The new science diplomacy effort for Africa will be introduced on Friday in Pretoria by Dr. Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation.
The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) created the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA), which is sponsored by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and aims to foster scientific collaboration throughout Africa and beyond in order to leverage and link technological innovation with humanity.
According to Nzimande, the SDCfA would establish a forum to promote collaboration between the sizable diplomatic community based in Pretoria and the numerous eminent scientific and technological organizations based in the City of Tshwane.
According to Nzimande, “the project will specifically accomplish this through promoting South Africa and other African nations’ science and technology skills, which might be exploited to address global concerns.”
According to the Minister, this can be accomplished through fostering networking between the diplomatic corps in Pretoria and the top organizations in South Africa’s national innovation system, as well as by providing advice and support services to foster collaboration.
The National System of Innovation in South Africa will be highlighted by SDCfA for its capacity to collaborate with African and other international partners.
Professor Felix Dapare Dakora, President of the African Academy of Sciences, Dr. Murunwa Makwarela, Speaker of the City of Tshwane Council, Dr. Thulani Dlamini, CEO of the CSIR, Tilson Manyoni, Head of Policy at the Black Business Council, and Anthony John Phillipson, British High Commissioner to South Africa, will all speak at the event.