The National Advisory Council on Innovation is undertaking a Foresight exercise concerning the application of Science, Technology and Innovation in South Africa, with a 2030 time horizon. The results of the Foresight exercise will serve as inputs to the new National STI Decadal Plan being prepared by the Department of Science and Technology

Young scientists from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will deliberate on the eradication of hunger and food security at a workshop hosted by the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) this week.

Entitled, Policy Direction – Eradication of Hunger and Achievement of Food Security, the workshop seeks to link young scientists and early career researchers to policymakers to strengthen the science-policy interface.

Food security is an integral part of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that deal with poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education and responsible consumption and production.

Thousands of learners have descended on the 1820 Settlers Monument in Grahamstown for Scifest Africa 2018, a science extravaganza aimed at promoting public awareness, understanding and appreciation of science, technology and innovation in South Africa.

Scifest Africa, funded by the Department of Science and Technology, is celebrating its 22nd anniversary this year, under the theme "Innovation 4.0", which refers to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

"The theme is intended to plunge us all into a brave new future, where lines are blurred, new skills become critical, disruption is the norm, and rules are broken almost as quickly as they are made," said Tony Lankester, Executive Director of the Grahamstown Foundation.

The South African government has launched a R37,5 million biorefinery facility in Durban, which is set to extract maximum value from biomass waste. The facility, which is a first for South Africa, will support innovation in a range of industries, including forestry, agroprocessing and other biomass-based industries.