Science and Technology Policy in South Africa

This article provides a high-level review of the performance of the S&T system in South Africa. All the indicators suggest that, at a high level, performance has not been strong. This is despite the fact that more resources have been devoted to S&T and that there has been extensive policy experimentation. The argument advanced is that the key factor explaining this weak performance is poor provision of skilled labour. The article critically examines the recent OECD review of S&T in South Africa in this light. Finally, the article examines the proposed future direction of S&T policy in South Africa as reflected in the twenty-year plan of the Department of Science and Technology. The plan is highly ambitious, considerably expanding the scope of S&T policy and projects. While it recognises the critical importance of increasing high-level skills for innovation, it fails to give adequate recognition to the fact that this will take time. Accordingly, new projects will need to be undertaken after, and not contemporaneously with, the expansion in the supply of skills.