Science and Technology Are Extensions of Social Relations, Says Minister Nzimande at G20 Roundtable

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Science and know-how must be understood as extensions of social relations, says the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, emphasising that they aren’t inherently impartial and should adhere to the very best ethical and moral requirements.

The Minister was talking at the Group of 20 (G20) Chief Science Advisors’ (CSAR) Roundtable, hosted by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation’s (DSTI) National Advisory Council on Innovation on Sunday, 22 September 2025.

“After the attainment of democracy in our nation, the preoccupation of the democratic state was the reconstruction of our society and extra particularly, the constructing of a society that can be free of the racial, gender, class and spatial injustices of our previous.

“For us, this was not merely a technocratic project. We were also guided by the understanding that the persistence of the legacies of apartheid and colonialism in the democratic era was directly connected to the fact that the apartheid government used science to justify or even enable the oppression of the black majority.”

He said that the world is witnessing a genocide in Gaza, which is being facilitated by applied sciences like synthetic intelligence.

“It is for that reason that we regularly make the purpose that science or know-how will not be inherently impartial or democratic and that they should be understood as extensions of social relations.

“Therefore, science advice must not just be measured by whether it adheres to the rigour of scientific methodology, but also as to whether scientific advice adheres to the highest moral and ethical standards.”
Nzimande additionally used the event to affirm South Africa’s dedication to science-driven public coverage.
“In addition to developing coherent science policies and establishing science policy advisory bodies, such as the National Advisory Council on Innovation, as the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, we also realise that if the citizens are to value science and scientific advice, governments must lead in embracing science and, in particular, evidence-based policy making.”

He said that the division not too long ago adopted a brand new 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.”

G20 CSAR: Focus on Equity-Based STI

The G20 CSAR was first convened throughout India’s G20 Presidency in 2023, the place a definite position for its existence was recognized in relation to G20 STI (science, know-how and innovation) coverage recommendation and its relevance for nationwide and worldwide decision-making processes.

The CSAR is an integral half of the G20 STI observe, and this yr focuses on equity-based STI for inclusive human improvement and world sustainability.

As half of the continuation of the DSTI’s G20 programme, the Minister is collaborating within the assembly of the Intergovernmental Council of the Management of Social Transformations Forum (MOST) and the MOST Forum at the CSIR International Convention Centre at the moment.

The MOST Forum is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s world platform for solutions-oriented debate at the intersection of science, coverage, and social transformation.
Nzimande will chair each conferences in his capability as the present President of the Intergovernmental Council of the MOST Programme.

The DSTI’s G20 programme will culminate within the G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial Meeting on Tuesday, 23 September 2025, in Pretoria, at which the Tshwane Declaration, also called the G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial Declaration, can be adopted.

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