The South Africa and Botswana delegation on the sixth session of the Bi-National Commission. (Image supply: DSTI)
South Africa and Botswana’s ministers have strengthened stronger science, expertise and innovation cooperation between the nations.
SA and its neighbour Botswana not too long ago participated within the sixth session of the SA-Botswana Bi-National Commission (BNC) the place the 2 counterparts, professor Blade Nzimande and minister David Tshere, held a bilateral engagement.
Nzimande serves as minister of SA’s Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and Tshere is the minister of communications and innovation in Botswana.
In a press release, the DSTI says the areas recognized for additional strengthening embrace advancing regional digital and technological sovereignty; strengthening cooperation amongst scientists, researchers and universities; selling African-led options to African challenges; institution of a regional analysis and innovation fund; in addition to driving a knowledge-based and innovation-driven SADC area.
For Nzimande, the engagement was to reaffirm the “enduring friendship” between SA and Botswana, in accordance with the assertion.
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“South Africa and Botswana enjoy a strong and enduring bond of friendship, forged during our respective struggles for freedom and justice,” he mentioned. “This relationship has enabled our countries to work together on key regional, continental and international issues.”
The South Africa-Botswana BNC is a strategic institutional mechanism established in August 2012 to foster political, financial and technical cooperation. The fee, which meets biennially, is co-chaired by the heads of state of each nations.
South Africa’s DSTI has reaffirmed bilateral agreements in science, expertise and innovation with companion nations China, Tunisia and Czech Republic, amongst others.
In the 2026/2027 finances vote, Nzimande said his division is concentrated on strengthening coordination and route throughout the nationwide system of innovation.