Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Chairperson of the CSIR Board, Mr Vuyani Jarana,
CEO of the CSIR, Dr Thulani Dlamini,
Representatives of scientific and academic institutions,
Guests,
Ladies and gentlemen, 

It is a pleasure to be here as the CSIR marks 80 years of innovation, advancement and progress. 

Over many decades, the CSIR has been at the forefront of developing groundbreaking technologies and solutions that have profoundly shaped our country’s scientific and industrial progress. 

With the advent of democracy in 1994, the CSIR embarked on a policy trajectory aligned with the values of our Constitution. 

Since then, this remarkable public science institution has continued to achieve significant technological innovations. 

Many do not know that the CSIR was the driving force behind the development of the world’s first lithium batteries that are today used in laptops, mobile phones and electric cars. 

Twenty years ago, the CSIR also developed the world’s first digital laser, a disruptive technology holding great promise for use in a range of applications such as communications and medicine. 

The CSIR has been agile and innovative in responding to pressing issues affecting our economy and impacting on our country’s development. 

The CSIR developed the biometric technological platforms that Government used to introduce the current smart ID Card system, enabling us to reduce identity fraud and corruption. 

The CSIR’s ongoing collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs is a clear example of the important role science and technology research can play in building a capable, ethical and developmental State. 

At the height of the COVID-19 crisis, the CSIR brought together its network of engineers to produce 18,000 life-saving ventilators for patient care in record time. 

The CSIR also developed the impact modelling technology platform, C-MORE, which helped us to do complex, integrative tracking of the impact of the pandemic, which in turn helped Government to direct its policy responses. 

The CSIR has supported and incubated many SMMEs working on new technology and other innovations, many of which have gone on to become commercial products that are fueling our economy. 

Today, I received a personal tour of the world-class facilities on this campus. 

I got to see the vast array of work being done across the CSIR’s clusters, in areas such as advanced agriculture and food, chemicals, health, mining, manufacturing, defence, digital transformation, human settlements and the built environment. 

I was particularly interested in the work being done around energy, water and climate change. 

As a signatory to the Paris Agreement, South Africa is committed to contribute its fair share to the global effort to reduce emissions, as well as to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change. 

One of the longstanding issues in the global climate negotiations is that developed economies must honour their obligations to provide financial support and technology and skills transfer to developing economies to enable them to respond to climate change. 

The innovative work taking place at the CSIR inspires confidence; even as we look to our partners in developing economies for climate change adaptation and mitigation support, we are pioneering our own solutions at home. 

The work being done in the digital space, including broadband technology innovations in remote areas, is most impressive. 

Other important work includes the development of technologies to help reduce the cost and turnaround time of critical repairs of Eskom steam turbines, thereby improving the reliability of our national power system. 

Another is the work being done in precision agriculture, that seek to unlock the power of satellite imagery to optimise crop yields for the benefit of local farmers. 

I was able to see the recently launched Transport Safety lab that will deploy cutting-edge technology to help keep people safe on our roads. 

The CSIR is supporting small businesses to develop new products in the bio-manufacturing space. The work being done to support cannabis beneficiation is extremely encouraging. 

Today, I was also briefed on the various contributions made by the CSIR’s contribution to strengthening e-government capabilities in support of the National Health Insurance. 

All of this impressive work is firmly aligned to Government’s priorities of driving inclusive growth and job creation; reducing poverty and the high cost of living; and building a capable, ethical and developmental state. 

As much as the innovation being pioneered at the CSIR is helping us achieve our developmental and economic goals, we also want to see more CSIR patent filings. 

The World Intellectual Property Organisation ranks our country the highest in Africa in terms of patent registration, but globally we aren’t in the top 20 or even 30. 

An economy that wants to grow must be at the forefront of innovation, not just locally but globally. 

The CSIR must be at the forefront of developing and patenting solutions that contribute to the upliftment of humankind.

The CSIR is a South African success story. 

The capacity that the CSIR possesses is absolutely critical to building state capacity throughout the country. 

I call on Minister Nzimande and the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation to find innovative and sustainable ways to scale the work of the CSIR in our provinces and regions. 

We congratulate the CSIR as it celebrates its 80 years. 

As the CSIR continues to produce work that addresses some of our country’s most urgent challenges and supports the industrialisation of our economy, it can be assured of the support of Government and of all South Africans. 

I thank you.

As part of his delegated responsibility to foster social cohesion and champion nation building initiatives across South Africa, Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile will on Thursday, 10 April 2025, lead the 32nd Commemoration of the late liberation struggle icon and freedom fighter, Chris Thembisile Hani, taking place at the Chris Hani Memorial Site, Sabalele Village, Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape Province.

The commemoration marks 32 years since the passing of Chris Hani, a giant of the liberation struggle and one of South Africa’s most revered revolutionary leaders. Under the theme “Remembering Our Hero, Chris Hani,” the commemorative event will sound a call to the nation to reflect on his life, ideals as well as his unwavering commitment to justice, non-racialism and economic freedom.

This year’s commemoration takes place during Freedom Month, underlining the enduring relevance of Chris Hani’s vision for a democratic, inclusive and socially just South Africa. As the country remembers his assassination on 10 April 1993, just a year before South Africa’s first democratic elections, Government also honours his lifelong fight for a nation where all people enjoy equal rights and dignity.

Chris Hani’s legacy stands as a beacon of courage, selflessness, and service to the people. “A fearless soldier, a servant of the masses, and an intellectual strategist of the liberation movement, Chris Hani sacrificed comfort and safety in pursuit of justice and the dismantling of apartheid. His memory therefore reminds us of the unfinished task of building an economically liberated South Africa,” said Deputy President Mashatile.

The commemoration will feature a walkabout at the Chris Hani Library and Museum, tributes from Government, elected political party representatives and community leaders as well as cultural performances to honour his legacy.

Details of the commemoration are as follows:

Date: Thursday, 10 April 2025
Time: 10h00 (Gates open at 08h00 for media and public)
Venue: Chris Hani Memorial Site, Sabalele Village, Cofimvaba, Eastern Cape Province

Media wishing to cover the event must please send their RSVPs to Mthuthuzeli Nqumba (DSAC) on 066 302 5397 or mthuthuzelin@dsac.gov.za or Yonela Dekeda (ECOTP) on 083 378 0968 or yonela.dekeda@ecotp.gov.za or Bongani Majola (The Presidency) on 082 339 1993 or bonganim@presidency.gov.za 

Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President on 066 195 8840.

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile has today, 08 April 2025, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, convened a meeting of the Water Task Team, comprised of the Ministers responsible for the Departments of Water and Sanitation, COGTA, Finance, Human Settlements, Public Works and Infrastructure, Agriculture, Police, Electricity as well as Land Reform and Rural Development.

The meeting took place following a successful Water and Sanitation two-day Indaba hosted by the Department of Water and Sanitation, which received inputs from President Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President Mashatile, Ministers as well as representatives of Water Boards, Management Agencies, SALGA, Traditional Leaders, Civil Society and sector experts.

Today’s meeting received presentations from the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Human Settlements and Infrastructure South Africa. 

Issues discussed included measures and interventions by the departments to work towards resolving the challenges of water and reticulation. In particular, the meeting noted issues such as the non-payment for water services, lack of effective reticulation, declining infrastructure and capacity challenges at the local government level.

The meeting then agreed to intervene within the prescripts of existing legislation, also directing that all budgetary allocations for water in various departments be pooled together to ensure effectiveness. An update was also received on ongoing work under the Strategic Integrated Projects initiative by Government to create water retention facilities as well as enhancement of water treatment plants.

The Water Task Team also resolved after discussion to accelerate the formalisation of informal settlements, which will assist with the provision of services to residents. This applies to 4 076 illegal settlements who use illegal means to connect to water. Furthermore, it was agreed that all incomplete water projects must be completed and to that effect, the meeting requested departments to review their turn-around times on water projects. 

The meeting then proposed a structured mechanism for effective coordination in the form of the following workstreams:

Workstream 1 - Responses to water supply disruptions in prioritised areas,

Workstream 2 - National and Municipal water institutional reforms, 

Workstream 3 - Accelerating private investment in municipal water services, (through the Partnership Office)

Workstream 4 - Improving municipal sanitation services and management of wastewater, 

Workstream 5 - Improving turn-around time in regulation and funding, 

Workstream 6 - Institutional reforms (led by COGTA, SALGA, DWS & Human Settlements, and  

Workstream 7 – Communication. 

Deputy President Mashatile commended the work and interventions of the various departments in the area of water supply and preservation.

Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President on 066 195 8840.

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile has today, 08 April 2025, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, convened a meeting of the Water Task Team, comprised of the Ministers responsible for the Departments of Water and Sanitation, COGTA, Finance, Human Settlements, Public Works and Infrastructure, Agriculture, Police, Electricity as well as Land Reform and Rural Development.

The meeting took place following a successful Water and Sanitation two-day Indaba hosted by the Department of Water and Sanitation, which received inputs from President Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President Mashatile, Ministers as well as Representatives of Water Boards, Management Agencies, SALGA, Traditional Leaders, Civil Society and sector experts.

Today’s meeting received presentations from the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Human Settlements and Infrastructure South Africa. 

Issues discussed included measures and interventions by the departments to work towards resolving the challenges of water and reticulation. In particular, the meeting noted issues such as the non-payment for water services, lack of effective reticulation, declining infrastructure and capacity challenges at the local government level.

The meeting then agreed to intervene within the prescripts of existing legislation, also directing that all budgetary allocations for water in various departments be pooled together to ensure effectiveness. An update was also received on ongoing work under the Strategic Integrated Projects initiative by Government to create water retention facilities as well as enhancement of water treatment plants.

The Water Task Team also resolved after discussion to accelerate the formalisation of informal settlements, which will assist with the provision of services to residents. This applies to 4 076 illegal settlements who use illegal means to connect to water. Furthermore, it was agreed that all incomplete water projects must be completed and to that effect, the meeting requested departments to review their turn-around times on water projects. 

The meeting then proposed a structured mechanism for effective coordination in the form of the following workstreams:

Workstream 1 - Responses to water supply disruptions in prioritised areas,

Workstream 2 - National and Municipal water institutional reforms, 

Workstream 3 - Accelerating private investment in municipal water services, (through the Partnership Office)

Workstream 4 - Improving municipal sanitation services and management of wastewater, 

Workstream 5 - Improving turn-around time in regulation and funding, 

Workstream 6 - Institutional reforms (led by COGTA, SALGA, DWS & Human Settlements, and  

Workstream 7 – Communication. 

Deputy President Mashatile commended the work and interventions of the various departments in the area of water supply and preservation.

Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President on 066 195 8840

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria