Sir

As 27 April 2004 marks ten years of multiracial democracy in South Africa, it is appropriate to reflect on the poor state of science, engineering and technology research in the country, and how the post-apartheid government is reacting to this predicament.

With the demise of apartheid came a shift in research and development (R&D) focus, from the military, energy self-sufficiency and food security, to basic service delivery. Although this shift was necessary, recent studies show that it corresponded with an alarming drop in the country's share of global scientific output, from 0.8% in 1990 to 0.49% in 2000 (A. Pouris. S. Afr. J. Sci. 99, 425–427; 2003). Expenditure on R&D has also fallen, from 1.1% of gross domestic product in 1990 to 0.64% today (see http://www.naci.org.za/pdfs/keyfactsfigures2002.pdf).

Nearly all South African scientific publications are authored by white males (about half of whom are now over 50 years old, up from 18% in 1990). Female-authored publications remain low at 17%. Today, only 5% of school leavers qualify to apply to study mathematics or science at university. The attrition rate among researchers is just as alarming: each year, some 11% leave government laboratories and 15% leave universities. Of those, approximately 5% and 22%, respectively, emigrate. The government has, fortunately, acknowledged the seriousness of this crisis and instigated several initiatives to remedy the situation.

Some of these initiatives aim to promote technology transfer and development. Since 1995, the government has launched a number of technology initiatives to reduce poverty, improve communications and promote biotechnology. Its industry-oriented partnership programme has been hailed by stakeholders in industry and academia (see http://www.proudlysa.co.za/). Some of these initiatives are supported by new funding mechanisms (see http://www.saasta.ac.za/), which offer opportunities for venture capitalists.

In 2002 the government released its first national R&D strategy. This proposed, among other things, increasing the number of ‘out of school’ programmes to support mathematics, science and computer education; encouraging schools to produce more successful black and female students; and strengthening women's participation in all areas of science, engineering and technology. The strategy rightly notes that, given South Africa's limited resources, the successful promotion of R&D requires focusing on the country's potential strengths, such as astronomy, human palaeontology, biodiversity, indigenous knowledge, HIV research, mining and Antarctic research. Other countries facing similar R&D challenges should likewise identify and enhance their natural strengths.

Although it is too soon to evaluate the success of these initiatives, the country has notched up several notable achievements during the past five years, such as the construction of the Southern African Large Telescope (see http://www.gcis.gov.za/docs/publications/pocketguide/sci_tech.pdf).

Another review a decade from now will, I hope, reveal that the country has increased its percentage share of global scientific output, won the bid to host the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope, redressed its skewed age and race publication demographics, and moved up the world's competitiveness rankings for technological achievement.