TIA celebrating women in technology innovation

TIA celebrating women in technology innovation

Women’s month provides an opportunity to pay tribute to generations of women whose struggles laid the foundation for the progress made in empowering women and advancing gender equity. In recognition of the legacy of the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956, the 9th of August was declared as National Women’s Day. As the country observes this significant month, it is befitting for the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) to join in celebrating the contribution women are making in building and transforming society. The agency supports and celebrates women in the technology innovation sector and recognises their pivotal role and contribution in developing new innovations and growing our economy.

Professor Hafizah Yousuf Chenia

TIA is an entity of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) established to promote the development and exploitation of discoveries, inventions, and innovations to improve the quality of life for all South Africans by bridging the innovation chasm between research and commercialisation. In bridging the innovation chasm, TIA is an active funder, connector, facilitator and enabler. We believe women play an important role in improving the quality of life for South Africans, and making our economy globally competitive. More and more women have been making a contribution to the economy through innovation and entrepreneurship. TIA has been deliberate in ensuring that women are an integral part of the commercialisation of innovations. Of the innovators supported and funded by TIA, 37% are women and this number keeps growing as the agency continues to engage more women who have innovations that would facilitate the translation of South Africa’s knowledge resources into sustainable, socio-economic opportunities.

Within TIA’s portfolio there are remarkable women who have risen against all odds to develop some exciting innovations. These innovations make an impact in various sectors such as health, agriculture, industrial biotechnology, indigenous knowledge systems, advanced manufacturing, energy, ICT, and natural resources.

The agriculture sector has significant potential for job creation. This includes the importance of smallholder farmers and the informal market in ensuring food security.

Dr Nomusa Dlamini developed a Rapid Diagnostic Test kit (Lateral flow kit) for quality control and testing for mycotoxins in food and feed commodities. The lateral flow kit will enable small scale and commercial farmers to conduct quality control at production sites. The product is positioned to address food safety and quality control on food and feed commodities especially at export markets. The commercialisation of the test kit will lead to localisation of manufacturing and supply of this vital tool.

South Africa is one of the largest macadamia nut producers in the world with production increasing by 4000 hectares a year. Mary Ranketse, a researcher in the TIA funded Forest Bio-economy Innovation Cluster Programme is developing an innovative genomic characterisation and resources for Macadamia nut cultivars for advanced genetic breeding. The success of this research will enable DNA fingerprinting that would provide data as a service to the local industry to enable growers and breeders to uniquely identify cultivars. This data can be used to decipher the genomic composition of macadamia cultivars and guide the breeding of a new generation of macadamia crops with improved cultivation and production traits, nut quality and resilience to biotic and abiotic stress. This is an opportunity to support the development of scarce skills specific for macadamia breeders. The technology will also contribute to job security in the sector.

Professor Hafizah Yousuf Chenia, a microbiologist at the University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN) could solve a challenge that is faced by the marine and aquaculture industries with her development of industry environmentally friendly, nontoxic and long-lasting anti-fouling, coating or paint. Marine biofouling is the undesirable accumulation of microorganisms, plants, or marine animals like diatoms, barnacles, algae or mussels on submerged man-made surfaces. Marine biofouling results in economic losses and presents a biosecurity risk, as fouled vessels carry and transfer marine pests and diseases to new ports.

The product Prof Chenia is developing is an antifouling paint that could reduce the biofouling ability of marine organisms, reduce negative economic impact, and provide a solution which will make cleaning and maintenance of submerged marine and aquaculture surfaces easier. Beyond the maritime and shipping industry, the product could be used by farmers for agricultural biocontrol application, the water treatment industry and other sectors for infection control applications.

Innovations supported by TIA also respond to social challenges, one of these is the Memeza Community Safety Alarm, developed by Thuli Mthethwa. Memeza is South Africa’s first public alarm system. The innovation is designed and built for low-income communities who do not have access to private security. Memeza is equipped with a back end that allows for valuable data and intelligence to be captured in real time; this allows for response from emergency services with a tested response of 7 to 35 minutes.

Thuli Mthethwa

The innovation is aimed at the safety of the vulnerable such as women, children, the elderly, disabled and is intended to combat the prevalence of kidnappings, human trafficking, and gender-based violence. The system is endorsed by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Commercialising Innovations is core to the mandate of TIA and contributes to enterprise development. Women owned and run start-ups are an integral part of these developments. TIA has a critical role to fulfil as an Industry Builder. Industry Builders focus on transforming an economy by supporting the development of new sectors. Technology innovation and entrepreneurship are vital for boosting economic growth and reducing social inequality.

Contact details:For more information;www.tia.org.zaTel: +27 12 472 2701Email: customerservice@tia.org.za

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