9 July 2025
Honourable House Chair, Honourable Minister, Honourable Deputy, Members of the STI Portfolio Committee.
Honourable Members present
Today, as we gather to deliberate on Budget Vote 35 for Science, Technology, and Innovation for 2025/26 financial year, we do so amidst the celebration of Mandela Month, a time to honor the legacy of Madiba and reflect on the transformative power of innovation and technology. This occasion reinforces our unwavering commitment to advancing South Africa’s socio-economic development through robust support for Science, Technology and Innovation, recognizing that scientific progress is vital for building an inclusive, innovative, and resilient economy. Despite the constraints imposed by the sluggish economic growth, this budget underscores our determination to harness the potential of innovation to drive national growth, aligned with the broader objectives of the National Development Plan.
Honourable House Chair, a central pillar of our STI agenda is to cultivate a culture of innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit across our societies. We recognize the importance of ensuring that marginalized and rural communities are not left behind but instead are woven into the fabric of our nation’s scientific and technological progress. To this end, we are committed to ensuring inclusive access to STI opportunities, which entails integrating science and technology into school curricula to prepare learners for the realities and demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Equipping our youth with scientific literacy and technological skills is not an option but an imperative, as it will empower them to participate actively in building the country’s future. Toward this goal, significant emphasis is being placed on developing platforms and programs that inspire and empower youth to pursue careers in STEM fields, fostering expertise, innovation, and entrepreneurship at the grassroots level. In this way house Chair, we lay the foundation for a self-sustaining innovation ecosystem rooted in our own human capital.
Innovation must serve the purpose of reducing inequalities and promoting social emancipation, and it is through deliberate strategies that we can leverage research and technological breakthroughs to uplift the most vulnerable among us.
Honourable House Chair, we are positioning South Africa as a key player in the global STI landscape by developing strategic international partnerships aimed at attracting foreign investments, fostering knowledge exchanges, and promoting our scientific prowess on the world stage. The Department strives to position South Africa as a leader in science diplomacy and in international innovation dialogues. This approach not only advances our national interests but also leverages global trends, standards, and expertise to bolster our domestic research infrastructure and our capacity to innovate at a competitive level. Despite budget constraints, we are committed to build and maintain world-class research facilities that bolster our ability to produce cutting-edge knowledge and drive innovation that is both locally relevant and globally competitive.
Honourable House Chair, we note that CSIR’s budget has been increased from R938.4 million in the 2024/25 financial year to R971.1 million in 2025/26, reflecting an increase of R32.7 million. While this is a modest rise, it signals an acknowledgment of the institution’s vital role in our national development and innovation agenda. The additional resources are expected to bolster the CSIR’s capacity to deliver on its mandate, including advancing research in key sectors such as energy, manufacturing, and environmental management which are critical sectors for realising our economic diversification and sustainability goals. Nonetheless, this increase is insufficient, given the scope and breadth of work required, especially in the context of rising global competition and the urgent need to address entrenched inequalities.
Moving forward House Chair, we must also support small and medium enterprises through targeted R&D financing and capacity-building initiatives. The current budget constraints limit the expansion of these vital programs, but innovation must be viewed as a catalyst for inclusive growth, job creation, and poverty alleviation. To mitigate financial shortcomings, we advocate for a more aggressive pursuit of public-private partnerships and international collaborations. These collaborations can unlock additional funding streams, including blended finance models, which are essential to sustain research programs and infrastructure development. We further recognize that without deliberate action to bridge socio-economic inequalities, our innovations will remain confined within select urban centres, thus perpetuating inequities rather than dismantling them. It is our responsibility to ensure that the benefits of scientific progress reach all corners of society equitably. This can be achieved through investing in education infrastructure, developing community-based innovation hubs, and support mechanisms that enable rural youth and marginalized communities to benefit from technological advancements.
In conclusion, our vision for South Africa’s STI future is clear: fostering a culture of innovation, promoting entrepreneurship, and ensuring inclusive participation across society. The modest increase in the CSIR budget, although welcome, highlights the need for prudent expenditure, strategic partnerships, and innovative funding models to bridge the shortfalls.
Honourable House Chair, we recognize that the road ahead demands resilience, commitment, and ingenuity. By aligning our resources and strategies within the framework of the Medium-Term Development Plan, and by mobilizing all societal sectors, we can realize our goal of a knowledge-driven, inclusive, and resilient South Africa that leverages STI for sustainable development and economic emancipation for all its people.
As the ANC we support this budget
Thank You!