Programme to grow own crop of young researchers
A new researcher development programme at the HSRC, commemorating the international award-winning writer, Es'kia Mphahlele, was launched on Friday, 26 October. The director of the Capacity Development unit at the HSRC and oordinator of researcher development, Professor Mukole Kongolo, said the programme was named after Es’kia Mphahlele because of his reputation as the quintessential teacher and tireless fighter for the revival of African consciousness. The programme is devised to accelerate capacity development at the HSRC and to contribute to national efforts to grow researchers. ‘As a public institution, the HSRC would like to make a contribution in the development of a pool of scientists by offering them cutting edge opportunities that are rarely available in similar organisations. The main focus is on previously disadvantaged groups as defined by the Employment Equity Act. Mr. Tshumu Mongane from the HSRC’s Policy Analysis unit (left) and Professor Lesibana Rafapa (right), a senior lecturer and head of the English Department at the University of Venda. Rafapa was the guest speaker at the announcement of the Es'kia Mphahlele Researcher Development programme. ‘Through this programme we would like to carry our mandate to contribute to a broader transformation of the South African society by developing a cadre of well-developed scientists who can take positions in research environments with ease and assume leadership positions,’ he said. Kongolo believes capacity development is needed at many levels in research and development institutions – ranging from the individual to the national levels. ’Recent preoccupation with economic policies, institutions and markets has somehow diverted attention from the critical middle level of institutions. This has been an unfortunate situation because sustained development efforts depend on effective research and development institutions.’ Institutional capacity development initiatives need to be well planned in order to improve those capacities that most severely hamper institutions’ performance levels. And this is exactly what the capacity development programme at the HSRC is aiming to achieve, says Kongolo.
HSRC Annual Report 2006/07: Clean audit and record turnover
For the seventh consecutive year the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) attained an unqualified audit from the Auditor-General for the 2006/07 financial year. The HSRC also achieved the highest financial turnover in its history, namely an amount of R247.8 million, partly due to the increased allocation from government, which for the first time since 2000 is approaching parity with revenue from external sources of funding. The organisation has continued to manage its cash flow better by accelerating collection from trade and other receivables since the 2005/06 financial year. In addition, the volume of trade and other receivables has grown from 2005/06 to 2006/07 from R113.8 million to R124.6 million, indicating an increase in external income.
SADC Parliament takes note of HSRC's HIV research
Professor Linda Richter, executive director of the HSRC’s Child, Youth, Family and Social Development (CYFSD) programme, addressed the 23rd plenary assembly of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum on the impact of HIV and AIDS on children, youth and families. The assembly met from 17–26 October in Blantyre, Malawi. Dr Zitha Mokomane and Ms Heidi van Rooyen addressed the Regional Women’s Caucus and the HIV/AIDS Committee during the working meetings before the opening of the plenary. In a statement, the assembly says it notes with concern that children living with HIV/AIDS comprise 6% of all people living with the virus and child deaths currently stand at 16% of all AIDS mortality. The assembly concluded that ‘addressing the plight of children affected and infected by AIDS should be treated as an urgent priority’. The assembly also says in the statement that the prevention of infections among adults would have a preventative effect on children. And gender inequalities, negative attitudes and stereotypes are of particular concern since they significantly increase the vulnerability of young women to HIV and AIDS. It recommended the improvement of access to voluntary counselling and testing for young adolescents. In the statement, the assembly says 90% of mother-to-child transmission of the virus can be prevented and called for ‘the urgent improvement in access to PMTCT programmes’. It also called for HIV testing of infants, treatment for mothers and children, and family-based approaches to address the epidemic. Says Richter: ‘I am absolutely delighted that our work and reflections were so well received.’CYFSD has also received an invitation to address the Pan-African Parliament on the same issue next year.
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