Minister Blade Nzimande: Science and Innovation 2022/23 Budget Vote

• Published date: 17 May 2022
• Publication title: South African Official News

Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Honourable Buti Manamela;

Members of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Technology, led by Honourable Chairperson, Ms Nompendulo Mkhatshwa;

Director-General of the Department, Dr Phil Mjwara;

The entire National System of Innovation;

Honourable Members

The central focus of this year's budget vote of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) is that of accelerating the reversal of the legacies of poverty, inequality and unemployment, whilst addressing critical transitions required in the context of a rapidly changing world shaped by climate change, technological transition and new shifts in the global economy.

Against the background of this wider context, our budget vote is guided by the 2019 White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) and the Decadal Plan which was approved for implementation by Cabinet in March 2021. The Decadal Plan foregrounds the major societal grand challenges facing our nation.

I must emphasise that our goal is to ensure a 'just transition' in both the traditional economic sectors as well as to lay the foundations for the emergence of new economic sectors.

Honourable Members

The key focus areas of the DSI in 2022 will be to vigorously support the Government's Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Programme (ERRP), building long-term national capacity to deal with COVID-19 and future pandemic threats, securing higher levels of public and private investment in South African RDI, supporting revitalisation of existing sectors/industries, the exploitation of new sources of economic growth, building of a capable state, and support for inclusive education and skills development.

In line with our stated goal to support innovation in South Africa's energy markets, we have launched the Hydrogen South Africa Roadmap to unlock the potential of new sources of clean energy to facilitate a just transition from a carbon-intensive to a carbon neutral economy.

At the same time, we continue to modernise existing sectors such as mining through support for research and development (R and D), both to ensure a safer working environment for miners and to increase the lifespan of mining in the country. In addition, we are also playing a vital role in beneficiation of the mineral's economy.

Through the South African Mining Extraction Research, Development and Innovation (SAMERDI) strategy we have invested R226 005 600 towards the modernisation of the African mining industry.

In partnership with Anglo American Platinum, Bambili Energy and ENGIE in October, 2021, we initiated a feasibility study on the Hydrogen Valley and identified nine (9) catalytic projects across the mobility, industrial and building sectors in the first phase of the hydrogen economy programme.

In terms of platinum contribution, the study has projected a contribution of up to $70 million to the platinum industry in South Africa by 2030.

Through the implementation of the South African Hydrogen Valley corridor, which covers the Johannesburg Hub, the Mogalakwena/Limpopo and the Durban/Richards Bay areas, we have the potential to create 14 000 to 30 000 direct and indirect jobs per year by 2030, and by 2050, potentially contribute $3,9-$8,8 billion to the South African GDP.

I must indicate that the launch of the world's biggest hydrogen truck by Anglo American Platinum at the Mogalakwena Mine in Limpopo on 6th May 2022, is an indication of the potential that South Africa has to become a significant global player in the Hydrogen Economy.

In line with...