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Media Release: Finding a path through the maze – the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Posted by Lynette Pieterse on Monday, 25 February 2019 17:50

Finding a path through the maze – the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Implications of the 4th Industrial Revolution for SET, industry, society and education #4IRsciZA

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) feels like the ghost in the machine. We have a sense about it. We know it’s coming or may already be here. It seems to be all around us. However, there isn’t a common understanding of what 4IR actually means.

The National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) held an NSTF Discussion Forum on ‘Implications of the 4th Industrial Revolution for SET, industry, society and education’. The event was held in Cape Town from 11-13 September 2018. It ran alongside the Innovation Summit. The aim was to unpack some of the issues around 4IR, with reference to science, engineering, technology (SET) and innovation.

So what is 4IR?

There are many names and definitions for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). 4IR is the naming convention used for this article as it’s a widely-communicated definition from the World Economic Forum (WEF).

WEF positions the First Industrial Revolution to be that of mechanisation and steam and water power. The Second Industrial Revolution looks at mass production, division of labour, assembly lines, and electricity. The third is seen as electronics, ICT, and automated production.

The NSTF provides neutral collaborative platforms where issues and sectors meet

One of the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) functions is to hold discussion forums, bringing the private and public sector together to address important issues and engage with government policy.
Feedback from these discussion forums is given to stakeholders.
Recommendations are put forward to government as part of the SET community’s lobbying efforts.

Source: World Economic Forum

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is about the emergence of cyber-physical systems, network and artificial intelligence (AI). Cyber-physical systems involve new ways of embedding technology within larger societies, communities, and even in the human body.

Presenting at the NSTF Discussion Forum, Garth Williams says the dominant narrative is the convergence of technologies and convergence of the physical, digital and biological space. Williams is a Research Specialist: Intelligence at the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), who previously worked at the Department of Science and Technology (DST). He presented in his own capacity.

There is debate around whether what is happening is, actually, the Fourth Industrial Revolution. There are numerous frameworks available, ranging from this being an extension of the Third Industrial Revolution to Society 5.0. However, we need a name relevant to South Africa.

Is it the name or the aim?

Williams says focusing on what a country wants to achieve is more important than emphasising the name. Across the world, aims and objectives range from improving competitiveness and developing 4.0 technologies to enhancing digital start-ups and ecosystems.

Let’s consider South Africa’s objectives. Williams says this is an emergent process with various research and policies, such as the National development Plan (NDP), outlining the challenges. An overarching NDP aim is to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality while advancing the economy and increasing South Africa’s competitiveness.

Williams’ message is ‘Don’t use technology just for technology’s sake’. It needs to be part of a larger context.

Looking at the 4IR technologies

There are numerous technologies associated with 4IR, and they come with a lot of jargon. Following are some of the technologies:

Autonomous robots and vehicles
The Internet of Things (IoT)
Cyber security, fraud detection, and authentication
Additive manufacturing (3D printing)
Big Data and advanced analytics
Augmented reality, virtual reality, and wearables
System integration
Edge and cloud computing
Smart mobile devices
Artificial intelligence (AI)
Blockchain technologies (which is part of how bitcoin works)
Advanced human-machine interfaces
High bandwidth networks
Smart and internet-worked sensors

Impact on economic development

Williams notes that sustainable economic growth relies on productivity growth which is driven by technological change. Furthermore, “key breakthroughs… have underpinned surges in society and the economy”.

For South Africa to catch up and become truly competitive, there are various factors that need to be considered:

We need to take the opportunities available in 4IR that are appropriate for South Africa. Williams specifically notes focusing on indigenous challenges and opportunities. Part of this is using 4IR technologies to create industries for processing raw materials (as opposed to sending raw materials out and buying the manufactured products back). Dr Fisseha Mekuria, Chief Research Scientist from the Council for Scientific and Industrial (CSIR) Meraka ICT Institute, says that connectivity (to the internet) is critical for making the most of opportunities. However, it needs to be affordable to ensure social inclusion for all South Africans.
South Africa needs to do its own R&D on technologies and also manage (assimilate and adapt) inbound technologies. An example of this is some of the work done in scientific computing at the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Africa. NSTF Discussion Forum presenter, Mr Simon Ratcliffe, is the Technical Lead for Scientific Computing at the SKA. He explains that at various times they had to build their own hardware from scratch or re-engineer. Data storage was developed and manufactured locally, showing how SKA can seed other industries. The homegrown solutions meant not having to use expensive overseas resources nor paying for expensive software licences. Mr Ratcliffe says that the democratisation of tools (ie the access to open source tools) was a key enabling factor.
Part of 4IR is building people’s capabilities and skills around technology. Dr Tshiamo Motshegwa notes that we need to think about skills that make us relevant in the future. (He is from the Computer Science faculty, University of Botswana. He also represents the Southern African Development Community – SADC – Cyber Infrastructure Expert Working Group.) The 4IR technologies noted above are a guide to some of the future skills needed.

Digital transformation and disruptive technologies

Dr Motshegwa explained that digital transformation is about the outcomes achieved when entities, such as businesses, fully leverage the changes and opportunities that digital technologies bring.

Digital disruption refers to the changes that occur when new digital technologies and business models impact an entity’s value proposition (offering), market position, and competitiveness. Examples include Uber shaking up the taxi industry and Airbnb changing the hotel industry. Other industries and sectors that have been significantly changed by 4IR technologies are: bookstores, print advertising, music, and photography.

These definitions of digital transformation and disruption are based on those from the Learning Experience, Cisco Networking Academy. Note that other definitions and meanings also exist.

Reacting to 4IR

There is a lot of anxiety around 4IR. One example is ‘technology singularity’. This represents the time when machines and AI are so advanced, they surpass humans as the smartest and most capable beings on Earth. For many people, there is a more immediate concern – all signs point to 4IR technologies driving job losses as ‘machines’ take over jobs. Current thinking envisages rote and routine jobs as being the most vulnerable.

There will most probably be job losses, especially in the low-skilled sectors, says Prof Babu Paul. He is the Director, Institute for Intelligent Systems, University of Johannesburg. Further to that job creation will probably not match job losses, plus the nature of current jobs will evolve. This means education becomes critical, as does reskilling and upskilling. A national dialogue is needed.

Williams says we have a choice, collectively and individually. It isn’t an ‘either/or’ ie being led by technology versus society defining the way. He sees society and technology as co-evolving, where technology is embedded in society. South Africans need to shape their own future, including taking measures to prevent widening inequality and deepening poverty.

South Africa and 4IR

South Africa has plans around 4IR. Williams says these include a government-wide 4IR Country Strategy and Action Plan. It will be led by the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS) and supported by DST and the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti). The group will report to The Presidency. It is looking at various thematic areas:

Digital society, ICT policy, and regulatory and legislative reforms
Innovation, research, and development
Economic policy and inclusive growth
Industrial restructuring and trade
Labour market restructuring
Education and skills development
Transforming government and service delivery

Science, technology and innovation initiatives will be led by the DST, informing the national strategy and aligned with DST strategies, policies and plans. The department will be supported by TIA, Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI), and CSIR.

Ms Nontombi Marule-Director: Innovation and Technology Policy, the dti, notes the regulatory implications for 4IR need to be managed. This is not a simple matter due to the fast-changing pace of technology advances, technology disruption, and the extensive impact on systems. She says that a paradigm shift is needed, such as policy and regulation that is futuristic and agile.

Dr Mekuria advocates strongly for technology test beds as part of evidence-based research to inform decision making. Test beds are “crucial platforms to perform a controlled testing of relevant 4IR use cases before introduction commercially”.

Implications of 4IR for industry

NSTF Discussion Forum presenter, Dr Nimrod Zalk from the dti, says that there have been no cases of successful catch-up by developing countries with advanced economies without industrialisation. Furthermore, successful industrialisation has to have an industrial policy. Countries best placed to benefit from 4IR are those with an established industrial base.

Dr Zalk sees 4IR, specifically technological change, as “often more evolution than revolution”. Various 4IR technologies aren’t that new (for example, robotics and additive manufacturing). It has just taken a long time for the technology to spread. He suggests integrating 4IR considerations into organisational, sector, and industrial strategies rather than ‘dropping everything’ for the 4IR.

In terms of industry opportunities around 4IR, Dr Zalk provides the automotive-mining nexus as an example. With the global shift to electric vehicles, there is a reduced need for fossil fuels. However, this shift means an increased demand for platinum group metals (PGM) minerals. He says that South Africa needs to be in at the start with developing new sources of demand for PGMs.

Collaboration and partnerships – including a regional perspective

For South Africa, Williams notes that the overriding aim is to tackle big societal problems such as high youth unemployment and water scarcity. This is a multi-disciplinary endeavour and that means partnerships. The issues also straddle the mandates of various government departments. This means more collaboration between traditionally-siloed government departments.

We need collaboration and integration at all levels so we can all benefit. This is the message from SADC’s Dr Motshegwa. To move forward with regional 4IR strategies, we need alignment with the various regional and national policies. We need to invest in supporting infrastructure and human capital development and skills for regional collaboration.

The importance of Big Data

The general definition of Big Data describes large volumes of structured and unstructured data that can be mined for information. How we use this data (analysis and interpretation) can reveal patterns and trends, and more. Dr Motshegwa says we need to share data, and that includes data from government departments.

Dr Motshegwa notes the emerging policy consensus of FAIR data – findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable. He explains that FAIR data is extremely important within the SET and innovation environment. Considering that research data is publicly funded it should automatically be a public asset. Open research data also provides the evidence, allowing for reproducibility and self-correction while reducing replication.

Open data practices have transformed certain areas of research, such as genomics and astronomy. Furthermore, research data often have considerable potential for reuse and reinterpretation. All this fosters innovation and accelerates scientific discovery.

How does the smart city fit into all of this?

According to Prof Babu Paul, the Smart City uses smart technology and Big Data, for example, to improve quality and performance in services (energy, transportation and utilities). This can reduce resource consumption, waste, and overall costs. Prof Paul is the Director, Institute for Intelligent Systems, University of Johannesburg.

Components of a smart city include: smart manufacturing, smart government, WiFi, digital citizens, open data, smart agriculture, smart buildings, smart energy grids, smart waste management and other utilities, and smart transport.

Examples of potential smart city job titles of the future are: urban informatics analyst, energy efficiency engineer, autonomous transport technician, virtual reality technician, and cybersecurity officer.

Finding clarity

There was much discussion around the presentations. Following are some of the points raised:

There needs to be a common understanding, definition, and standards for 4IR – specific to the South African context. Information needs to be clear and practical and cover the entire ecosystem. There should also be clear communication about the limitations, potential harm, and ethics with the various 4IR issues.
The process of coordination and collaboration for 4IR needs to be made clear to all. Individuals and entities should be able to ‘plug into’ the larger coordinated structure. The SET community need specific goals and actions around 4IR. These should include real-life examples rather than conceptual terminology.

Speakers can be contacted through the spokesperson, Ms Jansie Niehaus.
Video clips with the full presentations can be found on the NSTF website.

About the NSTF

The National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF), established in 1995, is a broadly-representative stakeholder body for all SET and innovation organisations in South Africa, which seeks to influence policy formulation and delivery.

The NSTF Awards are unique in SA, recognising the outstanding contributions of individuals and groups to SET and innovation.

The science bursaries page http://www.nstf.org.za/bursary/ provides information on bursaries and bursary providers for science, engineering and related studies.

For more information

www.nstf.org.za
E-mail: enquiries@nstf.co.za
Tel: +27 12 841 3987
Fax: 27 12 841 3025

Non Profit Company Registration Number: 2007/029165/08
NPO Registration Number: 92042
Donor tax exemption for all donations to the NSTF

Last updated Monday, 25 February 2019 15:50

Call for nominations: 2018/2019 NSTF-South32 Awards

Posted by Lynette Pieterse on Friday, 30 November 2018 17:48

Call for nominations now open: NSTF-South32 Awards 2018/2019

Register nominations online by 14 December 2018!
#NSTFawards2019

The National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) calls for nominations for the 21^st NSTF-South32 Awards. These prestigious awards focus on science, engineering and technology (SET) and innovation.

Special Annual Theme Award: The NSTF’s theme for 2019 is the ‘International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements’ (#IYPT2019), as declared by the United Nations (UN). Aligned with this, the Special Annual Theme Award for 2018/2019 will be made for an outstanding contribution to materials for inclusive economic development.

Register nominations for individuals, teams and organisations for an outstanding contribution to SET and innovation in South Africa: The contributions recognised are in the following broad areas.

Scientific research
Management of SET and innovation
Capacity building in engineering research
Research and innovation towards the Green Economy
Water management solutions
Data for research
Innovations and their research and/or development
Communication and creating awareness of SET and Innovation
Technology transfer activities, as well as education and training through a non-governmental organisation (NGO)
Materials for inclusive economic development, through the 2018/2019 Special Annual Theme Award

There are a few changes to categories and criteria this year.

Special Annual Theme Award: The NSTF is making a special theme award this year for a contribution to SET and innovation for materials for inclusive economic development. This is in recognition of the UN’s celebration of the ‘2019 International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements’. The theme provides a focus on research in Materials Science and the development of materials to support relevant aspects of economic development in South Africa. The scope could include:

All areas of science, engineering, mining and agriculture, where new materials have been developed, including new uses or combinations of the elements
New applications or reconfigurations of older applications directed towards improvement in South Africa’s economic growth
New developments in industry, particularly for job creation and the alleviation of poverty

The work can be theoretical or practical. It should include analyses of the approximate or relative costs involved to establish or maintain an industry based on the materials being researched.

Communication award for outreach and communicating awareness of SET and innovation within the last 5 years: note that a leaning towards professional science communicators will apply.
Innovation awards: We introduced a major change to the Innovation Category last year and continue to do so this year, with greater emphasis on ‘innovation’. These awards are now called the ‘Awards for Innovations and their research and/or development’ over the last 5 to 10 years through either an SMME or a corporate organisation.
Research categories: The time periods for each category are now clearly anchored to the commencement of the research. We continue to have no requirement for a PhD. All research categories are now open to anyone currently involved in research. We have continued with the strengthened focus on the further development of outputs towards innovations.

A transformed country where SET and innovation contribute to a high quality of life for all who live in South Africa, where the profile of SET professionals is representative of the population’s profile and where the education system is effective, particularly in terms of performance in SET subjects and promoting innovation.

The NSTF Awards are one of the ways in which the NSTF strives to realise its vision.

This is a two-stage nomination process:

Stage 1 – Register a nomination by 14 December 2018

Please note that registering a nominee is only the beginning of the two-stage nomination process. When you register a nominee, the NSTF Office will respond with the official category nomination form to be completed by 1 March 2019 (Stage 2).
Notify the nominee that you intend to nominate him/her/them (team/organisation). Ensure that you receive their agreement to participate.
Complete and submit the online registration. The nominee will receive an email notification confirming receipt of your registration and the NSTF Office will respond with the full nomination form/s as an attachment to complete. Please alert the NSTF Office at enquiries@nstf.co.za should you (the nominee) not receive this notification and the relevant forms.

Stage 2 – Submit completed nomination documents by 1 March 2019

Ensure that the fully-completed nomination form/s are emailed to the NSTF before the final deadline and that you receive a confirmation from the NSTF Office.
Please note that planning and time are required to complete the nomination document. Hence there is a 11-week period (December to March) provided for this preparation.

Full title of categories: All the awards are ‘For an outstanding contribution to science, engineering and technology (SET) and innovation…’ (The complete title of each award starts with this wording in place of “contribution”.)

1. Individual Awards	Lifetime Award – contribution over a lifetime up to 15 years or more TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Researcher – contribution through research and its outputs over a period from 6 years up to 15 years of research work from the commencement of the research career, predominantly in South Africa TW Kambule-NSTF Awards: Emerging Researcher – contribution through research and its outputs over a period of up to 6 years of research work from the commencement of the research career, predominantly in South Africa Management Award – contribution through management and related SET and innovation activities over the last 5 to 10 years in South Africa
2. Engineering Research Capacity Development Awards – contribution by an individual over the last 5 to 10 years
3. The Green Economy Research and Innovation Award – contribution by an individual or an organisation towards achieving biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability and a greener economy over the last 5 to 10 years
4. NSTF-Water Research Commission (WRC) Award – contribution by an individual or an organisation to SET in South Africa towards sustainable water management, knowledge generation and solutions over the last 5 to 10 years
5. Data for Research Award – contribution by an individual or a team for advancing the availability, management and use of data for research
6. Innovation Awards	Award for Innovations and their research and/or development – contribution by an individual or a team through a corporate organisation over the last 5 to 10 years Award for Innovations and their research and/or development – contribution by an individual or a team through a small, medium or micro enterprise (SMME) over the last 5 to 10 years
7. Communication Award – contribution for outreach and creating awareness of SET and innovation by a team or individual over the last 5 years
8. Non-governmental Organisation Award – contribution including technology transfer, and education and training activities over the last 5 to 10 years
9. Special Annual Theme Award 2018/2019: Materials for inclusive economic development (awarded according to criteria in any of the categories above)

Send us your news The NSTF invites all our members, as well as all SET and innovation role players, to send us information on meetings, conferences and activities of interest to the broader S&T community. Please send us your news by the 20th of the month, for distribution at the beginning of the following month, to enquiries@nstf.co.za Feedback If you have any comments or suggestions on how we can improve this newsletter, please e-mail the NSTF Secretariat at enquiries@nstf.co.za
About the NSTF The National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF), established in 1995, is a broadly-representative stakeholder body for all SET and innovation organisations in South Africa, which seeks to influence policy formulation and delivery. The NSTF-South32 Awards are unique in SA, recognising the outstanding contributions of individuals and groups to SET and innovation. The science bursaries page provides information on bursaries and bursary providers for science, engineering and related studies.
Disclaimer The NSTF has taken all practical measures to ensure that the material contained in this newsletter is correct. The NSTF reserves the right to make changes as it deems necessary. Privacy Registration details submitted to the NSTF will be treated confidentially and will only be used by NSTF to communicate with its members and subscribers.
For more information www.nstf.org.za E-mail: enquiries@nstf.co.za Tel: 27 12 841 3987 Fax: 27 12 841 3025 Non Profit Company Registration Number: 2007/029165/08 NPO Registration Number: 92042 Donor tax exemption for all donations to the NSTF

TechWomen 2019: Now Accepting Applications

Posted by Lynette Pieterse on Tuesday, 27 November 2018 09:43

TechWomen is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State that brings emerging women leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) from Africa, South and Central Asia, and the Middle East together with their professional counterparts in the United States for a mentorship and exchange program based in San Francisco. During the five-week program, participants engage in project-based mentorships at leading companies in the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley.

The 2019 program will include 108 women from Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe.

Applications are due January 16, 2019. We are looking for women who have demonstrated themselves as emerging leaders in their chosen profession, through their work experience, volunteer experience, community activities and education. A full list of the eligibility requirements is available on our website.

Please consider forwarding this message to your pertinent networks. You can also check out our Outreach Toolkit with flyers in multiple languages, as well as suggested tweets and social media posts.

Now entering its ninth year, TechWomen continues to be a transformational program for all involved and has inspired women to become active change makers in their communities. We thank you for your support, and please feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

Best regards,

Katie Zee
Manager, Participant Initiatives, TechWomen

Institute of International Education (IIE)
530 Bush Street, Suite 1000, San Francisco, CA 94108
Tel: +1 415 593 5887 I Fax +1 415 392 4667
kzee@iie.org I www.iie.org

IIE • The Power of International Education

SAIMechE Elects First Female President

Posted by Lynette Pieterse on Friday, 19 October 2018 10:57

The South African Institution for Mechanical Engineers (SAIMechE) recently voted in their new National Council members for the 2018-2020 session at their AGM on 8 August 2018, electing Prof Debby Blaine as their new President. Debby is an Associate-Professor at Stellenbosch University, in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering.

See the attachment for more information.

Attachments:

PressReleaseSeptember2018.docx

93.4K

19 Oct 18 08:52

Last updated Friday, 19 October 2018 08:57

NSTF eNews: response to cannabis ruling, ‘Water-Energy-Food Nexus’ discussion forum, and more #WaterEnergyFood

Posted by Lynette Pieterse on Tuesday, 2 October 2018 13:21

Email: enquiries@nstf.co.za | Tel: +27 12 841 3987

Message from NSTF Executive Director

Ms Jansie Niehaus, NSTF Executive Director, responds to the Constitutional Court ruling on the legalisation of cannabis for private use. Read more.

NSTF News

‘Water-Energy-Food Nexus – towards efficient national planning’ Discussion Forum

The ‘Water-Energy-Food Nexus – towards efficient national planning’ Discussion Forum (#WaterEnergyFood) will be held from 23-24 October 2018, Broederstroom, Hartbeespoort, North West. The national science councils sector of the NSTF is hosting this event. You can register online now. For further information, contact enquiries@nstf.org.za.

DST White Paper open for comment

With Cabinet approval, the Minister of Science and Technology, Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, has released the draft White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation for public comment. Stakeholders, NSTF members, and the public can submit comments to the Department of Science and Technology by 19 October 2018. Input can be:

Emailed to whitepaper@dst.gov.za
Posted to White Paper, Department of Science and Technology, Private Bag X894, Pretoria, 0001
Hand delivered to the Department at Building 53, Scientia (CSIR) Campus, Meiring Naudé Road, Brummeria, Pretoria

Enquiries can be directed to either:

Ms Urszula Rust at urszula.rust@dst.gov.za
Ms Nthabiseng Msomi at 012 843 6720 and nthabiseng.msomi@dst.gov.za

See also ‘Featured SET policy’ below.

Call for nominations – 2018/2019 NSTF-South32 Awards

A reminder to look out for the 2018/2019 NSTF-South32 Awards Call for Nominations.

The Call for Nominations will happen in November 2018 and will celebrate the 21^st event.
See the clip of the highlights of the 20^th Gala Dinner held on 28 June 2018.

Share ‘n Dare outreach

The NSTF Share ‘n Dare programme is sponsored by the Carl & Emily Fuchs Foundation. It is linked to the NSTF-South32 Awards. It provides a platform for NSTF Award winners to act as role models and ambassadors for science, engineering, technology (SET) and innovation. The winners share knowledge with youth and communities, inspiring young people to pursue studies and careers in SET and innovation.

Read more about the following Share ‘n Dare talks:

From 30-31 July 2018, CEO of The Platinum Incubator (TPI) Ms Sibongile Purity Shongwe spoke to learners at the Penreach Shalamuka Science Centre, Nelspruit, Mpumalanga
From 1-2 August 2018, Prof Mmantsae Diale and Dr Musa Manzi spoke to learners at the Mondi Science Centre, Mkhondo (Piet Retief), Mpumalanga
On 1 August 2018, Dr Xolani Humphrey Mkhwanazi gave a talk at the Necsa Visitor Centre, Hartebeespoort, North West
On 1 August 2018, Prof Prof Keolebogile Motaung spoke to learners at the Anglo-American Science Centre, Witbank, Mpumalanga
On 4 August 2018, Prof Malik Maaza spoke to learners and the public at the iThemba LABS, Cape Town, Western Cape
On 7 August 2018, Ms Selloane Nyaredi from The Platinum Institute (TPI) spoke to learners and the public at the JNF Walter Sisulu Environmental Centre, Mamelodi, Gauteng

See the upcoming events list for the NSTF Share ‘n Dare programme

New NSTF members

The NSTF welcomes its new members:

COUNT Educational Institute (Civil Society Sector)
Keypoint Project Solutions (Business Sector, SMME)
Kwetso Foundation (Civil Society Sector)
The Conversation Africa (Civil Society Sector)

Survey on R&D tax incentive

The National Treasury, in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology and the World Bank, is evaluating the impact of South Africa's research and development (R&D) tax incentive. This evidence will inform policy decisions about the incentive. An online survey is running from 6 September to 4 October 2018. All companies that have applied for the incentive up to December 2017, whether granted approval or not, are requested to participate in the survey. Read more for further information.

Getting to know our award winners: Prof Etheresia Pretorius

Prof Etheresia Pretorius is Head: Department of Physiological Sciences and Director: Applied Morphology Research Centre at Stellenbosch University. Her overarching contribution is to add novel knowledge regarding the origin and pathophysiology of inflammation and abnormal clotting. This includes the conclusion that all non-communicable diseases have a possible bacterial origin.

Read more about her work. She is the NSTF-South32 Awards winner of the 2017/2018 TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Researcher.

Getting to know our award winners: Wendy Collinson

Wendy Collinson is project executant: Wildlife and Roads Project, Endangered Wildlife Trust. The project works to reduce the negative impacts of transport infrastructure on wildlife, ultimately improving driver safety.

Read more about her work. She is the NSTF-South32 Awards female winner of the 2017/2018 TW Kambule-NSTF Awards: Emerging Researcher.

Getting to know our award winners: Dr Musa Manzi

Dr Musa Manzi is senior researcher and director: Seismic Research Centre, School of Geosciences, University the of Witwatersrand. He develops and applies mathematical and geophysical techniques to gain a deeper understanding of earth processes. This includes innovative 3D seismic technologies for deep mineral exploration.

Read more about his work. He is the NSTF-South32 Awards male winner of the 2017/2018 TW Kambule-NSTF Awards: Emerging Researcher.

NSTF condolences on the death of Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa

The NSTF and the science, engineering and technology (SET) community are greatly saddened by the passing of Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa.
‘Her passing has left us poorer’ — Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa dies (M&G

Bursary Directory

Find the latest bursaries in science, engineering and technology (SET) in the NSTF Bursary Directory. This service is sponsored by the Fuchs Foundation. Recently-added bursaries include:

Visit the NSTF Bursary Directory to find regularly updated information on available bursaries, the organisations that usually provide bursaries, various SET-related career paths, and inspiring stories of people in SET.

Mzansi Bright Sparks

Siphephelo Brian Tshabalala is from the Free State. He is studying BEng tech in Civil engineering at the University of Johannesburg. He is one of the first-year students who were recognised in the 2017/2018 NSTF Brilliants Programme for top marks in mathematics and physical science in the National Senior Certificate Examinations.

“If I was the president, I would develop great math and science teachers for all schools by making the selection process higher to produce more quality teachers.''

Featured SET policy: Draft White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation

The Draft White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation (DST) is currently open for public comment. For background and an overview, please go to New draft White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation (DST). Deadline: Friday 19 October 2018 on e-mail to whitepaper@dst.gov.z

SET-related policies currently open for public comment

Policies open for comment allow the science, engineering and technology (SET) community to keep track of the changing regulation environment.

Climate Smart Agriculture Strategic Framework (Comment by: Tuesday October 2, 2018)
National Forests Act: List of particular trees and group of trees to be declared Champion Trees (Comment by: Tuesday October 2, 2018)
Medicines and Related Substances Act: Regulations: Transparent pricing system: Amendment: Draft (Comment by: Tuesday October 9, 2018)
Nursing Act: Regulations: Approval of and minimum requirements for education and training of learner/student leading to registration in category midwife (Comment by: Wednesday October 10, 2018)
National Education Policy Act: Curriculum and assessment policy statement (CAPS) for twenty-six technical occupational subjects to be listed in National Curriculum Statement Grades R-12 Grades R-12: Draft (Comment by: Friday October 12, 2018)
6th National Greenhouse Gas Inventory for South Africa (Comment by: Saturday October 13, 2018)
Biennial Update Report 3 to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Comment by: Saturday October 13, 2018)
National Greenhouse Gas Inventory report: Draft (Comment by: Sunday October 14, 2018)
Nursing Act: Regulations: Register for learner/student nurses and learner/student midwives (Comment by: Friday October 19, 2018)
National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act: Alien and invasive species list and list of critically endangered, vulnerable and protected species: Amendment (Comment by: Sunday October 21, 2018)
National Environmental Management: Waste Act: Industry Waste Tyre Management Plans (Comment by: Sunday October 21, 2018)
Electricity Regulations Act: Integrated Resource Plan 2018 (Comment by: Friday October 26, 2018)
Pharmacy Act: Rules: Good pharmacy practice: Amendments (Comment by: Wednesday October 31, 2018)

SET-related policy news

Draft White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation

SA's sci-tech white paper out for comment Comment by: Friday 19 October 2018 (ITWeb)
South Africa pushes science to improve daily life (Nature)
Unions will have say on rise of the machines, minister vows (Fin24)

Indigenous knowledge

Indigenous Knowledge Bill set to be enacted (SABC)

Medicine and health

Calls for action at historic TB meeting (Health24)
Up to 8 Million Deaths Occur in Low- and Middle-Income Countries Yearly Due to Poor-Quality Health Care, Says New Report; Major Quality Chasm Must Be Fixed in Order to Reap Benefits of Universal Health Coverage (National Academies)
Wide inequalities in people’s well-being cast a shadow on sustained human development progress – Human Development Index (UNIC)

Water and sanitation

Full steam ahead for Water & Sanitation Master Plan (infrastucturene.ws)

Climate change and environment

Energy

Affordability of energy must be prioritised – Radebe (Polity)
Coal-transition support should aid workers and communities, not Eskom – report (Polity)
Reason lights up new energy plan (M&G)
Life after Coal and Greenpeace Africa slam Inclusion of New Coal in Electricity Plan (Africa Newsroom)
Exclusion of new nuclear power capacity not deliberate – Radebe (Polity)

4th Industrial revolution

Economy

Ramaphosa’s plan to revive the economy: the details – “State funds will be redirected toward agriculture, which the government sees as having massive potential to great jobs, as well as to stimulating economic activity in townships and rural areas.” (TechCentral)

Science relations

SA and China celebrate milestone with new mineral resources joint research centre (DST)

http://www.tank.co.za/6th International Conference on Ethics Education: Stellenbosch, South Africa, 3-5 October 2018
36th Annual International No-Dig Conference and Exhibition: Cape Town, 8-9 October 2018
EduTECH Africa 2018 and EduBUILD Africa 2018: Johannesburg, 9-10 October 2018. This includes a LEGO® Education Robotics Interactive Zone.
WasteCon 2018: Johannesburg, 15-19 October 2018
National Health Summit – stakeholders to submit proposals for inclusion: Gauteng, 19-20 October 2018
SA Energy Storage 2018: Johannesburg, 22-23 October 2018
29^th SAIIE annual conference – Steering the 4^th Industrial Revolution: Stellenbosch, 24-26 October 2018
AAPG International Conference and Exhibition: Cape Town, 4-7 November 2018
International Data Week 2018 (IDW 2018) and SciDataCon 2018: Gaborone, Botswana, 5-8 November 2018
Manufacturing Indaba Western Cape: Cape Town, 7 November 2018
SciCOM 100* Conference 2018: focused on research in the field of science communication, Stellenbosch University, 6-7 November 2018
13th Southern African Energy Efficiency Confederation Conference (2018SAEEC): 13-14 November 2018
Drug Safety Africa 2018 Conference: Potchefstroom, 20-22 November 2018
Second International Summit on Human Genome Editing: Hong Kong, 27-29 November 2018
Disruptive technologies and public policy in the age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Pretoria, 10-12 December 2018
Science Forum South Africa: South Africa, 12-14 December 2018
The Water Show Africa 2019: Johannesburg, 12-13 March 2019
3rd international conference for women in science without borders movement/network (WISWB): Egypt, 12-14 March 2019
Power & Electricity World Africa 2019: 26-27 March 2019
The Solar Show Africa 2019: 26-27 March 2019
Energy Efficiency World: 26-27 March 2019
Manufacturing Indaba: Johannesburg, 25-26 June 2019
8th International Conference on Engineering Mathematics and Physics: Ningbo, China, 28 - 30 June 2019

Members of NSTF in the proSET (Professional Societies) sector are featured in every newsletter. This month we look at IEEE and SAIIE.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineer (IEEE) is the world’s largest technical professional organisation dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. The organisation and its members inspire a global community to innovate for a better tomorrow through its more than 423,000 members in over 160 countries. It also does this through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities. The website for IEEE South Africa provides news, information on events, societies, and affinity groups. There is also a resources section.
The Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering (SAIIE) envisions a vibrant, learned society, representing and promoting all Industrial Engineers in Southern Africa. Modern industrial engineering is concerned with the integration of resources and processes into cohesive strategies, structures and systems for the effective and efficient production of quality goods and services. On the website, you will find newsletters, information on events and awards, links to their journal and magazine, among other items.

SET education

Smartphones advance literacy in Africa (ITWeb)
Learners tackle environmental health for a better future (Sangonet)
#YouthReport2018: Generation jobless and the high inequality economy (BizCommunity)
Western Cape to open nine science centres (SABC)

New mobile science, maths, tech laboratory using robotics to inspire children (Engineering News)

Palaeontology and archaeology

· World’s oldest drawing is Stone Age crayon doodle (Nature) plus Drawing on a piece of silcrete found in Blombos Cave predates previous human-made drawings by at least 30,000 years

New technology tells us which animal bones were used to make ancient tools (The Conversation)
Massive dinosaur ‘bone bed’ found in E Cape (SABC)
What would it mean to decolonise palaeontology? Here are some ideas (The Conversation)

Astronomy and space science

How tech will support life on Mars (ITWeb)
Taking earth observation to the continent (ee publishers)
The General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union to be hosted on African soil for the first time in 2024 (SKA Africa)
Space tech needed to monitor SDGs (SciDevNet)

Environment, climate change and energy

Water

20-million in SA denied clean water (M&G)
Scientists step up demand for government to protect oceans (Times Live)
Many responsible for Vaal River pollution (SABC)
Explainer: what there is to know about South Africa’s aquifers (The Conversation)
What’s the story with SA’s water and sanitation? (infrastucturene.ws)
City Taking Steps to Minimize the Impact of the Shot Hole Borer (Joburg.org.za)

Climate change and environment

Biodiversity standard boosts NGOs (Business Day)
Invasive pines fueled 2017 fires in South Africa (phys.org)
Cutting out meat and dairy slashes your carbon footprint (M&G)
The blueprint for happiness (M&G)
Working out what’s fair in conservation in sub-Saharan Africa (The Conversation)
Tackle invasive species to restore degraded landscapes (SciDevNet)
S.Africa rhino poaching drops by a quarter (phys.org)
Does South Africa have a microplastics problem? Our research says yes (The Conversation)
Africa needs to cool down – urgently (M&G)
The ecology of drought – a workshop report (SAJS)
‘Plant blindness’ is a real thing: why it’s a real problem too (The Conversation)
Understanding implications of 2°C-compatible coal phase-out plan for SA (ee publishers)
Why nuclear energy should be part of Africa’s energy mix (The Conversation)
Eskom delays finalisation of new strategy to mid-November (Polity)
Hydropower is Africa’s big gamble (M&G)
Study reaffirms renewables now cheaper than coal (ITWeb)
How solar kits and battery lamps are replacing kerosene across Africa (The Conversation)
SA perspective in highly acclaimed World Nuclear Industry Status Report (ee publishers)
Blockchain, AI, 3D printing reduce renewables prices (ITWeb)
Microgrids for productive use of energy in Africa (ee publishers)
Eskom has coal shortages at ten power plants – spokesperson (Polity)
Sasol Solar Challenge heats up (ITWeb)
Explainer: why lithium ion batteries could be a game changer in Africa (The Conversation)

Agriculture

Growth and jobs in South Africa's agricultural sector (BizCommunity)
Food insecurity rising in Africa (M&G)
Winetech seeks entrepreneurs to disrupt wine industry (ITWeb)
Could the future of food in the world depend on what Africa does with agriculture? (Africa Newsroom)
Food and agricultural technology can enable the emerging tourism sector across Africa (BizCommunity)
Oriental fruit fly detected in farms around Upington (SABC)
AfDB seeks partnerships to lift 1bn people out of hunger (Engineering News)
'Fake food' in South Africa: myths, misinformation and not enough data (BizCommunity)
‘Baobab trees are dying out’ (SABC)
Crop-eating pest could hit Africa food supplies: experts (phys.org)
Why developing countries should boost the ways of small-scale farming (The Conversation)

Technology and the 4^th Industrial Revolution

The rush for data risks growing the North-South divide (SciDevNet)
Machines to handle half of work tasks by 2025 (TechCentral)
#SA4IR to help SA master fourth industrial revolution (ITWeb)
Smart Trucks: Cost reduction all-round while maintaining competitive advantage (CSIR)
Battlefield Medics and Student Doctors Could Use Augmented Reality to Get Help From Faraway Surgeons (Popular Mechanics)
The airport of the future is here – and it doesn’t need humans (TechCentral)
Many populations fear big job loss from automation: survey (phys.org)
Gartner lists top 10 tech trends for 2019 (ITWeb)

Opportunities

Obituary: Prof. Philip Lloyd (ee publishers)
South Africa’s top health researchers honoured for contributions to public health (SAMRC)
CSIR researcher cracks unconventional method to enhance the brightness of solid-state lasers – Dr Darryl Naidoo (CSIR)
Professor Lucille Blumberg receives the SAMRC Special Award (NICD)
Professor Penny Moore received a Silver Medal from SAMRC (NICD)
SA learner takes silver at mental calculation world champs (BizCommunity)
Limpopo aspiring scientists to participate in US science program (SABC)
Three UCT lecturers participate in international Solar Decathlon competition (Engineering News)

Send us your news The NSTF invites all our members, as well as all SET and innovation role players, to send us information on meetings, conferences and activities of interest to the broader S&T community. Please send us your news by the 20th of the month, for distribution at the beginning of the following month, to enquiries@nstf.co.za Feedback If you have any comments or suggestions on how we can improve this newsletter, please e-mail the NSTF Secretariat at enquiries@nstf.co.za
About the NSTF The National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF), established in 1995, is a broadly-representative stakeholder body for all SET and innovation organisations in South Africa, which seeks to influence policy formulation and delivery. The NSTF-South32 Awards are unique in SA, recognising the outstanding contributions of individuals and groups to SET and innovation. The science bursaries page provides information on bursaries and bursary providers for science, engineering and related studies.
Disclaimer The NSTF has taken all practical measures to ensure that the material contained in this newsletter is correct. The NSTF reserves the right to make changes as it deems necessary. Privacy Registration details submitted to the NSTF will be treated confidentially and will only be used by NSTF to communicate with its members and subscribers.
For more information www.nstf.org.za E-mail: enquiries@nstf.co.za Tel: 27 12 841 3987 Fax: 27 12 841 3025 Non Profit Company Registration Number: 2007/029165/08 NPO Registration Number: 92042 Donor tax exemption for all donations to the NSTF

Last updated Tuesday, 2 October 2018 11:21

Winners of the 2017/2018 NSTF-South32 Awards

Posted by Lynette Pieterse on Friday, 6 July 2018 19:34

Winners of the 2017/2018 NSTF-South32 Awards

The NSTF-South32 Awards were held at a prestigious Gala Dinner in Gauteng on Thursday, 28 June 2018. This is the 20^th anniversary celebration of the flagship project of the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF). To celebrate the event, tributes were made to the 204 NSTF Awards recipients (since 1998) and a special anniversary award to Dr Xolani Humphrey Mkhwanazi.

Outstanding contributions to science, engineering and technology (SET) and innovation were awarded and celebrated in the following broad areas under 13 categories:

Scientific research
Innovation
Management and related activities
Capacity development in engineering research
Environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation
Water research and innovation
Data management and stewardship
Communication
Technology transfer, as well as education and training
Sustainable energy for all (special annual theme award in recognition of the International Decade of Sustainable Energy for All (#SEforAll) declared by the United Nations)

SA needs to develop new products, technologies and services: As previously stated by the previous Minister of Science and Technology, Mrs Naledi Pandor, South Africa’s science mission is to create wealth thus creating jobs and eradicating poverty. Its success depends on our ability as a nation to develop new products, technologies and services.

About the NSTF and the awards: The NSTF is the most representative multi-stakeholder non-profit forum in South Africa promoting SET and innovation. The NSTF-South32 Awards showcase the research and development capacity of our nation. The excellence of the winners supports to South Africa’s advancement and the social upliftment of our people.

Why are these awards different? The national NSTF-South32 Awards are the largest SET and innovation awards in South Africa. They are known as the ‘Science Oscars’ and were the first science awards in the country. The focus is on spreading information about SET to the public, which includes the year-long engagement programme with students and learners called ‘Share ‘n Dare’. The NSTF Brilliants Programme recognises the outstanding matric performers in mathematics and physical science, exposing them to the SET network and future opportunities.

Award winners: The awards were presented by the Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, who is the event’s patron. She celebrated along with almost 700 guests and over 50 different organisations from the broader community. It is an honour to be nominated, it is an outstanding achievement to reach the finals and an exceptional milestone and celebration of excellence to win one of these awards.

Ms Jansie Niehaus
NSTF Executive Director and Spokesperson

The NSTF and its sponsors congratulate the 2017/2018 NSTF-South32 Award winners.

Ukhozi Award an essential contribution to the NSTF and the NSTF Awards (in celebration of the 20^th anniversary of the NSTF Awards)	Dr Xolani Humphrey Mkhwanazi Director and Chairman: Phathela Investments (Pty) Ltd; Vice-Chairman: Public Investment Corporation; Chancellor: Vaal University of Technology; Chairman: Central Energy Fund; and Non-Executive Director: South32, Gibela, and Murray & Roberts
Lifetime Award (by an individual over 15 years or more)	Prof Kevin Wall Independent Consultant; and Extraordinary Professor: Department (Dept) of Construction Economics, University of Pretoria (UP)
TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Researcher through research and its outputs (by an individual up to 15 years as a researcher predominantly in South Africa)	Prof Etheresia (Resia) Pretorius Head: Dept of Physiological Sciences; Director: Applied Morphology Research Centre, Dept of Physiology, Stellenbosch University (SU)
TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Emerging researcher through research and its outputs (by an individual up to 6 years in research predominantly in South Africa)	Mrs Wendy Collinson Project Executant: Wildlife and Roads Project, Endangered Wildlife Trust Dr Musa Manzi Senior Researcher and Director: Seismic Research Centre, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
Management Award through management and related SET and innovation activities (by an individual over the last 5-10 years)	Prof Stephen Tollman Research Professor and Head: Division of Health and Population, Faculty of Health Sciences; Director: South African Medical Research Council/Wits Rural Health and Health Transitions Research Unit, Wits; Principal Scientist: International Network for the Demographic Evaluation of Populations and their Health, Ghana
Engineering Research Capacity Development Award (by an individual over the last 5 to 10 years) Sponsored by Eskom since 2003	Prof Mmantsae Diale Associate Professor: Dept of Physics, UP Prof Ian Jandrell Personal Professor: School of Electrical and Information Engineering; Executive Dean: Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment; Joint leader: High Voltage and the Lightning/Electromagnetic Compatibility Research Group, Wits
NSTF-GreenMatter Award towards achieving biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability and a greener economy (by an individual or an organisation over the last 5 to 10 years) Sponsored by GreenMatter since 2015	Prof Malik Maaza Senior Scientist: National Research Foundation Nanosciences LABS, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa; Chair: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Africa (UNESCO)
NSTF-Water Research Commission (WRC) Award towards achieving sustainable water management, knowledge generation and solutions with demonstrated leadership and impact (by an individual or an organisation over the last 5 to 10 years) Sponsored by the WRC since 2017	Prof Leslie Petrik Professor: Dept of Chemistry, University of the Western Cape
Data for Research Award for advancing the availability, management and use of data for research (by an individual or an organisation)	South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS) Coordinator: Mr Benjamin Roberts, Human Sciences Research Council
Innovation Award: Corporate Organisation for innovations and their research and/or development (by a team or an individual over the last 5 to 10 years) Sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry	Prof Keolebogile Motaung Founder: Global Health Biotech (Pty) Ltd; and Assistant Dean: Postgraduate Studies, Research, Innovation and Engagement, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology
Innovation Award: Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) for innovations and their research and/or development (by a team or an individual over the last 5 to 10 years)	SUN Magnetics (Pty) Ltd Director: Prof Coenraad Fourie; and Professor: Electrical and Electronic Engineering, SU
Communication Award for outreach and creating awareness (by a team or individual over the last 5 years)	University of Pretoria Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control (UP ISMC) Director: Prof Christiaan (Tiaan) de Jager; and Dean: Faculty of Health Sciences Professor: Environmental Health, School of Health Systems and Public Health, UP
Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Award including technology transfer, and education and training activities (over the last 5 to 10 years)	The Platinum Incubator Chief Executive Officer: Ms Sibongile Purity Shongwe
Special Annual Theme Award: Sustainable Energy for All (in recognition of the United Nations ‘International Decade of Sustainable Energy for All’)	Prof Harald Winkler Director: Energy Research Centre, University of Cape Town

Partners and sponsors:

South32 (co-branding sponsor)
Business Report and Mail & Guardian (media sponsor)
Eskom, GreenMatter, Water Research Commission, Department of Trade and Industry (category sponsor)
South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) and South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) – (supporting the Brilliants tour)
Department of Science and Technology (platinum sponsor)
The Carl & Emily Fuchs Foundation (youth outreach sponsor)
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (gold sponsor)
proSET, a sector of the NSTF representing professional bodies (prize sponsor)

Send us your news The NSTF invites all our members, as well as all SET and innovation role players, to send us information on meetings, conferences and activities of interest to the broader S&T community. Please send us your news by the 20th of the month, for distribution at the beginning of the following month, to enquiries@nstf.co.za Feedback If you have any comments or suggestions on how we can improve this newsletter, please e-mail the NSTF Secretariat at enquiries@nstf.co.za
About the NSTF The National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF), established in 1995, is a broadly-representative stakeholder body for all SET and innovation organisations in South Africa, which seeks to influence policy formulation and delivery. The NSTF-South32 Awards are unique in SA, recognising the outstanding contributions of individuals and groups to SET and innovation. The science bursaries page provides information on bursaries and bursary providers for science, engineering and related studies.
Disclaimer The NSTF has taken all practical measures to ensure that the material contained in this newsletter is correct. The NSTF reserves the right to make changes as it deems necessary. Privacy Registration details submitted to the NSTF will be treated confidentially and will only be used by NSTF to communicate with its members and subscribers.
For more information www.nstf.org.za E-mail: enquiries@nstf.co.za Tel: 27 12 841 3987 Fax: 27 12 841 3025 Non Profit Company Registration Number: 2007/029165/08 NPO Registration Number: 92042 Donor tax exemption for all donations to the NSTF

Media Release: NSTF, SAAO and SARAO collaborate on astronomy tour for 2017 top matriculants in mathematics and science

Posted by Lynette Pieterse on Friday, 6 July 2018 19:06

NSTF, SAAO and SARAO collaborate on astronomy tour for 2017 top matriculants in mathematics and science

The National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) in collaboration with the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) and South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) is proud to reward South Africa’s 2017 outstanding performers in matric in physical science and mathematics.

The partnership will see the SAAO and SARAO support a national astronomy tour from
21-27 June for participants selected for the NSTF Brilliants Programme. This programme recognises the top woman and man chosen from each of the nine provinces based on their marks in mathematics and physical science in the 2017 National Senior Certificate Examinations (Grade 12) and their choice for studies in science, engineering and technology (SET)-related courses.

The astronomy tour will conclude with the prestigious 2017/2018 NSTF-South32 Awards Gala Dinner in Gauteng on Thursday, 28 June 2018. The Minister of Science and Technology, Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, as the Awards patron, will officiate at the event which is attended by the broad SET and innovation community and leaders in South Africa and international representatives. The Brilliants Programme coincides appropriately with Youth Month to celebrate the brilliance and potential of South African youth. The NSTF-South32 Awards celebrates the excellence of South Africa’s SET and innovation professionals and their standing as role models for the youth.

The astronomy tour hosted by the SAAO and SARAO will see the Brilliants Awardees visit
4 provinces, the SAAO and Iziko Planetarium in Cape Town, the South African Large Telescope (SALT) outside Sutherland, the Karoo Array Telescope (KAT) and MeerKAT outside Carnarvon, the Boyden Observatory and Naval Hill Planetarium outside Bloemfontein, and the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) outside Johannesburg.

The tour will expose students to new fields of study and careers in SET, bursary opportunities at the SAAO and SARAO, and inspiration through role models in SET and innovation in South Africa. It is also hoped that a visit to the various astronomy tourism sites will inspire the students to promote astronomy and astronomy tourism in South Africa.

Brilliants awardees: The NSTF takes pride in congratulating the 2017/2018 Brilliants Awardees as follows:

Eastern Cape (There were two individuals in the top place for women)	Eastern Cape
Ms Mphoentle Piliso	Mr Anathi Mazamisa
Cofimvaba Senior Secondary School	Nkwanca Public High School
MBChB (Medicine)	BSc Eng (Mechatronics)
University of Cape Town	University of Cape Town
Bursary: Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme	Bursary: Office of the Premier, Eastern Cape Province
and
Ms Amenta Sibi
King Edward High School
MBChB (Medicine)
University of Cape Town
Bursary: Office of the Premier, Eastern Cape Province
Free State	Free State
Ms Refilwe Ester Selepe	Mr Siphephelo Brian Tshabalala
Rantsane Secondary School	Rantsane Secondary School
MBChB (Medicine)	BEng Tech (Civil Engineering)
University of the Witwatersrand	University of Johannesburg
Bursary: Free State Department of Education	Bursary: Free State Department of Education
Gauteng	Gauteng
Ms Jacqueline Janse van Rensburg	Mr Siyanda Pikwa
Hoërskool Oos-Moot	Raymond Mhlaba Secondary School
MBChB (Medicine)	BSc Eng (Mechanical)
University of Pretoria	University of the Witwatersrand
Bursary: Gauteng Department of Education	Bursary: Aurecon
KwaZulu-Natal	KwaZulu-Natal
Ms Shenise Singh	Mr Gerhard Karl Rencken
Greenbury Secondary School	Wartburg Kirchdorf School
MBChB (Medicine)	BSc Eng (Mechanical Engineering)
University of the Witwatersrand	University of Pretoria
Bursary: None	Bursary: None
Limpopo	Limpopo
Ms Khani Zanel Siweya	Mr Tshinanga Keith Rantete
Risinga High School	Jonathan Thifulufhelwi Secondary School
MBChB (Medicine)	BSc (Astrophysics)
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University	University of Cape Town
Bursary: None	Bursary: None
Mpumalanga	Mpumalanga
Ms Lane Coetzee	Mr Adriaan Lodewikus Badenhorst
Hoërskool Secunda	Belfast Akademie
MBChB (Medicine)	MBChB (Medicine)
University of Free State	University of Pretoria
Bursary: Mpumalanga Department of Education	Bursary: Mpumalanga Department of Education
North West	North West
Ms Sanam Chitoo Naran	Mr James Murray Louw
Fields College	Hartbeespoort High School
MBChB (Medicine)	BSc (Mathematics)
University of Cape Town	University of Pretoria
Bursary: None	Bursary: None
Northern Cape	Northern Cape
Ms Josefien Engelbrecht	Mr John Kagisho Lecwidi
Hoërskool Douglas	Dr EP Lekhela High School
MBChB (Medicine)	BSc Eng (Civil Engineering)
Stellenbosch University	University of Cape Town
Bursary: None	Bursary: None
Western Cape (There were two individuals in the top place for women)	Western Cape
Ms Jansie Slabbert	Mr Erin Michael Solomon
Hoërskool Durbanville	Rondebosch Boys' High School
MBChB (Medicine)	Bachelor Architectural Studies
Stellenbosch University	University of Cape Town
Bursary: None	Bursary: Industrial Development Corporation
and
Ms Lucy May Wills
Westerford High School
BSc Eng (Chemical Engineering)
University of Cape Town
Bursary: Sasol

Role of the NSTF: The NSTF is a stakeholder forum that includes organisations in state entities, business and communities. The NSTF engages with policy issues across various government departments and promotes collaboration and critical thinking among a broad range of stakeholders.

Background on the NSTF-South32 Awards – Today’s research ... tomorrow’s innovation: To honour professionals in SET and innovation for their sterling work, and to encourage others to follow suit, the 2017/2018 NSTF-South32 Awards Gala Dinner will be celebrated on the evening of Thursday, 28 June 2018 with the Minister of Science and Technology, Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, international representatives and the broader SET community in South Africa. The Awards are fully endorsed by the Department of Science and Technology and the Minister of Science and Technology is the official Patron.

For more information on the NSTF initiatives: Visit www.nstf.org.za, www.nstf.org.za/awards and www.nstf.org.za/youth or contact us at the contact details below.

NSTF spokesperson: Ms Jansie Niehaus, Executive Director: enquiries@nstf.co.za
SAAO spokesperson: Dr Daniel Cunnama, SAAO Outreach Astronomer: daniel@saao.ac.za
SARAO spokesperson: Mr Lorenzo Raynard, SKA SA General Manager: Communications & Stakeholder Relations: lraynard@ska.ac.za

Donor tax exemption for all donations to the NSTF
NPO Registration Number: 92042
Non Profit Company Registration Number: 2007/029165/08

www.nstf.org.za
E-mail: enquiries@nstf.co.za
Tel: +27 12 841 3987
Fax: 27 12 841 3025

For more information

About the NSTF

The NSTF Awards are unique in SA, recognising the outstanding contributions of individuals and groups to SET and innovation.

The science bursaries page http://www.nstf.org.za/bursary/ provides information on bursaries and bursary providers for science, engineering and related studies.

Finalists announced: 2017/2018 NSTF-South32 Awards

Posted by Lynette Pieterse on Friday, 1 June 2018 21:01

Finalists announced:
2017/2018 NSTF-South32 Awards

Recognising excellence and outstanding contributions to science, engineering and technology and innovation in South Africa

The National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) is pleased to announce the group of finalists contending for the prestigious NSTF-South32 Awards. This is the 20th year of the annual NSTF-South32 Awards.

The 20th year celebration: The NSTF Awards were established in 1998 as a collaborative effort to recognise outstanding contributions to science, engineering and technology (SET) and innovation by SET-related professionals and organisations in South Africa. This includes experienced scientists, engineers, innovators, science communicators, engineering capacity builders, and organisational managers/leaders, as well as data and research managers.

Our partner: South32 is a metals and mining company that de-merged from BHP Billiton in 2016. It took over the co-branding sponsorship agreement for the annual NSTF Awards.

The ‘Science Oscars’: The NSTF-South32 Awards are referred to as the ‘Science Oscars’ of South Africa. They are the largest, most comprehensive, and most sought-after national awards of their kind in the country. They were also the first science awards in South Africa.

NSTF-South32 Awards’ theme: The theme for the 2017/2018 NSTF-South32 Awards is Sustainable Energy for All. This is in recognition of the International decade of Sustainable Energy (2014-2024) as declared by United Nations. The 20th annual Awards Gala Dinner will celebrate this theme on 28 June 2018.

New features were introduced for some categories and the criteria as follows:

Innovation awards: The Innovation Category has greater emphasis on ‘innovation’. The Research for Innovation Awards is now the ‘Awards for Innovations and their research and/or development’.
Research categories: All research categories are now open to anyone thoroughly experienced in research, regardless of whether they have a PhD. We have also strengthened the focus on further development of outputs towards innovation.
Special Annual Theme Award: This year the NSTF’s special annual theme award is for a contribution to SET and innovation towards Sustainable Energy for All in South Africa.

A transformed country where SET and innovation contribute to a high quality of life for all who live in South Africa, where the profile of SET professionals is representative of the nation’s diverse population and where the education system is effective, particularly in terms of performance in SET subjects and the promotion of innovation.

Realising the vision: The NSTF-South32 Awards is the NSTF’s flagship event and one among other strategic activities through which the NSTF realises this vision. Partnerships for specific awards (such as that with the Water Research Commission, GreenMatter, and Eskom) recognise contributions that have the potential to make a positive impact on South Africa, and on the world.

It is an extraordinary honour to be an Award finalist; given the quality of the nominations received, the fierce competition that nominees face, and the growing interest from the community over the years.

Join the NSTF membership and pioneering partners/sponsors in applauding the 2017/2018 NSTF-South32 Awards finalists. These comprise individuals, teams and organisations, as applicable, who have made an outstanding contribution to SET and innovation in South Africa under the categories below:

Text in italics at the end of the citation of the nominee indicates that a nominee has been nominated under more than one category
Listed alphabetical according to surname of nominee or name of team/organisation under each category

Lifetime Award (by an individual over a lifetime – 15 years or more)	Bradley, Prof John – Honorary Professor, Department (Dept) of Education, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) Harvey, Prof Brian – Professor, Division of Pharmacology, Programme Leader: Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, North-West University; Programme Leader: South African Medical Research Council Unit on Risk and Resilience, University of Cape Town Maaza, Prof Malik – Senior Scientist: National Research Foundation (NRF) Nanosciences LABS and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Africa Chair, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa and also in the NSTF-GreenMatter category and the Special Annual Theme Award Owen-Smith, Prof Norman – Emeritus Research Professor, School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, Wits Pityana, Prof Sisa – Principal Researcher, National Laser Centre, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and also in the Engineering Research Capacity Development category Rubidge, Prof Bruce – Director, Dept of Science and Technology-NRF Centre of Excellence in Palaeosciences, Wits Stacey, Prof TR (Dick) – Professor Emeritus, School of Mining, Wits and also in the Engineering Research Capacity Development category Wall, Prof Kevin – Part-time Extraordinary Professor, Dept of Construction Economics, University of Pretoria (UP), retired as CSIR Built Environment Fellow and also in the NSTF-Water Research Commission category Xia, Prof Xiaohua – Professor in the Dept of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, UP and also in the Special Annual Theme Award category
TW Kambule-NSTF Awards: Researcher (contribution to research and its outputs over a period of up to 15 years as a researcher, predominantly in South Africa)	Fuller, Prof Andrea – Professor: School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits); Director: Brain Function Research Group, Wits; Extraordinary Lecturer, Department (Dept) of Paraclinical Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, University of Pretoria (UP) Hui, Prof Cang – Professor and Dept of Science and Technology (DST)/National Research Foundation (NRF) South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARCHi) Chair: Tier 1: Dept of Mathematical Sciences, University of Stellenbosch (SU); Research Chair: African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS); Core Team Member: DST/ NRF Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology, SU Lall, Prof Namrita – Professor and DST/NRF SARChI Chair: Plant Health Products from Indigenous Knowledge Systems, UP Loots, Prof du Toit – Research Director: Human Metabolomics, North-West University (NWU) Malan, Prof Leoné – Professor in Neurophysiology, Hypertension in Africa Research Team, NWU Matsha, Prof Tandi – Professor and Head, Dept of Biomedical Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology Mellado, Prof Bruce – Professor, School of Physics, Faculty of Science, Wits and also in the Corporate Innovation category Ndwandwe, Prof Muzi Osman – Executive Director, Richards Bay Campus, University of Zululand Nyembwe, Dr Kasongo – Senior Lecturer, formerly Head (2004-2016), Dept of Metallurgy, University of Johannesburg Pretorius, Prof Etheresia (Resia) – Professor and Head, Dept of Physiological Sciences; and Director, Applied Morphology Research Centre, Dept of Physiology, SU
TW Kambule-NSTF Awards: Emerging researcher (contribution to research and its outputs over a period of up to 6 years in research, predominantly in South Africa)	Becker, Dr Thorsten – Senior Lecturer, Department (Dept) of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University; and Visiting Lecturer, Dept of Mechanical Engineering, University of Cape Town (UCT) Bezuidenhout, Prof Daniela – Associate Professor, Inorganic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) Collinson, Mrs Wendy – Wildlife and Roads Project Executant, Endangered Wildlife Trust Fosso-Kankeu, Prof Elvis – Associate Professor, School of Chemical and Minerals Engineering, University of the North-West and also in the NSTF–Water Research Commission category Manzi, Dr Musa – Senior Researcher and Director, Seismic Research Centre, School of Geosciences, Wits Marakalala, Dr Mohlopheni – Senior Lecture: Division of Immunology, UCT Mpofu, Prof Khumbulani – Professor, Gibela Research Chair in Manufacturing and Skills Development, Tshwane University of Technology and also in the Engineering Research Capacity Development category Musyoka, Dr Nicholas – Senior Researcher in energy materials research, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Yacoob, Dr Sahal – Senior Lecturer, Dept of Physics, UCT
Management Award (contribution through management and related SET and innovation activities over the last 5-10 years)	Jandrell, Prof Ian – Personal Professor, School of Electrical and Information Engineering; and Executive Dean, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment; and Joint leader, High Voltage and the Lightning/Electromagnetic Compatibility Research Group, Wits and also in the Engineering Research Capacity Development category Motaung, Prof Keolebogile – Assistant Dean: Postgraduate Studies, Research, Innovation and Engagement, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology; and Founder: Global Health Biotech (Pty) Ltd and also in the Corporate Innovation category Tollman, Prof Stephen – Research Professor and Head: Division of Health and Population, Faculty of Health Sciences; and Director: SA Medical Research Council/University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) Rural Health and Health Transitions Research Unit; and Principal Scientist: International Network for the Demographic Evaluation of Populations and their Health, Ghana
Engineering Research Capacity Development Awards (contribution by an individual over the last 5 to 10 years – Eskom sponsors two awards one for a male and one for a female for contributions in Engineering)	Booysen, Mr Gerrie Jacobus – Director, Centre for Rapid Prototyping Manufacturing, Central University of Technology and also in the Corporate Innovation category De Koning, Prof Charles – Professor of Organic Chemistry and Assistant Dean, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) Diale, Prof Mmantsae – Associate Professor, Department (Dept) of Physics, University of Pretoria Jandrell, Prof Ian – Personal Professor, School of Electrical and Information Engineering; and Executive Dean, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment; and Joint leader of the High Voltage and the Lightning/Electromagnetic Compatibility Research Group, Wits and also in the Management and related activities category Marx, Prof Sanette – Associate Professor, School of Chemical and Minerals Engineering; and National Research Foundation Research Chair in Biofuels and Other Clean Alternative Fuels; and Centre of Excellence in Carbon-based Fuels, North-West University Mpofu, Prof Khumbulani – Professor, Gibela Research Chair in Manufacturing and Skills Development, Tshwane University of Technology and also in the Emerging Researcher category Petrik, Prof Leslie – Professor, Dept of Chemistry, University of the Western Cape and also in the NSTF-Water Research Commission and NSTF-GreenMatter award categories Pityana, Prof Sisa – Principal Researcher, National Laser Centre, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and also in the Lifetime category Stacey, Prof T Richard (Dick) – Professor Emeritus, School of Mining, Wits and also in the Lifetime category
NSTF-GreenMatter Award: Towards achieving biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability and a greener economy (contribution by an individual or an organisation over the last 5 to 10 years) sponsored by GreenMatter	Endangered Wildlife Trust, contribution to the Groen Sebenza Initiative – Head of Resource Development: Ms Alison Janicke Maaza, Prof Malik – Senior Scientist: National Research Foundation Nanosciences LABS and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Africa Chair, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa and also in the Lifetime and the Special Annual Theme categories Petrik, Prof Leslie – Professor, Department (Dept) of Chemistry, University of the Western Cape and also in the NSTF-Water Research Commission and also in the Engineering Research Capacity Development categories Van Wilgen, Prof Brian – Professor, Centre for Invasion Biology, Dept of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University Winkler, Prof Harald – Professor and Director, Energy Research Centre, University of Cape Town and also in the Special Annual Theme category
NSTF-Water Research Commission (WRC) Award: Sustainable water management, knowledge generation and solutions (by an individual or an organisation to be awarded in recognition of demonstrated leadership and impact over the last 5 to 10 years) sponsored by the WRC	Fosso-Kankeu, Prof Elvis – Associate Professor, School of Chemical and Minerals Engineering, North-West University and also in the Emerging Researcher category Msagati, Prof Titus – Professor, Research Unit of Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability, College of Science, University of South Africa Petrik Prof Leslie – Professor, Department (Dept) of Chemistry, University of the Western Cape and also in the NSTF-GreenMatter and also in the Engineering Research Capacity Development categories Wall, Prof Kevin – Part-time Extraordinary Professor, Dept of Construction Economics, University of Pretoria; retired as Built Environment Fellow, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and also in the Lifetime category
Data for Research Award: For advancing the availability, management and use of data for research (by an individual or an organisation)	Health Information Systems Program, South Africa: National Program Managers and Database Managers – Director: Ms Christa van den Bergh South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS) – Coordinator and team leader: Mr Benjamin Roberts, Human Sciences Research Council
Innovation Awards – Corporate organisation: For innovations and their research and/or development (by a team or an individual over the last 5 to 10 years)	Booysen, Mr Gerrie Jacobus – Director, Centre for Rapid Prototyping Manufacturing, Central University of Technology and also in the Engineering Capacity Development category Botes, Mr Willem – Research Lead, Department of Science and Technology/Grain SA Wheat Breeding Platform; and Senior Lecturer, Genetics Plant Breeding Laboratory, Genetics Department, Faculty of AgriSciences, Stellenbosch University Mellado, Prof Bruce – Professor, School of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand and also in the Researcher category Motaung, Prof Keolebogile – Assistant Dean, Postgraduate Studies, Research, Innovation and Engagement, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology; and Founder, Global Health Biotech (Pty) Ltd and also in the Management and related activities category NWU Solar Car Team – Manager: Prof Albert Helberg, North-West University Swarts, Mrs Wilma – Group Head, Marketing and Commercial Services, Lonmin Plc
Innovation Awards – Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME): for innovations and their research and/or development (by a team or an individual over the last 5 to 10 years)	CFAM Technologies (Pty) Ltd – Managing Director and Lecturer, School of Mechanical Engineering, North-West University: Mr Danie Vorster Memeza Team from Memeza Shout (Pty) Ltd – Chief Executive Officer: Ms Thulile Mthethwa SUN Magnetics (Pty) Ltd – Director and Professor, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University: Dr Coenraad Fourie
Communication for outreach and creating awareness of SET and innovation Award (by a team or individual over the last 5 years)	Manxoyi, Mr Sivuyile – Coordinator, Universe Awareness National Project; and Manager, Southern African Large Telescope Collateral Benefits Programme, South African Astronomical Observatory Marnewick, Prof Jeanine – Research Chair, Biotechnology; and Head, Oxidative Stress Research Centre, Institute of Biomedical and Microbial Biotechnology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology Medupe, Prof Thebe – Chairperson of National Astrophysics and Space Science programme Consortium, and Professor of Physics, North-West University University of Pretoria Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control (UP ISMC) – Director of UP ISMC; and Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences; and Professor, Environmental Health, School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria: Prof Christiaan (Tiaan) de Jager Wits Communication Services – Head and Team Leader: Ms Shirona Patel, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
Non-governmental organisation (NGO) Award (contribution over the last 5 to 10 years to SET including innovation, technology transfer, and education and training activities)	Midlands Sustainable Sugar Supply Collaboration (KwaZulu-Natal) – Coordinator: Mrs Janet Edmonds Southern African Association for Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (SAARMSTE) – Committee Chair and Professor of SA Numeracy, University of the Witwatersrand: Prof Hamsa Venkat The Platinum Incubator – Chief Executive Officer: Ms Sibongile Purity Shongwe, Rustenburg
Special Annual Theme Award: Towards Sustainable Energy for All (awarded according to criteria in any of the other categories but which meet this objective) For 2018, the award is made in recognition of the ‘International Decade of Sustainable Energy for All’ as declared by the United Nations	Maaza, Prof Malik – Senior Scientist, National Research Foundation Nanosciences LABS; and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Africa Chair, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa and also in the NSTF-GreenMatter and the Lifetime categories Strategic Environment Assessment Team, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Research Group Leader: Mr Paul Lochner Winkler, Prof Harald – Professor and Director of Energy Research Centre, University of Cape Town and also in the NSTF-GreenMatter category Xia, Prof Xiaohua – Professor in the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Pretoria and also in Lifetime category

Adjudication: The accreditation and selection processes for the NSTF-South32 Awards are made by an adjudication panel of independent judges. They represent six different sectors of the NSTF membership within which the NSTF operates. This adjudication panel, in conjunction with the Award partners, reviewed the nominations to select the finalists and winners each year. A panel of experts, appointed by the NSTF Executive Committee, also assists the panel by reviewing and validating the final selections.

Youth programmes: One of the features that make these awards unique is that youth outreach is an integral part of the awards. Two NSTF Youth outreach programmes are run annually in conjunction with the NSTF Awards.

The NSTF Brilliants Programme identifies and celebrates the top achievers in physical science and mathematics studying in science, engineering and medicine from the previous year’s matric examinations. It exposes these young people to the SET community. Eighteen students (a man and a woman from each province) are recognised as the future leaders and innovators of our nation.
Success is not about where you are, but who you have elevated in the process. The NSTF Share ‘n Dare Programme is an output of the NSTF-South32 Awards that profiles award winners as youth role models. Award winners share their experience in the SET field at science centres and universities across the country. They encourage the youth to take up careers in SET. Thousands of South Africans are also reached through community and campus radio station awareness talks.

The announcement of the winners will take place at the prestigious NSTF Awards gala dinner taking place on 28 June 2018 in Gauteng.

The patron of the NSTF Awards, the Minister of Science and Technology, presides over the programme. The new Minister, Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane confirmed her attendance to participate in the proceedings this year. The event is a glamorous affair attended by the cream of the crop of the SET community. It is the largest event of its kind and is open to the public. Over 600 guests attend the event. The SET community is invited to book tables for their organisations to celebrate the achievements of the nominees and finalists. Contact Ms Kgaugelo Teffo at e nquiries@nstf.co.za or call +27 (0)12 841-2632/3987.

There are two media partners of the NSTF Awards to ensure national public recognition to the winners, as well as to facilitate the communication of science to the broader public. They are:

Business Report (since 2010), distributed through The Star, Pretoria News, Cape Times, and The Mercury
Mail & Guardian (since 2011)

Both these newspapers carry supplements about the winners the day after the Awards gala dinner (Friday, 29 June 2018). Unique advertising opportunities are available for your brand. Contact Ms Wilna Eksteen at enquiries@nstf.co.za or call +27 (0)12 841-3987/2632.

Organisations are invited to join hands with the NSTF to widen the reach and impact of the NSTF-South32 Awards and youth programmes. Partnerships are available on new and existing award categories and outreach programmes. Contact Ms Wilna Eksteen at enquiries@nstf.co.za or call +27 (0)12 841-3987/2632.

Please forward this email to your colleagues, business contacts and all interested persons to promote the Who’s Who of SET and innovation in South Africa!

Last updated Friday, 1 June 2018 19:01

Nominations invited for the 2018 ORSSA Student Competition

Posted by Lynette Pieterse on Friday, 4 May 2018 14:41

As you may know, the Operations Research Society of South Africa each year awards two prestige medals to the winners of its national student competition. These medals are

The Gerhard Geldenhuys Medal for the Best Fourth Year Project, and
The Theodor Stewart Medal for the Best Master’s Thesis.

Halls of Fame, featuring past winners of these medals, may be found at http://www.orssa.org.za/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Awards.StudentCompetition.

The medals are awarded at the annual conference which this year takes place from 16 to 19 September at the CSIR International Convention Centre, in Pretoria (see the conference website at http://www.orssa.org.za/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Conf.ORSSA). Entries to the competition will be ranked by an independent Selection Committee of expert judges not affiliated with the tertiary institutions of nominees, based solely on the written project or thesis submissions, after which the top two entries in each of the underlined categories above will be designated as finalists. There will be a special finalists' competition session at the conference during which these finalists (or representatives appointed by them) will be required to present their work in order to showcase the quality of the best operational research work by students in South Africa. Should a finalist neither be able to present their work at the conference nor be able to send a representative to present their work on their behalf, such an entry will be disqualified, in which case the third ranked entry, then the fourth ranked entry and so forth will be designated as finalist, until two finalists in each category have been identified whose work can indeed be presented at the conference.

Nominations for written projects/theses in the above underlined categories are gathered by a Nomination Committee, which acts independently from the eventual Selection Committee. I have been tasked by the ORSSA President to convene the Nomination Committee for the 2018 ORSSA Annual Student Competition. Supervising Lecturers are hereby invited to submit entries for the above competition categories to Jan van Vuuren, the convenor of the Nomination Committee, at vuuren@sun.ac.za by no later than Friday May 11^th 2018. Students are not allowed to nominate their own work. Each nomination should be accompanied by a completed nomination form (see attached), and include a short statement by the supervisor in question on the degree of independence with which the student conducted the research, as well as an electronic copy of the relevant project/thesis in pdf format on which the following information should appear clearly:

The name of the student,
The name of the supervisor,
The date of submission of the project/thesis, and
The name of the University at which the project/thesis was submitted.

It is a requirement that students whose projects or theses are submitted should have qualified for graduation at their respective universities late in 2016 or early in 2017 (i.e. no earlier than May 1st 2017 and no later than April 30th 2018). The finalists will be announced on Friday June 29^th 2018 and will be required to register and submit an abstract on their submitted work online (at http://www.orssa.org.za/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Conf.SubmitAbstract) for presentation at the annual conference by July 22^nd 2018. A new set of competition rules, recently approved by the Executive Committee of the Operations Research Society of South Africa, is attached for your information.

Yours truly,

Prof Jan H van Vuuren | BSc(Hons) MSc (Stell); DPhil (Oxon) | PrSciNat FORSSA
Professor (Operasionele Navorsing) | Professor (Operations Research)

Departement Bedryfsingenieurswese | Department of Industrial Engineering

Attachments:

	AdjudicationRubric2.pdf	214.1K	4 May 18 14:41
	NominationForm.pdf	14.0K	4 May 18 14:41

Media Release: SA’s path to sustainable energy for all #SEforAll

Posted by Lynette Pieterse on Friday, 4 May 2018 12:46

SA’s path to sustainable energy for all

‘Sustainable energy for all’ can seem like a fanciful bumper sticker. Is it even possible? How does one begin to address it?

Climate change consequences have forced decision making and driven society to take on global goals to ensure the survival of earth’s inhabitants. And the goals are intertwined with one impacting on the other.

‘Affordable and clean energy’ is number 7 of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It’s the UN’s ‘International Decade of Sustainable Energy for All’ currently. There is also ‘Sustainable Energy for All’ (SEforALL), a global non-profit organisation launched by former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Need for ongoing national discussion forum
The topic and the goal are immense – whether one considers it on a global or national level. It’s transdisciplinary and cuts across industries.

There is also an emphasis on developing partnerships to tackle the challenge. At the same time, science, engineering and technology (SET) are positioned as key to finding solutions.

Consequently, the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) held a Discussion Forum on ‘Sustainable Energy for All in South Africa’. It ran from 16-17 April 2018 in Gauteng.

The NSTF provides neutral collaborative platforms where issues and sectors meet

· One of the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) functions is to hold discussion forums, bringing the private and public sector together to address important issues and engage with government policy.

· Feedback from these discussion forums is given to stakeholders.

· Recommendations are put forward to government as part of the SET community’s lobbying efforts.

NDP’s low-carbon economy
As part of the National Development Plan’s (NDP) aims to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030, a low carbon future is positioned as the only realistic option. While the NDP presents an integrated energy sector with adequate investment in infrastructure, it recognises that trade-offs must come into play.

The integrated and diversified energy sector must support economic growth through job creation, export, and R&D for competitive advantage. The focus is on environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation but this is balanced with supply security, safety, affordability, and access. These remain relevant in today’s context. While historically policies have focused on minerals and energy, renewable energy is now an integral part of SA’s energy mix.

Policy context
South Africa is a signatory to the Paris (COP21) Agreement 2016 – which aims to reduce global warming through each country’s actions – explains Dr Rebecca Maserumule, Chief Director: Hydrogen and Energy at the National Department of Science and Technology (DST). In her presentation, she notes that South Africa’s guiding frameworks include:

· The NDP with its focus on investments in energy infrastructure, affordable tariffs for needy households, and diversifying energy resources and supply options.

· The National Climate Change Response Strategy for long-term mitigation scenarios.

· The Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) with its focus on re-industrialisation, support for local beneficiation, and local manufacturing.

· The National Energy Act and universal access to modern forms of energy services, energy security through guaranteed supply, optimal use of economically-viable energy resources, and addressing constraints on the renewable industry. This includes the Integrated Energy Plan (IEP) and the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). The latter aims for 42% of electricity generation from renewable energy sources by 2030.

Research focus areas include clean coal technologies, nuclear energy, renewable energy (eg solar, biofuels, and wind), energy efficiency and energy demand management, and hydrogen and fuel cells research. In most cases, says Dr Maserumule, the research has been in place for over a decade through partnerships with key research institutions.

Systems around sustainable energy
One of the ways to understand sustainable energy is to look at its impacts in various areas. Prof Sanette Marx, DST/National Research Foundation Research (NRF) Chair in Biofuels at North West University, considers three areas: environmental impact, economic impact, and social impact. We can consider something sustainable when it’s equitable, viable, and socially and environmentally acceptable.

Broader definition of energy poverty
Prof Roula Inglesi-Lotz, Associate Professor from the University of Pretoria, questions whether energy poverty is only lack of access? Energy poverty impacts not only on lighting – consider heating, cooking, and communications. Access to the latter has a knock-on effect because it affects knowledge transfer such as with internet access.

She presents the following definition: “…the absence of sufficient choice in accessing adequate, affordable, reliable, high-quality, safe and environmentally benign energy services to support economic and human development” (Reddy, 2000). She notes that the definition acknowledges the absence of choice and the role of affordable and adequate technology.

Renewable energy in waste
SA continues to innovate in the renewable energy space. Take the work done by IDEAS – the Institute for the Development of Energy for African Sustainability – at UNISA.

Using a transdisciplinary approach, the research focuses on environmentally-responsible chemical conversion technologies, with particular emphasis on sustainable and flexible small-scale solutions and using surplus and underused resources (such as municipal waste and sewerage). This is waste as a resource, not a health hazard.

Clean energy in organic waste
Consider a rural family who cooks on a two-plate stove for 2 hours a day (at simmer) and heats up 40 litres/day water to 50⁰C. One cow, with the family’s human waste, could supply this energy.

Prof Diane Hildebrandt, Director of IDEAS, explains that they have developed small-scale anaerobic biodigesters. These are basically large double-walled bags where you feed in organic waste and slurry comes out on the other end. The slurry overflow has no smell and can be used as a fertiliser. The biodigesters produce biogas while removing pathogens from waste (with consequent reduced health risks). IDEAS is developing a business case to show employment benefits, as well as cost reduction for immediate users and the municipality.

Developing clean coal technologies
Coal is not environmentally acceptable as such, but we can make it so through clean coal technologies, says Prof Sanette Marx. One of her research areas is hydrothermal liquefaction – a method to produce biochar for creating cleaner coal. The first patent and pilot plant occurred in 2016/17.

Prof Rosemary Falcon, currently a Director of the Fossil Fuel Foundation, was the SARChI (South African Research) Chair in Clean Coal Technology at Wits University until she retired last year. She and Dr Samson Bada are part of the DST-NRF SARChI Clean Coal Technology Research group. Part of this is the High Efficiency and Low Emissions (HELE) Programme. It looks at options for environmentally-responsible use of coal.

About coal

· SA is the 7th largest producer of coal in the world and the 7th largest exporter.

· Coal accounts for the highest foreign exchange earnings in SA since 2011.

· It’s the largest mining income earner, beating gold, platinum and diamonds.

· There are over 255 000 direct employees in coal-related industries. It also supports most major towns in Mpumalanga, Limpopo and some in KZN.

(DST-NRF SARChI Clean Coal Technology Research group)

What about shale gas?
Over the past few years, there has been a lot of debate around drilling for shale gas and its environmental impact. Research from the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Integrated Mineral and Energy Resource Analysis (CIMERA), University of Johannesburg, looks at ‘Questioning the existence of an economic producible shale gas resource in the southern Main Karoo Basin based on results of the CIMERA-Karin drilling project’.

One of the aims was to establish the maturity and shale gas potential by direct measurements of gas content. Prof Nicolas Beukes explains that nothing like this had been done before. Everything previously had been speculation including shale gas estimates.

After the CIMERA-KARIN Drilling Project with the first true gas measurements, very little to no gas was detected. The conclusion is that shale gas potential looks to be much lower than initially estimated. There are some provisos, such as the project not specifically targeting ‘sweet spots’.

Prof Beukes explains that we need to do the science first. We need to answer the question of whether South Africa actually has an economically viable shale gas resource. This will avoid unnecessary environmental concerns and legal battles.

Models for SA’s energy mix?
The CSIR Energy Centre has been developing models for SA’s energy mix. Currently, energy is coal dominated with end use being 25% transport, 25% electricity and 50% heating and cooling.

CSIR’s Mr Jarrad Wright explains that globally there have been significant cost reductions in renewable energy. Solar PV technology and wind technology, for example, have now become cost competitive. Focusing on electricity, Wright showed that – whether there is a high or low demand forecast for South Africa – there is a gap. This needs to be filled in the least-cost manner and with a reliable and flexible energy supply.

Three scenarios were presented:

· The Draft IRP 2016 Base Case sees the energy mix as ⅓ coal, ⅓ nuclear, and ⅓ renewable energy.

· The Draft IRP 2016 Carbon Budget Case sees nuclear energy take a 40% share by 2050.

· The Least Cost Case is largely based on wind and solar PV complemented by flexibility (including existing coal, new gas, hydro and concentrated solar power). This case deploys considerable solar PV and wind – and flexibility – with no new investments in coal or nuclear capacity. The scenario includes a managed system of energy supply.

Speakers that addressed the forum can be contacted through the spokesperson, Ms Jansie Niehaus.

Video clips with the full presentations and discussion can be found on the NSTF web site.

About the NSTF

The NSTF Awards are unique in SA, recognising the outstanding contributions of individuals and groups to SET and innovation.

The science bursaries page http://www.nstf.org.za/bursary/ provides information on bursaries and bursary providers for science, engineering and related studies.

For more information

www.nstf.org.za
E-mail: enquiries@nstf.co.za
Tel: +27 12 841 3987
Fax: 27 12 841 3025

Non Profit Company Registration Number: 2007/029165/08
NPO Registration Number: 92042
Donor tax exemption for all donations to the NSTF

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