Science and expertise have to be understood as deeply embedded in social relations, slightly than as impartial or purely technocratic devices, says Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande.
The Minister was addressing the Group of 20 (G20) Chief Science Advisors’ Roundtable (CSAR), hosted by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation’s (DSTI) National Advisory Council on Innovation. The roundtable varieties a part of South Africa’s in depth G20 science diplomacy agenda, culminating later this month with the G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial Meeting in Pretoria.
Science within the Context of South Africa’s History
Reflecting on South Africa’s democratic journey, Nzimande highlighted the historic misuse of science beneath apartheid. “After the attainment of democracy in our country, the preoccupation of the democratic state was the reconstruction of our society and more specifically, the building of a society that will be free of the racial, gender, class and spatial injustices of our past,” he mentioned.
He careworn that apartheid systematically deployed science to legitimise racial oppression, reinforcing inequalities that persist to at the present time. Therefore, in post-apartheid South Africa, the development of science can’t be divorced from addressing social justice.
Technology, Ethics, and Global Conflict
Nzimande additionally drew consideration to international conflicts, stating that science and expertise should not at all times used for the development of humanity. “The world is witnessing a genocide in Gaza, which is being facilitated by technologies like artificial intelligence,” he remarked, including that scientific progress have to be measured not solely by methodological rigour but in addition by adherence to ethical and moral requirements.
He emphasised that governments and scientists should settle for that expertise isn’t impartial; it displays and reproduces energy relations. This, he argued, makes moral frameworks and inclusive policymaking important.
South Africa’s Commitment to Evidence-Based Policy
The Minister reaffirmed South Africa’s dedication to science-driven public coverage and evidence-based governance. The DSTI just lately adopted a guiding mantra: “Placing Science, Technology, and Innovation at the Centre of Government, Education, Society, and Industry.”
“The adoption of this mantra reflects our commitment to placing science, technology and innovation at the centre of national development with a view to creating a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable future,” Nzimande defined.
He famous that public belief in science is determined by governments embracing science brazenly and constantly. To this finish, the institution of advisory our bodies just like the National Advisory Council on Innovation performs a central function.
The G20 CSAR and Global STI Policy
The G20 Chief Science Advisors’ Roundtable was first convened beneath India’s G20 Presidency in 2023. Its mandate is to strengthen the function of science, expertise, and innovation (STI) in shaping each nationwide and worldwide coverage.
This yr’s CSAR discussions concentrate on equity-based STI for inclusive human improvement and international sustainability, aligning with South Africa’s emphasis on social transformation by science.
UNESCO MOST Forum and South Africa’s Leadership
Beyond the G20 agenda, Nzimande can be main worldwide conversations on the Intergovernmental Council of the Management of Social Transformations (MOST) Forum, hosted on the CSIR International Convention Centre. The MOST Forum is a UNESCO platform for solutions-oriented debate on the intersection of science, coverage, and social change.
Nzimande, who at present serves as President of the Intergovernmental Council of the MOST Programme, will chair each the Council assembly and the Forum. These occasions spotlight South Africa’s rising function in shaping international debates on science and social justice.
Looking Ahead: The Tshwane Declaration
The DSTI’s G20 programme will conclude with the G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial Meeting on 23 September 2025 in Pretoria. There, ministers will undertake the Tshwane Declaration (also called the G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial Declaration).
The declaration is anticipated to stipulate commitments to equity-driven innovation, international collaboration in science, and the combination of STI into sustainable improvement methods.
A Vision of Inclusive Science
In closing, Nzimande reiterated that South Africa’s imaginative and prescient is to harness science and innovation for transformation, not exclusion. By situating science inside the broader context of social justice and ethics, the nation hopes to contribute to a mannequin of world cooperation that prioritises human dignity, inclusivity, and sustainability.