SOUTH AFRICA: Naledi Pandor's budget motivation

"Honourable Chairperson: Honourable Members and guests in the gallery: Our debate today will report on the progress we are making with our key strategic priorities, signal new directions and hopefully persuade Parliament and South Africa that Science and Technology sectors hold great promise for our development ambitions and need to be given far more attention and support than they currently receive." Naledi Pandor opening the debate in budget talks for the Department of Science and Technology.

'Our biggest hurdle is vacancies due to the lack of appropriate skills'
 In a country that has significant other challenges, obtaining a budget for innovation projects is difficult because of the lead time before results are achieved - the speech is therefore an insight into the thinking and process for obtaining cash to fund innovation projects in RSA. It also demonstrates accountability and a degree of success to date.

Afro Leo is curious why, despite the obvious dearth of skills in the IP sector, there has not been a single mention of the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law in any recent links on key initiatives. The SAIIPL run a number of training courses and has several committees that focus on specific IP related issues, organised mostly by practicing lawyers and largely on a pro bono basis.

For IOL and PolityOrg comments click here and here.

Comments welcome.

- Posted by Darren