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Chairperson of the Human Sciences Research Council, Professor Gerwel;
Your Excellencies, from Embassies and High Commissions Represented here today;
Members of the Board of the HSRC;
Honourable Members of Parliament present;
CEO of the HSRC, Dr Olive Shisana;
Former CEO of the HSRC, Dr Orkin;
Vice Chancellors and Academics from Universities present;
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen I always look forward to the launch of annual reports of every council reporting to my department because these occasions provide opportunities for looking back, and taking stock of what has been achieved in the science and technology research and development arena. Therefore, the launch of the annual report of the Human Sciences Research Council is also a time for reflecting on the work done in applying social science to tackling the challenges facing our new democracy, sharing the HSRC’s new strategic directions and an opportunity where I meet many people who want to make a difference to our social science system. I understand that the HSRC is expanding its work in Africa through its fresh approach of strategic engagement with colleagues in the continent. In this regard, Dr Olive Shisana's views on partnerships with other African countries are very clear. The HSRC does not favour a situation where research is a one-way traffic. Research should be a two-way traffic in which the HSRC promotes research, and helps build research capacity within partner countries themselves. And, in the words of the Pan-Africanist leader, Kwame Nkrumah, research must "take root amidst African traditions and cultures". The HSRC also treasures the question of our African roots, and is keen on documenting the evolution of African intellectual life and the different influences that have steered its course. Louis Pasteur asserts that "Science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to humanity, and is the torch which illuminates the world". So are South Africa’s aspirations to prepare for a future that is inextricably linked to the continent and the rest of humanity. Science should not, and cannot, be limited to one country or society. Strategies to move South Africa onto a high-growth path, alleviate poverty, reduce the spread of HIV infections, and deliver education and skills development for all, cannot be achieved in isolation. Operating within organised structures such as the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) will undoubtedly benefit us and our partners. It is also heartening to note the sincerity with which the HSRC is tackling the challenge to meet its representivity targets in terms of race, gender and disability, alongside other job requirements of qualifications, publications, and experience. This can only be good for our country. However, much remains to be done to ensure that the senior research cadre and management echelon are representative of the demographic face of South Africa. Failure to ensure diversity in the people who design research questions can only result in our country losing the benefit of the insight and wisdom of those who are excluded. We are, nonetheless, confident that the newly established Capacity Development Programme within the HSRC will not only enhance the training and mentoring of new and young researchers, but will also capacitate them sufficiently to contribute to knowledge production, policy formulation, and programme development. We understand that presently, 94% of the scientific publications recorded in the South African knowledge database are authored by mostly mature white researchers. The South African Post-Secondary Education (SAPSE) database indicates that women produce only 17% of the total research output, even though according to the 2004 National R&D Survey, women researchers constitute 35,3% of nearly 9 000 full-time equivalent researchers in higher education. If we are to sustain the research momentum in South Africa, it is imperative that our knowledge systems deliberately and systematically create opportunities for young people to enter and progress through the system. On the financial side, I note with satisfaction that the report of the independent auditors reflects favourably on the HSRC financial management, and the financial statements reflect satisfactory performance for the year under review. We commend the HSRC management and staff for their effort and achievement in this regard. May I also take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation for the manner in which the Council of the HSRC, under the leadership of Professor Gerwel, governed the HSRC and overseen its affairs. The achievements of the HSRC in meeting its goals are a shining reflection of its diligence, and bear testimony to the commitment of the institution’s governors. The HSRC has put its Parliamentary Grant of R79,2 million to good use, and has shown success in growing its external income. More than R70 million of the grant was directly allocated to research activities. Attempts by the HSRC to conduct research that is relevant to societal development are evinced by its extensive study on homelessness, which has now been augmented by matching funding from the National and Gauteng Province Departments of Social Development, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. In the 2004/5 budget year, the HSRC research earnings from contracts and grants grew to R140 million, which is quite a feat. We understand that these earnings are used to fund a large number of research projects, the majority of which are said to be long-term multi-year projects. For example, the WK Kellogg Foundation is funding a five-year project to study orphans and vulnerable children in three countries. Government and the DST, expect the HSRC, through its new Capacity Development Programme, to reach out to Africa in order to broaden and develop the research capacity of our continent. We also expect the HSRC to conduct the kind of research that will assist us in formulating evidence-based policies and solutions to meet our service delivery targets. That does not mean that the HSRC must become the 'handmaiden' of government, as was the case during the apartheid years. My department is looking forward to the support by the HSRC in its science and technology bilateral programmes of cooperation with other countries by way of joint research projects, workshops, seminars, and exploratory discussions with visiting scientists. We believe that collaborating with scientists from other countries will expedite universal knowledge generation. I have enjoyed working with the HSRC since my appointment as Minister of Science and Technology, and I look forward to working with Dr Shisana as the new CEO. Please convey my appreciation to the staff of the HSRC for their commitment to excellence. May I conclude by reiterating the fact that science is critical to the development of our country and nation. We expect the research provided by the HSRC into critical social and human issues to contribute significantly towards South Africa’s achievement of the broad Millennium Development Goals, and enhance the role we can play towards Africa’s development. I thank you.
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