SPEECH BY  MR. HENNIE BEKKER - MP

Madame Speaker,

In 2003/04, South Africa spent about R10 billion on Research and Development (R & D) - around 0,81 percent of our Gross Domestic Product. That amount was already some R3 billion more than the 2001 figure and shows that the country realised the importance of diverting more financial resources to R & D.

The IFP welcomes that recognition on the part of government.

However, we are still lagging far behind countries such as Sweden and Finland who spend four and 3, 5 percent of GDP respectively. South Africa's R & D spend lags even countries such as China and the Russian Federation.

In addition to the comparatively low spending on R & D, South Africa has a further problem in that we have only 2, 2 researchers per 1000 employees.

Even though government had recently realised that more funding of R & D was needed, it financed only 28 percent of total spending. The private sector leads the public sector in that it spent 52 percent of all R & D money and performed 55 percent of all the R & D work in South Africa.

It is therefore clear that we have a three-way problem. Not enough funding, not enough scientists and researchers, and not enough R & D performed by state institutions.

It is therefore pertinent to ask the question: what must South Africa do to advance science and technology and R & D to create world-class technologies and products?

The answer is fairly simple: Spend more; train more scientists and researchers and create an enabling environment in which they can perform to their best ability. Our country's history is rich in world-class scientists and technological innovations. There is no reason why its present and its future should not be the same.

If we did what the IFP proposes, we are confident that South African scientists can come up with innovative technologies and products that will not only feature on the high-technology world stage, but can also make a difference to the daily lives of our people; many of whom live in abject poverty and at this stage do not always benefit from scientific advances. Or sometimes, such advances do not reach our rural communities who count amongst the poorest.

In order to achieve success in science and technology we have to start at school level. It will be of little use if we increased funding but have limited numbers of scientists and researchers to do something with it. We must prepare our children at school level so that they can pursue science and technology at tertiary level.

South Africa must therefore concentrate more on the science education of our children. Schools must be resourced fully with scientific equipment and especially, computers so that the younger generation can be fully computer literate.

More children should be encouraged to take science subjects and maths to fully prepare them for eventual careers in science, technology and innovation. Only if our younger generation turns to science and technology early, will we be able to reap the rewards later.

Minister, your recognition of this essential switch in education priorities is indeed being welcomed.

Not only do we require scientists, but our greatest shortage is with regard to technical assistants and technicians. Many of these technicians can be trained through practical training, which can even be done outside our universities.

We are proud of the positive moves that are taking place at Denel, particularly through Kentron and Optronics, to find partnerships in developing advanced surveillance and defence systems. The added benefit through partnerships with British Aerospce and Grippen-Saab, will lead to financial success and which can eventually turn the financial fortunes of Denel around.

R&D at public entities as well as worthwhile innovative projects in the private sector should be supported.

Thank you Hon. Minister for your efforts on ground to space surveillance, that go far beyond the S.A.L.T. at Sutherland. Should we be successful with our bid regarding the Siten in the NC, it will be a tremendous development boost.

Madame Speaker,

There is much more that can be said about the Science and Technology budget before us. However, time constraints limit me to one last point.

We support the 2006 Science and Technology budget but we urge the government to spend more on R & D; to strengthen science education at school level and to continue developing and upgrading those South African innovations that have proved successful over the years.

I thank you.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Hennie J. Bekker: 0832554520
Noleen Hendricks: 082 886 9848