DSI BUDGET
DSI BUDGET OVERVIEW 1. STRATEGIC OVERVIEW As South African embarks on rebuilding and reconstructing following the devastation of the COVIID19 pandemic, as well as the KwaZulu-Natal floods, science, technology and innovation (STI), has been recognised as a key pillar of this mammoth endeavour. The 2022/23 budget is tabled at a time, when the country and the world is facing huge economic pressures. Innovation aimed at development and increasing competitiveness is no longer a choice but a priority if the local economy is to survive to harsh global economic environment. The Department of Science and Innovation has received approval on it Decadal Plan which will guide the implementation of the new White Paper. The Decadal Plan is premised on advancing a holistic approach to innovation in South Africa. Support for the country’s Economic Recovery Programme initiatives, Climate Change, the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and Transformation of the National System of Innovation will be key among the 2022/23 initiatives. The NSI will build on progress made in the previous financial year in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, by driving the local vaccine manufacturing endeavour not for local consumption but for the African Continent as a whole. The DSI's total budget R9,1 billion for 2022/23 up from R8,9 billion in 2020/21. The majority of the Department's budget is spent on transfers to entities with the National Research Foundation receiving the largest share. 2. SOME KEY PRIORITIES IN 2022/23: ECONOMIC RECOVERY Through a number of its initiatives the DSI support this area of work through its contribution to ensuring energy security. In February the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation launched the Hydrogen South Africa Roadmap, the document will assist the country to create new sectors of growth and help to transition to a carbon neutral economy; Modernizing economic sectors like mining through supporting research and development activities continues as it not only ensures a safer work environment for miners but more importantly increases the life span of mining in South Africa. The implementation of high-tech industrialization processes using advanced manufacturing to increase economic competitiveness, remains a key priority. CLIMATE CHANGE The DSI continues to invest significantly in research and development (R&D) that builds the adaptive capacity and resilience of some economic sectors to climate change impacts and mitigates the risks to society as part of the Department's contribution to a just transition in South Africa. This is done through the implementation of the DSI-led Global Change Research Plan for South Africa and associated programmes and interventions like the Alliance for Collaboration on Climate and Earth Systems Science (ACCESS), the Southern Ocean Carbon-Climate Observatory, the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), and the Foundational Biodiversity Information Programme. The Risk and Vulnerability Science Centres (RVSCs) have been crucial in building the capabilities of rurally based universities to engage effectively in global change research that facilitates the identification and profiling of local environmental risks and vulnerabilities. Some of these centres have been able to leverage funding provided through the RVSC programme to forge strategic research partnerships. Funding support for postgraduates (bursaries) and researchers, and knowledge generation through a wide range of knowledge and innovation products are at the heart of the programme. 28
AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY The implementation of the Agricultural Bio-economy Innovation Partnership Programme (ABIPP) continues to make significant contributions on a number of fronts. The DSI is intensifying agricultural research and introducing new smart agriculture technologies in a bid ensure food security and modernizing agriculture. This also includes increasing support for R&D activities in veterinary research. Outbreaks of animal diseases impacts economic growth. The agro-processing and value chain development under ABIPP is making significant progress. WOMEN AND YOUTH The Department continues to prioritize women and young people and has mainstreamed these groups in all its economic and social development initiatives. These groups are included in the Hydrogen Society Roadmap launched earlier to ensure capacity building and economic opportunities. Young people from TVET colleges also received training at part of the projects under the HYSA roadmaps. Programmes like the Grassroots Innovation Programmes and Living Labs aimed at supporting local innovation are also women and youth centric. Other noteworthy milestones for this year includes the flagship initiatives like National Science Week (NSW), which is an annual celebration of science, engineering and technology, attracting thousands of learners and members of the public to workshops, science shows and lectures, which are held at universities, schools, science centres and public facilities countrywide continues. As do the South African Women in Science Awards, it celebrates the best of women in science, technology and innovation PROFILING THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND INNOVATION, DRIVING PARTNERSHIPS IN GOVERNMENT AND IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR The DSI’s Brand Campaign Strategy, #itspossible, will continue and be at the centre of driving awareness around the investment made in the national system of innovation for the benefit society and continues into the foreseeable future. Beyond ensuring that the citizens become aware of how science, technology and innovation improve and saves lives, it is also important to drive appreciation and adoption of locally developed technologies and innovation, and the use of research to inform evidenced based decisions in government and the private sector alike. It is anticipated that with greater awareness, partnerships will increase for economic opportunities and better coordination among government departments on the basis of the initiatives driven through the Decadal Plan. 3. EXPENDITURE FINANCING Funding is allocated to the DSI by National Treasury. For the 2022/23 financial year, the Department is allocated R9,1 billion.
Over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework period, the resources allocated to the DSI are as follows: The Department also receives official development assistance from other countries through various funding instruments. 4. FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF EXPENDITURE The DSI's total budget for the 2022/23 financial year is R9,1 billion. The chart below shows how this is divided between the Department's five main Programmes, which represent various core focus areas.
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