Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

This document is the result of a collaborative effort by several government departments under the auspices of the Department of Housing. Mutual concern for the quality of the built environment and the country’s natural resources, as well as a common recognition of the role that human settlement planning and the provision of engineering services plays in its protection or destruction, was the catalyst for this multidepartmental cooperation. The process was overseen by a coordinating committee consisting of representatives of the various departments, whosemain role was overall guidance, policy direction and financial control. Detailed guidance and control of the written content was provided by various steeringcommittees, each consisting of a number of practitioners acknowledged for their expertise in the particular fields. The work was contracted to the CSIR in accordance with a detailed proposal submitted to the then National Housing Board in August 1995.Overall project management was undertaken by the CSIR’s Division of Building and Construction Technology, while other divisions, as well as various external organisations, also provided technical and related expertise.

The CSIR supports national re-industrialisation initiatives by directing its multidisciplinary skills at the beneficiation of key strategic minerals and the strengthening of sectors such as aerospace and defence. The organisation contributes by improving production processes, supporting local economicdevelopment, developing automation solutions for industrial processes, as well as developing and implementing new technologies in nano-manufacturing and agro-processing.Longer-term interventions include the development of large-scale engineering capabilities, industries based on bio-therapeutic manufacture and enterprises using digital media technologies.

The CSIR has a long history of collaboration with Stellenbosch University and the universities of Cape Town and the Western Cape. These relationships, which enable us to achieve our respective visions and mandates, have continued to grow over thelast three years (2013 – 2015).This report captures several of our recent achievements. They include the establishment of Research Chairs and programmes in new and exciting areas relating to information technology, photonics, life sciences and water resource management, as well as the joint supervision of students, and the production of peer-reviewed publications which have mainly been in the fields of ICT, biosciences, environment and nano science. Our complementary capabilities and resources contribute to developing the skills of young and emerging researchers who make a critical contribution to the South African economy.We will continue to nurture our partnerships, which are critical for maintaining research excellence, South Africa’s socioeconomic development and achieving global competitiveness. We are pleased to report on another successful collaboration between the CSIR and Stellenbosch University and the universities of Cape Town and the Western Cape.