The evolution of the South African science, technology and innovation system 1994–2009: An exploration

This paper is part of a longitudinal project on the evolution of the South African science, technology and innovation (STI) system since 1994, the year that marked the end of apartheid government. It was hypothesised that the overarching national (and international) commitment of the post-1994 government to reform society to become an inclusive system serving the needs of all changes would impact on four of the main pillars of the STI system, viz. national objectives, funding of the system, the human resource composition (specifically race) and steering/control mechanisms. The research approach consisted of qualitative analyses of published information reflecting the positions and initiatives of the government department entrusted with the oversight function of STI (Department of S&T). The analyses showed, firstly, that the core STI missions were changed substantially over time. Secondly, the funding of the system relative to GDP in effect stalled while new policies were put in place, but started rising moderately since 2001. Thirdly, extensive transformation has been brought about on the human resource dimension in terms of race equity, especially at management and executive level. Thirdly, the South African government has over the past decade introduced a range of new steering mechanisms and significantly tightened its control on public research institutions. The paper concludes by identifying four perspectives on the future of the STI system, viz. firstly STI for development of the disadvantaged components of society, secondly insistence on implementation time frames and M&E schedules for new initiatives, thirdly the government´s commitment to grow the STI budget might be restrained, and fourthly increasing government control over publicly financed STI. In conclusion it was noted that the specific contents of these perspectives would be determined by the future direction of the country.