Day: February 16, 2024

Gross domestic expenditure on research and development (GERD) has increased in real terms for the first time in four years.

GERD as a percentage of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached 0.62% in 2021/22, up from 0.60% in the previous year, indicating a slight improvement in research and development (R and D) intensity.

This represents a 6.9% year-on-year increase from R25.965 billion in 2020/21 to R27.756 billion in 2021/22, in terms of 2015 prices.

This is according to the latest South African National Survey of Research and Experimental Development.

The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) conducts an annual survey for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (CeSTII) on behalf of the Department of Science and Technology.

Chief Research Specialist and Principal Investigator at the HSRC, Dr Nazeem Mustapha, observed that countries that invest in research and development (R and D) at a high intensity are more likely to lead in global competitiveness.

‘South Africa is striving to reach higher
levels of R and D intensity by increasing expenditure on R and D, which in turn can lead to new industries and boosting of existing ones, job creation, increased productivity, and sustained economic growth,’ Mustapha said.

GERD encompasses all spending on R and D on national territory in a given year and includes domestically performed research and development, which is funded from abroad but excludes funds paid abroad, such as to international agencies.

Key indicators highlight positive economic growth in South Africa for the period under review.

According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), South Africa’s GDP increased by 4.7% in 2021/22 after a 6% decline during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020/21.

‘The growth in R and D expenditure is reassuring, although this comes off a very low base. The previous year’s decline in growth represented the biggest fall in R and D expenditure in the 20 years that the HSRC has been conducting the survey. We expect the next survey’s result to provide us with a better sen
se of what the trend is,’ Mustapha added.

Data shows that R and D expenditure, funding and personnel movements’ nominal R and D expenditure rose across all five institutional sectors.

Funding

The study identified the R3.480 billion increase in business sector R and D expenditure as the main contributor to the increase in GERD.

The higher education sector increased R and D expenditure by R446 million, the government sector increased by R235 million and the not-for-profit sector increased R and D expenditure by R31 million.

The government remains the largest funder of R and D, accounting for 52.5% of total funding, followed by business (29%) and foreign sources (14.5%).

Meanwhile, foreign funding has increased significantly over the past decade, with most investments directed towards higher education and business sectors.

Personnel

R and D staff increased by 2 857 individuals (3.5% year-on-year) in 2021/22, including 1 716 researchers (a 2.8% increase).

Notably, state-owned enterprises (SOEs) increased
their R and D expenditure, with R and D personnel numbers rising in various sectors.

Enterprises in the business sector employed 917 new R and D personnel, which includes technicians as well as researchers, however shed 140 researchers.

R and D personnel increased by 1 657 in the higher education sector, 155 in the government sector, and 79 in the science councils’ sector.

The non-profit sector recorded an increase in the R and D personnel headcount of 49.

In 2021/22, 1.9 full-time equivalent researchers were employed for every 1 000 R and D workers, an increase of 0.1%.

The ratio of female researchers as a percentage of total researchers rose by 0.4 percentage points to 47%.

Key sectors

R and D activity has increased in the manufacturing and financial services sectors, which drive most R and D expenditure.

Meanwhile, medical and health sciences, along with social sciences, continue to receive the highest R and D expenditure, at 22.8% and 18.4% respectively.

The field of research with the third-highe
st R and D expenditure in South Africa is information, computer, and communication technology (13.1%), which surpasses the engineering sciences field (11.7%), while growth in social sciences is stagnant.

‘A longitudinal analysis of shifts in the proportions of researchers and technicians, as well as the overall movement of R and D personnel, is of value,’ said Dr Glenda Kruss, Executive Head of the HSRC Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (CeSTII).

She said such analysis, which is now possible with time series data covering the past two decades, can inform future investments to grow skills and capabilities for the national system of innovation. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South African Government News Agency

An intensive police awareness campaign against sexual offences-related crimes has yielded positive results with a decline in the number of sexual offences crimes registered in the country.

According to the quarterly crime statistics, reflecting on crimes that occurred between 01 October 2023 to 31 December 2023, sexual offences crimes, including rape sexual assault and contact sexual offences, registered an overall 1.7% decline during the period.

Presenting the crime stats on Friday, Police Minister, General Bheki Cele, said rape declined by 1.7% with six provinces, including Gauteng, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Northern Cape, and Western Cape, all registering a decline in this crime category.

The report also showed that more than 2 400 suspect raids led to 4 264 suspects being arrested for gender-based violence and femicide- related (GBVF) crimes, including rape and sexual assault.

A total of 112 life sentences were handed down to 89 rapists, while 64 rapists and GBVF perpetrators were each se
ntenced to 20 years and above imprisonment.

One hundred and seventy-two rapists and GBVF perpetrators were sentenced 10 to 19 years imprisonment, and 1 to 9 years imprisonment were handed down to 261 rapists and GBVF perpetrators.

Cele noted that the fight against GBVF crimes remains a priority for the men and women in blue.

More awareness programs are being conducted by the department’s social crime prevention and Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units (FCS), which translates to an increase in the reporting of these crimes.

‘What is most encouraging is that Inanda – which has always been known as the rape capital of the country – has also seen a slight reduction in the number of rape cases by registering 20 counts lower than the same period under review. This goes to show that our FCS teams are proving to be acting decisively against those who are perpetrating rape crimes,’ Cele said.

However, he said it is of great concern that the majority of rape cases were committed at the victi
ms’ residences.

Significant progress in finalisation of DNA cases

Meanwhile, the report has highlighted a significant progress in the finalisation rate of DNA cases and the eradication of the historic DNA backlog, which is currently standing at zero, from 251 000 in the 2021/2022 financial year.

Cele said the expansion of the DNA lab in Gqerberha, Eastern Cape, which was opened by President Cyril Ramaphosa in August 2023, has contributed immensely to the processing of more DNA samples in the country.

‘All these efforts have contributed positively to the SAPS fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide cases. For example, the NPA and SAPS project has led to more than 40 000 DNA forensic reports being finalised to ensure that cases of GBVF are prioritised,’ Cele said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South African Government News Agency

An intensive police awareness campaign against sexual offences-related crimes has yielded positive results with a decline in the number of sexual offences crimes registered in the country.

According to the quarterly crime statistics, reflecting on crimes that occurred between 01 October 2023 to 31 December 2023, sexual offences crimes, including rape sexual assault and contact sexual offences, registered an overall 1.7% decline during the period.

Presenting the crime stats on Friday, Police Minister, General Bheki Cele, said rape declined by 1.7% with six provinces, including Gauteng, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Northern Cape, and Western Cape, all registering a decline in this crime category.

The report also showed that more than 2 400 suspect raids led to 4 264 suspects being arrested for gender-based violence and femicide- related (GBVF) crimes, including rape and sexual assault.

A total of 112 life sentences were handed down to 89 rapists, while 64 rapists and GBVF perpetrators were each se
ntenced to 20 years and above imprisonment.

One hundred and seventy-two rapists and GBVF perpetrators were sentenced 10 to 19 years imprisonment, and 1 to 9 years imprisonment were handed down to 261 rapists and GBVF perpetrators.

Cele noted that the fight against GBVF crimes remains a priority for the men and women in blue.

More awareness programs are being conducted by the department’s social crime prevention and Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units (FCS), which translates to an increase in the reporting of these crimes.

‘What is most encouraging is that Inanda – which has always been known as the rape capital of the country – has also seen a slight reduction in the number of rape cases by registering 20 counts lower than the same period under review. This goes to show that our FCS teams are proving to be acting decisively against those who are perpetrating rape crimes,’ Cele said.

However, he said it is of great concern that the majority of rape cases were committed at the victi
ms’ residences.

Significant progress in finalisation of DNA cases

Meanwhile, the report has highlighted a significant progress in the finalisation rate of DNA cases and the eradication of the historic DNA backlog, which is currently standing at zero, from 251 000 in the 2021/2022 financial year.

Cele said the expansion of the DNA lab in Gqerberha, Eastern Cape, which was opened by President Cyril Ramaphosa in August 2023, has contributed immensely to the processing of more DNA samples in the country.

‘All these efforts have contributed positively to the SAPS fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide cases. For example, the NPA and SAPS project has led to more than 40 000 DNA forensic reports being finalised to ensure that cases of GBVF are prioritised,’ Cele said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South African Government News Agency

Police Minister Bheki Cele says police went into the festive season well equipped to take on the task of tackling crime.

‘For the third quarter (of this financial year), which includes the festive season, police officers were adequately resourced to deal decisively with criminals in all forms and shapes.

‘We came into this festive period well prepared. We unleashed our Safer Festive Season operational plan on the 13th of October 2023, where we deployed various policing interventions,’ Cele said.

Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria to release the quarterly crime stats, Cele on Friday said top police leadership gave strict instructions and a clear directive to officers on the ground to squeeze out all criminals from every corner of this country.

‘It is clear that our efforts to prevent, combat and arrest criminals are proving to be effective,’ Cele said.

The Minister said it is also quite clear with the number of arrests made that Operation Shanela is making its mark and putting a dent on serious, vi
olent and organised crime.

Since its inception on 8 May 2023, Operation Shanela has seen more than 442 000 suspects getting arrested.

Cele said during this quarter, four major drug busts were registered. Three were at the Durban Harbour, where cocaine to the value of R300 million was seized in separate incidents.

‘The most recent drug bust during this period was for cocaine to the value of R151 million on the 4th of December 2023. The fourth drug bust was at the Gqerberha Sea Port, where cocaine worth R65 million was seized,’ Cele said.

Cele said in this period, R800 million worth of drugs were destroyed in Gauteng.

‘These were drugs collected during policing operations across the country. Fifteen clandestine drug laboratories were shut down, with 21 suspects arrested for drug related charges, including manufacturing and dealing in drugs.

‘Indeed, our intelligence structures are hard at work in preventing and putting a stop to the drug trade in the country and beyond.

‘This is also a clear demonstratio
n that all stakeholders involved in border security management are working together to tighten the control measures of cargo entering and departing our country,’ the Minister said.

Cele said for the past two consecutive terms, police have noted a reduction in the number of murders reported.

‘It is disturbing and concerning that the number of people murdered during this period increased by 2.1%, leading to 155 more people murdered compared to the same period.

‘The provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Free State must be singled out and commended for being able to register a reduction in the number of people murdered during this period. The majority of the top 30 stations where murder was most reported include the Western Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Gauteng and Eastern Cape,’ Cele said.

With regards to cash-in-transit (CIT) heists, Cele said the specialised teams put in place in each province are yielding results in ensuring that there is a reduction in the number of CITs taking place.

‘During this period,
46 CIT armed robberies took place, which is 11 counts lower than the previous crime reporting period. In the past year, more than 75 wanted CIT suspects have been arrested during takedown operations.

‘High calibre firearms, including rifles and AK47s, as well as high performance vehicles that were used in the commission of these crimes, were seized,’ Cele said.

On construction mafia crimes, Cele said SAPS continues to deal decisively with this crime category.

He said construction mafias continue to pose a threat to business and the economy of the country.

‘From April to date, more than 61 suspects linked to these extortions were arrested. Since 2019, 27 accused were convicted for a collective 43 years direct imprisonment,’ Cele said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Electoral Commission has published the seats determination for provincial legislatures ahead of the 2024 National and Provincial Elections.

The seats are determined in accordance with Section 105(2) of the Constitution Act 108 of 1996 and item 3(1) of Schedule 3 to the Electoral Act No.73 of 1998.

‘The provincial legislatures’ seats determination takes into account scientifically based data on the population in each province, as well as representation by interested parties.

‘The total number of seats to be contested in provincial legislatures is 445, subject to the finalisation of the Western Cape province,’ the Electoral Commission said in a statement on Friday.

Seat determination is as follows:

PROVINCE 2022

CENSUS DATA POPULATION FIGURES

2024 SEAT DETERMINATION

Gauteng

15,1 million

80

Limpopo

6,4 million

64

Mpumalanga

5,1 million

51

North-West

3,8 million

38

Free State

3,0 million

30

Kwa-Zulu Natal

12,4 million

80

Northern Cape

1,4 million

30

Eastern Cape

7,2 million

72

W
estern Cape

7,4 million

Still to be finalised in accordance with the

provincial

constitution.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to announce the date for the 2024 national elections soon.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Deputy Minister, Nokuzola Tolashe, has called for the socio-economic empowerment of women, youth, and people with disabilities to end gender-based violence (GBV).

‘Socio-economic challenges for women, youth and persons with disabilities remain persistent to this day and it is for the same reason that the department calls for 40% preferential procurement in the public sector,’ Tolashe said.

She made the remarks after President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the State of the Nation Address, which highlighted myriad achievements — while acknowledging the work that is still to be done — after 30 years of democracy.

Tolashe said South Africa, like many other developing countries, continues to wrestle with the challenges of unemployment and structural economic marginalisation, insufficient skills development, high levels of violence, teenage pregnancies, and substance abuse.

She said these continue to hinder government’s progress in addressing the persistent triple chall
enge of poverty, unemployment and inequality.

The Deputy Minister said through the mainstreaming of women’s rights and advocacy, the department has over the years been able to coordinate and facilitate interventions to support economic empowerment and economic ownership for women, youth, and people with disabilities.

The mainstreaming of women’s rights and advocacy include promoting good governance regarding the rights and transformation of social and economic empowerment of women, among others.

‘It is important that women, youth, and persons with disabilities, must enjoy equal access to adequate financing to start and scale their businesses, increase their incomes, and contribute to the country’s economy.

‘It is through the department’s strategic outputs that the empowerment of women, youth and persons with disabilities continues to be at the centre of the national economic agenda,’ Tolashe said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South African Government News Agency