators at regional and national level, and crystallising the role of STI in the implementation of interrelated and complex SDGs, i.e. SDGs 2, 6 and 7. Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 (2012-2017) (2018-2023) (2023-2030) Emphasis on Lay the foundations consolidating the gains of for more intensive Phase 2 with greater emphasis Focus on intensifying improvements in on innovation, improved R&D spending, productivity where productivity, more intensive innovation across pursuit of a knowledge emphasising state, business and economy and better opportunities linked exploitation of comparative to existing industries social sectors should and competitive advantages in start to become an integrated continent pervasive Figure 1: The phases of STI application and uptake as proposed in the NDP DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 22 (b) National Development Plan The NDP, adopted in 2012, proposes a multidimensional framework to bring about a virtuous cycle of development with progress in one area supporting advances in others. It recognises the role of STI in accelerating economic transformation in South Africa and improving the country’s global competitiveness. The NSI is the principal tool for creating new knowledge, applying knowledge in production processes, and disseminating knowledge through teaching and research collaboration. Acknowledging that economic development occurs over time and that innovation- influenced growth is realised through the incremental achievement of certain policy imperatives, the NDP chapter on “Economy and Employment” proposed entrenching the contribution of STI to economic growth in phases. These phases and the anticipated outcomes are summarised below: The NDP also acknowledges the contribution of science, technology and innovation in achieving various social development priorities, including health, education, sustainable human settlements, environmental management, transport, etc. The NDP is clear that advances in technological innovation and the production of new knowledge are critical to growth and development, and achieving a competitive and sustainable economy will require a strong and effective national system of innovation, which must contribute to transformation. (c) 2014-2019 Medium-Term Strategic Framework Over the previous MTSF period of 2014 to 2019, the DSI directed the bulk of its investment to the following outcomes: • Outcome 4: Decent employment through inclusive economic growth. • Outcome 5: A skilled and capable workforce to support an inclusive growth path. • Outcome 6: An efficient, competitive and responsive economic infrastructure network. • Outcome 7: Vibrant, equitable, sustainable rural communities contributing towards food security for all. • Outcome 10: Protect and enhance our environmental assets and natural resources. The performance of the DSI against its 2014-2019 MTSF indicators is reflected in Table 1 below. DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 23 Outcome Indicator MTSF target Performance Comments Outcome % increase in the rand 50% increase in the rand Not achieved The actual extent of the 4 value of investment by value of investment when impact of the partnerships government and the compared to 2013 over the MTSF has not private sector in R&D been determined. partnerships % of all procurement 75% procurement of No data No data is available. of those products those products capable capable of being of being manufactured manufactured locally locally on a commercially on a commercially feasible basis by 31 feasible basis March 2019 Improved efficiencies Final decision of R&D Not achieved Capacity constraints and achieved through tax incentive application initial backlog affected reduction turnaround provided within 90 days overall performance. time providing final decision to R&D tax income Emerging/new All emerging/new Identification and The indicator did not industry sector industry sector evaluation of at least adhere to the SMART and cross-cutting and cross-cutting 5 candidate initiatives principles, which made intervention towards interventions being • Aeroswift it difficult to measure growth, employment implemented • Fluorochemicals progress over the MTSF. creation and higher Expansion income for the poor Initiative households under way • Titanium • Hydrogen SA • Battery precursor materials • Mining RDI Outcome Institutional Improved institutional Introduction of a The Interministerial 4 mechanism for the arrangements in place budget coordination Committee on STI strategic management mechanism approved approved the governance of public funding for by Cabinet in 2017 instruments proposed research, development in the STI Decadal and innovation Plan, i.e. the budget coordination mechanism, innovation compact and strategic management model. These will be incorporated into the government’s budget and planning processes from the 2023/24 financial year. In the meantime, the DSI is finalising details of the implementation with the National Treasury, DPME and other relevant parties. GERD to GDP 1,5% by 2019 Not achieved This was an impact target. (high-level impact (or GERD was at 0,69% of outcome) indicator) GDP in 2019/20. DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 24 Outcome Indicator MTSF target Performance Comments Outcome Total broadband 3 500 Gbps total Achieved The indicators committed 5 capacity provided available broadband to under Outcome 5 were by the South African capacity provided by exactly the same as those National Research SANReN by 31 March in the 2015-2020 Strategic Network (SANReN) 2019 Plan. The targets were per annum related purely to activities Number of 27 411 master’s students Achieved funded directly by the DSI postgraduate 15 209 doctoral students Achieved with little (if any) external students and 3 682 postdoctoral Achieved influence. postdoctoral fellows fellows funded through the Department Number of 330 research Achieved infrastructure grants infrastructure grants awarded awarded to higher education institutions, science councils, national facilities of the NRF and museums by March 2019 Number of ISI- 33 700 ISI-accredited Achieved accredited research research articles articles published by published by NRF-funded National Research researchers by 31 March Foundation-funded 2019 researchers as reflected in the NRF project reports Total number of 22 032 researchers Achieved researchers awarded awarded research grants research grants through NRF-managed through NRF- programmes as reflected managed programmes in the NRF-project as reflected in the report by 31 March 2019 NRF-project report Outcome Number of MeerKAT 64 MeerKAT antennas Achieved None 6 antennas installed installed by 31 March 2018 DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 25 Outcome Indicator MTSF target Performance Comments Outcome Functional Research report and Achieved None 10 climate change MoU developed research network formalised through memorandum of understanding Biennial reports Two biennial reports Not achieved The first report was to Cabinet on approved by Cabinet by approved in 2016. state of climate March 2019 The second report change science and was finalised in 2019 technology but not approved by Cabinet as the change in administration affected the Cabinet agenda. Rand value of 300% increase in the Not achieved Target was set with no public and private rand value of investment baseline data and was sector investment in R&D made in 2011 unattainable owing to the in research and scale of investment already development to directed to the green support a green economy. economy Table 1: 2014-2019 MTSF commitments and performance by 31 March 2019 (d) Alignment to the 2019-2024 Medium-Term Strategic Framework The NDP, as the overarching government framework for the socio-economic transformation of South Africa, has been divided into five-year implementation plans, the second of which is the 2019-2024 MTSF. In supporting the economy and employment, the period 2018-2023 marks the second phase in the use of STI in laying the foundations for more intensive improvements in productivity, where innovation across state, business and social sectors start to become pervasive. The 2019-2024 MTSF is premised on three pillars with seven associated priorities. Over the medium-term period, the DSI will pursue its STI mandate and contribute to the following national priorities as outlined in the 2019-2024 MTSF, reporting on the following apex priorities: DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 26 National 2019-2024 Outcome Intervention Action/commitment Development Plan MTSF Apex Pillars Priorities Pillar 1: Apex Priority No commitment None Leverage South Africa’s political influence and science diplomacy to 1: A capable, conceptualise and secure international funds through EU and AU research Achieving a more ethical and and innovation funding instruments. capable State developmental Enhance the evidence base and decision-support tools to support key state government functions including planning, risk and vulnerability assessment, environmental management, etc. Enhance social science research for a capable, ethical, and developmental state, including continued updating of essential longitudinal data sets required for planning and implementation. Pillar 2: Apex Priority Industrialisation, Master plans developed The DSI participates in the master plans for the following: 2: Economic localisation and for all national priority • Aerospace and defence. Driving a strong transformation exports sectors by end 2021 – DSI • Oceans Economy. and inclusive and job creation supporting • Forestry, agriculture and agroprocessing. economy • Cannabis, sugar industry, health economy. • Renewable energy and gas. • ICT and the digital economy. • Steel. Provide technological Continue strengthening the Technology Stations Programme to provide support and technological technological support to firms, especially SMMEs. upgrading to increase competitiveness Continue strengthening the Technology Localisation Implementation Initiative to strengthen the local technological capabilities of firms, to leverage public and general procurement and to increase the level of local production. Investing for Skills Priority Plan The DSI will provide (i) high-end skills (master’s and PhDs) requirements accelerated developed by 2020 – led by and (ii) intermediate skills requirements in support of RDI priorities and inclusive growth DHET and supported by programmes identified in the STI Decadal Plan as inputs into the Skills the DSI Priority Plan. DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN National 2019-2024 Outcome Intervention Action/commitment Development Plan MTSF Apex Pillars Priorities Improved quality Increase investment in Increase investment to advance GERD to 1,1% of gross domestic product. and quantum of GERD investment Produce an annual R&D survey to monitor investment in GERD and to Increase Produce an annual R&D support policy action. investment in survey GERD Support efforts within government and industry aimed at increasing GERD to meet target of 1,1% of GDP by 2024 (budget coordination activities, Produce an annual report IMC, continued support and capacitating R&D tax incentive). on R&D tax incentives Competitive Commercialisation of 35 disclosures licensed for the first time received from publicly financed and accessible publicly funded intellectual research and development institutions and recipients as reported to markets property NIPMO. Pillar 3: Apex Priority Expand access Increased number of black 12 200 PhD students awarded bursaries as reflected in the reports from the 3: Education, skills to post-school lecturers supported through NRF and other relevant entities. Building and and health education and the New Generation of strengthening the training (PSET) Academics Programme capabilities of South opportunities (nGAP) 24 400 pipeline postgraduate students awarded bursaries through NRF and Africans DSI-managed programmes as reflected in the NRF and DSI project reports. Provide improved Proportion of university lecturers who hold doctoral degrees (gender, race, quality of post- disability and age school education Proportion of university 3 000 emerging researcher grants to improve percentage of PhD-qualified staff and training lecturers who hold doctoral (gender, race, disability and age). degrees A responsive post- Conduct intellectual 20 intellectual property awareness sessions at TVET colleges. school education property awareness sessions DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN and training (IP Wise) at technical and system vocational education and training (TVET) colleges Users from the education 1,3 million users (from the university and post-school sectors, national and research sector research facilities, science councils, and all public research-performing supported through the institutions) supported by SANReN by 31 March 2024. SANReN Table 2: 2019-2024 MTSF DSI commitments and expected performance by 31 March 2024 27 28 (e) Triple challenge of poverty, inequality and unemployment The April 2018 World Bank Systematic Country Diagnostics Report on South Africa asserts that, although South Africa has made significant progress since 1994, its economic transition from a system of exclusion under segregation remains incomplete. In the period from 1994 to 2018, poverty significantly declined, but the extent of inequality remained extremely high. Using different measures, South Africa consistently emerges as one of the most unequal countries in the world. In fact, in the period 1994 to 2006, inequality increased. This is demonstrated by findings of widening wealth inequality, the labour market being split into two extremes, with a small number of people in highly paid jobs mainly in the formal sector, but most people getting by through often informal and far lower paying jobs. Income polarisation is distinguishable through the high concentration of low- income earners, very few high-income earners and small number of middle-income earners. Inequality of opportunity is also high and can be measured by the influence of race, parental education and occupation, and gender and locality of birth. It is arguable that certain policies introduced by the democratic government have exacerbated the extent of inequality. The World Bank further states that lack of skills is one of the key constraints to reducing poverty and inequality in South Africa. South Africa’s high unemployment rate remains its key challenge and the country’s economy struggles to create sufficient employment opportunities. The results of the Statistics South Africa Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the third quarter of 2021 show that the number of employed persons decreased by 660 000 to 14,3 million in the third quarter of 2021. These changes resulted in the official unemployment rate increasing by 0,5 percentage points, from 34,4% in the second quarter of 2021 to 34,9% in the third quarter of 2021, the highest since the introduction of the QLFS in 2008. According to the expanded definition of unemployment, it increased by 2,2 percentage points to 46,6% in quarter 3 of 2021 compared to quarter 2 of 2021. The official unemployment rate increased in seven of nine provinces. (In KwaZulu- Natal and the Northern Cape it decreased by 3,8 percentage points and 3,2 percentage points, respectively.) The largest increases were recorded in Mpumalanga (up by 2,3 percentage points), followed by Limpopo (up by 2,1 percentage points), Gauteng and Free State (up by 1,6 percentage points each). The Eastern Cape recorded the lowest increase, with 0,3 of a percentage point. Year-on-year, the official unemployment rate increased by 4,1 percentage points. The official unemployment rate increased in all nine provinces, with the largest increase recorded in Mpumalanga (up by 9,7 percentage points), followed by the North West (up by 7,4 percentage points), Limpopo (up by 6,2 percentage points) and the Western Cape (up by 4,7 percentage points). The Eastern Cape recorded the lowest increase (1,6 percentage points) in the official unemployment rate during the period. Compared to quarter 3 of 2020, the percentage of young persons aged 15 to 34 years who were not in employment, education or training (NEET) increased by 3,0 percentage points from 43,0% to 46,0% (out of 20,5 million) in quarter 3 of 2021. The NEET rate for males increased by 2,5 percentage points, while for females the rate increased by 3,5 percentage points in quarter 3 of 2021. In both quarter 3 of 2020 and 2021, more than four in every 10 young men and women were not in employment, education or training. DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN DIRECT CONTRIBUTION Poverty Inequality Unemployment Innovation-enabled local economic development Transformation of the scientific workforce in terms Economic growth of race and gender Pilot three community-based agroprocessing plants • Help grow companies’ turnover that have the potential to catalyse systematic Performance comment – A modest Technology Stations • Support small, medium and micro- local development (e.g. traditional medicines, Programme scale-up conducted in the last performance enterprises (SMMEs) through cosmeceuticals, nutraceuticals) by 2017 period (an investment of R33 million) was used to support technology localisation initiatives and new beneficiaries and broaden the geographical footprint. the Technology Stations Programme Performance comment – The Moringa agroprocessing plants • Help increase technological in Tooseng (Limpopo) and Hammanskraal (Gauteng) have Innovations to enhance standard of living competitiveness through R&D been completed. The Department, in partnership with partnerships at sector and firm-level the Agricultural Research Council, the University of Venda In partnership with the Department of Basic • Grow new local industries through the and the Limpopo Department of Agriculture, funded the Education, leverage innovative technologies to Emerging Industries Action Plan development of a community-based agroprocessing facility improve access to and the quality of basic education for indigenous crops and Moringa at Makonde village, outside for children with special needs, prioritising the Performance comment – Through the South African Thohoyandou. Products (capsules, soup, yoghurt, teas and visually or hearing impaired Sanitation Technology Programme (SASTEP), vitamin water) are being processed and commercialised. the Department enabled the recognition of Performance comment – The Department funded the innovative sanitation technologies as an emerging Ensure that STI poverty-alleviation initiatives are development and piloting of an ICT maturity assessment industry, which has been incorporated into the demand-driven and informed by local economic tool to guide provincial education departments in assessing Industrial Policy Action Plan. This emerging development priorities and local comparative readiness and prioritising schools for the deployment of industry has enabled at least two technology advantages ICTs. localisation opportunities. Performance comment – Five honeybush co-operatives and The initiative focused on children with special needs and The lessons learnt from SASTEP were agroprocessing facilities were assisted by the Department provided an e-health solution that enables rapid and timely incorporated into South Africa’s input on the new during the period under review. The co-operatives have 42 screening for disability and learning challenges. The Easternglobal standards on sanitation. The Department’s beneficiaries, more than 50% of whom are women. Cape Department of Health adopted this solution to investment in SASTEP also supported the new enhance the efficiency of its operations. standard for non-sewerage (off-grid) sanitation, The Department also actively engaged the Department of SABS 30500. This is an important development Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to ensure In partnership with the Eastern Cape Department of for the Presidential Sanitation Appropriate for that the revised National Framework for Local Economic Education, the Department of Water and Sanitation, Education (SAFE) initiative and the sanitation Development recognises and harnesses innovation. and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, provide sector as a whole in South Africa. innovative and appropriate off-grid sanitation DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN Mainstream applied indigenous knowledge-based technologies for rural and peri-urban areas Initiatives to improve the technology- R&D (traditional medicines, cosmeceuticals and based competitiveness of the established nutraceuticals), including innovation and local Performance comment – Through the TECH4RED projects primary economic sectors manufacturing, to support commercialisation in the Eastern Cape and the North West, the Department models for sustainable livelihoods was able to demonstrate innovative technology solutions that enabled access to basic services (mainly sanitation and energy) for mainly rural schools. 29 30 DIRECT CONTRIBUTION Poverty Inequality Unemployment Performance comment – The CSIR is the coordinating hub Low-pour flushes sanitation technology-enabled access to New R&D-led industry development for the IK-based Nutraceuticals Platform. The Maggi decent sanitation services in selected schools of the Nciba initiatives, such as Hydrogen South Africa, Morogo Noodles product was developed in a partnership circuit in the Eastern Cape, 800 low pour flush units were the Fluorochemicals Expansion Initiative, between the CSIR, the Agricultural Research Council, the piloted in KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga the Titanium Beneficiation Initiative and Universities of Fort Hare and Venda, local communities and the Northern Cape. Evidence generated from the the Advanced Manufacturing Technology and Nestlé. The products are now being sold in all South pilot projects was used in influencing sanitation policy. The Strategy African retail stores. revised policy is open, supports and is aligned to innovation. The low pour flush solution received a SAB Foundation Performance comment – The Department has Clinical studies on an anti-wrinkle oil extract from an social innovation award. provided funding and other support to five indigenous plant were completed, with the candidate technology stations located at universities of product proving safe and effective in reducing human skin Through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation partnership, technology. The technology stations provide wrinkles after just two weeks. the Caltech innovative sanitation unit is being piloted in support in the areas of electronics, chemicals, eThekwini as a communal off-grid solution, key to providing and advanced tooling at the Tshwane University decent sanitation services in informal settlements. of Technology) and, in metal casting, processing energy and the environment at the University of Johannesburg. Over the last three years, these stations have supported more than 1 766 SMMEs. DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN INDIRECT CONTRIBUTION Poverty Inequality Unemployment Postgraduate bursaries Targeted postgraduate bursaries (for black people R&D infrastructure and women) and funding to support young and Performance comment – by 31 March 2020, 13 859 PhD emerging researchers Manufacture (including assembly, students had been awarded bursaries through NRF and integration and testing) and launch Earth DSI-managed programmes, and a total of 54 405 pipeline Performance comment – The demographic targets for black observation satellite (EO-Sat1), in addition postgraduate students have received bursaries through (80%) and women (55%) students supported were exceeded to the ZACube-2 satellite NRF and DSI initiatives. at honours and master’s level, but at a doctoral level more needs to be done to achieve equity in the distribution of Manufacture and launch South Africa’s South African Research Chairs Initiative bursaries, scholarships and fellowships. first indigenous CubeSat constellation to provide automatic identification system Performance comment – by 31 March 2020, 238 The Thuthuka Research Grant was established to provide services to Operation Phakisa (Oceans research chairs had been awarded. In addition, five new support for emerging researchers in full-time, permanent Economy) and Africa communities of practice were established, in agriculture, or fixed-term contract appointments at public universities health, biodiversity, marine research and economics. The and research institutions. A total of 562 grant-holders were communities of practice provide a platform for research funded, 471 (84%) of which were black, 91 (16%) white and chairs to stretch their focus beyond fundamental research, 359 (64%) women. towards contributing to the formulation of evidence-based policy and translational research. DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 31 32 INDIRECT CONTRIBUTION Poverty Inequality Unemployment Centres of excellence Using technology to identify and test the use Performance comment – As part of spacecraft of technology to improve service delivery and development efforts, ZACube-2 was launched Performance comment – The centres of excellence continued demonstrate better standards of living, such as the into space on 27 December 2018. The primary to make an impact in health, social development, biodiversity use of wireless mesh networks to bridge the digital objective of the project, is to demonstrate and manufacturing. The Centre of Excellence in HIV divide maritime domain awareness applications, Prevention, established at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, specifically vessel tracking services in the South has contributed significantly to the generation of new Performance comment – The Innovation Partnership for Rural African Exclusive Economic Zone in support of knowledge in this critical health area and contributed to Development Programme demonstrated innovative water, Operation Phakisa (Oceans Economy). relevant international and national policies. sanitation and energy solutions that were able to provide access to these basic services for previously unserved rural communities. MeerKAT/Square Kilometre Array radio astronomy telescope A new cooperative-based connectivity model has been developed and profiled internationally. The model positions Performance comment – The 64-antenna cooperatives as connectivity providers and does not MeerKAT radio telescope was completed require complex infrastructure to execute. The model has and commissioned for science operations. the potential to positively disrupt the connectivity space in At the launch, a panorama obtained with the a manner that enables more actors and accelerates access new telescope was unveiled. This revealed for unserved communities. extraordinary detail in the region surrounding the supermassive black hole at the centre of the The Department is working with the contracted Milky Way, proving the MeerKAT to be one of implementing agent and other partners to ensure that the the best scientific instruments in the world. model is financially viable and sustainable. A differentiated pricing structure (funded by the Department) is used by the Technology Stations Programme to help enable SMMEs and potential entrepreneurs to access the services of the technology stations, which will aid in maturing their innovative ideas or technologies. Table 3: A summary of the Department’s contribution to the reduction of poverty, inequality and DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN unemployment in 2015-2020 33 (f) South African Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan In February 2020, the government committed to combatting government debt and decreasing public spending. However, given the government’s need to respond to COVID-19 pandemic, this was not possible. South Africa’s debt-to-GDP in 2020 amounted to approximately 69,45% of GDP and is projected to increase to 82,99% by 2026. According to a 2010 World Bank study, countries whose debt-to-GDP ratios exceeds 77% for extended periods experience slowed economic growth. Specifically, every percentage point above the 77% threshold costs countries 0,017 percentage points in economic growth. For emerging countries, every percentage point above 64 percent slows growth by up to 0,02 percentage points each year. The South African Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan sets out a plan for the country’s economy, which has over time worsened owing to sustained low levels of growth and investment for the past five years, averaging 1,5% per annum; revenue leakages which impacted negatively on resource mobilisation; and a series of downgrades by international credit ratings agencies, including for state-owned enterprises. These challenges are compounded by the increasing budget deficit, the rising stock of debt and the constraints the COVID-19 pandemic caused in the fiscal space. To break the stranglehold of these challenges, South Africa needs a plan that will help the country take advantage of the opportunities presented by the global economy, which has also been affected by the pandemic. The latest estimates concerning economic growth outlook in South Africa vary, but all paint a grim picture. Former Finance Minister Tito Mboweni stated during his reviewed budget speech in June 2020 indicated that tax revenue is expected to fall by R300 billion and highlighted that government medium-term fiscal policy in 2021 budget will be framed on two policy objectives (i) promoting economic recovery; and (ii) returning the public finances to a sustainable position by focusing on the following: • Extending temporary support in response to COVID-19. • Narrowing the budget deficit and stabilising debt. • Exercising continued restraint in non-interest expenditure growth while improving the composition of expenditure. The July 2021 riots in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng have also affected the economy and GDP growth. The National Treasury presentation on the economic impact of the recent unrest to the Select Committee on Finance shows that the cost of the unrest exceeded R20 billion in KwaZulu-Natal alone, with the impact on national GDP estimated at R50 billion. STI/RDI interventions have a paramount role to play in supporting economic growth and social development. Concerted efforts and long-term investment in research, development and innovation (RDI) in South Africa over the years could be leveraged to contribute to economic recovery in three areas, namely – • to revitalise and modernise existing industries and/or sectors of the economy; • to create new sources of growth (circular economy, digital economy and 4IR) and stimulates R&D-led industrial development; • to support a capable and developmental state over the medium-term. DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 34 (g) SARS-CoV-2 pandemic On 23 March 2020, the President declared a national disaster and announced measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus in South Africa, including the closure of South Africa’s borders and restrictions on movement for all citizens to reduce the rate of infections. Having to balance the decision between a humanitarian crisis or an economic one, from 1 June 2020, the 6th administration introduced a five-level risk-adjusted strategy, where restrictions change according to threat level. Level 5 was a hard national lockdown, while Level 1 allows most commercial and social activity to resume with additional health and safety protocols in place. The decision to implement strict social distancing measures and limit non-essential business has had a large impact on South Africa’s economy. The lockdown forced a reduction in production and a slowdown in non-essential business, impacting household spending patterns. The global disruption to production and supply chains and the effect of uncertainty on the commercial environment and financial markets have also aggravated the negative impact on the economy. The lockdown, coupled with a R500 billion (US$26 billion) stimulus package to prepare the healthcare sector and protect jobs, resulted in a need for higher public spending, and exacerbated existing economic challenges, including government debt. To cover the stimulus package and other government deficits, South Africa had to tap into the international debt market, approaching the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) partnership. Budget cuts were introduced across government and public entities, affecting the compensation budget and goods and services. Restrictions in international and domestic travel and other activities limited due to lockdown protocols, such as catering and venue hire, led to savings. The impact has been felt across sectors, particularly retail and hospitality, but heavy industries like construction, mining and manufacturing have also recorded productivity losses. Government continues to observe all the basic health protocols, and the national countrywide vaccine drive is under way. 4.2 Internal environmental analysis In 1994, the democratic state inherited an ailing science and technology system, with challenges that included the financial consequences of the termination of apartheid technology missions (such as military dominance in the subcontinent and energy self-sufficiency) by the apartheid government between 1990 and 1994, as well as the strategic risks faced by the SADC from a human, economic and security perspective. Reflection on the contribution of science technology and innovation in the past 25 years is primarily on the basis of pronouncements in the National Development Plan of 2012 on the enabling nature of STI in accelerating development. Assessing the role of STI in South Africa’s growth and development would be incomplete in the absence of a discussion on the Department tasked with advancing the STI agenda for and in South Africa. (a) White Paper on Science and Technology, 1996 In 1996, the White Paper on Science and Technology was adopted, introducing the notion of an NSI. The intention was to improve the lives of all the country’s people through science, technology and innovation. This would be achieved “through progressively increasing economic growth and enhanced participation in the economy” and “through the innovative and pervasive personal and social development of the nation’s people. The White Paper was augmented in 2002 by the National Research and Development Strategy and the 2008-2018 Ten-Year Innovation Plan (TYIP). The DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 35 adoption of these new policy instruments for STI post-1994 was informed by the need to develop an STI system that responded to the needs of all South Africans under the democratic dispensation. The Department of Science and Technology (now the Department of Science and Innovation), which had previously been a chief directorate in the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, was established in 2004. The period from 2005 to 2018 was marked by the introduction of a series of sectoral policies. These included the Bio-economy Strategy, the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy, the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Research, Development and Innovation Strategy, the Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development Act, and the establishment of new institutional players such as the Technology Innovation Agency and the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI). These sectoral policies leveraged off the strengths of the national system of innovation, but also sought to create competitiveness and development in line with global technological advancements. At a macro level, the Department obtained Cabinet approval for the TYIP. The TYIP presented five grand challenges that the country sought to be addressed in the period 2008-2018, namely the bioeconomy (dubbed Farmer to Pharma at the time), Space Science and Technology, Energy Security, Global Change (including climate change), and Human and Social Sciences. (b) Reviews of the existing science, technology and innovation policy mix The continued evolution of STI policy was informed by ministerial reviews of the STI institutional landscape in 2010 and 2012, and the 2017 National Advisory Council on Innovation review of the 1996 White Paper. The review assessed performance against the vision, high-level goals and various specific initiatives set out at the time, such as policy formulation and resource allocation; regulatory policy; financing at performance level; human resource development and capacity building; and science and technology infrastructure. The review found that much improvement had been made but more needed to be done in certain areas. Key achievements and ongoing weaknesses between 1996 and 2016 are summarised below. Key achievements Prevailing weaknesses New national department responsible for science Interdepartmental coordination leading to greater policy established cohesion and the achievement of culture of innovation in government New actors: NACI, NRF, TIA, SANSA and research facilities Human resource development Regulatory policy: Intellectual Property Rights from Promotion of an information society Publicly Funded Research and Development Act Incentives introduced: R&D tax incentive, Technology Use of government incentives for innovation and Human Resources for Industry Programme, Support Programme for Industrial Innovation Infrastructure: Square Kilometre Array, national facilities Transformation across the NSI established/expanded Figure 2: Key achievements and prevailing weakness at policy level determined by a review of the 1996 White Paper DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 36 The review of the 1996 White Paper also presented an analysis of the performance of the system measured through certain scientific outputs. This is set out in the table below. Metric 1996 2016 Direction Business expenditure on R&D: GERD (%) 41,5 47,1 k Basic research (%) 19,6 24,5 k Expenditure on R&D on engineering and technology (%) 41,7 25,8 m Expenditure on R&D on health (%) 6,9 17,3 m Expenditure R&D Social Science & Humanities (%) 13,8 14,8 k HEI STEM enrolment (%) (1996; 2014) 23,7 29,6 k Degrees awarded to Black students (1996; 2014) 38 383 145 831 k PhD graduates 630 1 576 k Foreign university students (%) <1 8 k Foreign PhD graduates (%) n/a 20 k FTE Researchers (excl. PhDs and postdoctoral fellows) 12 102 11 624 m Female researchers (%) n/a 42,3 k GERD (2010 Rand)/FTE researcher (R’000) 844 1 848 k HEI researcher/PhD enrolment 1,4 1.0 m Black researchers, government sector (%) <3 ±55 k TVET enrolment n/a 154 960 Articles (Web of Science Core) 1995; 2015 3 233 12 251 k Articles, books, conference proceedings, fractional 2 351 9 679 k International co-authorship (%) 30 49 k Top 1% most highly cited 2003-2013 n/a 3 ZA h index, Web of Science (1996-2000; 2006-2010) 162 192 ______ World share of publications (fractional); rank 0,38 (31) 0,44 (45) k US Patent awards 105 144 k Patent Cooperation Treaty applications (WIPO) 390 442 k Trademark applications (ZA resident) 7 051 19 522 k Trademark applications (ZA abroad) 11 5 694 k Plant cultivars in force, world share %; rank n/a 2710; 2;6;8 m High technology exports % of total exports 5 6 ______ Global Competitiveness Index; Basic requirements; Innovation n/a 56; 89; 37 m Global Innovation Index n/a 60 m Table 4: Performance of the system from 1996 to 2016 In 2016, the National Research Foundation commissioned the Centre for Research, on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST) to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the state of the South African research enterprise. The insights of the CREST study, published in 2019, are summarised below. DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 37 Decline in contribution Increase in government of business sector to spending on R&D from 36% expenditure on R&D from in 2001 to 45% in 2015 56% in 2001 to 39% in 2015 Research output up from Doctoral graduates up from 3 668 articles published in 972 in 2001 to 2 794 in 2016 2000 to 15 550 in 2016 Citation impact increased Black-authored papers up Authors under 40 up from from 0.8 in 2000 to 1.1 in from 16% in 2005 to 30% in 3% in 2005 ro 18% in 2016 2016 2016 Figure 3: Summary of CREST study findings on the state of the South African research enterprise The reviews of the 1996 White Paper and 2019 CREST publication both indicate that the national system of innovation is yet to realise its full potential. The NSI needs to be better coordinated to respond to national imperatives and increase its contribution to socio-economic transformation. (c) White Paper on Science Technology and Innovation, 2019 The continued evolution in STI policy recently saw the adoption of a new White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation and the 2021-2031 Science, Technology, and Innovation Decadal Plan in March 2019 and March 2021, respectively, to enhance the DSI’s mandate, responsibilities and opportunities for STI in support of inclusive development in South Africa. The new era of STI policy is targeted at increasing the responsiveness of the NSI and its contribution to socio-economic imperatives and national priorities. It places greater emphasis on technology and innovation deployment, the use of innovation in support of a capable state and service delivery, inclusivity, transformation, partnerships to address policy coherence, the development of human capabilities, knowledge expansion, innovation performance and increased investment that will result in the economic, socio-political and intellectual benefits of STI being enjoyed by all South Africans. The White Paper draws from what worked in the past and introduces a number of policy shifts, including the following: • Increasing the focus on inclusivity, transformation and linkages in the national system of innovation (NSI). • Enhancing the innovation culture in society and government. • Improving policy coherence and budget coordination across government. DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 38 • Developing a more enabling environment for innovation. • Developing local innovation systems. • Supporting social and grassroots innovation. • Expanding and transforming the research system. • Developing human capabilities. • Accelerating the implementation of the pan-African STI agenda. • Increasing investment in the NSI. (d) 2021-2031 Science,Technology and Innovation Decadal Plan The new era of STI policy mix is targeted at increasing the responsiveness of the NSI and its contribution to socio- economic imperatives and national priorities. It places greater emphasis on technology and innovation deployment and the use of innovation in support of a capable state and service delivery improvement. The Department is currently developing an implementation plan for the 2019 White Paper on STI called the 2021-2031 Science, Technology and Innovation Decadal Plan, which is informed by various reviews, including the 2030 South Africa Foresight Exercise for Science, Technology and Innovation. The foresight study identified nine STI domains for particular focus, namely, (i) the circular economy, (ii) education for the future, (iii) sustainable energy, (iv) the future of society, (v) health innovation, (vi) high-tech industrialisation, (vii) ICTs and smart systems, (viii) nutrition security and (ix) water security. Other reviews that inform the Decadal Plan are the 2020 NACI reviews on the 2002 National Research and Development Strategy, the Ten- Year Innovation Plan (2008-2018), and the Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Institutional Landscape Review. The strengths and weaknesses of the NSI and the efficacy of the existing policy mix were analysed to increase the NSI’s contribution in achieving South Africa’s national development agenda through the implementation of the policy intents of the 2019 White Paper on STI in a changing world. For this aim to be realised, the Decadal Plan will address the implementation of intervention to meet the following goals for the national system of innovation: • An inclusive and coherent NSI. • An enabling innovation environment. • Increased and transformed human capabilities. • An expanded and transformed research system. • Significantly increased funding for STI. To realise the potential contribution of innovation to South Africa’s socio-economic ambitions, the Decadal Plan prioritises a suite of systemic enablers such as (i) increased funding, (ii) joint programming and coordination, (iii) high- level and technical skills for the economy, (iv) transdisciplinary knowledge creation, (v) increased linkages between government and business, and (vi) improved monitoring and evaluation. Over the medium term, the STI Decadal Plan intends to harness the pervasive and inclusive nature of innovation to respond to several White Paper policy imperatives, in particular policy intents aimed at supporting innovation in modernising and revitalising key strategic sectors of the South African economy (manufacturing through high-tech applications; agriculture through smart, digital and precision agriculture, agroprocessing and value additions including crop improvement in support of competitiveness; mining through new and emerging technological advances and mining value-chains). It will also focus on innovation in support of the energy and health sectors to harness and build DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 39 innovation capabilities within the NSI in support of a developmental, capable and entrepreneurial state, as well as exploiting emerging STI priorities presented by emerging innovation concepts of the circular and digital economy as new sources of economic growth. Moreover, the proposed STI priorities seek to provide RDI responses to several industry master plans aimed at supporting sector growth, investment, competitiveness, job creation and contributing to the country’s GDP. Foresight Foresight Priorities Missions outcomes outcomes • Sectoral support • Climate change • Circular economy - agriculture • Education for the future • Education for the future - mining of society • Sustainable energy - manufacturing • Future of society • Health innovation • Health innovation • High-tech industries • High-tech (bioinnovation) industrialisation • New sources of growth • ICTs and smart systems - circular economy • Nutrition security - digital economy • Water security Figure 4: A conceptual framework linking Decadal Plan priorities with those in the STI foresight study e) The NSI and DSI response to the COVID-19 pandemic When the COVID-19 pandemic reached South Africa in March 2020, the DSI-funded South African Population Research Infrastructure Network (SAPRIN) illustrated the benefit of having a population platform in place to react quickly to the scientific and social challenges posed by this global threat. By the beginning of April 2020, SAPRIN had an approved COVID-19 surveillance protocol in place and, by mid-April, surveillance started in three of the SAPRIN Health and Demographic Surveillance System nodes. The surveillance contributed to the HSRC study of the social impact of non-pharmaceutical measures to contain the pandemic and SAPRIN published a joint analysis of the surveillance in the Agincourt (Bushbuckridge District, Mpumalanga), DIMAMO (Capricorn District, Limpopo) and AHRI (uMkhanyakude District, KwaZulu-Natal) nodes in May 2021. The COVID-19 surveillance infrastructure forms the basis for externally funded studies on the interaction between HIV, TB and COVID-19 and research into COVID-19 immune mechanisms in the presence of HIV and TB infections. The impact of COVID-19 on access to health care has also been explored. Studies on a household cohort embedded in the Agincourt node in collaboration with the National Institutes of Communicable Disease provided valuable insights into SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics. Key results from SAPRIN COVID-19 surveillance have been reported to government oversight and policymaking bodies, including the National Policy Data Observatory Anchor Institutions Platform, the DPME’s Workstream on Research, Oversight and Monitoring of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, and the Director Generals’ Technical Task Team on COVID-19 vaccines. DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 40 The DSI-funded South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLaR), in collaboration with the City of Tshwane and the Pan South African Language Board, created a specialised list of COVID-19 terminology. The City of Tshwane officially published the COVID-19 multilingual terminology list as an open source in July 2021. Being able to accurately convey information in all official languages ties in with South Africa’s Constitution and the enabling role of research infrastructure. A mobile application, known as AwezaMed, which works on any Android smartphone and features localised speech technology (speech recognition, machine translation and text-to-speech) developed by the SADiLaR CSIR Node, is aimed at bridging the language barrier in COVID-19 triage. It enables a healthcare provider to access a phrase in English, translate it into any of the official languages and play the phrase in the selected language. The content of the application was developed in collaboration with health experts and is aimed at supporting healthcare workers to communicate with patients at healthcare facilities, especially during COVID-19-related screening and triage. The OpenStack Cloud hosted by the National Integrated Cyberinfrastructure System (NICIS) continues to provide services for important systems, including health systems and in support of the COVID-19 initiatives in the country. The OpenStack Cloud provides computational and data support to the national Department of Health (NDOH) for its dashboards, including much-needed data analysis for decision-making processes. The NICIS OpenStack Cloud currently hosts the following projects: • The NDOH Digital Electronic Vaccination Certificate system. • CSIR support to NDOH CMORE deployment for COVID-19 household screening by community health workers using mobile devices in the field. The project was expanded to support all provinces. • Projects collect movement data from telecommunication companies to identify COVID-19 hotspots for the NDOH using aggregated mobile locations. • The geolocation of students’ location off campus and network coverage profiles. NICIS is also involved in the Data Science Research Group, which is tasked with developing a pharmacovigilance data analytics platform for the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) funded by Clinton Health Access Initiative. The aim of this project is to assist SAHPRA with monitoring the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines, which involves providing analytics and detecting safety signals using spontaneous reporting of adverse events following immunisation. The development of the dashboard for data visualisation is also one of the key deliverables in this project. The Department’s budget allocation for 2020/21 was revised downwards from R8 797 393 to R7 362 088. An amount of R324 175 million was redirected to COVID-19-related responses. The pandemic has been an opportune time for the South African science system to demonstrate its relevance and support of national priorities and South Africa’s socio-economic imperatives. Entities such as the CSIR and the HSRC, as well as other platforms and programmes established or supported by the Department, have responded to the situation in a variety of ways, including the development of continuous positive airway pressure solutions under the guidance of the National Ventilator Project, the deployment of DSI-funded infrastructure to expand testing facilities, and the manufacturing of molecular biology enzymes, reagents and testing kits. The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory provided systems engineering and project management support for the design and manufacture of ventilators. DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 41 In managing the budget cuts, the Department attempted to absorb them internally as far as possible, in areas least likely to affect delivery on its mandate. The budget cuts have impacted the Department’s plans in the following broad areas: • Infrastructure (the Square Kilometre Array, the National Integrated Cyberinfrastructure System and the South African Research Infrastructure Roadmap). • Human capital development programmes that support established researchers (the South African Research Chairs Initiative, the centres of excellence and research grants). • Human capital in designated areas of advanced manufacturing, aerospace, chemicals, mining, ICTs and the Industry Innovation Programme, including the Sector Innovation Fund and the green economy. • Science awareness initiatives. • The generation of knowledge and innovation products. The following interventions across the NSI are part of the employment stimulus: • Health promotion agents (1 000 beneficiaries) to be implemented by the HSRC. • Enviro Champs (300 beneficiaries) to be implemented by the Duzi Umngeni Conservation Trust. • Water Graduate Employment Programme (450 beneficiaries) to be implemented by the Water Research Commission. • Experiential learning programme (189 beneficiaries) to be implemented by the CSIR in partnership with the Southern African Society for Cooperative Education. The Department introduced a new output performance indicator in 2020/21 financial year, “number of Presidential Youth Employment Initiative beneficiaries” with a target of 1 700 beneficiaries, and secured ring-fenced funding of R44,9 million from the employment stimulus fund. This was supplemented by savings to facilitate effective implementation of the programme and to exceed the target of 1 700. (f) Organisational environment Internally, the Department is organised into five budget programmes to deliver on its mandate and contribute to the 2019-2024 MTSF Apex Priorities, as well as the recently launched South African Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, through six institutional outcomes with the associated 18 outcome indicators over the medium term. The budget programmes are organised as follows: • Programme 1: Administration. • Programme 2: Technology Innovation. • Programme 3: International Cooperation and Resources. • Programme 4: Research Development and Support. • Programme 5: Socio-economic Innovation Partnerships. DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 42 The DSI is supported in the execution of its mandate by the following entities, agencies/science and councils: • The National Research Foundation. • The Technology Innovation Agency. • The South African National Space Agency. • The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. • The Human Sciences Research Council. • The National Advisory Council on Innovation. • The Academy of Science of South Africa. • The South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions. • The National Intellectual Property Management Office. The DSI is a national department with no concurrent functions. This allows for congruence in execution as its mandate is driven centrally by the Executive Authority and Accounting Officer with limited potential dilution of messaging and intent of objectives at the provincial and local government level. Science, technology and innovation are transversal issues that influence and define success in a broad range of sectors. Over the strategic plan period 2015-2020, the DSI implemented projects, programmes and initiatives that contributed to a variety of economic sectors such as agriculture, mining and minerals beneficiation, manufacturing, water and sanitation, energy, ICTs, and health. The DSI is associated with excellence and high levels of performance. The Department’s expenditure has been consistently above 90% since its inception. It was 98,4% for the 2020/21 financial year. For the third year running, the Auditor-General delivered an unqualified audit opinion without any findings (a clean audit) on the DSI’s financial statements, while an Audit Committee report expressed satisfaction with the manner in which the Department had conducted its affairs. The DSI achieved 87%, or 40 out of 46, of its targets, with just six targets (13%) not achieved, demonstrating its commitment to service delivery. Furthermore, in October 2020, the DSI Accounting Officer received the Best Director-General of the Year Award from the Auditor-General of South Africa. As on 31 January 2022, the DSI had a total staff establishment of 379 employees, with an overall vacancy rate of 24,65% of which 22,11% is at Senior Management Service level. As a result of the policy shift proposed in the new White Paper on STI, the Decadal Plan, the DSI is advancing a structural review of the current 2014 approved organisational structure over the medium term. The DSI has embraced and excelled in exercising compliance oversight and consists of credible, stable and well-reputed entities and agencies that fall under its Ministry. The Department has also been diligent in appointing boards and councils to exercise fiduciary responsibility and governance over its entities. While not having a concurrent function is identified as a strength, it may also weaken the execution of the Department’s mandate. The lack of a provincial and local government footprint means the DSI relies on staff at national level to identify and build the relations necessary to integrate STI into provincial and local government agendas. The name of the Department was changed from the Department of Science and Technology to the Department of Science and Innovation through a notice in the Government Gazette in June 2019, and the Ministries of Higher Education and Training and Science and Innovation were merged, introducing some additional opportunities to review synergies in the mandates of the two departments and align complementary functions and operations. DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 43 MEASURING OUR PERFORMANCE C PART DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 44

1. Impact Statement Impact statement South Africa’s sustainable and inclusive development enabled and enhanced through science, technology and innovation

2. Measuring Outcomes NDP Pillar 1 Achieving a more capable state MTSF Apex Priority 1 A capable, ethical and developmental state Outcome: Outcome indicators Baseline 5-year target A transformed, inclusive, Outcome Indicator 1: Number of formalised partnerships between different New indicator 10 responsive and coherent NSI category actors of the NSI that advance Decadal Plan priorities Outcome Indicator 2: Number of STI missions introduced and adopted by New indicator 5 missions introduced Outcome Statement: Expand, Cabinet to crowd in resources and capabilities across the NSI and adopted by Cabinet transform and enhance the to crowd in resources responsiveness of the NSI and capabilities across the NSI Outcome Indicator 3: Percentage of STI investment support by government, 0.62% 1,1% domestic business, non-governmental sector and foreign/ international sources that advances GERD towards 1,1% of GDP Outcome Indicator 4: Number of approved strategies that give effect to the New indicator 3 agreed dimensions of transformation to be effected in the NSI Innovation in support of a Outcome Indicator 1: Number of demonstrators that have successfully 172 420 capable and developmental introduced a new way of delivering a service state Outcome indicator 2: Number of district/ metropolitan municipalities New indicator 5 supported with technology-based applications as part of the District Outcome statement: Increase Development Model the use of innovation as an DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN enabler in the delivery of efficient services and access to government programmes NDP Pillar 1 Achieving a more capable state MTSF Apex Priority 1 A capable, ethical and developmental state Outcome: Outcome indicators Baseline 5-year target Knowledge utilisation for Outcome Indicator 1: Number of grassroots innovations whose 100 180 inclusive development commercialisation has been facilitated by the support/access of the multi-tiered support package provided by the DSI and its entities Outcome statement: Expand the use of scientific knowledge (as Outcome Indicator 2: Number of grassroots innovators provided access to New indicator 250 evidence) in support of innovation for publicly financed IP (innovative solutions and/or patents, rights, and designs) by societal benefit and public good the DSI NDP Pillar 2 Driving a strong and inclusive economy MTSF Apex Priority 2 Economic transformation and job creation Outcome Outcome indicators Baseline 5-year target Increased knowledge Outcome Indicator 1: Percentage of South Africa’s share of global publication 0,88% of global 1% of global publication generation and innovation output publication output output output Outcome Indicator 2: Percentage of prototypes, technology demonstrators 115 10% and pilot plants that advance industrialisation through innovation Outcome statement: Increase the relative contribution of South African researchers to global scientific and innovation output Knowledge utilisation for Outcome Indicator 1: Rand value of RDI investment attracted to support New indicator R100 million economic development – RDI needs identified through the sector masterplans process (a) in revitalising existing industries Outcome Indicator 2: Percentage investment in SMMEs/co-operatives/start- 2 800 3% DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN ups to secured new opportunities through support provided by the DSI and its entities Outcome indicator 3: Number of new commercialised disclosures from New indicator 75 publicly financed research and development (b) in stimulating R&D-led industrial Outcome Indicator 4: New R&D-led industrial development opportunities 5 1 development initiated by the DSI 45 46 NDP Pillar 3 Building and strengthening the capabilities of South Africans MTSF Apex Priority 3 Education, Skills and Health Outcome Outcome indicators Baseline 5-year target Human capabilities and skills Outcome Indicator 1: Number of artisans and technicians absorbed into the New indicator 60 for the economy and for economy in sectors where the DSI has active programmes development Outcome Indicator 2: Percentage of women and black researchers in South Women at 45,1% Women at 49% Africa’s research workforce Blacks at 62,9% Blacks at 67% Outcome statement: Improve Outcome Indicator 3: Number of DSI funded PhDs graduating annually as a 1 000 4 700 the representivity of high-end skills contribution to the NDP target of 100 PhDs/million population by 2030 and increase the development of Outcome Indicator 4: Percentage of PhD-qualified staff in higher education 45% 60% technical and vocational skills for the research and academic workforce economy. Outcome Indicator 5: Improved knowledge about science among the general 35% of the sample 50% of the sample public of the South African of the South African population surveyed population surveyed DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 47 2.1 Explanation of planned performance over These objectives are to be realised through ensuring full the five-year period alignment with the NDP objectives, expanding on what The Department has identified the following six out- has worked and building off the successes of the 1996 comes for the period 2020-2025: White Paper on Science and Technology, while, where necessary, proposing new approaches that take full • Outcome 1: A transformed, inclusive, responsive advantage of the opportunities presented by megatrends and coherent National System of Innovation. and advance transformation ambitions and imperatives. • Outcome 2: Human capabilities and skills for the economy and for development. This revised 2020-2025 Strategic Plan aims to deliver in • Outcome 3: Increased knowledge generation and part on these broad objectives of the 2019 White Paper innovation output. on STI and its policy thrust including the 2021-2031 • Outcome 4: Knowledge utilisation for economic STI Decadal Plan interventions by targeting impactful development in (a) revitalising existing industries and transformative initiatives over the medium term. and (b) stimulating R&D led industrial development. The six outcomes identified by the Department aim to • Outcome 5: Knowledge utilisation for inclusive leverage the strengths and broad contributions of all STI development. role players. The six outcomes of the strategic plan also • Outcome 6: Innovation in support of a capable and support the three pillars of the NDP, namely, driving a developmental state. strong and inclusive economy, building and strengthening capabilities of South Africans, and achieving a more The challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment capable state. continue to plague South Africa. Drawing from the lessons learnt from the Department’s performance in the The impact statement that has been adopted is “South period from 2012 to 2019 about how the national system Africa’s sustainable and inclusive development of innovation can contribute to the realisation of national enabled and enhanced through science, priorities, the 2019 White Paper on STI is positioned to technology and innovation”. To provide an evidence respond to the triple challenge – bearing in mind that in base for the STI socio-technical developments that could many cases time will elapse between investment in STI accelerate the inclusive and sustainable socio-economic and the realisation of the return on this investment. It is development for South Africa, a foresight study conducted possible to act proactively and influence the landscape to by the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) benefit and/or protect society. identified the following possible focus areas for South African STI system over the next decade: The White Paper has the following objectives: • Education and skills for the future. • Improved coherence and coordination. • Nutrition for a healthy population. • Increased NSI partnering between business, • Harnessing the potential of ICTs. academia, government and civil society. • Health technologies to treat and prevent ill health. • Strengthened and transformed NSI institutions. • Sustainable energy technologies. • Increased human capabilities. • Integrated solutions to water security. • Expanded research enterprise. • The circular economy. • Enhanced enabling environment for innovation. • Improving exports through the high-technology • Improved funding across the NSI. sector. DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 48 Informed by the findings of the NACI foresight study concluded in 2019, the selection of areas that will inform the missions and priorities for the next 10 years will be detailed in a Decadal Plan. The overarching goal of the Decadal Plan is to increase the contribution of the NSI to the achievement of South Africa’s national objectives, which the Department will measure through the outcomes identified. This will be done by enhancing innovation and experimentation and by accelerating the use of tried and tested approaches to successfully introduce innovation for transformative social and economic change. The impact of science, technology and innovation is not realisable in the short term. Research and development are a long-term endeavour. Many of the successes claimed today as part of the DSI’s performance have been many years in the making. The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, for example, originated in 2006/07, building on the KAT-7 engineering expertise. The Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies RDI Strategy, on which the Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) programme (now entering the third phase of its implementation) is based, was approved in 2009. A new era of flagship programmes needs to be conceptualised and implemented based on the priorities and missions that will emerge as part of the Decadal Plan. STI are important drivers of sustainable economic growth, economic competitiveness, socio-economic development and environmental sustainability. STI agenda setting, planning and budgeting should be integrated at the highest levels of government planning. To ensure policy certainty, and hence higher investment in the economy, the White Paper prioritises an innovation compact across government to ensure coherence in policy clusters related to STI and the economy, STI and social development, STI and education and skills, and STI and the environment. The intended long- term outcomes of the implementation of this coordinated planning approach would be a productive NSI contributing to economic growth and inclusivity, social development and environmental sustainability, and a capable and developmental state. Most national government departments, as well as provincial and local administrations, have embraced the enabling nature of STI and are now embarking on developing sectoral innovation policies and initiatives. These are sometimes not grounded in the latest thinking and best practice on innovation policy. Activities are seldom coordinated or funded at critical mass. Neither is there a critical assessment of the relevance of the policy choices and their interface with other national strategies. In responding to its refined mandate on innovation, the Department will strive to foster and enable the entrenchment of an innovation culture across the state. The DSI will introduce measures over the next five years to enable the Department to play a value-adding role by endorsing, advising, providing expertise and/or facilitating STI issues and STI elements in all departmental strategies. This role must be clearly defined in view of the lack of a clear leader and owner of innovation policy development in South African government in the past. The relationship between the adopted outcomes and the challenges of inequality, poverty and unemployment is depicted below. DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 49 Figure 4: Connectedness between the Strategic 2.2 Key enablers (a) Inclusivity and transformation The 2019 White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation has identified the lack of transformation in the national system of innovation as a challenge that needs to be addressed urgently. South Africa’s discriminatory past did not spare the NSI and generated a range of inequalities and imbalances that need to be redressed. Current challenges and developments at global level have brought additional transformation imperatives to the fore. Over the last 26 years, progress has been made in many aspects of transformation. However, this has been uneven and is a significant number of cases progress needs to be accelerated. Guided by the White Paper, the Department of Science and Innovation and its entities have defined a multi-dimensional transformation framework that will steer future planning and resource allocation. The framework identifies the 10 key dimensions defined below: • Dimension 1: Target investments to support current and future knowledge and technology producers to accelerate progress towards demographic representation in terms of race, gender and disability. • Dimension 2: Ensure that prioritised groups are the major beneficiaries of the technology development, technology support, technology transfer, commercialisation and procurement efforts of the DSI and its entities. • Dimension 3: Reverse spatial imbalances in the availability and quality of infrastructure and facilities that is used DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 50 to support knowledge production and exploitation. Interventions such as the Thuthuka Programme have • Dimension 4: Reverse the legacy of language contributed to improving female representation, which inequalities in written, audio and visual material has increased to 46%. Increased female representivity is generated or supported by the DSI and its entities. expected to contribute beyond transforming the gender demographics, changing the type of new knowledge that is • Dimension 5: Strengthen research, development generated and the landscape. and innovation capabilities at historically disadvantaged universities and other institutions. • Dimension 6(a): Enhance support for research and Leveraging on the University Capacity Development knowledge production efforts that were neglected as Programme (UCDP), the DSI will implement the a result of South Africa’s male-dominated racial and recommendations of the 2018 Study on Building a colonial past. Cadre of Emerging Scholars for Higher Education in South Africa (“silent majority study”). The 2018 study • Dimension 6(b): Enhance support for technology sought to establish the proportion and demographics development efforts that reverse racial and gender of academics at lecturer and senior lecturer levels/all biases in knowledge and technology, and focus on levels of the permanent instruction staff at HEIs who are knowledge and technology that are likely to have a active researchers, as well as those who are not active disproportionate benefit for priority groups such as researchers. In addition, the “silent majority” study had women and people with disabilities. the following subsidiary objectives: • Dimension 7: Diversify the demographic profile • To establish what the sector (HE) profile of lecturers of the leadership of the DSI and its entities as well and senior lecturers are in the system. as policy analysts, reviewers and experts that are used by the DSI and its entities to shape policy and • To establish what proportion of lecturers and senior practice in science, technology and innovation. lecturers are actively publishing (one meaning of “research active”). • Dimension 8: Ensure that international partnerships maximise the benefits of a multipolar • To establish what proportion of lecturers and senior world for South African science and technology. lecturers are applying actively for funding (another meaning of “research active”). • Dimension 9: Leverage cutting-edge digital technologies to strengthen planning, interaction and • To establish what proportion of lecturers and senior operations within the DSI and its entities. lecturers are actively publishing and applying for funding. • Dimension 10: Increasingly direct and coordinate partnerships and investments that support the Support and expansion of the UCDP is aimed at increasing transformation of the eight priority socio-technical the percentage of senior lecturers and lecturers who have systems under the Sustainable Development Goals. PhDs and are publishing. The emerging researcher segment of the human capital development pipeline continues to be under-funded compared to the next generation of While there have been pockets of racial and gender researchers and established researchers’ segments of the transformation in the NSI, the pace has been slow. pipeline. Financial resources need to be reprioritised in According to the 2019/20 National Survey of Research this area and relevant recommendations from the “silent and Experimental Development, the South African majority” study implemented. The Academy of Science of research workforce has remained stagnant over the past South Africa will need to assist in implementing some of 10 years, at just over 34 000. White male researchers the recommendations of the study. make up 41% of this number, while blacks share the remaining 46%, with Africans at 31%, coloured people at 6% and Indians at 9%). An emerging feature was the The DSI will work with the DHET in the implementation of prominence of foreign researchers, contributing 12%. the Historically Disadvantaged Institutions Development Programme and intervention aimed at the holistic DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 51 development of historically disadvantaged institutions includes support provided by industry development (HDIs) through the provisioning of student, staff and centres at the CSIR, the Technology Stations Programme, infrastructure development support. Through the DSI- the Technology Localisation Plan, the Grassroots DHET joint task team, the DSI and the NRF will align its Innovation Programme and various community-based instruments to those proposed in the HDI development rural economic development initiatives. The Department grant. In addition to starting new tailor-made initiatives to currently does not have comprehensive information on support the HDIs, the DSI/NRF will ring-fence a certain the profile of beneficiaries or the budgets supporting quota of awards/grants for the HDIs. A key component of women beneficiaries. In line with new requirements in the HDI Development Programme is the USA-SA Higher this regard, the DSI is in the process of collecting and Education Network, which operates in a triad including consolidating the required information for inclusion in one HDI, one historically advantaged university and one future annual performance plans. USA university. The primary purpose of the initiative is to increase the percentage of PhD-qualified staff at In addition to the above, the DSI will continue to prioritise HDIs. There are 101 university staff employed as the first women in support programmes targeting researchers and cohort of beneficiaries in this programme, and the DSI innovators. Current empirical data show that women, and the NRF are currently aligning their PhD qualification youth and people with disabilities continue to be under- attainment programmes to complement this initiative. represented in the science and research system. Going forward, in collaboration with its entities, agencies and As part of the National Development Plan, it is important key stakeholders, the DSI will develop a comprehensive to broaden opportunities for all South Africans, but transformation framework for the system. The framework particularly for the historically marginalised groups of the will, among other things, address inequities in gender, population, namely, black people, women, youth, people race, and spatial distribution. Currently, the Department with disabilities and people in rural areas. Support of mainstreams the issue of transformation through set the designated groups will be approached as part of the quotas in its various instruments, such as bursary support transformation framework to address the gaps across the and research grant holders. DSI ecosystem and its entities. It is also key to broaden ownership and control of assets and means of capital The 2019/20 National Research and Experimental accumulation. It is about broadening access to services of Development Survey shows that women constitute 46% all forms, with reasonable pricing, and equity and inclusivity in life opportunities. This will mean attaining ownership, of South Africa’s research workforce, one of the highest income distribution, and access to professions and skilled among both developed and developing countries. jobs. While the focus will be on improving this figure, there is also a pressing need to ensure that women occupy The DSI will use the Department of Women, Children more strategic research and leadership positions in the and People with Disabilities’ 2019 Gender-Responsive science system. Current interventions have brought Planning, Budgeting, Monitoring, Evaluation and Auditing encouraging progress toward achieving equity upstream Framework to guide its plans for the allocation of (i.e. postgraduate level), although there are still huge resources towards the marginalised and designated gaps downstream (established researchers and research beneficiaries and to enhance the gender dividend in the leadership positions). To address the historic legacy of NSI. exclusion, the Department will strive to ensure that women’s participation in its programmes is above the population demographic. The Department will ensure Broad-based economic and social development that women’s participation data is also analysed by race programmes of the Department include an explicit to ensure that all race groups benefit equitably. requirement to prioritise women beneficiaries. This DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 52 The Department’s broad-based economic and social the national system of innovation. development programmes (including the Industry • South Africa’s partnership with the European Union Development Centres at the CSIR, the Technology Stations will continue through strengthened participation Programme and the Grassroots Innovation Programme) in its new research funding programme, Horizon have an explicit requirement to prioritise the youth. In Europe. Opportunities include areas aligned with addition, the DSI has put in place several initiatives where key South African priorities, to support missions the primary beneficiary group is young people (including identified in the Decadal Plan. women). This includes the mLab initiative. Under • A select number of priority bilateral partnerships the leadership of the Youth Employment Programme (including priority partners identified in Africa, Asia, Management Office in the Presidency, the DSI is supporting the Americas and Europe) will see a smaller number the development of digital platforms to strengthen access of larger programmes supported in order to achieve by young people to technology services and support. greater impact and to minimise the transaction costs of cooperation. The science engagement-driven youth development initiative is meant to promote youth access to and Although South Africa’s existing portfolio of internation- participation in STEM and seeks to improve its reach to al STI partnerships already includes a broad and diverse quintile 1 to 3 schools (non-fee-paying schools) so as to scope, new relationships will be promoted to better benefit more disadvantaged young people. achieve the objectives of the White Paper and the De- partment. While these relationships will not be entirely From the perspective of human capital development, and new, they will be promoted in a more concerted and stra- with particular reference to participation in science and tegic manner, building on initial engagements undertaken engineering, people with disabilities remain largely under- over the years. They will include the following: represented. There are concerted efforts to prioritise • Cooperation with international non-state actors, full-cost-of-support (including assistive devices) in bursary which play an increasingly important role in global funding targeted at people with disabilities. This will be STI – this will include partnerships with multinational carried through to support for researchers; and will form companies and international philanthropy. part of the long-term and comprehensive transformation • A priority focus on South-South relationships, strategy. specifically within the context of the BRICS partnership, to complement the historic North- (b) Increased internationalisation South orientation of South Africa’s international STI is a global enterprise. South Africa has a mature and diverse relations, and to better align with South Africa’s portfolio of international partnerships, which have significantly evolving portfolio of international political and benefited South African science, technology and innovation economic relations. in achieving the objectives of the National Research and • Comprehensive implementation of a departmental Development Strategy as well as the Ten-Year Innovation Plan. “Science Diplomacy Framework for Africa”, which Building on this foundation, the following relationships, among will see a significant increase in South African others, will be deepened and expanded over the strategic plan investment in bilateral and multilateral African term: partnership programmes, with co-investment by other African partners. • South Africa’s political leadership role in various multilateral programmes, including those of the African Union and the Southern African Development The Department’s Science Diplomacy Framework for Community, as well as the United Nations (related to Africa will respond to the following strategic objectives: the Sustainable Development Goals), to be leveraged (i) Supporting the implementation of STI programmes of as platform to leverage partnership opportunities for the African Union and SADC, as well as other relevant DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 53 multilateral initiatives; (ii) Contributing South African African markets, for technology products and resources to bolster STI capacities in strategic African services; partner countries; (iii) Implementing joint research and • enhancing dedicated interventions to increase the innovation programmes with other African countries STI-orientated foreign investment secured by South enabling a mutually beneficial sharing of experience African to align such investment better with national expertise; and (iv) Accessing market opportunities for priorities as part of the overall effort by government technology intensive products and services emanating to promote South Africa as preferred foreign from South Africa’s national system of innovation. investment destination. The entry into force of the African Continental Free Trade (c) Partnerships Area in 2019 will significantly enhance the processes of The need to increase both the range and number economic and political integration in Africa, advanced of strategic research, development, and innovation through the African Union. This will have important partnerships is a core feature of the 2019 White Paper implications for intra-African STI partnerships, and on science, technology and innovation. The DSI will cooperation will not only play a crucial role in enhancing prioritise the following partnerships over the next five Africa’s competitiveness in the global marketplace, but years: also act as instruments for integration in their own right, • Building on successful innovation partnership especially through people-to-people exchanges and instruments such as the Sector Innovation Funds, the infrastructure development. Despite these commitments Mandela Mining Precinct and the Wheat Breeding to collaboration and solidarity, as embodied for example in Platform, the DSI will continue to strengthen current the SADC’s regional industrialisation programmes, South and develop new innovation funding partnerships Africa will also have to respond to the opportunities arrangements with different industrial sectors. This and challenges associated with intra-African economic will be guided by the Sector Master Plan process competition. These relate to access to markets for led by the Department of Trade, Industry and technology intensive products and services, for example, Competition. and to attract foreign investment. These dynamics will all unfold against the geopolitical backdrop of an increased • In addition to working with different economic interest in Africa from competing global powers and the sectors, the DSI will continue to partner with welcome growth of vibrant innovation ecosystems across individual companies, including state-owned the continent. enterprises. • A flagship partnership that will mature over the 2020-2025 period is the World Economic Forum The traditional focus of South Africa’s international Affiliate Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. science, technology and innovation partnerships The Affiliate Centre will be a multi-stakeholder has been on research cooperation, chiefly involving partnership bringing together government, business public organisations, especially higher institutions. A and other key non-state actors to jointly assess stronger emphasis will be placed on innovation and technology governance challenges and to develop commercialisation initiatives, inter alia by – arrangements that can address the requirements of • including support for entrepreneurs and innovators different stakeholders. in international mobility and training programmes; • A specific area of focus over the next five years is the • developing instruments,including some to be deployed development of partnerships with non-governmental by the Technology Innovation Agency, for innovation organisations and other non-state actors. Over the projects to be co-funded with international partners last few years, the DSI has experimented with different where there is a shared economic interest; partnership models and this will continue over the • assisting South African entrepreneurs and next five years. organisations to access international, especially DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 54 • The DSI will continue to mature and strengthen will enhance effective human resource management partnerships with other national government that remains suitable and relevant to programmes while departments, provincial departments and local advancing organisational performance and efficiency, and governments. ensuring effective change management interventions. Noting the need to advance innovation policy, the DSI The Department will also embark on an organisational will also continue to strengthen its participation in structure review to ensure alignment to the mandate leading-edge innovation policy programmes including from the National Development Plan, MTSF, and the the Transformation Innovation Policy Consortium, the White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation. The Mission-Oriented Innovation Network, and various policy organisational review process will require the DSI to programmes specifically looking at the interface between change its current post establishment to ensure greater innovation policy and the Sustainable Development Goals. alignment with new requirements and priorities. Priority in the filing of vacant positions will be allocated to areas declared priorities in terms of the Decadal Plan. A new Given the relatively low levels of PhD-qualified teaching human resources development strategy will be adopted and research staff in our universities (currently at 45%), to ensure the alignment of development interventions to and therefore limited research and supervisory capacity, priority areas of the Department. the Department will reorient and position its international partnership networks towards enhancing doctoral and Employees are a critical resource for the Department, and research training. various customised interventions will be implemented to ensure sound and capable human resources. These A strong partnership between the DSI, the Department interventions will include providing employee and of Basic Education (DBE) and provincial education organisational wellness solutions as a strategy to departments is a catalyst for identifying and nurturing manage health and wellness risks that may impact the young talent that is required to build a STEM human Department’s achievement of its strategic objectives. The capital pipeline, as well as advancing the goals of the DSI- DSI aims to ensure that employees experience a safe and led science engagement programme. The feasibility of an conducive working environment and a culture that values interdepartmental model for establishing and managing the diversity of employees. science centres will be tested over the next five-year period. The test case will be the Albertina Sisulu Science (ii) Knowledge management, data management and ICT sys- Centre in Cofimvaba, in the Eastern Cape, which is a tems partnership initiative involving the DSI, the Eastern Cape The Department has embarked on an enterprise Department of Education, DBE and Intsika Yethu Local architecture project based on the Government Wide Municipality. Enterprise Architecture Framework. The process involves conducting a gap analysis, which in turn informs (d) An organisation that is enabled and efficient the development of a roadmap towards the desired (i) Human resources future state of the enterprise. The Department aims to optimise its organisational capacity by actively sourcing the best skills to support Some of the principles of enterprise architecture are service delivery while investing in the development of to improve reuse, remove duplication, and ensure the its employees to maximise their productivity. Human interoperability and integration of systems. The aim is for Resources will focus on driving organisational change by all systems in the Department to be under one umbrella ensuring the development of an agile workforce capable and interoperable. of adapting to new and automated workplace solutions. A strategic approach and redefined business partnering DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 55 One of the benefits of this will be that all users in the higher priority areas in the next MTEF – areas that will Department will be able to share systems and resources. have high impact on socio-economic growth. Existing The roadmap will also address the requirements of the initiatives or programmes that have a minimal impact and/ White Paper on STI, the Decadal Plan and the National or are no longer relevant will have to be scaled down or Development Plan. A key output of the enterprise discontinued. architecture process will be a recommendation on how to implement data warehousing and data management, (iv) Branding and communication especially in the current era of big data and data analytics. The Department’s Brand Positioning Strategy will provide The project will unfold in phases from year to year. a roadmap for guiding future communication, ensuring consistency in messaging, and growing the reputation The Department approved a knowledge management of the Department and its entities both locally and strategy in April 2019, which is in line with the internationally. The approach and framework will support Department of Public Service and Administration the development of communication around themes Knowledge Management Framework. One of the key covering the full spectrum of the Department’s work. objectives is to ensure that institutional knowledge in the Under the broad implementation framework, the Department is well managed and preserved. The project Department will construct messages about what it is and involves knowledge warehousing via a knowledge/content what it makes possible for the country. Communication management system and knowledge expert locators will ensure that the DSI contributes to national priorities, within the Department. the NDP and service delivery in general. The Department will communicate the intents and aspirations of the 2019 (iii) Finance White Paper, its implementation through the Decadal With the constrained fiscus and the slow growth of South Plan, and the benefits of STI for various sector of our Africa’s economy, the Department’s financial resources society, including the private sector, civil society, all will have to be optimally allocated and used if the plans spheres of government, and players in the national system outlined in this strategy are to be achieved. The current of innovation, as well as international partnerships, with a budget allocation to various Programmes is based on a focus on the pan-Africanist agenda. historic and incremental budgeting method. However, with priorities having changed due to the policy shift 2.3 Responding to the District (new political administration and the new White Paper), this allocation method will change. Development Model The District Development Model (DDM) provides an approach through which national and provincial During the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan period, the departments allocate budgets that are geo-referenced to Department will undertake a budget restructuring exercise within the MTEF allocated funds (and extrapolate a particular District Municipality. This is an approach the to the two outer years) to ensure realignment with new 6th administration has adopted in order to foster a whole priorities during the planning cycle. Guided by the 2021- of government response to the development needs in a 2031 STI Decadal Plan approach of sectoral planning, a particular geographical area. This DDM approach seeks sectoral-based budgeting approach will be adopted. The to solve the insular approach and lack of information Department will be required to review and assess the sharing in government’s development programmes, and efficiency, effectiveness and relevance of its investments. to maximise the impact, coordination and alignment of resources to improve service delivery. The sectoral-based budgeting approach will require DSI to change its current budget structure to align with It is the view of the Department of Science and Innovation the funding requirements of the new priorities. After that the DDM provides an ideal opportunity for national, the current planning cycle, funds will be reallocated to DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 56 provincial and local government to play a role in creating conditions and an environment for entrepreneurial and innovative districts through inclusive innovation, where innovation is happening within an innovative policy framework, and where the DDM discourse and the district development programmes are inclusive. In this way, the DDM provides a space for the implementation of the DSI’s Decadal Plan to support economic construction and recovery. The Decadal Plan initiatives that can support economic recovery and district economic regeneration through innovation include supporting existing sectors of the economy such as mining, tourism and agriculture through innovation, as well as Decadal Plan initiatives to support new sources of growth such as the circular economy. These interventions will be collectively implemented through the DSI’s packaging model for DDM interventions at district level. Furthermore, the DSI will consider setting up appropriate institutional arrangements and mechanisms for the implementation of the Decadal Plan interventions in the districts. This will include establishing committees for mayors and/or premiers, the DDM Innovation Compact, the DDM Innovation Strategic Management Model, the DDM Innovation Fund, DDM Inclusive Innovation Programmes and the DDM Inclusive Innovation Council. Figure 5: DDM Process 1 – Selection of initiatives that are high impact and most responsive to current district profiles The Department will identify and prioritise interventions that are responsive to the municipal development profiles. These are projects with high socio-economic development impact responding to challenges facing the municipalities, e.g. unemployment, economic recovery and service delivery. The initiatives to be selected by the DSI to support districts will take into account the One Plan and five transformative outcomes as outlined in the DDM framework and guidelines, namely, (i) economic inclusion, (ii) spatial restructuring, (iii) infrastructure engineering, (iv) integrated service provisioning, and (v) governance and management. Departmental initiatives will be informed by the actual gaps, and DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 57 specific demographics and district information, including using geographic information systems (GIS) and to track service delivery challenges in each municipality. strategic benefits and the alignment of key DSI DDM initiatives with other sector department initiatives to avoid duplication and to maximise impact. The DSI will identify 120 responsive DDM interventions which should align with key DSI strategic objectives, such as the STI White Paper policy intents, the DDM profiles The DDM process will be implemented over the next and the DDM One Plan transformative outcomes. In this five years by the DSI through a three-pronged strategy. context, the DSI has set out an approach for the DDM This will involve the implementation of DDM initiatives in not driven by a mere selection or listing of projects due the following processes: to their geographic location, but guided by the philosophy • DDM Process 1: This process involves the that the DDM presents a platform for innovation to selection of initiatives that are high impact and achieve inclusivity. This approach would be premised most responsive to the current district profiles or on the selection criteria, institutional arrangements, and development challenges of municipalities. coordinating structures within the Department and in • DDM Process 2: This process will support the entities reporting to the Minister of Higher Education, DDM by establishing a bottom-up process for the Science and Innovation to enable a holistic and an Viability and Validation of Innovations for Service effective response by the Department and its entities Delivery Programme. to the District Development Model. Additional budget • DDM Process 3: This process is about positioning will be required to support the DSI’s identified DDM the DDM as a platform for inclusive innovation and implementation commitments and interventions, as some for the implementation of the DSI’s Decadal Plan of these interventions are new and will be implemented initiatives. for the first time at a district level. • (a) Selection of the district municipalities to be The DSI DDM interventions will be chosen following the supported selection criteria outlined below: There are 44 district municipalities and eight metropolitan • Initiatives that catalyse and advance the economic municipalities in South Africa. It is acknowledged that inclusion of youth through support to youth-owned the DSI DDM process will not prioritise programmes enterprises and innovations, develop skills for and projects across all the district and metropolitan employability, and enhance the engagement of youth as active citizens. municipalities due to financial constraints. However, the DDM interventions will be prioritised in district/ • Projects that are directly responsive to challenges metropolitan municipalities incrementally. such as crime, health, drought and climate change, including risk and vulnerability profiles. • Projects that respond to challenges and/or promote (b) Alignment of the identified DDM interventions the roll-out of innovative solutions to deliver services with DSI strategic objectives and the Decadal in municipalities. Plan The DSI’s DDM approach addresses two of the six outcomes of its 2020-2025 Strategic Plan (Outcomes The DSI will also pilot an enterprise project management 5 and 6), as outlined below. The following strategic office (EPMO) within the department to fast-track the outcomes will be achieved through the interventions implementation and coordination of DDM projects prioritised by the Department to support the district with municipalities. The EPMO pilot will ensure internal municipalities as outlined below. planning, coordination and reporting of DDM projects and programmes within the DSI. In the long run, EPMO Outcome 5: To achieve knowledge utilisation for will also entrench project coordination and management inclusive development at a district level, it will be necessary discipline, and build the Department’s capacity to manage DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 58 to create an environment in district municipalities In the context of the District Development Model, that facilitates the use of innovation and knowledge to the DSI will prioritise the implementation of its youth achieve inclusivity. This will require increased access innovation incentives programme designed to support to intellectual property arising from publicly funded youth enterprises and entrepreneurs, and innovation research by youth entrepreneurs and SMMEs in support for local economic development. This will include the of economic development and competitiveness. Youth- implementation of innovation for inclusivity programmes owned technology businesses at a district level should in partnership with industry stakeholders and other be mentored in partnership with the private sector and government departments in catalytic areas for inclusive appropriate innovation intermediary organisations. Youth development such as information communication entrepreneurs will be supported in scaling-up successfully technology, system-wide e-hailing applications, the 4th demonstrated innovative technology solutions that can industrial revolution, special economic zones, circular improve service delivery. Appropriate resources and and green economy technologies, and renewable energy innovation instruments will be made available in the technologies and mission-oriented initiatives such as the DDM context. future of society, the future of work, and the future of education. Figure 6: DDM Process 2 – Initiatives selected to support the DDM through a bottom-up process for the Viability and Validation of Innovations for Service Delivery Programme DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 59 Through the Regional Innovation Support Programme (RISP), the DSI will support the District Development Model through interventions to enable innovation ecosystems in support of innovation for inclusivity. The interventions to be selected to support the DDM will increase the spatial footprint of innovation in provinces to support district municipalities to enable innovation for socio-economic development. Therefore, the DSI will aim to understand provincial growth and development strategies, district development profiles, planned socio-economic infrastructure projects at a district level, and existing local economic development strategies and initiatives. The Department will then link innovation with these ongoing initiatives at a district level. Outcome 6: According to the Decadal Plan, to use innovation to achieve a capable and developmental state, the public service has to be transformed into a digital enterprise. The initiatives to be supported and implemented in the next five years in district municipalities will require the adoption of decision-support tools, the digitalisation of municipal services in support of e-government and online services, the scaling up of online public services and the adoption of alternative technologies for basic service delivery. The Department has identified four outcome indicators to measure over the strategic plan horizon, namely, (i) increase in the number of use cases of decision-support systems; (ii) number of demonstrators that have successfully introduced a new way of delivering a service; (iii) number of districts/ metropolitan municipalities supported with technology- based applications as part of the District Development Model for service delivery improvement; and (iv) the evidence-informed integration of innovation in service delivery. These outcome indicators will influence the identification and prioritisation of initiatives by the DSI to support the districts. DSI’s District Development Model Impact Areas These are four areas of impact in which the departmental DDM interventions will create change and deliver meaningful transformation in people’s lives, and encourage municipalities to adopt innovation to improve their performance. This will be achieved through the Innovation for Service Delivery Programme – a programme designed to support the demonstration of technologies addressing waste management, water and wastewater management, human settlement, sanitation, education, and energy provision. This programme will help municipalities to address and respond to climate change through innovation and use the same to realise SDG obligations. Other interventions to be supported will include circular economy interventions to enable the just transition to a low-carbon economy by districts. This will require the DSI to support municipalities through the District Development Model to create and implement circular economy and municipal waste management technology centres. The DSI will advance the implementation of DDM interventions that can make an impact in the following four DSI DDM impact areas: DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 60 DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 61

3. Key Risks and Mitigations Outcome Risk description Risk mitigation A transformed, The DSI may be unable to • Establishment of a ministerial-level committee for inclusive, effectively deliver on its Science, Technology and Innovation. responsive and responsibility to coordinate and • Establishment of the STI plenary. coherent NSI steer the NSI. • Development of the Decadal Plan for STI. • Improve stakeholder engagements in support of the White Paper on STI. Loss of institutional memory. • Implement the Knowledge Management Strategy. • Implement a record-keeping system that is in line with the relevant regulatory framework. Decline in the number as well • Review and update focused engagement plans including as quality of engagements with leveraging additional resources (Europe, Africa, Asia, international partners. America and multilateral engagements). • Global awareness campaigns on the opportunities in the NSI that are available, including supporting attendance by South Africans at international STI events, using the Department’s international networks to promote South Africa as a desirable destination for STI collaboration and technical and scoping visits to key partner countries and hosting of foreign delegations in SA. There may be a mismatch • Identify and manage areas of uncertainty in relation to with respect to the funding, the responsibilities of the Programme in support of the structure, systems and capacity outcome. for the Socio-economic Innovation Partnerships • Use intelligence to develop options and scenarios to Programme. feed into departmental processes. Inadequate funding to meet the • Implementation of the budget restructuring process. operational costs and strategic needs of the Department. Increased Possible decline in publicly • Increase the number of partnerships with the private knowledge funded research, development sector, non-governmental organisations, philanthropic generation and innovation activities. foundations, and non-profit organisations and and innovation output governments (local and international). • Solicit strategic infrastructure proposals and submit them to Programme 4 to evaluate and fund successful proposals. • Expand the NIPMO Incentive Scheme. There may be a mismatch • Identify and manage areas of uncertainty in relation to with respect to the funding, the responsibilities of the Programme in support of the structure, systems and capacity outcome. for the Socio-economic Innovation Partnerships • Utilise intelligence to develop options and scenarios to Programme. feed into departmental processes. DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 62 Outcome Risk description Risk mitigation Human Inability to effectively contribute • Develop and implement a framework to articulate capabilities to human capital and research the roles and responsibilities of the two departments and skills for capacity development to (DHET and DSI) and relevant entities to effectively the economy support national imperatives and for and priorities. deliver on national imperatives. development • Align strategic objectives and targets for the Programme in line with the STI Decadal plan. Knowledge The DSI may be unable to • Establishment of a ministerial-level committee for STI. utilisation for effectively deliver on its • Establishment of the STI plenary. economic responsibility to coordinate and • Development of the Decadal Plan for STI. development steer the NSI. in revitalising • Improve stakeholder engagements in support of the existing White Paper. industries and in stimulating R&D-led industrial development Knowledge There may be a mismatch • Identify and manage areas of uncertainty in relation to utilisation with respect to the funding, the responsibilities of the Programme in support of the for inclusive structure, systems and capacity outcome. development for the Socio-economic Innovation Partnerships • Utilise intelligence to develop options and scenarios to Programme. feed into departmental processes. Innovation in Spatial location and dispersion • District Development Model to improve the coherence support of a (no concurrent function but and impact of government service delivery and capable and need to integrate innovation development is seen as game changer in service delivery. developmental across three spheres of state government). Internal capacity within DSI to • Restructuring the organisation guided by White Paper deliver on the new White Paper objectives. and Decadal Plan. • Re-skill staff where applicable.

4. Public Entities Name of Mandate Outcomes public entity National To support, promote, and advance research and • A transformed, inclusive, Research human capacity development through funding and the responsive and coherent NSI. Foundation provision of the necessary research infrastructure, • Increased knowledge generation in order to facilitate the creation of knowledge, innovation and development in all fields of science and and innovation output. technology, including humanities, social sciences and • Human capabilities and skills indigenous knowledge; develop, support and maintain for the economy and for national research facilities; support and promote public development. awareness of, and engagement with, science; and the • An informed and fully engaged development and maintenance of the national science system and support of government priorities public on science and its benefits. DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 63 Name of Mandate Outcomes public entity Council for To foster, in the national interest and in the fields which • Knowledge utilisation for Scientific and in its opinion should receive preference, industrial and economic development (a) in Industrial scientific development, either by itself or in cooperation revitalising existing industries Research with principals from the public or private sector, and thereby to contribute to the improvement of the quality and (b) in stimulating R&D-led of life of the people of South Africa, and to perform any industrial development. other functions that may be assigned to it by or under • Increased knowledge generation the Scientific Research Council Act. and innovation output. • Innovation in support of a capable and developmental state. Technology To support the state in stimulating and intensifying • Knowledge utilisation for Innovation technological innovation in order to improve economic economic development (a) in Agency growth and the quality of life of all South Africans by revitalising existing industries developing and exploring technological innovation. and (b) in stimulating R&D-led industrial development. • Increased knowledge generation and innovation output. • Innovation in support of a capable and developmental state. Human To initiate, undertake, and foster strategic basic and • Innovation in support of a Sciences applied research in the human sciences, and to gather, capable and developmental state. Research analyse and publish data relevant to developmental • Increased knowledge generation Council challenges in South Africa, elsewhere in Africa and in the rest of the world, especially by means of projects linked and innovation output. to public sector oriented collaborative programmes. • Knowledge utilisation for inclusive development. To inform the effective formulation and monitoring of policy, and to evaluate the implementation of policy. To stimulate public debate through the effective dissemination of fact-based research results. To help build research capacity and infrastructure for the human sciences in South Africa and the rest of Africa. To foster and support research collaboration, networks and institutional linkages within the human sciences research community. To respond to the needs of vulnerable and marginalised groups in society by researching and analysing developmental problems, thereby contributing to the improvement of the quality of their lives. To develop and make publicly available new datasets to underpin research, policy development and public discussion of the key issues of development, and to develop new and improved methodologies for use in their development. DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 64 Name of Mandate Outcomes public entity Academy of To promote common ground in scientific thinking across • Increased knowledge generation Science of all disciplines, including the physical, mathematical and and innovation output. South Africa life sciences, as well as the human, social and economic • Innovation in support of a sciences. capable and developmental state. To encourage and promote innovative and independent scientific thinking. To promote the optimum development of the intellectual capacity of all people. To provide effective advice and facilitate appropriate action in relation to the collective needs, opportunities and challenges of all South Africans. To link South Africa with scientific communities of the highest levels, within the SADC, the rest of Africa and the rest of the world. South African To promote the peaceful use of space. • Increased knowledge generation National and innovation output. Space Agency To support the creation of an environment conducive to industrial development in space technology. • Innovation in support of a capable and developmental state. To foster research in space science and technology, • Knowledge utilisation for communications, navigation, and space physics. economic development (a) To advance scientific, engineering and technological in revitalising existing industries competence and capabilities through human capital and (b) in stimulating R&D-led development outreach programmes and infrastructure industrial development. development. To foster international cooperation in space-related activities. National To advise the Minister for Science and Technology • A transformed, inclusive, Advisory and, through the Minister, Cabinet, on the role and responsive and coherent NSI. Council contribution of science, mathematics, innovation, • Innovation in support of a and technology, including indigenous technologies, in promoting and achieving national objectives, namely, capable and developmental state. to improve and sustain the quality of life of all South Africans, develop human resources for science and technology, build the economy, and strengthen the country’s competitiveness in the international arena. South African To administer the registration of professional, candidate, • A transformed, inclusive, Council for and certificated natural scientists, and related matters. responsive and coherent NSI. Natural and • Human capabilities and skills Scientific Professions for the economy and for development. DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 65 TECHNICAL INDICATOR DESCRIPTIONS PART D DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 66 Title: Indicator 1 Number of formalised partnerships between different category actors of the NSI that advance Decadal Plan priorities Definition The indicator seeks to measure the number of formal partnerships that advance the White Paper on STI and the STI Decadal Plan objectives and that involve different actors in the NSI. These actors could be higher education institutions, different government departments, private sector and business, civil society, and non- governmental organisations. A formalised partnership will be measured as one that is concluded by signature of an agreement by multiple parties. Source of data A submission and signed agreements. Method of calculation/ Count each concluded agreement approved by the Director-General or Minister. assessment Assumptions The agreements will be concluded once off but may span multiple years. Disaggregation of Target for women: n/a beneficiaries (where Target for youth: n/a applicable) Target for people with disabilities: n/a Spatial transformation n/a (where applicable) Reporting cycle Mid-term review in 2022/23 after Q2 Desired performance The agreements should strive to include as many different actors as possible. Indicator responsibility Institutional Planning and Support DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 67 Title: Indicator 2 Number of STI missions introduced and adopted by Cabinet over the next five years that crowd in resources and capabilities across the NSI Definition The indicator measures STI missions that are reliant on different NSI players for development and implementation. The directing of different actors’ efforts and resources towards these missions will reflect the responsiveness and relevance of the NSI in responding to national priorities and challenges. The missions will be defined as per the Decadal Plan 2020. Source of data Cabinet memoranda and approved minutes. Method of calculation/ Count each mission approved. assessment Assumptions The Decadal Plan will define the necessary missions. A separate process for developing implementation plans for the missions will be developed and submitted to Cabinet for approval. The Cabinet agenda will allow for timely approval. Disaggregation of Target for women: n/a beneficiaries (where Target for youth: n/a applicable) Target for people with disabilities: n/a Spatial transformation n/a (where applicable) Reporting cycle Mid-term review in 2022/23 after Q2. Desired performance Approval of STI missions by Cabinet. Indicator responsibility Institutional Planning and Support DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 68 Title: Indicator 3 Percentage of STI investment support by government domestic business, non-governmental sector and foreign/international sources that advances GERD towards 1,1% of GDP Definition The indicator will measure the support by government, domestic business, non- governmental sector and foreign/international sources contribution towards GERD as a percentage of GDP. Source of data Annual National Survey on Research and Experimental Development Method of calculation/ Domestic business, non-governmental sector and foreign/international sources assessment proportion of GERD as a percentage of GDP. Assumptions The National Survey on Research and Experimental Development will be conducted annually with a one-year lag of data series. Disaggregation of Target for women: n/a beneficiaries (where Target for youth: n/a applicable) Target for people with disabilities: n/a Spatial transformation Yes, provincial data will form part of analysis. (where applicable) Reporting cycle Mid-term review in 2022/23 after Q2. Desired performance High performance is desired. Indicator responsibility Socio-economic Innovation Partnerships DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 69 Title: Indicator 4 Number of approved strategies that give effect to the agreed dimensions of transformation to be effected in the NSI Definition The indicator will measure the extent to which a concerted effort is being driven by the DSI to accelerate transformation efforts directed by the agreed 10 key dimensions of transformation. Source of data Database of guidelines/frameworks approved by the Minister that advance transformation in the form of a basic spreadsheet (to be developed by the end of December 2022). Method of calculation/ Number of guidelines/frameworks approved by the Minister. assessment Assumptions An NSI-wide transformation framework will be developed and adopted and will inform the various guidelines to be developed on the agreed dimensions. Disaggregation of Target for women: Some of the proposed dimensions will accommodate this group. beneficiaries (where Target for youth: Some of the proposed dimensions will accommodate this group. applicable) Target for people with disabilities: Some of the proposed dimensions will accommodate this group. Spatial transformation Transformation efforts will include spatial transformation. (where applicable) Desired performance Higher performance towards targeted groups. Reporting cycle Mid-term review in 2022/23 after Q2. Indicator responsibility Institutional Planning and Support; Technology Innovation; Socio-economic Innovation Partnerships; Research Development and Support; International Cooperation and Resources. DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 70 Title: Indicator 5 Number of demonstrators that have successfully introduced a new way of delivering a service Definition Demonstrator – experimental deployment for purposes of assessing whether an innovation or technology can work in practice. Delivery of a service will be measured by the percentage increase in number of units delivered to enable access to basic services. Source of data Reports Method of calculation/ Number of demonstrator projects. assessment Number of knowledge products/policy briefs. Change in service delivery practice. Assumptions Adequate technology solutions available for demonstration in line with district socio-economic profiles, governance and spatial transformation priorities. Disaggregation of Target for women: Indirect beneficiaries beneficiaries (where applicable) Target for youth: Indirect beneficiaries Target for people with disabilities: Indirect beneficiaries Spatial transformation Yes, at provincial and district levels. Database will enable DSI to assess how (where applicable) demonstrators are being implemented in line with service delivery and development imperatives and in support of the DDM. Reporting cycle Mid-term review in 2022/23 after Q2. Desired performance High performance is desired. Indicator responsibility Socio-economic Innovation Partnerships DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 71 Title: Indicator 6 Number of district/metropolitan municipalities supported with technology-based applications as part of the District Development Model for Service Delivery Improvement Definition The district and metropolitan municipalities counted are the 44 district and 8 metropolitan municipalities managed by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs as part of the DDM. The DDM was adopted in 2019 to enable the production of a spatially referenced integrated single government plan (as an intergovernmental compact) for the 52 municipal spaces, and will therefore guide and direct all strategic investment spending and project delivery across government, as well as forming the basis for accountability. Source of data • Number of municipalities connected to web portals and Earth Observation Data Centre. • Enterprise Programme Management Office administrative systems and processes (under development). • District Development Model progress reports. • Geo-referenced DSI DDM project database. Method of calculation/ • Number of municipalities using Earth observation decision-support tools. assessment • Extract from the Enterprise Project Management Office administrative system. • DSI participation in District Development Model engagements. Assumptions Municipalities have infrastructure to access Earth observation applications and products. Disaggregation of Target for women: Indirect beneficiaries beneficiaries (where applicable) Target for youth: Indirect beneficiaries Target for people with disabilities: Indirect beneficiaries Spatial transformation • Rural municipalities. (where applicable) • Extracts from the EPMO administrative system will enable an assessment of initiatives across the 44 district and 8 metropolitan municipalities. Reporting cycle Mid-term review in 2022/23 after Q2. Desired performance Municipalities have accessed and use decision-support tools. Indicator responsibility Socio-economic Innovation Partnerships DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 72 Title: Indicator 7 Number of grassroots innovators provided access to publicly financed IP (innovative solutions and/or patents, rights, and designs) by the DSI Definition Publicly financed intellectual property (IP) is IP that arises from publicly financed research and development (innovative solutions and/or patents, rights, and designs). Source of data Register of grassroots innovations receiving access of publicly funded IP (as part of the simple spreadsheet to be compiled and managed by the Chief Directorate: Innovation for Inclusive Development. Method of calculation/ • Number of grassroots innovators provided access to publicly funded IP. assessment Assumptions • Information on publicly financed IP is made available to grassroots innovators. • Mechanisms in place to enable conclusion of formal agreements between the grassroots innovators and relevant institutions Disaggregation of Target for women: 40% beneficiaries (where applicable) Target for youth: 80% Target for people with disabilities: 4% Spatial transformation Focus on district and metropolitan municipalities as part of the DDM (provincial and (where applicable) district). Reporting cycle Mid-term review in 2022/23 after Q2. Desired performance Increased number of grassroots innovators accessing the multi-tiered support package to commercialise their offerings. Indicator responsibility Socio-economic Innovation Partnerships; Technology Innovation DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 73 Title: Indicator 8 Publicly financed intellectual property made available in support of grass- roots innovators Definition Publicly financed intellectual property (IP) is IP that arises from publicly financed research and development. Source of data Register of grassroots innovations receiving access to publicly funded IP (as part of the simple spreadsheet to be compiled and managed by the Chief Directorate: Inno- vation for Inclusive Development). Method of calculation/ • Number of grassroots innovators benefiting from publicly funded IP. assessment • Number of formal agreements between the grassroots innovator and the insti- tution wherein the publicly financed IP resides. Assumptions • Information on publicly financed IP is made available to grassroots innovators. • Mechanisms in place to enable conclusion of formal agreements between the grassroots innovators and relevant institutions. Disaggregation of Target for women: 40% beneficiaries (where applicable) Target for youth: 80% Target for people with disabilities: 4% Spatial transformation Provincial and district or metropolitan municipality levels. (where applicable) Reporting cycle Mid-term review in 2022/23 after Q2. Desired performance Increasing number of grassroots innovators benefiting from publicly funded intellec- tual property to improve their innovation offerings. Indicator responsibility Socio-economic Innovation Partnerships; Technology Innovation DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 74 Title: Indicator 9 Increase South Africa’s share (percentage) of global publication output Definition This indicator measures productivity of the country’s research work force. Investments are made to promote and support research activities, leading to increased production of research outputs published in internationally recognised peer-reviewed and high-impact journals. Source of data Web of Science Method of calculation/ Simple count of outputs produced by South African researchers as a percentage of global assessment outputs. Formula: (South African outputs ÷ global outputs) x 100 Assumptions Publications include articles, books, book chapters and conference proceedings. Annually, the outputs counted are those published within a calendar year. Disaggregation of Target for women: 40% of SA publications beneficiaries (where applicable) Target for youth: 10% of SA publications Target for people with disabilities: 2% of SA publications Spatial transformation Increased publication output from the historically disadvantaged institutions. (where applicable) Reporting cycle Mid-term review in 2022/23 after Q2. Desired performance An annual increase of at least 0,025 percentage points over the five-year period is desired. Indicator responsibility Research Development and Support; International Cooperation and Resources DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 75 Title: Indicator 10 Percentage of prototypes, technology demonstrators and pilot plants that advance industrialisation through innovation Definition Percentage increase as compared to a baseline in prototypes, pilot plants, technology demonstrators and pre-commercial products, processes or services developed over the period 2020-2025. Source of data • Baseline data. • Signed contracts. • Signed reports or signed summary reports from implementing agencies as appropriate, with the number and names of knowledge application products funded during the period. • Approved submission and payment stubs. Method of calculation/ Baseline to be established based on the total number of prototypes, technology demon- assessment strators, and pilot plants funded through a DSI contract or through Parliamentary grants made available. From this, the percentage increase will be calculated. For 2020-25, the baseline is 115 prototypes, technology demonstrators and pilot plants by the end of March 2020. Assumptions In instances where a prototype, technology demonstrator or pilot plant is funded by both contract funding and a Parliamentary grant, this will only be counted once. Business process mapping for updating the register will make provision for this. Disaggregation of benefi- Target for women: n/a ciaries (where applicable) Target for youth: n/a Target for people with disabilities: n/a Spatial transformation n/a (where applicable) Reporting cycle Mid-term Review in 2022/23 after Q2. Desired performance High performance is desired. Indicator responsibility Technology Innovation; Socio-economic Innovation Partnerships DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 76 Title: Indicator 11 Rand value of RDI investment attracted to support RDI needs to be identified through the sector masterplans process Definition Sector masterplans are the masterplans developed as part of the process led by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition reimagining South Africa’s industrialisation. Source of data Sector masterplan RDI interventions register in the form of a basic spreadsheet (to be developed by the end of March 2021) administered and managed by the Chief Directorate: Technology Localisation, Beneficiation and Advanced Manufacturing. Method of calculation/ Total rand value leveraged for RDI activities in support of masterplans that the DSI assessment contributes to. Assumptions Each masterplan document will be clear on what constitutes an RDI intervention. Disaggregation of Target for women: Indirect beneficiaries beneficiaries (where applicable) Target for youth: Indirect beneficiaries Target for people with disabilities: Indirect beneficiaries Spatial transformation Masterplans should include a strong spatial transformation footprint focusing on rural (where applicable) and township economies. The RDI activities should ideally occur in close proximity to the Master Plans hubs and as part of special economic zones. Reporting cycle Mid-term review in 2022/23 after Q2. Desired performance High performance in leveraging funds in support of RDI. Indicator responsibility Socio-economic Innovation Partnerships; Technology Innovation; International Cooperation and Resources DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 77 Title: Indicator 12 Percentage investment in SMMEs/co-operatives/ start-ups to secured new opportunities through support provided by the DSI and its entities Definition The indicator refers to SMMEs (including potential entrepreneurs and co-ops) that are supported through research, development and innovation initiatives to improve their product quality, scale-up and market access. The indicator also refers to research, development and innovation projects that support women and youth working for SMMEs/co-ops, with value-addition, product development, infrastructure, equipment and entrepreneurship skills. The assistance can also come in the form of non-technical assistance such as advice on policy, organising meetings with key stakeholders and advocacy work that will lead to funding opportunities from other sources outside the DSI. For instance, funding was leveraged by the DSI for SolarTurtle. DSI officials attended the meetings where the bid for funding were made, but SolarTurtle received funds direct from the European Union. Source of data • Baseline data. • Signed contracts. • Signed reports or signed summary report from implementing agency as appropriate with number and names of knowledge application products funded during the period. • Approved submission and payment stubs. Method of calculation/ After the SMMEs were supported, were they able to get more improvement on assessment products, processing facilities, entrepreneurship skills, business, or employ more people, or develop new products for the market. At the end of each year, calculate the number of beneficiaries registered and disaggregated by gender and age. Assumptions • That sustained funding to support new SMMEs creation, and existing ones will be available. • That when SMMEs are supported to secure a new business opportunity this may take time, as the development of the product may take time. The support could be in the form of organising meetings with key stakeholders across government, and meeting with the SMMEs to discuss key policy changes that they could take advantage of. The same SMME may be supported over multiple years. Disaggregation of Target for women: Indirect beneficiaries beneficiaries (where applicable) Target for youth: Indirect beneficiaries Target for people with disabilities: Indirect beneficiaries Spatial transformation Some projects will involve land allocation to SMMEs for plant propagation, pilot facilities (where applicable) and agri-businesses. If possible, efforts should be made to focus on rural communities as well as the township economy. Reporting cycle Mid-term review in 2022/23 after Q2. Desired performance High performance in growth and increase in the number of technology-based SMMEs, sustainability of SMMEs/co-ops and increased share of beneficiaries from designated groups. Indicator responsibility Technology Innovation; Socio-economic Innovation Partnerships; International Cooperation and Resources DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 78 Title: Indicator 13 Number of new commercialised disclosures from publicly financed R&D This indicator refers to the number of new commercialised disclosures emanating Definition from publicly financed R&D received from recipients over the period 2020-2025. NIPMO knowledge information management database report as signed off by the Source of data Head: NIPMO Method of calculation/ Sum per year of all disclosures that indicate on the disclosure that they are either assessment licensed (pre-revenue) or commercialised (with revenue). Disclosures will only be counted as once, at the time of being commercialised, irrespective of the number of individual licenses per disclosure. Assumptions Recipients reporting accurately and on-time Target for women: n/a Disaggregation of beneficiaries (where Target for youth: n/a applicable) Target for people with disabilities: n/a Spatial transformation n/a (where applicable) Reporting cycle Mid-term review in 2022/23 after Q2 Desired performance Improved commercialisation rate of publicly financed intellectual property Indicator responsibility Technology Innovation; Socio-economic Innovation Partnerships DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 79 Title: Indicator 14 R&D-led industrial development opportunities initiated by the DSI Definition An R&D-led industrial development opportunity is defined as where new technology (or technological solutions) could be employed and could result in the establishment of new/improved markets; new industry subsectors or new firms, resulting in increased industrial activity. Initiated opportunities refers to new initiatives that shall be commenced between 2020 and 2025 which has the potential to impact on industrial growth Source of data A register (in the form of a spreadsheet) to be developed and managed by Strategy and Planning Method of calculation/ Number of records on the register that are initiated between 2020 and 2025 as assessment informed by the Decadal Plan missions Assumptions Processes in place for entities to register new R&D-led industrial development opportunities Disaggregation of Target for women: n/a beneficiaries (where Target for youth: n/a applicable) Target for people with disabilities: n/a Spatial transformation n/a (where applicable) Reporting cycle Mid-term review in 2022/23 after Q2 Desired performance Consistent pipeline of new industrial opportunities that the NSI will nurture and grow Indicator responsibility Socio-economic Innovation Partnerships; Technology Innovation; International Cooperation and Resources DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 80 Title: Indicator 15 Number of artisans and technicians absorbed into the economy in sectors where DSI has active programmes Definition This indicator seeks to measure and track the number of artisans/technicians absorbed into the sectors of the economy where DSI has active RDI programmes. Absorbed means employed (temporarily or permanently) at a laboratory, company, university, etc. The proof will be included in a letter received from the institution confirming employment. A key aspect is that the indicator is not limited to research but includes support for technology services in the sector. or This indicator refers to the number of artisans/ technicians/intellectual property practitioners employed in sectors supported by DSI over the period 2020-2025. or This indicator refers to the number of artisans/ technicians absorbed into high-tech sectors, and means that a person is employed (permanently or on contract). Source of data Cumulative totals from each year (verified in the APP) or Annual reports from companies or Register (in the form of a spreadsheet) to be developed by March 2021 Method of calculation/ Total number receiving employment contracts by the end of the financial year. assessment Assumptions In some cases, there may be a delay in obtaining the relevant data given dependencies on other internal or external stakeholders.This also affects the quality of data obtained. Caveat: Depending on the timing of training, the period for absorption may differ. Disaggregation of Target for women: Indirect beneficiaries beneficiaries (where Target for youth: Indirect beneficiaries applicable) Target for people with disabilities: Indirect beneficiaries Spatial transformation Dependent on the location of the industrial development project (where applicable) Reporting cycle Mid-term review in 2022/23 after Q2 Desired performance 100% absorption of trained artisans and technicians Indicator responsibility Technology Innovation; Socio-economic Innovation Partnerships; DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 81 Title: Indicator 16 Number of DSI-funded PhDs graduating annually as a contribution to the NDP target of 100 PhDs per million population by 2030 Definition Absolute number of supported PhD students who graduate in a given year Source of data Graduation data from the Higher Education Management Information System Method of calculation/ Simple count of supported PhD students who graduate in a given year assessment Assumptions A student may have received financial support for the entire duration of his/her PhD studies or for a part of the duration of his/her PhD studies.This financial support must be in the form of a bursary. This graduation data excludes NRF students supported for full-time PhD study abroad as such data will come from multiple sources and will be too detailed to consolidate. Disaggregation of Data will be disaggregated by race, gender and nationality. Also, students who received beneficiaries (where National Student Financial Aid Scheme undergraduate bursaries will be designated as applicable) such. Spatial transformation n/a (where applicable) Reporting cycle Mid-term review in 2022/23 after Q2 Desired performance The NRF supports about 15% of total enrolled PhDs. It is desired that approximately 30% of annual graduating cohorts should have received NRF bursaries. Indicator responsibility Technology Innovation; Socio-economic Innovation Partnerships; Research Development and Support DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 82 Percentage of women and black researchers in South Africa’s research Title: Indicator 17 workforce Definition This indicator measures gender and racial transformation to promote equity in line with the country’s demographics. The focus is on increasing the participation of previously marginalised groups such as women and black people (African, Indian and coloured) in the research workforce Source of data National Survey of Research and Experimental Development Method of calculation/ Simple count of women and black researchers as a percentage of the total South assessment African research workforce. Formula: (Women researchers ÷ total research workforce) x 100 (Black researchers ÷ total research workforce) x 100 Assumptions As per the (Frascati Manual) principles adopted in R&D surveys. Researchers counted are South African citizens and permanent residents. Disaggregation of Target for women: Black researchers can be further disaggregated into African, beneficiaries (where coloured, and Indian, and women researchers into black and white. applicable) Target for youth: Indirect beneficiaries Target for people with disabilities: Indirect beneficiaries Spatial transformation Increase in the proportion of researchers based at historically black institutions and (where applicable) universities of technology Reporting cycle Mid-term review in 2022/23 after Q2 Desired performance One percentage point increase per year from the baseline (for both women and black researchers) Indicator responsibility Research Development and Support; International Cooperation and Resources DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 83 Title: Indicator 18 Percentage of PhD qualified staff in the higher education research and academic workforce Definition The proportion of research and academic staff who are PhD-qualified in South Africa’s higher education sector. Source of data Higher Education Management Information System (HEMIS) staff data, which has a two-year time lag before audited data become available. Data for year x will reflect this measure in year x-2. Method of calculation/ Simple count of PhD-qualified staff as a percentage of total research and academic assessment staff Assumptions It is assumed that staff attaining PhD qualifications are added into the method of calculation, and that staff who are leaving the systems are deducted from the calculation. Disaggregation of Target for women: Indirect beneficiaries beneficiaries (where Target for youth: Indirect beneficiaries applicable) Target for people with disabilities: Indirect beneficiaries Spatial transformation Should be disaggregated by institution (where applicable) Reporting cycle Mid-term review in 2022/23 after Q2 Desired performance A three percentage point increase per year is desired, i.e. a 15 percentage point increase over a five-year period (45% to 60%) Indicator responsibility Research Development and Support DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN 84 Title: Indicator 19 Improved knowledge about science among the general public Definition Initiatives or projects encompassing a host of science awareness and engagement activities. Source of data Quarterly synoptic reports. Method of calculation/ Counting the number of initiatives conducted. assessment Assumptions Planned number of initiatives comprising multiple activities will be conducted throughout the country. Disaggregation of Target for women: Indirect beneficiaries beneficiaries (where Target for youth: Indirect beneficiaries applicable) Target for people with disabilities: Indirect beneficiaries Spatial transformation n/a (where applicable) Reporting cycle Mid-term review in 2022/23 after Q2 Desired performance Higher Performance – initiatives promoting public awareness of and engagement with science conducted over medium term, as reflected in the reports of the NRF and other implementing and collaborative partners. Indicator responsibility Research Development and Support (science awareness and engagement initiatives); Technology Innovation (Space Week and NIPMO intellectual property rights awareness activities); Socio-economic Innovation Partnerships (learning interventions) DEPARTMENT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION | REVISED 2020-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN