Department of Science,Technology and Innovation SA

30/09/2026

Young scientists take centre stage at the 2026 Eskom Expo Finals

South Africa’s brightest young scientific minds are heading to Johannesburg for the 46th Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair.

Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina, will address the 316 finalists as they showcase their research across science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation, competing for R9 million in prizes and bursaries, alongside further opportunities.

The finalists will also be joined by 24 international participants from 11 countries, bringing together young innovators from across South Africa and the world.

Dr Gina will also present the 2026 National Mentor Award, recognising the contribution of those supporting and nurturing the next generation of scientists.

Programme snapshot:

Venue: Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre, Boksburg
Date: Thursday, 1 October 2026
Public exhibition: 15:00–17:00
Special Awards Ceremony: 18:45–22:30

Live stream link: https://bit.ly/3VqbAKc

29/09/2026

Earlier today, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande, released the Report on Science, Technology and Innovation Funding for public comment.

The report provides an assessment of South Africa’s science, technology and innovation funding landscape, supporting informed discussion on how investment in research, development and innovation can contribute to national priorities and strengthen the country’s STI system.

The report is now open for public comment, providing stakeholders with an opportunity to engage with its findings and contribute to the discussion on the future of STI funding in South Africa:
https://bit.ly/4hjpt5s

29/09/2026

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande released the Working Group on Science, Technology and Innovation
Funding Report. See the full report.

https://bit.ly/3TsSuma

29/09/2026

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzi...

29/09/2026

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande, will release the highly anticipated Report of the Ministerial Working Group on Science, Technology and Innovation Funding.

Stream Here:

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzi...

29/09/2026

National Assembly:

Briefing by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande on the Ministerial Working Group on Science, Technology and Innovation Funding Report.

Zoom Virtual Platform:

(National Assembly), [Briefing by theMinister of ST&I on the: ...

28/09/2026

Registrations are now open for Science Forum South Africa 2026.

Under the theme “Igniting Conversations about Science – From Research to Impact”, the Forum will bring together scientists, researchers, policymakers, industry, students and civil society to engage on the role of science, technology and innovation in addressing societal challenges and turning knowledge into meaningful impact.

From financing science and advancing innovation and entrepreneurship to emerging technologies, science diplomacy and the science-society nexus, SFSA 2026 will create space for conversations that connect research with real-world priorities.

2–4 December 2026 | CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria

Register here: https://www.sfsa.co.za/registration/

CSIR

28/09/2026

Minister Nzimande to release Report on Science, Technology and Innovation Funding for public comment.

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande, will on Tuesday, 29 September 2026 release the Report of the Ministerial Working Group on Science, Technology and Innovation Funding for public comment.

The report examines the implications of the withdrawal of United States funding from key collaborative research and development programmes in South Africa and considers measures to strengthen the long-term sustainability and resilience of the country’s National System of Innovation.

The Working Group’s recommendations address the risks associated with dependence on external funding and the need to strengthen domestic public and private investment in research and development. This forms part of South Africa’s broader efforts to increase gross expenditure on research and development towards the national target of 1.5% of GDP.
The release follows the report’s consideration by Cabinet, which approved its release for public comment.

Media briefing

29 September 2026 | 13:00–14:00

Ronnie Mamoepa Media Centre, Tshedimosetso House, Pretoria

Members of the media will have an opportunity to engage the Minister on the report’s findings and recommendations.

28/09/2026

Minister Nzimande to release Report on Science, Technology and Innovation Funding for public comment.

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande, will on Tuesday, 29 September 2026 release the Report of the Ministerial Working Group on Science, Technology and Innovation Funding for public comment.

The report examines the implications of the withdrawal of United States funding from key collaborative research and development programmes in South Africa and considers measures to strengthen the long-term sustainability and resilience of the country’s National System of Innovation.

The Working Group’s recommendations address the risks associated with dependence on external funding and the need to strengthen domestic public and private investment in research and development. This forms part of South Africa’s broader efforts to increase gross expenditure on research and development towards the national target of 1.5% of GDP.
The release follows the report’s consideration by Cabinet, which approved its release for public comment.

Members of the media will have an opportunity to engage the Minister on the report’s findings and recommendations.

Media Enquiries: Mr Veli Mbele (Media Liaison Officer and Spokesperson to the Minister)

Mobile: 064 615 0644
Email: [email protected]

25/09/2026

MINISTER BLADE NZIMANDE TO RELEASE THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED REPORT OF THE MINISTERIAL WORKING GROUP ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION FUNDING FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

TO: ALL MEDIA

DATE: 25 SEPTEMBER 2026

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande, will release the highly anticipated Report of the Ministerial Working Group on Science, Technology and Innovation Funding on Tuesday, 29 September 2026.

The release of the report follows the establishment of the Ministerial Working Group by the Minister to assess and make recommendations on the impact of the withdrawal of external research and development funding by the United States of America from major South African collaborative biomedical, health, and clinical trial programmes—particularly those focused on HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.

The core mandate of the Working Group was to:

•⁠ ⁠Assess the immediate and long-term impact of terminated United States funding on South Africa’s National System of Innovation;

•⁠ ⁠Identify systemic risks created by external funding dependencies;

•⁠ ⁠Advise on strategies to strengthen domestic public and private sector investment in research and innovation; and

•⁠ ⁠Support South Africa’s broader ambition to raise research and development expenditure from approximately 0.6% of GDP towards the national target of 1.5%.

The establishment of this Working Group forms part of ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation to strengthen the resourcing, coordination, long-term sustainability and sovereignty of South Africa’s public science system.

The media briefing will provide journalists with an opportunity to engage the Minister on the findings and recommendations of the report.

The media briefing will be preceded by an official briefing to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation, on the recommendations of the report, at 9:00 am.

Members of the media are invited to attend as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 29 September 2026

Time: 13:00 – 14:00

Venue: Ronnie Mamoepa Media Centre, Tshedimosetso House, 1035 Frances Baard Street, Hatfield, Pretoria

Media Enquiries: Mr Veli Mbele (Media Liaison Officer and Spokesperson to the Minister)

Mobile: 064 615 0644
Email: [email protected]

ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION