Low investment stifles competitiveness

Independent Online
June 27, 2011

Spending on research and development in South Africa has yet to reach the goal of 1 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) – but is not far behind at 0.92 percent, according to the National Survey on Research and Development for 2008/09.

The survey, compiled by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) with Stats SA and the Department of Science and Technology, released this week, shows the figures on research and development (R&D) spending and trends in government, tertiary education and the private sector.

According to the department, the report, when viewed with previous reports, will provide indicators on South Africa’s failings and successes in the fields of science, engineering and technology, and ultimately global competitiveness.

The survey notes an overall increase in R&D spending of 1.3 percent – up from R18.6 billion in 2007/08 to R21bn in 2008/09. However, in addition to falling short of the 1 percent goal in 2008/09, the country only had a nominal increase in full-time equivalent researchers – from 19 320 in 2007/08 to 19 384 in 2008/09.

“Engineering sciences was the research field with the highest proportion of R&D expenditure. R&D expenditure in this field increased from 22.5 percent of total R&D expenditure in 2007/08 to 24.4 percent in 2008/09.”
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Africa to invest $3.7 bln in green energy

AFP
April 12, 2011

 

South Africa will invest 25 billion rand ($3.7 billion, 2.6 billion euros) to support a plan to ramp up renewable energy and the green economy, the economic development minister said Tuesday.
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SAAF finally takes delivery of fully operational Rooivalk helicopters

Engineeringnews.co.za
April 1, 2011

The first five fully operational Rooivalk helicopters were handed over to the South African Air Force (SAAF) by Denel Aviation on Friday morning. These fully operational aircraft are designated as the Rooivalk Mk 1. Previously, although the Rooivalks could fly, they were not truly operational and could not be deployed, for example, to support United Nations peacekeeping operations.
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Space Agency’s first day of operations marked by satellite stamps launch

Engineeringnews.co.za
April 1, 2011

Friday was the first working day for the new South African National Space Agency (Sansa) – which was formally established in December – and saw the launch, by the Post Office, of a stamp series in honour of South Africa’s Sumbandila Earth observation microsatellite (SumbandilaSat).
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GE Delivers Diesel-Electric Locomotives to South Africa

Getransportation.com
Feb 24, 2011

General Electric South Africa has delivered two C30ACi diesel locomotives to state-owned rail freight logistics firm Transnet Freight Rail (TFR).
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New Armoured Vehicle Technology From Africa To Shake Up Market

Defencetalk.com
Feb 23, 2011

European defense manufacturers are facing strong competition in the form of new ground breaking vehicle technology developed in Africa.
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South Africa Pushing for African Beneficiation Framework to Tap Commodity Boom

Engineeringnews.co.za
Feb 22, 2011

South Africa plans to use its position as the current convener of the Council of African Ministers of Industry to develop a common continental framework for extracting greater value from the prevailing minerals boom.

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December Manufacturing Output Hit by Steel, Petroleum Slowdown in South Africa

Creamer's Media Engineering News
Feb 10, 2011

Manufacturing production increased by 4.9% in 2010, with six of the ten manufacturing divisions reporting higher production, after the significant dip of 12.9% recorded in recession-afflicted 2009.
However, the latest figures released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on Thursday slowed disappointingly in December 2010 to 0.2%, when compared with December 2009, far lower than the 4.6% year-on-year increase in November 2010.
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South Africa to sign €1bn development deal with France

Reuters
Feb 17, 2011

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma will sign a one billion-euro deal with the French Development Agency during a state visit to France next month that could also touch on a pricey nuclear project, a minister said on Thursday.
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Engineeringnews.co.za
Feb 15, 2011

South Africa is studying the feasibility of developing what it terms the world’s first integrated metals plant capable of “beneficiating” titanium, zirconium, vanadium, magnesium and silicon.
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IDC allocates R25bn for green economy investments

Engineeringnews.co.za
Feb 16, 2011

State-owned development finance institution the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) would allocate R25-billion to investments in the ‘green’ economy over the next five years.
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