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Boosting R&D funding in South Africa in the context of reindustrialization: a compendium of analytical briefs
Get PDFThe main trends in South African R&D 2021/22 report provides a broad view of the national R&D landscape. In this companion publication we systematically explore specific issues related to R&D and innovation in South Africa in a set of analytical briefs. These draw on academic literature and interrogate the data on R&D topics relevant to current policy priorities, research interests and the global economic situation. They aim to stimulate critical conversations, and inform policy discussion on future ways forward. The briefs adhere to rigorous scientific methods, and have undergone subject matter expert review but are tailored to be accessible to both subject matter experts and non-experts. Innovation can exert a lasting influence on economic development, with R&D as a key innovation activity with potentially disruptive effects. However, the specific aspects of R&D that enable such impact, and the mechanisms and circumstances under which it occurs, remain unclear.
Ageing in a time of adversity: personal wellbeing of older people in South Africa
No full textThis chapter examines the determinants of personal wellbeing among South Africans aged 60 years and older, using representative data from the South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS) covering 2009–2023. Wellbeing increased from 2009 to 2013 but declined steadily from 2016 to 2021, with a slight recovery in 2021–2023. Religion, personal relationships, and community belonging were highly rated domains. However, concerns about health, safety, and financial security remained, especially among the most vulnerable. Significant disparities in wellbeing exist among older persons, linked to education, employment, and subjective poverty. Higher education levels and employment status correlated with increased life satisfaction, while self-rated poverty significantly reduced wellbeing. Marital status also influenced satisfaction levels. Racial and geographic disparities were evident, with Black African and rural-based older adults displaying lower wellbeing. The analysis also highlights the growing impact of digital technology, with Internet usage enhancing wellbeing, though a digital divide persists. In the context of widespread poverty and socio-economic challenges, the analysis underscores the need for comprehensive social policies focused on elder care, social assistance, healthcare, and digital inclusion to reduce inequalities and improve the quality of life of older South Africans.
Pathways to achieving South Africa’s R&D intensity target. Analytical brief no. 03/2025
No full textThis brief examines different pathways to achieve South Africa’s R&D intensity target. It presents an optimistic outlook where research and experimental development (R&D) activity in the business sector is stimulated after significant government support and funding, and a pessimistic outlook where this fails to materialise, leading to continued government dominance in R&D performance while business sector investment declines.N/
TIMSS SA Newsletter: South African Public Relationship with Science Reflection Conference 9(1): March. 1
No full textA SAPRS Reflection Conference is being held today and tomorrow, the 26-27th March 2025, with participants from key sectors of society, including STI-inclined government departments, business, labour, academia, civil society, youth, faith-based, and science councils, among others.N/
TIMSS SA Newsletter: South African Public Relationship with Science Survey special samples 9(3). May:1
No full textThe SAPRS sample consisted of 701 interviews conducted in the Eastern Cape province. We included an additional sample of 233 randomly selected interviews within Cofimvaba. The inclusion of this special sample aimed to gain insight into whether the science activities at the Albertina Nontsikelelo Sisulu Science Centre influenced knowledge, attitudes and engagement in relation to science and technology in the surrounding area.N/
South African Agricultural Business Innovation Survey 2019-2020: AgriBIS 2019-2021 quality assessment report
No full textCommissioned by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, OctoberThis document provides a quality assessment report of the South African Agricultural Business Innovation
Survey 2019 – 2021 (Agri-BIS 2019-21), which was undertaken by the Centre for Science, Technology
and Innovation Indicators on behalf of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI). Its purpose is to
present an overall assessment of the main dimensions of quality pertaining to the statistics and the data
collection thereof. The report is organized as follows: Section 2 presents a brief description of the “SASQAF-Lite”
framework used to guide the quality assessment of the survey. Section 3 assesses the survey’s quality in
terms of methodological soundness, accuracy, timeliness, integrity, comparability and coherence,
accessibility and dissemination of the survey data. The conclusion summarizes the assessment.N/
Exploring spatial and energy planning in addressing complexities of electricity blackout for sustainable development in Soweto, South Africa
Get PDFPaper presented at the International Conference on Energy Systems, Cairo, Egypt, 29-30 AprilNavigating complexities of blackouts that significantly threatened sustainable supply of electricity, over 15 years in South Africa is paramount. This paper investigates the intricate interplay between spatial and energy
planning, examining how rapid population growth and changing family structures in townships influence the demand and supply of energy. Conducted as a qualitative study, the research employs purposive and convenience nonprobability sampling. Data collection methods include observations, photographs, questionnaires, and interviews, with content and discourse analysis. The inefficiency of Eskom, coupled with issues such as theft and inadequate infrastructure capacity, exacerbates the unsustainability of electricity supply. The failure to replace, upgrade, and construct more efficient infrastructure is attributed to incompetence and corruption in the energy sector, contributing to lack of effective spatial and energy planning. The paper underscores the importance of improved service delivery and infrastructure upgrades to meet the growing demand, ultimately ensuring the sustainable distribution of electricity in Soweto.N/
Survey organization and training
No full textThis chapter describes the organization and roles of the main roles and groups within the survey team. It then provides a description of the qualifications and tasks for each of the main roles, followed by a training outline and modules that should be developed. Finally the role of those who provide technical assistance is described.
Rethinking ICT and digital technology policy designing to harness artificial intelligence for accelerating gender equity and youth empowerment in Sub-Saharan Africa
No full textMainstreaming gender in information communications and technology (ICT) policies in Africa remains challenging since women and youths are disproportionately affected by AI technologies. The mapping of policy gaps and subsequent rethinking of ICT and AI policy development pathways to advance gender equity and youth empowerment in Africa was done. A case study design was adopted with a qualitative archival and reflective analysis of policy blueprints, plans, and strategy documents (62) from eleven African countries. High-level regional multi-stakeholder workshops were held in the ECOWAS, SADC, and COMESA regions. The policy gaps
exist due to limited bottom-up consultative processes, policy incoherence, minimal multi-sectoral co-designing and co-implementation frameworks, and limited verifiable achievement indicators. Thematic analysis used NVIVO 14 software, and few countries referred to women and youths in their policy blueprints, with Liberia (14%), Sierra Leone (10%), and South Africa (5%) emerging high. Only Rwanda had an AI policy with no focus on gender and youth empowerment.
South African companies aren’t innovating enough: why support during tough economic times matters
Get PDF14 MaySouth Africa’s innovation fund, announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in the 2025 state of the nation address, was a response to the country’s urgent need for inclusive and sustainable economic growth.N/