Abstract:

The White Paper on Science and Technology approved by Cabinet in 1996, established a policy framework for science and technology in South Africa based on the concept of a National System of Innovation (NSI).  Despite having achieved recognition as trail blazing in international technology policy circles, South Africa’s national policy on science and technology struggled to make an impact on broader debates and processes in the economy and society.  

Economic growth depends on effective sectoral and cluster strategies (in agriculture, manufacturing, telecommunications, etc.), on infrastructure (electricity, transport) and on key enablers (human resources, research and development).

In the light of this and critical evaluation of quantitative R&D indicators, several factors emerged that led to a fundamental re-examination of innovation and of research and development in South Africa. These factors were set down in the paper "The development of a research and development strategy for South Africa", which was presented by the Economic Cluster to the January 2002 Cabinet Lekgotla.

This paper outlines six key weaknesses in which major interventions need to be made to enable the White Paper vision to be sustained.

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Government of the Republic of South Africa, Department of Science and Technology (2002). South Africa's National Research and Development Strategy, Pretoria, South Africa: Department of Science and Technology