Annual Performance Report 2011-2012 Research uncovering tomorrow
NRF APR Cover 13 Aug Final 4.indd 1 2012/08/13 3:03 PM Research uncovering tomorrow
What is the origin of matter? What is the universe made of? What happened a fraction of a second after the Big Bang and how does that impact on the future? How does research today uncover tomorrow?
During 2008 the NRF adopted its longer-term strategy, Vision 2015. The NRF Annual Performance Report 2011-2012 reviews the progress the entity has made since embracing the five strategic goals of Vision 2015. In order to create a better future, we need to learn from the past and watch the present. This report therefore reflects on what has been achieved with a view to make every step count on the challenging road ahead.
NRF Annual Performance Report 2011-2012 ISBN: 978-1-86868-076-4 PO Box 2600 Pretoria 0001 Tel: +27 12 481 4000 Fax: +27 12 349 1179 E-mail: [email protected]
NRF APR Cover 13 Aug Final 4.indd 2 2012/08/13 3:03 PM Introduction
The National Research Foundation (NRF) is proud to present its Annual Performance Report for 2011/12. This report offers an overview of the activities and performance of the NRF and highlights the impact of a small selection of NRF-supported research projects.
XiTsonga Sepedi National Research Foundation (NRF) ya tinyungubyisa ku andlala National Research Foundation (NRF) ka boikgantšho e hlagiša Pego Xiviko xa yona xa Lembe ra 2011/12. Xiviko lexi xi nyika mbalango ya yona ya Ngwaga wa 2011/12. Pego ye e fa tebelelokakaretšo ya wa migingiriko na matirhelo ya NRF no kombisa ntshikelelo wa mešomo le phethagatšo ya NRF gomme e bontšha khuetšo ya kgetho ye nhlayo yitsongo ya tiphurojeke ta vulavisisi lebyi seketeriwaka hi NRF. nnyane ya diprotšeke tša dinyakišišo tšeo di thekgilwego ka ditšhelete ke NRF. TshiVenda National Research foundation (NRF) i a ḓihudza kha u vha ṋetshedza isiZulu Muvhigo waha wa 2011/12. Hoyu muvhigo u sumbedza mishumo I-National Research Foundation (NRF) iyaziqhenya ngokwethula yothe yo itwaho na kushumele kwa NRF na u tahisa zwe thandela umbikowayo wonyaka ka-2011/12. Lo mbiko unikeza umbono jikelele thukhu dzo nanguludzwaho dzo tikedzwaho nga NRF dza bveledza. ngemisebenzi kanyenokusebenza kwe-NRF futhi ugqamisa umthelela wokhetho oluncane lwamaphrojekthi ocwaningo axhasweyi-NRF. SiSwati National Research Foundation (i-NRF) iyatigcabha ngekwetfula isiXhosa Umbiko Wemnyaka wa-2011/12. Lombiko usitfulela imisebenti kanye I-National Research Foundation (NRF) inebhongo ngokuthi nekusebenta kwe-NRF kanye netibonelo temtselela yemiklamo thaca kwayo iNgxelo yayo yoNyaka ka-2011/12. Le ngxelo inika lemincane yekuphenya leyesekelwe yi-NRF. isishwankathelo semisebenzi kunye nokusebenza kwe-NRF kwaye iqaqambisa iimpembelelo zemikhankaso emincinane yophando Setswana ezixhaswa yi- NRF. National Research Foundation (NRF) e motlotlo go tlhagisa Pegelo ya yona ya Ngwaga wa 2011/12. Pegelo e e neelana ka tshekatsheko isiNdebele ya ditiro le go dira ga NRF le go supa bokao jwa karolo e nnye ya National Research Foundation (NRF) iyazikhakhazisa ekwethuleni diporojeke tsa dipatlisiso tse di tshegediwang ke NRF. umBiko womNyaka we-2011/12. Lombiko unikela ngokurhunyeziweko imisebenzi eyenziwa yi-NRF begodu uveza imithelela yamaprojekte Sesotho amancani werhubhulululo akhethiweko asekelwe yi-NRF. National Research Foundation (NRF) e motlotlo ho fana ka Pehelo ya yona ya Selemo bakeng sa 2011/12. Pehelo ena e nehelana Afrikaans ka kakaretso ya diketsahalo le mosebetsi wa NRF mme e hlahisa Die Nasionale Navorsingstigting (NNS) bied met trots sy Jaarverslag dintlhakholo tsa sephetho sa karolo e nyenyane ya diprojeke tsa vir 2011/12 aan. Hierdie verslag bied ’n oorsig oor die bedrywighede diphuputso tse tshehetswang ke NRF. en werkverrigting van die NNS aan en plaas klem op die impak van ’n beperkte keuse uit NNS-ondersteunde navorsingsprojekte.
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Contents
CHAIRMAN’S OVERVIEW 4 • Materiality framework 22 • Policy framework 22 CEO’S STATEMENT 6 • Sustainability management 22
PART A: BOARD REPORT 8 Corporate human resources and transformation 24 Performance management 24 Corporate overview 10 Remuneration 24 NRF mandate 10 Staff recruitment, turnover and succession planning 24 NRF Vision 2015 10 Employment equity and organisational transformation 25 Mission statement 10 Suitably qualified staff 26 NRF values 10 Training and development 27 NRF strategic goals 10 Labour relations climate 29 NRF core competencies 10 Composition of the NRF 11 Corporate finance 30 Relevant policies and the delivery environment 11 Income 30 NRF strategic investment 13 Expenditure 30
NRF Board 14 PART B: BUSINESS OVERVIEW 36 Governance functions of the Board 14 Term of office 14 Science Advancement and the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) 38 NRF Board members as at 31 March 2012 15 Focus and infrastructure 39 NRF Board committees 16 Science advancement performance through SAASTA and Purpose and composition of the Board committees 16 the National Research Facilities 40 Meetings of the Board and its committees 16 Science advancement performance trends 43 Remuneration of the Board 18 Research and Innovation Support and Advancement NRF governance structure and support 19 (RISA) 50 Governance structure 19 Purpose and scope 51 Governance support 22 Services 51 • Performance planning and reporting 22 Sources of funding 51 • Business intelligence 22 Investment principles 52 • Enterprise risk management 22 RISA structure 53
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RISA programmes 53 PART C: FINANCIAL REPORT 104 • Applied Research, Innovation and Collaboration (ARIC) 53 • Human and Institutional Capacity Development (HICD) 56 Statement of responsibility by the Board of Directors 106 • Knowledge Fields Development (KFD) 60 Audit and risk committee report 107 • International Relations and Cooperation (IR&C) 66 Report of the Auditor-General 108 • Grant Management and Systems Administration (GMSA) 66 Statement of financial position 110 • Knowledge Management and Evaluation (KM&E) 67 Statement of financial performance 111 RISA special projects 68 Statement of changes in net assets 112 • Research Information Management System (RIMS) 68 Cash flow statement 113 • DST/NRF Internship programme 68 Accounting policies 114 • International Council for Science Regional Office for Notes to the annual financial statements 130 Africa (ICSU ROA) 68 Supplementary information 156 RISA performance according to the strategic goals 70
RISA performance trends 72 PART D: PERFORMANCE INDICATOR REPORT 160
National Research Facilities 74 NRF performance according to the NRF strategic goals 162 Definition and clustering 75 NRF performance according to the Balanced Scorecard 173 Generic activities 75
• The SKA-SA project as a special project of the NRF 76 PUBLICATION LIST 175 • South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) 78
• Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) 82 ACRONYMS 182 • National Zoological Gardens of South Africa (NZG) 86 • South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) 90 • South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) 94 • iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based Sciences (iThemba LABS) 98 Performance of National Research Facilities according to the strategic goals 102 National Research Facilities performance trends 103
3 Chairman’s overview
"The SKA itself will propel more innovation. The flow of data that will come from the 3 000 dishes is expected to exceed the total traffic on the worldwide web – the kind of challenge that South Africans thrive on."
Professor Robin Crewe
From vision to fruition The bid for the SKA project has already galvanised significant local spin- offs for South Africa’s manufacturing and scientific capacity. The Karoo On the Science and Technology front in South Africa, the year 2012 will Array Telescope (KAT) dishes were manufactured locally, and more than be remembered for the announcement that the bulk of the biggest global 400 bursaries have been given to universities to train young people to radio telescope, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), will be based in South work in and around the project. The SKA itself will propel more innovation. Africa. This achievement is the result of unwavering work by many people The flow of data that will come from the 3 000 dishes is expected to since this project was formed and then set into motion by Dr Khotso exceed the total traffic on the worldwide web – the kind of challenge that Mokhele of the National Research Foundation (NRF) and Dr Rob Adam South Africans thrive on. from the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in 2002. From euphoria to new enthusiasm It is a huge privilege for the NRF Board that was inaugurated in October 2011, to be associated with the SKA announcement as this project enters Notwithstanding the excitement around the SKA project in our national the implementation phase. system of innovation, the NRF Board will have to confront several other challenges in the system with renewed enthusiasm. This SKA announcement will play a unique catalytic role in the history of the county - where the re-engineering of our developing economy is South Africa as a country is faced with some daunting difficulties centred around two aspects, i.e. people and infrastructure. The SKA, (outlined in the National Planning Commission’s Diagnostic Overview of as large scale scientific equipment, stands as a beacon of hope and an 2011). These difficulties are concentrated around poverty and inequality example of what can be achieved towards developing our people and and include amongst others, issues such as poor educational outcomes; infrastructure.
4 unemployment; a resource-based economy; a health system faced with a to acknowledge Minister Pandor’s unswerving support for the SKA project massive disease burden; divided communities; corruption; uneven public and for the significant influence that she had on the success of the South service performance, crumbling infrastructure; and spatial patterns that African bid for the SKA. marginalise the poor. To the members of the NRF Board, my indebtedness for the commitment I believe that the research community has the capacity, willpower and and enthusiasm displayed toward their fiduciary duties during the first stint enthusiasm required to find innovative solutions to address these issues and of their term. to ensure a better future for our children. I express my deep appreciation to the Chief Executive Officer, Dr Albert Van The NRF has an excellent track record in matching national challenges to the Jaarsveld for his leadership of the NRF. Dr Van Jaarsveld, together with his capacity and curiosity of researchers. The NRF Board is proud of the NRF as executive team has displayed great dedication in working successfully toward a national asset with its unique infrastructure and skills set, and is committed the achievement of the NRF goals over the past year. I thank them warmly for to support and guide this entity to maintain and even improve the exceptional their devotion to duty. standard of its service to the country. It is with pleasure that I acknowledge the commitment of the NRF staff in The NRF Board will deliberate and give guidance on serving the worthy mandate of the NRF in a selfless manner. • the role of the funding agency vis á vis the research performing institutions; • making more telling strides in the transformation of the national science and technology workforce; • the longer-term structural and organisational arrangements for astronomy in South Africa, particularly the integration of radio and optical astronomy; • the status and positioning of science awareness, especially with regard to its links to human capacity development; and Professor Robin Crewe Interim Chairman: NRF Board • ways to implement flagship research projects whilst at the same time ramping up human capacity development interventions.
Appreciation and acknowledgements
My sincerest gratitude goes to Minister Naledi Pandor, Minister of Science and Technology for her keen interest in the activities of the NRF and for fruitful and open discussions since the inauguration of the NRF Board. I want
5 CEO's statement
The NRF is proud to present the Annual Performance Report for the 2011/12 financial year. The entity is making good progress in implementing its visionary strategic plan aptly entitled: Vision 2015. In this Annual Performance Report, the NRF also introduced some trend data to show the longer term impact
Dr AS Van Jaarsveld of our strategic decisions and investments.
The NRF as catalyst in the national system of R384m in 2011/12. During the same period, R421m was invested in innovation (NSI) South Africa’s grand challenges as identified by DST`s 10-year Innovation Plan. In terms of the 12 outcomes of government, the NRF contributed The NRF is a moving force in the NSI. Together with DST, the NRF worked primarily to building a skilled and capable workforce. persistently at the bid to host the Square Kilometer Array (SKA). Being awarded the greater part of the bid is a national milestone and the NRF is Human capacity development proud to be managing this important project on behalf of the DST. Developing a highly skilled workforce is core to the mandate of the NRF. This However, achieving success at one front cannot make the NRF complacent task spans the research value chain from where public awareness of science at another. It is in the national interest that the NRF work with its line and technology is created at grass roots level through supporting learners, department and all other interest groups to scale up the entire Research educators and students to the research pipeline starting with emerging and Development enterprise in South Africa. To this end, the NRF researchers that, through focused and informed initiatives, can eventually continued its advocacy role within the system. The NRF also supported become established and rated researchers. The chain is supported by international inter-agency and bi-lateral research collaboration between strategy-driven big research programmes, and research institutions. South Africa and several countries and invested R61m in the endeavor to keep South African research on the international radar. The NRF is pleased to congratulate every student, researcher, research team and research institution that achieved success during the past year. It is well The NRF contributed to the vibrancy of the NSI by supporting national deserved and worth celebrating. However, I want to urge all of us to use every priorities. The National Research and Development Strategy of 2002 possible opportunity to transform our science and technology workforce. To identified a number of research areas where South Africa has a date, progress in this regard has been slow. The NRF wants to further catalyse geographical and/or knowledge advantage. When NRF grants are mapped transformation and is continuously examining its investments and programme against these areas, investment made across these areas amounts to offerings to ensure that they yield the best possible results within a complex educational, economic and social environment.
6 The NRF was put in a very privileged position in 2010/11 when, through and the nine science councils. RIMS is intended to provide access to R205,4m additional funding received from the DST, student funding could be information on research inputs and outputs. boosted in several ways. As result, RISA was able to support 1 723 BTech/ Honours students; 3 564 Master’s students and 1 979 PhDs during 2011/12. World-class evaluation and grant-making systems
The NRF has developed a system of tracking the throughput of NRF-funded The NRF uses rigorous international peer review to evaluate and rate the quality students. This system can provide data from 2007 and shows an increase of research outputs and to ensure that research proposals of high quality are in outputs over the years 2007 to 2011. During the 2010/11 financial year, funded. South African research is benchmarked internationally and 2 471 NRF-funded students that graduated included: 355 doctoral; 803 Master’s researchers currently have a valid NRF rating, against the 1 922 of 2008/09. and 1 231 Honours students. All peer review processes are dependent on the goodwill of the national and The National Research Facilities also supported students, and 1 368 international research community, and the NRF has done an excellent job at undergraduate students were trained. Staff of the National Facilities supervised building and maintaining good relations. The NRF as service-centred entity is 263 postgraduate students during the reporting period. indebted to our stakeholders for assessing proposals and evaluating research.
The NRF recognises the importance of established researchers in creating Appreciation and acknowledgements knowledge and mentoring students, and disbursed R1,2b (86%) of the total RISA expenditure on competitive grants to researchers and students. The NRF As the term of the former NRF Board expired in June 2011, it is opportune to supported 2 890 researchers (excluding postgraduate students) of which 754 thank Professor Belinda Bozzoli and the exiting NRF Board members for their (26%) are black and 957 (33%) are women. These data demonstrate the urgency commitment, integrity and hard work through which they brought vision and with which the transformation of the science workforce needs to be addressed. leadership to the organisation during their term of office.
Knowledge generation I am already indebted to the NRF Board that took up its duty in September 2011 under the able chairmanship of Professor Robin Crewe. The spread of The NRF promotes research that is internationally competitive and locally competence in the Board, ranging from expertise in business, experience in relevant through several initiatives such as the Centres of Excellence programme state enterprises and science councils to tenure in academia, bodes well for and the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI). Research support to the advice and guidance that they will continue to provide to the NRF Executive. grantholders is one of the major activities of the NRF. NRF-supported research resulted in, amongst others, 4 777 ISI peer reviewed articles authored by NRF I also want to acknowledge the Director-General of the DST, Dr Phil Mjwara grantholders. The National Research Facilities also performed excellently by and his team for their willingness to engage the NRF management in issues producing 233 journal articles, listed elsewhere in this report. of joint interest.
Research infrastructure platforms My appreciation goes to the NRF Corporate Executive team for their commitment and unwavering dedication, often under difficult circumstances. The NRF provides cutting-edge research, technology and innovation I want to acknowledge the management team and staff of the NRF for platforms through the National Research Facilities. sustaining the effort in serving the research community of South Africa.
The facility platforms are used by the researchers and students nationally and Finally, I express my gratitude to the individuals and institutions that in one internationally. Some 494 postgraduate students made use of the research way or another gave without reservation so generously of their time and platforms at the facilities indicating a growth of 20.1% since 2008/09. The expertise to support the work of the NRF. Facilities invested R450.2m for the provision of research infrastructure. The NRF provided R178m in equipment grants to researchers and HEIs.
The NRF serves as a node for data provision and is responsible for the Research Information Management Systems (RIMS) project, which currently involves all National Research Facilities, the 23 higher education institutions, Dr AS Van Jaarsveld NRF Chief Executive Officer
7 Part A: Board Report
Corporate overview 10
NRF Board 14
NRF governance structure and support 19
Corporate human resources and transformation 24
Corporate finance 30
8 9 Board report
Corporate overview NRF values
NRF mandate The NRF values (see Figure 1) are : • Excellence; • Service; The NRF receives its mandate from the National Research Foundation Act (No • Integrity; 23 of 1998), which came into effect on 1 April 1999 and established the NRF • Respect; as an autonomous statutory body. According to Section 3 of the Act, the object • People-centredness; and of the NRF is to: • Accountability. Support and promote research through funding, human resource development and the provision of the necessary NRF strategic goals research facilities The NRF adds value to the National System of Innovation through pursuing its in order to five strategic goals (seeFigure 2), which are to: facilitate the creation of knowledge, innovation and development in all • Promote internationally competitive research as the basis for a fields of science and technology, including indigenous knowledge knowledge economy; and thereby • Grow a representative science and technology workforce in contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of all the people of South Africa; the Republic. • Provide cutting-edge research, technology and innovation platforms; NRF Vision 2015 • Operate world-class evaluation and grant-making systems; and • Contribute to a vibrant national innovation system.
The NRF envisages the following for South Africa: • World-class research; NRF core competencies • A transformed society; and The core competencies of the NRF are embedded in: • A sustainable environment. • Leading-edge grant management systems; Mission statement • World-class research evaluation and benchmarking practices; • State-of-the-art research platforms; • Specialised research capacity at the National Research Facilities; To contribute to the knowledge economy in South Africa by attaining at least • Strategic information accumulation and dissemination capability; 1% of global research and development (R&D) output by 2015.
Figure 1: Values of the NRF Figure 2: NRF strategic goals
Excellence Research
Accountability Service
Human Infrastructure Values NSI capital
People-centred Integrity
Evaluation and grant-making Respect systems
10 • Capacity to catalyse local and international science cooperation, networks National Research Facilities such as South African Astronomical Observatory and partnerships; (SAAO) and Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) support • Science advancement expertise for community engagement; and this strategy by promoting astronomy in the following ways: • Science and Technology management experience. • Big science projects such as South African Large Telescope (SALT) and the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) bid; Composition of the NRF • Programmes such as the National Astronomy and Space Science Programme (NASSP) and Astronomy Research Chairs as part of the There are three main business divisions in the NRF (see Figure 3): South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI); and • Science Advancement; • Embracing multidisciplinarity in order to leverage off the multi- • Research and Innovation Support and Advancement (RISA); and wavelength advantages that lie within the African continent. • The National Research Facilities. Other research fields of geographical advantage include: The business divisions are supported by the following corporate services: • Human Palaeontology supported through the Palaeontological Scientific • Finance and Business Systems Trust (PAST) and the African Origins Programme (AOP); - Finance; • Antarctic research supported through the South African National Antarctic - Governance; and Programme (SANAP); and - Information and Communication Technology (ICT). • Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) supported through the DST/NRF • Human Resources and Stakeholder Relations IKS programme specifically in the areas of food and health, education and - Human Resources; curriculum development. - Legal Services; - Corporate Communication; and In the area of biodiversity, the NRF is involved through: - Stakeholder Relations. • National Research Facilities such as South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), South African Environmental Observation Network Relevant policies in the delivery environment (SAEON) and the National Zoological Gardens (NZG); • Specific programmes, including the Wildlife Biological Resource Centre The National Research and Development Strategy (NRDS) (wBRC); the South African Biosystematics Initiative (SABI); the African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP); the International Barcode The NRDS of 2002 emphasises the importance of knowledge areas where South of Life Project (iBOL); numerous Research Chairs (SARChI); Centres of Africa has an obvious or potential geographical advantage and/or where South Excellence (CoEs) in Invasion Biology, Birds as Key Indicators of Biodiversity, Africa has a clear and established knowledge advantage. and the Tree Health Programme; and through its collaboration with the South African Network for Coastal and Oceanic Research (SANCOR); and • Investments that are aligned to strategy are shown in Figure 4 on page 12. Figure 3: NRF business divisions
NRF Vision 2015
Science Advancement Research and Innovation Support and Advancement (RISA) National Research Facilities
Corporate support functions · Finance and business systems ; and · Human resources and stakeholder relations.
11 Board report
The 10-Year Innovation Plan of 2007
The 10-Year Innovation Plan identifies South Africa’s grand challenges in A summary of grand challenges that are addressed by the NRF is provided in science and technology as bio-economy; astronomy; energy security; global Figure 5. change; and human and social dynamics.
Figure 4: Expenditure trends in support of NRDS geographical of knowledge advantage areas (2008/09–2011/12)
300 000 000
250 000 000
200 000 000 2011/12 2010/11
R'million 150 000 000 2009/10 2008/09 100 000 000
50 000 000
- Space science Human Antarctic research Indigenous knowledge Biodiversity palaeontology systems (IKS)
Figure 5: Expenditure trends in support of the grand challenges (2008/09–2011/12)
300
250
200
150 R'million
100
50
0
Human and social Bio-economy Astronomy Energy security Global change dynamics R'million
2011/12 41 274 12 57 37
2010/11 39 227 8 43 19
2009/10 28 221 7 28 7
2008/09 27 186 7 16 6
12 The outcomes approach of government • Promoting and supporting the increase of high-level human capital required in research, development and innovation for a growing The 12 outcomes adopted by Cabinet at its Lekgotla in January 2010 (refer to knowledge economy; and Table 1) direct research to strengthen and support national competitiveness by • Providing support to industry–university partnerships. achieving the following primary outcomes (in order of priority): • A skilled and capable workforce to support an inclusive growth path; and NRF strategic investment • Improved quality of basic education. Investment in strategic goals In addition to these primary outcomes, the NRF’s funding and support of research programmes and science platforms can contribute to a number of Within the greater context of the national policies and imperatives, the NRF the other outcomes: invests its discretionary budget along the lines of its five strategic goals as • A long and healthy life for all South Africans; shown in Table 2 on the following page. It should be noted that investment can • Vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities with food security be mapped against more than one strategic goal. for all; • Sustainable human settlements and improved quality of household life; • Environmental assets and natural resources that are well protected and Investment in the strategic pipeline continually enhanced; and • Creating a better South Africa and contributing to a better and safer The NRF investment intends to support a development and excellence pipeline Africa and world. for human capacity as well as knowledge generation. Table 3 indicates the proportion of the total RISA NRF grants that was spent per investment area In this regard the NRF is, in terms of its mandate, also in a position to along the value pipeline from 2008 to 2012. contribute to two of the major outputs expected from the Ministry of Science and Technology:
Table 1: The 12 outcomes of government
The Outcomes of Government DST NRF
1 Improved quality of basic education
2 A long and healthy life for all South Africans
3 All people in South Africa are and feel safe
4 Decent employment through inclusive economic growth
5 A skilled and capable workforce to support an inclusive growth path
6 An efficient, competitive and responsive economic infrastructure network
7 Vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities with food security for all
8 Sustainable human settlements and improved quality of household life
9 A responsive, accountable, effective and efficient local government system
10 Environmental assets and natural resources that are well protected and continually enhanced
11 Creating a better South Africa and contributing to a better and safer Africa and world
12 An efficient, effective and development-oriented public service and an empowered, fair and inclusive citizenship
DST performance areas DST and NRF performance areas Indirect NRF contribution through funded research
13 Board report
Table 2: Percentage of NRF grant investment into the NRF strategic goals (2009/10-2011/12)
Strategic goal Year R’m 2009/10 49 Promoting internationally competitive research as the basis for a knowledge economy 2010/11 57 2011/12 51 2009/10 32 Growing a representative Science and Technology workforce in South Africa 2010/11 22 2011/12 24 2009/10 4 Operating world-class evaluation and grant-making systems 2010/11 6 2011/12 8 2009/10 13 Providing cutting-edge research, technology and innovation platforms 2010/11 13 2011/12 17 2009/10 1 Contributing to a vibrant NSI 2010/11 1 2011/12 1
Table 3: Expenditure in the development and excellence pipeline (2008/09-2011/12)
Next generation researchers Emerging researchers Established researchers Strategic investments (R'm) (R'm) (R'm) (R'm)
Postdoctoral Competitive Incentive Competitive Studentships scholarships Thuthuka funding funding funding (free standing and Thuthuka (free standing and postdoctoral Thuthuka (unrated (rated (rated Blue sky Year grantholder-linked) PhD track grantholder-linked) track rating track researchers) researchers) researchers) research SARChI CoE 2008/09 183 6 23 2 6 - 11 - - 100 51 2009/10 184 5 27 2 6 3 44 - 3 108 64 2010/11 307 4 48 2 6 5 71 5 4 141 69 2011/12 223 5 40 6 6 5 84 15 8 156 72
NRF Board Management Act (PFMA) (No. 1 of 1999 as amended by No. 29 of 1999); and • Ensures compliance with the relevant requirements of the King Report on Governance functions of the Board Corporate Governance for South Africa (King III).
The NRF Board, which is appointed by the Minister of Science and Technology, The Chairman of the Board actively interacts with the Minister, and a Shareholder performs the following functions: Compact has been signed between the NRF Board and the Executive Authority. • Provides strategic direction; The Shareholder Compact promotes good governance, clarifies the respective • Approves the goals, objectives and key policies of the organisation; roles and responsibilities of the Board and the Executive Authority and forms the • Monitors investment decisions, financial and risk management, and basis for quarterly performance reporting. organisational reviews; • Ensures compliance of the NRF with the NRF Act (No. 23 of 1998 Term of office as amended) and other legal and regulatory obligations that govern statutory bodies; The three-year term of office of the NRF Board extends from 1 October 2011 • Exercises its governance responsibility in terms of the Public Finance until 30 September 2014.
14 NRF Board members as at 31 March 2012
Figure 6: NRF Board members
Professor Robin Crewe Dr Peter Clayton Ms Tryphosa Ramano Professor Murray Leibbrandt (Interim Chairman) Rhodes University Pretoria Portland Cement University of Cape Town University of Pretoria Company Limited (PPC)
Professor Mala Singh Professor Ben Cousins Professor Errol Tyobeka Professor Peliwe Lolwana The Open University University of the Western Cape Polytechnic of Namibia University of the Witwatersrand United Kingdom
Mr André Fourie Professor Sunil Maharaj Dr Namane Magau SABMiller University of KwaZulu-Natal Consultant
15 Board report
NRF Board committees It advises the Board and monitors the performance of the organisation regarding human resources and remuneration. Through the committee, the Board conducts an annual performance assessment of the organisation as well as of The Board appointed three standing committees to deal with relevant issues on the CEO. The Board’s Remuneration and Human Resources Committee takes a regular basis: these results into consideration when making recommendations to the Board • Audit and risk committee; regarding the remuneration levels of the NRF Corporate Executive management. • Remuneration and human resources committee; and • Procurement committee. Procurement committee This committee has adopted formal terms of reference and deals with Purpose and composition of the Board committees procurement matters in an approved delegation of authority framework. Due to the international profile of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project Audit and risk committee and South Africa’s bid to host the SKA, the committee has given priority to The independent audit committee ensures the integrity of reporting and internal approving large-scale infrastructure acquisitions to expedite the project. financial control within the prescribed legislation and regulations issued in terms of the PFMA (Act No. 1 of 1999 as amended by Act No. 29 of 1999). In approving The committee meets regularly through scheduled meetings but convenes at the annual external and internal audit coverage plans, the committee ensures short notice should urgent matters require approval. that an appropriate control environment exists within the organisation. The committee also reviews key risks and reports to the Board the most significant Meetings of the Board and its committees risks and mitigation strategies of the organisation. The committee evaluates the annual financial statements as well as the Annual Performance Report of the The NRF Board met four times during the 2011/12 financial year. Over organisation and provides assurance to the NRF Board. the same period, the Audit and Risk Committee and the Remuneration and Human Resources Committee held three meetings each. To expedite The committee has adopted formal terms of reference through a charter in decision-making and ensure effective business operations, the Procurement line with the requirements of Section 51 (1) (a) of the PFMA (Act No. 1 of 1999 Committee met as required and therefore had three meetings. as amended by Act No. 29 of 1999) and Treasury Regulations 27.1.7 and 27.1.10 and has discharged all its responsibilities for the year in compliance The members of the committees, the dates of the respective committee meetings with the charter. and the attendance of Board members are shown in Tables 4 and 5. The term of the pervious Board was extended by the DST Minister, Ms Naledi Pandor until 30 Remuneration and human resources committee September 2011 with the new Board resuming on 01 October 2011. The committee has adopted formal terms of reference in line with the King III Report on Corporate Governance.
Table 4: Committees of the Board: 1 April 2011–30 September 2011 Table 5: Committees of the Board 1 October 2011–31 March 2012
Audit and risk Remuneration and Procurement Audit and risk Remuneration and Procurement committee HR committee committee committee HR committee committee Mr TS Gcabashe Prof B Bozzoli Prof B Bozzoli Mr AJ Fourie Dr NT Magau Prof RM Crewe (Chairman) (Chairman) (Chairman) (Chairman) (Chairman) (Chairman) Prof JW Fedderke Dr NT Magau Mr TS Gcabashe Dr PG Clayton Prof B Cousins Mr AJ Fourie Prof V Pillay Mr TM Netsianda Dr AS Van Jaarsveld Prof MV Leibbrandt Prof PP Lolwana Dr AS Van Jaarsveld Ms T Ramano Prof T Nyokong Mr B Singh Prof SD Maharaj Prof EM Tyobeka Mr B Singh Ms NZ Yokwana Ms MTT Ramano Dr NT Magau
The procurement committee was established as a sub-committee of the NRF Board in 2008/09 NRF Annual Report 2008/09 page 6
16 Attendance of Board committee meetings
Table 6: Attendance at Board meetings: 1 April 2011–30 September 2011 Table 7: Attendance at Procurement committee meetings: 1 April 2011– 30 September 2011 Meetings Board members 13 and 14 Jun Board members 29 Jun 2011 16 Sep 2011 29 Jun 2011 2011 Chairman Prof B Bozzoli ü ü Chairman Prof B Bozzoli ü ü Mr TS Gcabashe ü ü Prof JW Fedderke ü ü Mr B Singh ü ü Mr TS Gcabashe û ü Ex officio Dr AS Van Jaarsveld ü ü Dr NT Magau ü û Mr TM Netsianda û û Table 8: Attendance at Procurement committee meeting: 1 October 2011– Prof T Nyokong ü ü 31 March 2012 Prof V Pillay ü ü Ms T Ramano ü ü Board members 22 Feb 2011 Ms NZ Yokwana ü ü Chairman Prof R Crewe ü Ex officio Dr AS Van Jaarsveld ü ü Mr A Fourie ü
Dr NT Magau û The King III Code of Governance Principles for South Africa was Mr B Singh ü Ex officio released in September 2009. Integrated reporting and assurance Dr AS Van Jaarsveld ü of sustainability of the entity are linked to strategy and a risk- centric approach to management. û The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) Absent with apology ü In attendance Not an attending member 12 July 2010.
Table 9: Attendance and meetings of the NRF Board: 1 October 2011–31 March 2012
30 and 31 Oct Board members 2011 (Induction 29 Nov 2011 31 Jan 2011 29 Mar 2011 workshop) Chairman Prof RM Crewe ü ü ü û Dr PG Clayton ü ü ü ü Prof B Cousins ü ü ü ü Mr AJ Fourie ü ü ü ü Prof MV Leibbrandt ü ü ü ü Prof PP Lolwana ü ü ü ü
Dr NT Magau ü û ü ü Prof SD Maharaj ü û ü ü Ms MMT Ramano û û ü û Prof R Singh * ü Prof EM Tyobeka ü ü ü ü Ex officio Dr AS Van Jaarsveld ü ü ü ü
û Absent with apology ü In attendance Not an attending member
* Based abroad until March 2012
17 Board report
Table 10: Attendance at Audit and risk committee meetings: 1 April 2011– Table 11: Attendance at Audit and Risk Committee meetings: 1 October 2011– 30 September 2011 31 March 2012
Board members 22 Jun 2011 29 Jun 2011 Board members 15 Nov 2011 19 Mar 2011 Chairman Mr TS Gcabashe ü ü Chairman Mr AJ Fourie ü ü Prof JW Fedderke û ü Dr PG Clayton ü ü Prof V Pillay ü ü Prof MV Leibbrandt ü ü
Ms MMT Ramano ü ü Prof SD Maharaj ü ü Ms NZ Yokwana ü ü Ms MMT Ramano ü û Prof B Bozzoli Prof RM Crewe Ex officio Ex officio Dr AS Van Jaarsveld ü ü Dr AS Van Jaarsveld ü ü
Table 12: Attendance at Remuneration and human resources committee Table 13: Attendance at Remuneration and Human Resources Committee meetings: 1 April 2011–30 September 2011 meetings: 1 October 2011–31 March 2012
Board members 13 Jun 2011 Board members 22 Nov 2011 05 Mar 2011 Chairman Prof B Bozzoli ü Chairman Dr NT Magau ü ü Dr NT Magau û Prof B Cousins ü û
Mr TM Netsianda û Prof PP Lolwana ü û Prof T Nyokong ü Prof EM Tyobeka ü ü Ex officio Dr AS Van Jaarsveld ü Prof RM Crewe Ex officio Dr AS Van Jaarsveld ü ü
û Absent with apology ü In attendance Not an attending member
Remuneration of the Board
NRF Board members are paid honoraria instead of remuneration (see Table 14 and 15). The honoraria are paid in terms of the guidelines provided by National Treasury.
Table 14: Actual remuneration of NRF Board members for the period 1 April 2011– Table 15: Actual remuneration of NRF Board members for the period 1 October 2011– 30 September 2011 31 March 2012
Total 2011/12 Total 2010/11 Total 2009/10 Total 2011/12 Board member Board member (R) (R) (R) (R) Bozzoli B (Chairman) 9 801 35 937 31 316 Crewe RM (Interim Chairman) 20 133 Fedderke JW 3 500 14 000 12 400 Clayton PG 9 188 Gcabashe TS 5 904 16 404 12 400 Cousins B 9 188 Fourie AJ 14 236 Magau NT 3 500 14 000 12 400 Leibbrandt MV 9 188 Netsianda TM 3 500 14 000 12 400 Lolwana PP 9 188 Nyokong T 3 500 14 000 12 400 Magau NT 14 236 Pillay V 3 500 14 000 12 400 Maharaj SD 9 188 Ramano T 3 500 7 000 - Ramano T 7 350 Yokwana N 3 500 14 000 12 400 Tyobeka EM 9 188 Total 40 205 161 053 118 116 Total 111 080
18 NRF governance structure and support
Governance structure
Corporate executive management as at 31 March 2012
The NRF Board is supported by the NRF corporate executive committee. The corporate executive is the formal internal NRF decision-making structure and is composed as indicated in Figure 7.
Figure 7: Corporate executive management
Dr AS Van Jaarsveld CEO National Research Foundation
Dr D Pillay Mr B Singh Mr PB Thompson Dr BA Damonse Vancant Deputy CEO Group Executive: Group Executive: Group Executive: Deputy CEO Research and Innovation Finance and Business Human Resources and Science Advancement Research Infrastructure and Support and Advancement Systems Stakeholder Relations National Research Facilities (RISA)
19 Board report
National Research Facilities executive directors as at 31 March 2012
The National Research Facilities are organised as indicated in Figure 8 below and are supported through business managers who attend to the day-to-day running of the facilities.
Figure 8: National Research Facilities directors
Prof N Chetty Group Executive: Astronomy (Secondment)
Dr B Fanaroff Dr M Gaylard Prof PA Whitelock Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy South African Astronomical South Africa Project Observatory (HartRAO) Observatory (SAAO)
Vacant Deputy CEO Research Infrastructure and National Research Facilities
Dr C Nxomani Dr A Paterson Mr J Pauw Dr ZZ Vilakazi National Zoological Gardens (NZG) South African Institute for Aquatic South African Environmental iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Biodiversity (SAIAB) Observation Network (SAEON) Based Sciences (iThemba LABS)
20 RISA executive directors as at 31 March 2012
RISA directorates are structured as indicated in Figure 9.
Figure 9: RISA executive directors
Dr AM Kaniki Mr R Kriger Dr R Maharaj Knowledge Fields Development (KFD) International Relations and Cooperation (IR&C) Human and Institutional Capacity Development (HICD)
Dr NB Nthambeleni Dr SD Selematsela Dr NSR Skeef Grant Management and Knowledge Management and Applied Research, Innovation Systems Administration (GMSA) Evaluation (KM&E) and Collaboration (ARIC)
Corporate support services executive directors as at 31 March 2012
The organisation is supported through the corporate services indicated in Figure 10 below.
Figure 10: Corporate services executive directors
Ms F Osman Mr RD Grace Mr WM Skowronski Corporate Governance Corporate Finance Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
21 Board report
Governance support • Compliance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements; and • The integration of risk into the internal audit methodology such that internal Performance planning and reporting audit becomes risk based.
The Governance directorate supports the business by ensuring that there is Materiality framework compliance with the relevant legislation, regulatory frameworks, guidelines and best practice. The directorate is responsible for supporting the corporate A materiality and significance framework has been developed for reporting losses executive by compiling relevant strategic, operational and performance through criminal conduct, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure, as well as information as required. for significant transactions (envisaged as per Section 54(2) of the PFMA) that require ministerial approval. Owing to the nature of the business of the entity, the In line with the National Treasury Framework and the requirements of the materiality level has been selected at 0.25% of budgeted revenue and was set DST, the directorate prepares all statutory reporting documents, such as at R5.8m for 2011/12. the NRF Annual Performance Plan, the Annual Performance Report, the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) report, the Shareholder Compact and quarterly Policy framework reports. The NRF Board approved a formal policy framework for the NRF that guides Business intelligence the structure, layout and approval of all policies. All NRF policies are adapted to this framework. The NRF Executive have also set up a policy committee chaired To ensure proper corporate performance measurement, the Governance by the Executive Director: Governance in order to ensure that the organisation's directorate assists the organisation in developing a transparent system of policies are rationalised effectively. management and tracking performance. The directorate is also responsible for the development and implementation of an organisational business Sustainability management intelligence system in order to promote effective monitoring and evaluation. The NRF views sustainability management as one of the key drivers in achieving Enterprise risk management its mandate and objectives. The organisation encourages active participation in the Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) advisory committees that were The organisation has adopted the risk based audit methodology aligned established at the respective business divisions. to the principles of the King III report on governance and the legislative requirements of the PFMA, (Act No. 1 of 1999 as amended by Act No. 29 To align itself with best practice regarding sustainability management, the NRF of 1999). uses the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) sustainability reporting guidelines as framework for reporting on: The NRF enterprise risk management principles are dependent on the taking • Environmental performance (energy and water consumption, of calculated risks in the pursuit of opportunities for the achievement of greenhouse gas emissions and waste production); strategic goals while not jeopardising the direct interests of the NRF and • Labour practices (employment and labour relations demographics, its stakeholders. The NRF risk management framework was adopted by all diversity and equal opportunities); business divisions and executive committees and provides a common “risk • Societal impact (corruption management); and language” and describes the roles and responsibilities of key players in the • Economic performance. process of enterprise risk management. The GRI guidelines consist of, amongst other things, information relating to The implementation of the enterprise risk management framework performance indicators as well as guidance on specific technical topics in contributes to: reporting. Although data is available for most material indicators, not all data • The proactive identification, management and monitoring of enterprise risks is available or standardised yet. Therefore, measures such as data collection so as to minimise losses and disruption to the NRF; processes and training are being put in place to ensure appropriate reporting. • Promoting and embedding a risk-conscious culture and behaviour throughout the NRF;
22 Sustainability performance iThemba LABS cooling towers
The recently installed central cooling system, with a cooling capacity in excess of 4.5MW, makes use of two types of cooling towers to eject heat into the atmosphere by means of fan-forced evaporative cooling methods. After almost 30 years of reliable service, the old cooling towers were replaced with the new units, thereby increasing the heat ejection efficiency of the system as a whole.
SKA environmental sustainability
SKA-SA conducted a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the MeerKAT site and surroundings in line with ISO 14000. The EIA included archaeological, cultural, social impact, ecological and botanical studies. The recommendations eminating from the EIA revealed that there were no areas of concern, however, the study highlighted sensitive areas from an ecological perspective. SKA- SA noted the recommendations and accommodated all sensitive areas within the MeerKAT configuration.
In relation to the construction of the MeerKAT telescope, a geohydrological study was conducted to assess the water requirements for the construction. Results from the study revealed that although there was enough water to sustain the construction project, SKA has to implemet a control and monitoring system for up and downstream in order to track the usage of the water.
Subsequent to the socio-economic baseline study carried out a few years ago, to assess the impact of the construction activities in the Karoo area, a new socio-economic impact study was conducted.
23 Board report
Corporate human resources The Board conducts an annual performance assessment of the organisation and of the CEO. The Board’s Remuneration and human resources committee and transformation takes these results into consideration when recommending remuneration levels for executives and senior management. The Board also make recommendations The Human Resource (HR) function plays a key role in the roll-out of Vision regarding the organisation’s remuneration levels in general. 2015. It ensures that staff members, functions and business divisions are aligned with the overall vision of the organisation. In line with principles of transparency, Table 16 below indicates the remuneration packages of the corporate executive committee. Performance management Staff recruitment, turnover and succession planning Efforts by both line management and HR to improve the practical application of the Integrated Performance Management System (IPMS) continue. There Recruitment in the organisation has escalated, with a year-on-year is growing buy-in, compliance and understanding, as well as appropriate increase of 33.8%. Some 154 staff members (102 in 2010/2011) joined adaptation and application across all business divisions. Enhancing the organisation in the year under review. organisational effectiveness through proper performance management planning, monitoring and review remains a key priority in the organisation. Overall turnover decreased from 10.38% to 8.56% year-on-year against an Creating a conducive work environment, and developing and motivating average national turnover of 11.5%. As the economic situation in our country employees, underpin these efforts. stabilises, we will continue our effort to retain staff and find innovative ways of engaging and incentivising staff to reduce the risk of losing key personnel. Remuneration As part of the process of ensuring the sustainability of the organisation, the The NRF executive management and general staff are remunerated in NRF reviews its succession plans at senior and top management levels on an accordance with the total cost to company approach. annual basis. This review is undertaken and discussed with the HR committee of the NRF Board. To attract and retain high-calibre staff, the NRF positions its average salaries for good performers at the median of the general market. General salary Table 17 on the next page provides an analysis of the recruitment activity and adjustments in respect of prevailing economic conditions are negotiated with the turnover movements by reason, race and gender for the period under review. representative unions on an annual basis. Differentiation among individual salaries is based on performance as measured through the NRF Integrated Performance Management System, and rewarded through performance bonuses and notch salary movement for deserving individuals.
Table 16: Remuneration packages of the corporate executive management as at 31 March 2012
2011/12 2010/11 2009/10 Corporate executive management (R’000) (R’000) (R’000)
Van Jaarsveld AS (CEO) 2 277 2 123 1 835
Damonse BA (from November 2011) 615 - -
Mazithulela G (to 30 June 2011) 422 1 573 1 450
Pillay D (from February 2010) 1 677 1 511 220
Singh B 1 604 1 301 1 197
Thompson PB 1 604 1 316 1 212
Total remuneration 8 199 7 824 5 914
24 Table 17: Staff movement by reason, race and gender as at 31 March 2012
Designated groups Non-designated groups Foreign Grand Men Women Men Non- nationals designated total African Coloured Indian Total African Coloured Indian White Total White Men Women group total
Recruits 31 20 1 52 35 17 3 14 69 26 5 2 33 154
Resignations 14 2 - 16 16 6 6 28 7 2 2 11 55
Retirements 4 1 - 5 1 - - - 1 5 - - 5 11
Retrenchments 1 - - 1 - - - 0 - - - 0 1
Contracts expiring 10 2 - 12 6 1 4 11 4 2 2 8 31
Dismissals 3 - - 3 - - - - 0 - - - 0 3
Ill Health / Disability 1 - - 1 1 - - - 1 - - - 0 2
Death 1 - - 1 1 - - - 1 - - - 0 2
Total 34 5 0 39 25 7 0 10 42 16 4 4 24 105
Employment equity and organisational transformation
Race and gender profile
Table 18 indicates the employment level of NRF staff in terms of race and gender as at 31 March 2012.
Table 18: The employment level of NRF staff by race and gender as at 31 March 2012
Designated groups Non-designated groups Occupational level Men Women Men Foreign nationals Total
African Coloured Indian African Coloured Indian White White Men Women
Top management 10301001006
Senior management 4 2 1 2 0 2 1 8 0 0 20 Professionally qualified and experienced 30 12 7 13 6 3 28 95 30 9 233 specialists and middle management Skilled technical and academically qualified workers, junior management supervisors, 143 75 3 152 60 16 90 92 8 3 642 foremen and superintendents Semi-skilled and discretionary decision-makers 118 12 0 51 15 2 2 5 0 0 205
Unskilled and defined decision-makers 22 12 0 20 17 0 0 1 0 0 72
Total permanent 318 113 14 238 99 23 121 202 38 12 1 178
Non-permanent employees 16 6 0 16 8 1 10 11 2 0 70
Grand total 334 119 14 254 107 24 131 213 40 12 1 248
25 Board report
Gender per level of employment People with disabilities
Table 19 below shows the trends in NRF staff gender representation by level of Figure 11 indicates the trend in the employment of people with disabilities. employment between 2007/08 and 2011/12. While the 2011/12 numbers are below the target set, there is a commitment by the NRF towards correcting the situation. There has been a steady increase in the overall employment of women, especially at the level of professional and academically qualified staff. In Staff profile by age pushing the employment equality agenda, the NRF anticipates that this trend will continue in coming financial years. Overall, the NRF is a relatively young organisation with 74.3% of its staff younger than 50 years of age. It should be noted that the normal retirement age was Race per level of employment increased from 60 to 65 years of age with effect from 1 January 2008. Table 21 gives an overview of the staff profile in terms of age for the period from 2008- Table 20 provides an indication of the trends in NRF staff representation in 2011. The distribution of staff age gravitates towards the age group between terms of designated and non-designated groups by level of employment 30 and 49, with a noticeable increase from 2008-2011 in the 40-49 age group. between 2007/08 and 2011/12. Suitably qualified staff There has been a steady increase in the employment of designated groups especially at the level of professional and academically qualified staff. This Research staff level of staff is also where a noticeable overall increase in staff capacity can be observed. The competitiveness of an organisation is largely determined by the availability of suitably qualified staff. The number of researchers to total staff gives an
Table 19: Trends in NRF staff gender representation by level of employment (2007/08-2011/12)
Top and senior Professional and Semi-skilled Unskilled Non-permanent Total Total staff excluding management academically staff staff staff staff foreign nationals qualified staff Year Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women 2007/08 82 33 344 182 114 150 146 59 31 26 717 450 1 167 2008/09 65 33 361 193 115 168 146 63 38 25 725 482 1 207 2009/10 26 4 389 323 190 84 19 31 25 12 649 454 1 103 2010/11 22 4 448 354 178 77 19 34 26 15 693 484 1 177 2011/12 20 6 457 368 135 70 35 37 33 35 680 516 1 196
Table 20: Trends in NRF staff representation in terms of designated and non-designated groups by level of employment (2007/08-2011/12)
Year Top and senior Professional and Semi-skilled Unskilled Non-permanent Total Total staff excluding management academically staff staff staff staff foreign nationals qualified staff ü û ü û ü û ü û ü û ü û 2007/08 70 45 361 165 257 7 197 8 47 10 932 235 1 167 2008/09 65 33 368 186 281 2 204 5 44 19 962 245 1 207 2009/10 18 11 446 258 267 7 46 4 34 12 811 292 1 103 2010/11 18 8 487 315 246 9 50 3 31 10 832 345 1 177 2011/12 16 10 520 305 198 7 71 1 47 21 852 344 1 196
ü Designated û Non-designated
26 indication of staff efficiencies and effectiveness, particularly in science councils. Training and development It should be noted, however, that the work at RISA and SAASTA is not research- intensive and therefore requires a skills set different to that required by a research As corporate training and development is a growing priority in the NRF, it is performing science council or a National Research Facility. receiving greater strategic focus and enablement. A range of focus areas, addressing common developmental needs across business divisions, are RISA and SAASTA formally employ no staff to conduct research as such. At included in a development programme. the National Research Facilities, nearly 12% (115 of the total of 951 staff members) are researchers. The percentage ranges from 1% research staff at More than 575 employees across all business divisions and employment the NZG to 20% research staff at SAIAB and HartRAO respectively. Table 22 levels attended training workshops focusing on areas such as technical report on the following page provides more information on the proportion of research writing, business writing, financial management, labour relations management, staff to total staff per business division. performance management, mentoring and coaching, employment equity, skills development, financial management information workshops and management and Staff qualifications leadership development. Quarterly business induction workshops are included in the development programmes. During 2011/12 of the staff employed at the NRF, 133 had doctoral qualifications and 116 Master’s degrees. Some 38 staff members enrolled A study was initiated to examine current operational efficiencies within RISA for PhD studies and 56 for their Master’s qualification during the period and corporate services with a view to enhancing levels of productivity and under review. All this is reflected inTable 23 on page 29. overall effectiveness.
Figure 11: Trends in the employment of people with disability (2006/07-2011/12)
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0 2011/12 2010/11 2009/10 2008/09 2007/08 2006/07
Table 21: Staff profile by age (2008/09-2011/12)
No./Percentage Age group Year Total of staff 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-74 No. of staff 196 452 287 222 50 1 207 2008/09 % of staff 16.24% 37.45% 23.78% 18.39% 4.14% 100% No. of staff 148 421 275 231 65 1 140 2009/10 % of staff 12.98% 36.93% 24.12% 20.26% 5.70% 100% No. of staff 150 444 313 245 68 1 220 2010/11 % of staff 12.30% 36.39% 25.66% 20.08% 5.57% 100% No. of staff 148 466 317 245 72 1 248 2011/12 % of staff 11.86% 37.34% 25.40% 19.63% 5.77% 100%
27 Board report
Table 22: Proportion of research staff per business division (2008/09-2011/12)
% Researchers Number of researchers Total staff to total staff 2008/09 0 233 0% 2009/10 0 226 0% RISA 2010/11 0 231 0% 2011/12 0 251 0% 2008/09 0 35 0% 2009/10 0 38 0% SAASTA 2010/11 0 41 0% 2011/12 0 46 0% 2008/09 20 114 18% 2009/10 23 111 21% SAAO 2010/11 16 116 14% 2011/12 24 125 19% 2008/09 6 50 12% 2009/10 11 43 26% HartRAO 2010/11 3 44 7% 2011/12 9 44 20% 2008/09 10 33 30% HMO 2009/10 11 34 32% 2010/11 10 32 31% 2008/09 7 59 12% 2009/10 8 47 17% SAIAB 2010/11 13 40 33% 2011/12 9 44 20% 2008/09 0 7 0% 2009/10 0 9 0% SAEON 2010/11 6 32 19% 2011/12 7 41 17% 2008/09 49 292 17% 2009/10 33 276 12% iThemba LABS 2010/11 32 272 12% 2011/12 47 282 17% 2008/09 0 329 0% 2009/10 5 315 2% NZG 2010/11 6 317 2% 2011/12 4 302 1% 2008/09 0 41 0 2009/10 - - - SKA 2010/11 5 95 5% 2011/12 8 113 7% 2008/09 92 938 10% 2009/10 91 1 099 8% National Research Facilities Total 2010/11 91 948 10% 2011/12 115 951 12% 2008/09 92 1 207 7.62% 2009/10 91 1 140 7.98% Grand Total 2010/11 91 1 220 7.46% 2011/12 115 1 248 9.21%
28 Table 23: Staff profile in terms of qualifications (2006/07-2011/12)
Facilities PhD % Enrolled for PhD % Master’s % Enrolled for Master’s % 2006/07 92 1 141 8.06 17 1 141 1.49 38 1 141 3.33 12 1 141 1.05 2007/08 92 1 167 7.88 12 1 167 1.03 35 1 167 3.00 12 1 167 1.03 2008/09 102 1 207 8.45 11 1 207 0.91 50 1 207 4.14 9 1 207 0.75 2009/10 98 1 140 8.60 17 1 140 1.49 53 1 140 4.65 23 1 140 2.02 2010/11 115 1 220 9.43 15 1 220 1.23 82 1 220 6.72 23 1 220 1.89 2011/12 112 1 248 8.97 26 1 248 2.08 80 1 248 6.41 31 1 248 2.48
RISA and SAASTA PhD % Enrolled for PhD % Master’s % Enrolled for Master’s % 2006/07 17 1 141 1.49 7 1 141 0.61 37 1 141 3.24 6 1 141 0.53 2007/08 17 1 167 1.46 7 1 167 0.60 44 1 167 3.77 18 1 167 1.54 2008/09 23 1 207 1.91 4 1 207 0.33 59 1 207 4.89 18 1 207 1.49 2009/10 25 1 140 2.19 4 1 140 0.35 45 1 140 3.95 19 1 140 1.67 2010/11 24 1 220 1.97 13 1 220 1.07 57 1 220 4.67 19 1 220 1.56 2011/12 21 1 248 1.68 12 1 248 0.96 36 1 248 2.88 25 1 248 2.00 2011/12: 133 Total NRF staff with PhD qualifications
Labour relations climate
The labour relations climate in the organisation is generally stable. However, Union membership in the organisation is showing a slight reduction with challenges exist in some business divisions where greater investment in overall union representation having decreased from 54.19% (2010/11) to relationship-building is still required. 50.79% (2011/12). Table 24 shows union membership.
Table 24: Membership by union (2008/09-2011/12)
Membership Membership Membership Membership Union 2011/12 2010/11 2009/10 2008/09 No. of staff qualifying for membership 1 195 1 135 1 073 1 090 National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) 432 363 466 369 South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) 12 23 60 96 Public Servants Association of South Africa (PSA) 136 197 33 52 SOLIDARITY 27 32 33 32 Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) 0 0 0 0 Total union membership 607 615 592 549 Total % 50.79 54.19 55.17 50.37
29 Board report
Corporate finance Expenditure trend
The major category trends are graphically represented in Figure 14 on A detailed exposition of the NRF corporate financial position is provided in page 32. the annual financial statement for 2011/12. The section below gives a short analysis of the NRF income and expenditure. Programme and operating expenditure Income The ratio of programme and operating expenditure to total expenditure is Income trend shown in Figure 15 on page 33.
This ratio trend is closely monitored and managed by the NRF. The increase The NRF’s total income decreased from R2 185m in 2010/11 to R2 132m in in 2011/12 as compared to the prior year is attributed to the ramp-up of the 2011/12 despite THRIP receiving an increased amount of R152,4m (R148,4m: SKA project by R30m (1.5%) and a once-off payment of R26m (1.25%) for 2010/11). The decrease of 2% in total income is directly attributable to a once- the buy-out exercise of the Post-Retirement Medical Benefit. off amount of R201m of designated income received from the DST in 2010/11 for the implementation of the Human Capacity Development and Strategic The expenditure per NRF business division (including THRIP) is shown in Infrastructure initiatives. The income trend is shown in Figure 12. Table 26 on page 32.
The NRF received R300m in the 2011/12 financial year through the MTEF Remuneration expenditure allocation from the DST, which is reflected under designated income for the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI). The ratio remuneration to total income and expenditure is shown in Figure 16 Income ratios on page 33. Grant expenditure The NRF has different income streams. The NRF income ratios are shown in Figure 13. Within RISA (including THRIP), there was a decrease of 8,3% in grant Income per business division expenditure in 2011/12, compared to 2010/11 due to the once-off designated funding received from the DST in 2010/11, which relates specifically to grants within the Human Capacity Development and Strategic Infrastructure initiatives. The total income per business division (including THRIP) is shown in Table 25 The relative increase in salary and programme and operating expenditure, on page 32. which is partially offset by inflationary cost increases and savings, is due to a lower grants expenditure base (see Figure 17 on page 34). The 5.3% overall increase in the NRF’s parliamentary grant received from the DST is attributed to an inflationary adjustment. The decrease in RISA, NRF five-year financial review Corporate and THRIP is directly attributable to a once-off payment of R201m by DST in 2010/11 for the Implementation of the Human Capacity Development The five-year financial review as at 31 March 2012, gives a summary of and Strategic Infrastructure initiatives. financial trends for the period between 2007/08 to 2011/12 (see Table 27 on page 34). The NRF has included in its Statement of Financial Performance an amount of R980m (2011: R1 018m) from the DST for designated projects/programmes, including designated funds for SARChi.
Expenditure
The NRF’s total expenditure rose from R2 095m in 2010/11 to R2 118m in 2011/12 (including THRIP). This increase includes the THRIP amount of R152,4m for 2011/12 (R148,4m: 2010/11), which represents a 1% rise year on year. The decrease in grants and bursaries when compared to 2011/12 is due to once-off designated funds received from the DST in 2010/11.
30 Figure 12: NRF income trend (R’000) (2007/08-2011/12)
2 500
2 000
1 500 R'000
1 000
500
0
2011/12 2010/11 2009/10 2008/09 2007/08
Other income 82 971 157 410 145 951 168 699 86 697
Designated income 1 269 716 1 266 284 835 849 699 665 453 318
Paliamentary income 779 054 761 766 719 290 715 388 685 999 2007/08 to 2011/12: R816 million The increase in designated income compared to 2007/08
Figure 13: NRF income ratios (%) (2007/08-2011/12)
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Other income (incl. interest and trading Parliamentary grant to total income Designated income to total income income) to total income
2011/12 37% 60% 4%
2010/11 35% 58% 7%
2009/10 42% 49% 9%
2008/09 45% 44% 11%
2007/08 56% 37% 7%
31 Board report
Table 25: Total income per business division (2010/11-2011/12) Table 26: Expenditure per business division (2010/11-2011/12)
2011/12 2010/11 2011/12 2010/11 Business division R’000 R’000 Business division R’000 R’000 RISA; Corporate support; and THRIP 1 415 715 1 540 081 RISA; Corporate support; and THRIP 1 413 596 1 470 388
iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based 169 241 160 054 iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based 177 218 160 143 Sciences Sciences South African Astronomical Observatory 67 584 62 219 South African Astronomical Observatory 72 550 63 638
Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory 24 818 22 642 Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory 21 939 18 746
South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity 20 032 22 856 South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity 25 304 27 438
Hermanus Magnetic Observatory - 17 429 Hermanus Magnetic Observatory - 20 048
South African Agency for Science and Technology 63 282 57 314 South African Agency for Science and Technology 64 229 58 489 Advancement Advancement South African Environmental Observation Network 22 566 22 994 National Zoological Gardens of South Africa 102 839 102 495
National Zoological Gardens of South Africa 96 562 90 200 South African Environmental Observation Network 26 426 20 127
Square Kilometre Array project 251 941 189 670 Square Kilometre Array project 213 823 154 346
Total expenditure 2 131 741 2 185 460 Total expenditure 2 117 924 2 095 858
Figure 14: NRF total expenditure split (R’000) (2007/08-2011/12)
2 500
2 000
1 500
R'000 1 000
500
0
2011/12 2010/11 2009/10 2008/09 2007/08
Employees’ remuneration 428 954 392 075 337 205 290 596 245 296
Programme, operating and other expenditure 427 862 353 481 309 552 312 363 257 858
Grants and busaries 1 261 108 1 350 302 955 708 906 915 646 484 2007/08 to 2011/12: Double NRF expenditure on grants and bursaries almost doubled over the past five years
32 Figure 15: Ratio of programme and operating expenditure to total expenditure (2007/08-2011/12)
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Programme and operating expenditure as 2011/12 2010/11 2009/10 2008/09 2007/08 percentage of total expenditure (%) 20 17 19 21 22 2007/08 to 2011/12: Only 3% The increase in programme and operating expenditure from 2011 to 2012
Figure 16: NRF remuneration ratios (2007/08-2011/12)
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Remuneration as % of expenditure Remuneration as % of total expenditure Remuneration as % of total income (excluding research grants) 2011/12 20 20 50 2010/11 19 18 53 2009/10 21 20 52 2008/09 19 18 48 2007/08 21 20 49
2007/08 to 2011/12: Stable ratios NRF remuneration ratios have remained constant
33 Board report
Figure 17: RISA and THRIP expenditure (R’000) (2010/11-2011/12)
-8,3%
1 400 000
1 200 000
1 000 000
800 000 R'000 600 000
400 000
200 000 6% 8% 5% 4% 0 RISA 2011/12 RISA 2010/11
Grants and bursaries Salaries (% of grants) Programme and operating expenditure (% of grants)
Table 27: National Research Foundation five-year financial review as at 31 March 2012
Financial indicators 2011/12 2010/11 2009/10 2008/09 2007/08 R' 000 R' 000 R' 000 R' 000 R' 000 Statement of financial position Current assets 1 134 421 1 384 620 1 643 146 1086 025 805 112 Current liabilities 1 124 909 1 209 362 1 483 906 936 995 707 957 Total assets 1 726 974 1 930 206 2 112 721 1 451 723 1 094 117
Cash flow Cash flows from (used in) operating activities (316 984) (409 690) 693 673 404 373 194 124 Cash flows from investing activities (110 689) (118 426) (141 678) (110 133) (57 963) Cash flows from financing activities (1 097) (1 036) 991 (486) (130)
Ratio analysis Current ratio (current assets divided by current liabilities) 1,01 1,14 1,11 1,16 1,14 Number of permanent employees 1 248 1 220 1 222 1 207 1 167 Number of interns 84 424 167 2007/08 to 2011/12: 7% The increase in the number of permanent employees
34 Square Kilometre Array South Africa summarised project trial balance Table 28: SKA abridged financial statement as at 31 March 2012 TheKA-SAs S i managed as a special project of the NRF. The SKA-SA project Account Description 2011/12 2010/11 is significant for the DST and of strategic scientific importance to the continent. R'000 R'000 Income The abridged financial information extracted from the SKA project trial balance, Designated income/parliamentary grant 228 605 152 438 as requested by National Treasury, is shown in Table 28. Sales of goods and services 1 300 - Interest received 21 617 37 225 Gains on disposal of assets 8 17 Other income 410 7 Expenditure Employees' remuneration 48 523 44 336 Accommodation 5 571 5 240 Books and journals 22 174 Computer requisites 911 1 155 Conferences 1 280 620 R869 Depreciation 3 779 2 940 Fees for services 59 764 33 594 million Grants and bursaries 65 413 37 925 Insurance and licences 667 658 Marketing 1 880 186 Printing and stationery 397 1 004 Total invested in the SKA-SA project Purchases 2 697 5 723 since inception in 2004 Recruitment 912 1 198 Training 364 391 Refreshments (conferences and workshops) 368 293 Repairs and maintenance 1 163 816 Security 1 295 1 094 Travel (staff and non-staff) 9 355 8 605 Telephone and postage 1 859 779 Other expenses 7 602 7 634 Assets Inventory 4 2 R82 Trade and other receivables 2 776 14 222 Cash 8 310 7 million Investments (short-term deposits) 268 945 481 335 Property and equipment 226 301 191 795 Cost 239 862 201 752 Land 18 659 18 659 Investment in SKA HCD program since 2004 IT equipment 7 215 6 141 (R27m in 2011/12) Office furniture 1 477 1 294 Office equipment 4 706 3 491 Motor vehicles 12 626 8 393 Research equipment 14 742 11 209 Capital work in progress 180 437 152 565 Accumulated depreciation (13 561) (9 957) IT equipment (4 123) (3 138) Office furniture (354) (235) Office equipment (877) (476) Motor vehicles (2 534) (1 542) Research equipment (5 673) (4 566) Capital Capital fund (assets) 14 845 12 816 Liabilities Trade and other payables 14 845 12 816 Designated income received in advance 259 031 479 615 Accrued grants 2 766 - Provision leave and savings scheme 3 238 3 063 Finance lease 154 71
35 Part B: Business overview
Science advancement 38
Research and Innovation Support and Advancement (RISA) 50
National Research Facilities 74
36 37 Science Advancement and the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA)
WE ARE...
Science Science Science awareness communication education
...touching people's ...sharing the excitement ...transforming lives by lives by growing their and achievements of educating a new generation of awareness of science science in daily life young scientists TOUCH SHARE TRANSFORM
38 Science Advancement and SAASTA The NRF pursues the goal of creating a society that is steeped in a knowledge culture and contributing to a knowledge economy through the following Focus and infrastructure approach (See Figure 16 on the next page).
The purpose of the NRF science advancement function and SAASTA is to • Science education: science education aims to excite the youth about promote and communicate the value and impact of science, technology, science at an early age and to encourage them to develop an interest engineering, mathematics and innovation (STEMI). Science advancement in studying mathematics and science subjects. While placing emphasis activities support government priorities such as the Human Resource on the youth, awareness is also created among those advising learners Development Strategy (2002), the National Strategy for Mathematics, Science about subject and career choices. Science education support and and Technology Education (2004), the Youth into Science Strategy (2006), resources are given to schools and educators. and the DST Ten Year Innovation Plan (2008). Activities are designed to • Science communication: science communication strategically develops increase the number of skilled professionals and to create a bigger and more and implements new science communication initiatives in response to competent pool of human resources that may opt for science-based careers national challenges and needs and in line with international trends in and/or pursue research at a postgraduate level. the field of science communication. This unit also sustains and renews a portfolio of existing science communication initiatives and builds capacity The target audiences for science engagement include educators and in science communication. learners, the tertiary education sector, the science community, the science • Science engagement: science engagement uses the big science awareness sector, industry and the general public. The NRF interacts infrastructure of the National Research Facilities, exhibitions, closely with a network of science centres, higher education institutions, festivals and various other awareness programmes to increase public science councils, professional science associations and a host of other engagement with and stimulate an interest in science and technology science-based entities at national and international levels. phenomena among South Africans. • Special projects: SAASTA also runs ad-hoc special projects such as: SAASTA and the National Research Facilities have adopted a matrix approach, - Stakeholder programmes; ensuring that a cross-cutting science advancement strategy is implemented, - Educator programmes; and without encroaching on the operational activities of the facilities. - Youth programmes.
The top 120 learners that participated in the 2011 National Science Olympiad Learning about physics the fun way at the Johannesburg Observatory. were invited to attend a Youth Science Focus Week organised by SAASTA. For more information on school visits, go to www.saasta.ac.za. They were taken on tours of various science facilities, amongst others the laboratories at the National Zoological Gardens.
39 Business overview
Figure 18: Science advancement approach
Science awareness platforms Networking National Research Facilities Exhibitions
Programmes Festivals
Science Science Education SCIENCE Communication School science ADVANCEMENT Communication capacity building
Science resources Science promotion
SET careers Science media
Science centre networks and mobile labs As part of its science advancement initiatives, SAASTA funds a number of and members of the public. The image below gives an overview of the mobile labs and supports science centre networks distributed throughout geographical spread of the mobile labs (green dots) and the science centre the country. These mobile labs and centres promote science to learners networks (white dots).
Mobile Labs Mondi Science Centre, Piet Retief (MP) FOSST Discovery Centre, Fort Hare (EC) Arcelor Mittal, Vanderbijl Park (GP) SciBono, Newton, (GP) UJ Science Centre, Soweto (GP) Arcelor Mittal, Saldanha Bay (WC) South African National Space Agency (SANSA) (WC) SAAO (WC) KZN Science Centre - KwaMhlanga (KZN) Arcelor Mittal, Newscastle (KZN)
Science advancement performance through SAASTA and the National Research Facilities
Growing a representative science and technology workforce advancement programmes and initiatives have been rolled out throughout through science advancement the country in collaboration with different institutes and organisations. The following are the initiatives that were implemented through SAASTA and the The science advancement mission is to build human capacity and to promote National Research Facilities. These initiatives are outlined in accordance with the impact and benefits of science for society through the provision of cutting the relevant NRF goals. edge science and technology platforms. In so doing, a number of science
40 School intervention activities
Objective Means to reach objective Support learners Learner camps during school holidays; educator workshops on content and methodology; provision of curriculum educational resource materials to learners, educators and schools Encourage learner and Participation in science festivals such as National Science Week educator participation and interaction with travelling science exhibits, science shows, science theatre Identify and nurture Participation in Olympiads and Competitions such as the Natural talent (grades 6 - 9) and National Science Olympiads (10 -12), Astronomy Quiz (5-7) and School Debates (10-12) Promote SET careers Interaction with appropriate role models in SET; SET related awareness industry visits and provision of career educational resource Grade 10 learners at a science camp where they had an opportunity to materials learn about the environment SAEON scientists work in.
SAASTA project footprint 2011/12
Province Area Municipalities KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Newcastle, Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Richards Bay, Stanger, Maphumulo, Bergville. Amajuba, eThekwini, iLembe, uMgungundlovu, uThungulu. Eastern Cape (EC) Port Elizabeth, East London, Umtata, Lusikisiki, Bisho, Mount Ayliff. Cacadu, Amatole, Alfred Nzo, Nelson Mandela Bay, OR Tambo. Limpopo (LP) Polokwane, Giyani, Thohoyandou, Modimolle, Phalaborwa, Tzaneen, Groblersdal. Capricorn, Mopani, Vhembe, Waterberg, Greater Sekhukhune. Western Cape (WC) Cape Town, Saldanha, Hermenus, Worcester, Bredasdorp, George, Beaufort West. City of Cape Town, West Coast, Central Karoo, Cape Winelands, Overberg, Eden, Central Karoo. Gauteng (GP) Johannesburg, Tshwane, Germiston, Bronkhorstspruit, Randfontein, Vanderbilpark, City of Johannesburg, City of Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, Metsweding, Carltonville. West Rand, Sedibeng. Mpumalanga (MP) Nelspruit, Secunda, Witbank, Pit Retief, Malelana Middelburg, KomatiPoort, Ehlanzeni, Gert Sibande, Nkangala, Nkomanzi, Bohlabela. Kameelrivier Bushbuckridge. Northern Cape (NC) Kuruman, Kimberley, Sutherland, Springbok. Kgalagadi, Frances Baard, Karoo Hoogland, Namakwa. Free State (FS) Sasolburg, Bloemfontein, Botsabelo, Thabanchu, Kroonstad, Welkom, Trompsberg. Fezile Dabi, Motheo, Lejweleputswa, Xhariep. North West (NW) Mafikeng, Potchefstroom, Rustenburg, Klerksdorp, Zeerust, Vryburg, Brits. Ngaka Modiri Molema, Tlokwe, Bojanala Platinum, Dr Kenneth Kaunda.
Spread of school interventions 2011/12
Project GP MP NW FS LP KZN EC NC WC National Science Week ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü Undergraduate support (HEls) ü ü ü ü ü ü Biotechnology and Biodiversity workshops ü ü ü South African Quantum Physics camp ü ü ü ü ü Role modelling campaigns ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü Primary school intervention ü ü ü ü ü National Science Olympiad ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü Science camps for learners with potential ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü Science camps for Harmony schools ü ü ü ü Nurturing talent in set ü ü ü Astro quiz ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü School debates ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü Dst-adopted Dinaledi schools programme ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü STEMI Olympiads and competitions ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü
41 Business overview
Providing science advancement platforms through the National Research Facilities
Platforms for science advancement through the National Research Facilities
HartRAO SAAO NZG SAEON SAIAB iThemba LABS
Biodiversity, environment, conservation Radio Astronomy
Learning about our environment, it's changes and how to conserve it Learning about celestial objects at radio frequencies
Optical Astronomy Nuclear sciences
Learning about our solar system and beyond Learning about radiotherapy
42 Contributing to a vibrant national system of innovation • The SALT Collateral Benefits Division (SCBD) has developed indigenous art for Stellarium to be used by all science centres and outreach facilities in With regard to science advancement, Table 29 outlines international South Africa and abroad. Stellarium is a free astronomy software package collaborations that were nurtured and explored by SAASTA and the National (a planetarium programme) that shows which stars will be visible and Research Facilities with international institutions. when they will ‘rise’ and ‘set’. • The 2011 Astronomy Winter School was held targeting students from Science advancement at the platforms of the National previously disadvantaged universities, the school aims to attract Research Facilities them into astronomy and to select students with potential to enter the National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme (NASSP) • In December 2011 the NZG hosted the Total Summer Promotion in Extended Honours Programme. conjunction with MacDonalds, Total South Africa and Oasis Water. This promotion increased the number of visitors to the facility to 591 088. Science advancement performance indicators • Two train coaches in the train museum at Matjiesfontein were allocated to the HartRAO Matjiesfontein project some years ago. Funding was Table 30 below shows the performance trends for science advancement recently acquired for the restoration of these coaches and they will be through SAASTA and the National Research Facilities from 2008/09-2011/12 now be used for science advancement activities. and the progress toward achieving the Vision 2015 goals.
Table 29: Science advancement international collaboration
International cooperation • Namibia, Lesotho, Zimbabwe - National Science Olympiad • Lesotho - Science Centre Networks • Botswana - Science communication workshop • Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda - National Science Week • Australia's National University (ANU) - Science centre capacity building • United States of America (USA) American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) - Educational resources, online courses, visitors programmes, educator workshops • United States of America (USA) (Miami University/Science Centre) and France - skills development for science centres
Table 30: Science advancement performance trends (SAASTA and the National Research Facilities) (2008/09–2014/15)
Actual Actual Actual Actual Target Target Target Indicator description 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 Promoting internationally competitive research Number of educator resources produced 11 10 7 6 6 6 Number of learner resources produced 15 22 9 6 6 6 Science Advancement Number of technical manuals and fact sheets produced 6 12 22 11 12 15 Number of science promotion publications produced 17 16 16 12 15 15 Growing a representative science and technology workforce in South Africa (externally) Number of learners reached through science advancement activities 36 738 468 021 618 113 592 607 796 000 876 250 913 500 Number of educators reached through science advancement activities 4 102 18 909 21 286 27 608 26 356 28 396 28 660
43 Business overview IMPACT DST Dinaledi schools project In 2001 the Department of Education established the Dinaledi schools project providing them with the resources and support to improve the teaching and to increase the number of matriculants with university-entrance mathematics learning of these subjects. and science passes. The strategy involved selecting certain secondary schools for Dinaledi status that have demonstrated their potential for increasing DST adopted 18 Dinaledi schools (two in each province) and SAASTA has learner participation and performance in mathematics and science, and implemented the following interventions in these schools:
SAASTA interventions in the 18 DST-adopted Dinaledi schools
Free participation in the National Science Olympiads
Provision of educational resources (Interactive whiteboard; laptops; curriculum aligned Mathematics, Life Sciences and Physical Science learner and educator study guides; science equipment)
Extra tuition in Mathematics and Physical Sciences (2012/13)
Formation and support of Science Clubs
Provision of grants (funds) to participate in the National Science Week
Exposing learners to career opportunities in SET through provision of resources and interaction with appropriate role models
Sending learners and educators to attend international science events (Canada)
Participation in Science camps to improve performance in Mathematics, Life Sciences and Physical Sciences
44 IMPACT SET careers awareness Between 2007 and 2009 the SAASTA Education unit collaborated with the the range of possible SET careers. The project started with learners in grade 10 University of Johannesburg, working with 73 schools across five provinces viz (2007) and continued with them until they reached grade 12 (2009). In 2010, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. The focus SAASTA did a follow-up study of students from a sample of 54 of these 73 was on career guidance and maths and science support. The main objectives schools and tracked university entrance. The results showed that 40% of the were to identify and nurture talent and to broaden the learners' knowledge of tracked learners where in higher education, 54% of these were studying in SET fields and 24% of the SET field learners where studying Engineering.
from which... 252
1st year studies in Engineering 2 555
learners enrolled in at least two subjects from including Mathematics, Physical Science which... and Learner Science 7 771 Total no. of learners in from which... programmes 73 Schools
from which...
1 060 572
No. of learners who 1st year studies in SET field passed Senior Certificate 2007 to 2010: to 2007 supported in career guidance and science awareness
45 Business overview IMPACT Identifying talent in SET
The National Science Olympiad (grades 10-12)
SAASTA's National Science Olympiad project started in 1964, and was young people to consider careers in science and technology. Each year the top initially intended for grade 12 learners with the objective of promoting 100 learners in the Olympiad attend a Science Focus Week in Pretoria, where Physical Science. Some 48 years later, the competition continues to be one they undertake industry visits, interact with senior scientists and engineers, of SAASTA’s flagship projects. Since 2005, the project has offered learners attend lectures at science centres and botanical gardens and receive prizes in grades 10-12 an exciting opportunity to compete in the science fields with at the National Gala Awards Dinner. fellow learners from across all the nine provinces and from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. Over the years, participation and performance in the National Science Olympiad has increased significantly with approximately 700 students The main aim of the competition is to encourage excellence in science participating in 1964 to over 24 000 in 2011. education, whilst also stimulating interest in the sciences. It seeks to inspire
Figure 19: Participation in National Science Olympiad (1964–2011)
25 000
20 000
15 000
10 000
5 000
0 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 1964
24 524 20 833 20 369 19 438 15 538 17 538 13 971 9 614 9 117 700
46 Building a knowledge economy through knowledge impartation
47 Getting big into the world of the very small
The South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) SAASTA aims to assist the NRF in its overall contribution to the NSI by launched the eagerly anticipated tour programme of the DST/CSIR National “translating” academic research into relevant information for the layperson, Centre for Nano-structured Materials at the CSIR on 23 February 2012, to industry and policy-makers. In conjunction with this, SAASTA profiles great effect. innovations of the South African research and development sector to raise awareness of local scientific activities, research and technological applications. The first of its kind in South Africa, the Nano Facility Tour was developed to Researchers in the applied sciences, scientists and content specialists are create awareness of nanotechnology – the science of building machines at encouraged to disseminate their research outputs through workshops and a subatomic (or VERY small) level. The tour was developed to equip staff at participation in programmes and initiatives such as the Nano Facility Tour. the Centre in Pretoria to communicate and make the complex science of nanotechnology accessible to their visitors, which include students, educators, the media, industry and the general public. During these tours visitors are made familiar with nanotechnology resources developed at the facility and their potential uses in our day-to-day lives.
For example, materials made with nanotechnology are often stronger, more durable, and lighter than alternatives. And, in the medical world, nanotechnology helps create “smart drugs”, which help to cure people faster and without the side-effects of traditional drugs.
The tour also aims to encourage industry to be involved in the development of nanotechnology: it is expected that in less than five years’ time, up to 15% of all manufactured products will incorporate nanotechnology.
It was as a result of this need to position South Africa for the future that the Nanotechnology Public Engagement Programme (NPEP) was launched by DST Science awareness in early 2008 as part of a larger nanotechnology strategy. The programme aims to promote public understanding of nanotechnology to enable informed decision-making on nanotechnology innovations to improve the quality of life.
The NPEP, which SAASTA manages for the DST, developed the tour in partnership with the DST/CSIR Centre and Jive Media, a KwaZulu-Natal-based company that specialises in science communication.
“With the support of the DST, we are proud to bring science communication to the fore as an intrinsic part of this emerging science,” says Dr Beverley Damonse, Group Executive: Science Advancement of the NRF. “The tour will open the communication channels to facilitate dialogue between the scientists, the public and industry partners so that the science is not practised Scientist at work in an ivory tower”.
48 IMPACT PROJECT
...in five years
15%of all manufactured Nano 1st products will incorporate Facility of it's kind in SA nanotechnology Tour Nanotechnology helps create "smart drugs"
49 Research and Innovation Support and Advancement (RISA)
50 Research and Innovation Support and Advancement (RISA)
RISA promotes and supports research and research capacity in all fields of Services research, innovation and technology. This is achieved by investing on a competitive basis in research, people and infrastructure. RISA provides support to the NSI by: • Implementing government policies (such as the 2008-2018 DST 10-year Purpose and scope Innovation Plan) and managing appropriate initiatives; • Running peer review systems to enable independent and objective RISA is the funding arm of the NRF that translates the Science and Technology research funding decisions; strategies and policies of government into programmes and initiatives that • Managing a grant-making and administration service; support research institutions and researchers. The key function of RISA is to • Providing experience and expertise in research management through ensure that the country has appropriately qualified people and the necessary instruments such as the Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and the South African high-level infrastructure to produce knowledge that can transform the economy Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI); of South Africa into one that can compete globally. • Negotiating and servicing international and inter-agency research collaboration agreements; and RISA promotes and supports research and research capacity development in all • Facilitating partnerships between HEIs and several government fields of knowledge and technology through: departments. • Investing on a competitive basis in knowledge, people and infrastructure; • Developing research capacity and advancing equity and equality Sources of funding among researchers; • Promoting the development of institutional capacity at HEIs; and RISA receives the following funding: • Facilitating strategic national and international research partnerships • Discretionary funds allocated to the NRF through the DST (core funds); and networks. • Designated funds from the DST for supporting programmes, such as CoE and SARChI;
Figure 21: Growth rate for RISA funding streams (R’000) (2009/10-2011/12)
1 500 000
1 200 000
900 000
600 000
300 000
0
MTEF MTEF Designated Additional Other core income designated income income DST income income Total
2011/12 317 889 232 019 725 577 - 12 753 1 288 238
2010/11 306 796 116 721 787 242 205 434 28 002 1 444 195
2009/10 332 410 117 656 607 080 - 35 161 1 092 307
51 Business overview
• Contract funds received from various government departments, for example: Investment principles - Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) for the National Skills Fund; As part of the NRF strategy, Vision 2015, the NRF has adopted a set of investment - Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) for the THRIP programme; principles to guide the grant-making process. These principles include: and • Following an approach that balances funding that is strategy-driven with - Department of Water and Environmental Affairs (DWEA) for in-part funding that is demand-orientated; support of the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP). • Allocating appropriate resources for efficient delivery of services and for delivery on the NRF strategic goals; Designated and contract funds are managed according to objectives laid down • Providing resources for research, development of students, emerging by the respective sponsors. researchers and established researchers; • Following competitive procedures for all applications for funding; Figure 21 on page 51 illustrates the income trends of RISA discretionary funds. • Adhering to a merit-based, rigorous peer review and rating of the research Designated funding has grown on average by 6% (2011: 25%) and discretionary outputs of established researchers; funding has grown at 4% (-8%: 2010/11). • Ensuring fairness, transparency and accountability in all RISA procedures and decisions; Figure 22 shows the growth rate of RISA discretionary funds for the period • Upholding transformation as a consideration at all times, and therefore 2009/10-2011/12. monitoring and rewarding transformation; • Adopting the PhD qualification as a critical systems driver; and • Encouraging and promoting cross-fertilisation and rotation of expertise and talent between RISA and other entities in the national science system.
Figure 22: Income trend for RISA discretionary funds 2008/09-2011/12
Many answers to human existence lie in a DNA strand R332m R319m
R307m
2011/12 2010/11 2009/10
52 RISA structure
The way in which RISA is structured for service delivery is shown in Figure 23.
RISA programmes
Applied research, innovation and collaboration (ARIC)
Scope and purpose
Applied research, innovation and collaboration (ARIC) is a new directorate The ARIC directorate was launched in October 2011 and consists of the following that promotes and develops applied research within the NSI. Applied research major programmes: produces innovation for commercialisation and can inform policy, legislation • Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP); and implementation of societal well-being in areas such as sustainability, • South African Nuclear Human Asset and Research Programme (SANHARP); poverty alleviation, food security, community security, housing, governance and • Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics (BFG); health. The ARIC programmes complement innovation support interventions • The 2ENRICH initiative; and and programmes such as the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and the • Research and Technology Fund (RTF). Support Programme for Industrial Innovation (SPII).
Figure 23: RISA organogram
CEO
Deputy CEO: Research and Innovation Support and Advancement (RISA)
Knowledge Fields Development (KFD) RISA Special projects Applied Research, Innovation and Collaboration (ARIC) Research Information Management System (RIMS) Human and Institutional Capacity Development (HICD) International Council for Science Regional Office for Africa (ICSU ROA) International Relations and Cooperation (IR&C) DST/NRF internship programme Knowledge Management and Evaluation (KM&E)
Grants Management and Systems Administration (GMSA)
53 Turning brine into water
The HybridICE® freeze crystallisation technology is a world-first, cost-effective and comprehensive solution for treating toxic wastewater – including waste brine streams – regardless of its chemical composition. This groundbreaking Fact box chemical-free method of treating wastewater is set to revolutionise the water The process offers multiple benefits: treatment industry worldwide. • No pre-treatment chemicals are added to the process • The process removes both organic and inorganic compounds An exciting and vital environmental innovation, the HybridICE® freeze • Freezing out the water part is possible in any chemical crystallisation technology system is a method of using refrigeration energy to composition freeze out the water in a solution with dissolved chemicals. In this way, the • An existing refrigeration system can be retrofitted to become a waste heat from the refrigeration process is used to recover the contaminants HybridICE system as solids. Importantly, no chemicals are used in the treatment process. • Waste heat from the refrigeration cycle can be utilised to further reduce the operating and investment costs for Human pollution of water resources, continuous population growth, industrial evaporation. development and improved standards of living are placing severe strain on our natural resources, and water scarcity is an imminent global challenge. The HybridICE® technology – whose robust and universal design is not sensitive to mud, heavy metals, pH levels, acidic or alkaline, or waters with organic or inorganic elements – offers a viable solution to recover contaminated water at a cost considerably lower than any other treatment method currently available.
The HybridICE® freeze crystallisation technology was developed by Frederick S. Oosthuizen in cooperation with Professor Jannie Maree of the Tshwane University of Technology. It is a future-orientated technology and the beginning of an exciting era for treating new materialising complex industrial waste-wasters as a result of chemical and pharmaceutical products, including harmful endocrine disruptors.
“Dealing with the waste brine streams created as a result of known water treatment technologies, such as reverse osmosis, is a costly challenge facing industry world-wide, particularly the local mining industry,” explains Prof Maree. “HybridICE® freeze crystallisation technology is a sustainable technology based on sound thermodynamic laws that offers a unique opportunity to combat these issues.”
HybridICE® system
54 IMPACT PROJECT
...set to revolutionise water treatment worldwide
HybridICE sustainabletechnology is a world 1st
55 Business overview
Human and institutional capacity development (HICD) • Expand the scientific research and innovation capacity of South Africa; • Improve South Africa’s international research and innovation competitiveness Scope and purpose while responding to the social and economic challenges of the country; • Attract and retain excellent researchers and scientists; The goal of the Human and Institutional Capacity Development (HICD) • Increase the production of Master’s and doctoral graduates; and directorate is to develop institutional research capabilities and infrastructure in • Create research career pathways for young and mid-career researchers parallel with developing the appropriate human capital to drive the research and with a strong research, innovation and human capital development development strategies within the NSI. output trajectory.
The directorate comprises the five programmes (seeFigure 24) that are The Institutional Capacity Programme (ICP) is geared towards developing implemented in collaboration and partnership with government departments, researchers from previously disadvantaged groups such as black, female and HEIs, research institutions, industry and other national and international players. disabled researchers. The programme supports and implements funding initiatives These programmes are: to develop and enhance human capital development and to strengthen sustained institutional research capacity at public higher education and research institutions. The South African PhD (SA PhD) Project aims to increase the number of research doctorates to strengthen the academic and Research and The Strategic Platforms Programme focuses on: Development (R&D) workforce in South Africa. This is done by amongst other • Establishing enabling infrastructure, including state-of-the-art research things, fostering public-private partnerships for human capital development. equipment and national facilities; • Providing access to research equipment and facilities through mobility and The Human Capacity Programme (HCP) offers: research grants; • A range of bursaries and scholarships for student and postdoctoral training; • Promoting collaboration among researchers working at universities and • Value-adding initiatives that aim to retain researchers within the NSI; those at National Research Facilities through collaborative research grants; • The DST-NRF Internship Programme for unemployed SET graduates; and • Supporting flagship research projects in strategic areas, such as • Strategic projects to increase human resources in scarce skills areas. nanotechnology; and • Developing specialised technical expertise within existing and developing The South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) is a knowledge and strategic platforms. human capacity-building intervention led by the DST and the NRF. SARChI has five main objectives, i.e. to:
Figure 24: The HICD Programmes
South African PhD Project
Strategic Platforms Programme Human Capacity Programme HICD
Institutional Capacity Programme South African Research Chairs Initiative
56 Working together for a better tomorrow
57 It’s all in the delivery
The South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) in Pharmaceutical Biomaterials and Polymer-Engineered Drug Delivery Technologies, chaired by Professor Viness Pillay, is prototyping new solutions for advanced drug delivery technologies. Aiming high, the programme designs sophisticated polymeric drug delivery systems that will have a positive impact on the pharmaceutical industry worldwide in every therapeutic category.
In 2011, the team headed by Prof Pillay, NRF Research Chair in Pharmaceutical Biomaterials and Polymer-Engineered Drug Delivery Technologies, was also recognised as an African Network for Drugs and Diagnostics Innovation Centre of Excellence, to be known as the Centre of Excellence in Advanced Drug Delivery Technology. Since it began in 2007, the Chair has produced over 60 research publications and over 100 papers presented at international and local conferences and has filed over 30 Fact box The pharmaceutical industry faces numerous challenges patents. The research group is currently the largest team in the field of drug as patents on originator products continue to expire and delivery systems design in South Africa. companies struggle to produce innovative breakthroughs to meet the impact of generics. Some of the pipeline Owing to expansion through numerous prestigious research grants innovations, such as those developed in Prof Pillay’s amassed over the past five years, the current research infrastructure laboratory, hold the key to success in overcoming these enjoys state-of-the-art globally competitive research facilities and challenges as pharmaceutical companies look to the laboratory equipment for drug delivery research, valued at over R50m. biotechnology and academic sectors to renew their Some of the instruments, such as the NanoTensile Tester, Magnetic product lines. Resonance Imaging (MRI) Tablet Imaging System, Vevo 2100 and CellVizio Imaging Platform, are the only ones of their kind in South Africa, or amongst only three or four globally.
Several key projects are currently under development and novel target- based therapies provide new treatment options for cancer, infectious diseases, metabolic syndromes and neurodegenerative disorders. One of the nanotechnology projects is a ground-breaking initiative that involves the new treatment of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). Says Prof Pillay: “The team is working to design an injectable, biodegradable device that will provide on-the-spot delivery of a model steroidal drug methylprednisolone at a dose 100 times less than when administered intravenously for improved SCI therapy.”
Laboratory assistant administering dosage
58 IMPACT PROJECT
R50 million investment in state-of-the-art research facilities and laboratory equipment
Over research60 publications 100conference papers presented Over thirty patents filed in 2011/12
59 Business overview
Knowledge Fields Development (KFD) Centres of Excellence (CoE)
Scope and purpose Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology (hosted by Stellenbosch University) The broad aim of the directorate for Knowledge Fields Development (KFD) is, The centre is concerned with the to facilitate the: biology of invasive species, with • Advancement of the frontiers of existing knowledge; special emphasis on the impact that • Development of new fields of knowledge; and invasive species have on southern • Generation of the necessary associated research capacity. Africa’s biodiversity, agriculture and eco-tourism. The principal aims of the Knowledge Fields Development aims to: Centre’s work are to reduce the rates • Investigate, map and analyse research interests and trends within and across and impacts of biological invasions by disciplines and knowledge fields; furthering scientific understanding and Invasion Biology • Promote active interaction among researchers within and across predictive capability, and by developing disciplines and knowledge fields; research capacity. • Strengthen the scientific and professional organisations in the South African research community; • Facilitate expanding the frontiers of existing knowledge and creating new Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials (hosted by the University of knowledge; and the Witwatersrand) • Refine or redefine calls for research proposals in the light of developments This centre studies hard materials, and interventions. metal alloys, metal oxides, ceramics, diamond-like materials Programmes funded through discretionary income include: and composites including carbon • Blue Skies research; nanotubes. Strong materials retain • Community engagement; their distinctive scientific and applied • Competitive programme for rated researchers; properties under extreme conditions • Competitive support for unrated researchers; and thus have wide applications in the • Education research; manufacturing and mining industries • Incentive funding for rated researchers; and Strong Materials in South Africa and abroad. Research • Development grant. programmes of the Centre involve the prediction, design, synthesis, evaluation, development and exploitation of Programmes funded through designated and contract income include: strong materials. • Centres of Excellence; • African Origins Platform (AOP); Centre of Excellence in Birds as Key to Biodiversity Conservation at the • Astronomy programmes; Percy FitzPatrick Institute (hosted by the University of Cape Town) • Biodiversity, Oceans and Costal Research; The centre is committed to developing • Community and University Partnerships; a greater understanding of the vast • Drug Discovery Programme; untapped biological resources of the • Global Change Research; continent, through the training of • Human and Social Dynamics; scientists and the pursuit of primary • Indigenous Knowledge Systems Programme; and research, from evolutionary ecology to • South African National Antarctica Programme. conservation biology.
Birds As Keys To Biodiversity Conservation
60 Research is based on two interlinked themes: understanding and maintaining Centre of Excellence in Tree Health Biotechnology at the Forestry and biodiversity. The first investigates the composition and structure of biodiversity, Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) (hosted by the University of Pretoria) the processed responsible for its generation, and how relationships between The centre acknowledges the organisms and their environments influence the form and functioning of outstanding contribution made by biological systems. FABI to the field of biotechnology as applied to trees. The centre focuses The second theme builds on the strong theoretical and empirical foundation on the field of tree health, which is of the first theme and assesses, predicts and manages human impacts on tremendously important, both nationally biodiversity. The second theme also focusses on the dynamic link that leads and internationally. The core focus is to biodiversity loss, developing effective strategies to stem this loss, and to provide the highest possible quality discovering a way to use components of biodiversity sustainability to the benefit of postgraduate education in fields Tree Health Biotechnology of South Africa. such as plant pathology, entomology, biochemistry, genetics, molecular Centre of Excellence in Catalysis (hosted by the University of Cape Town) biology, biotechnology and ecology. Research at this centre focuses on chemical catalysis mainly for the Centre of Excellence in the Applied Centre for Climate and Earth conversion of gas liquid fuels and for Systems Science (ACCESS) (hosted by the Council for Scientific and downstream processing that adds value to Industrial Research) bulk chemicals. Research in the Centre for The focus of ACCESS is on climate- Catalysis Research covers all of catalyst related phenomena that range from synthesis and modification, physico- the transient fluctuations in conditions chemical characterisation and testing on land and in the adjacent oceans to under industrially relevant conditions. future climate changes associated Catalysis with global warming.
(co- Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis (TB) Research Applied Centre for Climate and hosted by the University of Cape Town, University of Stellenbosch and the Earth Systems University of the Witwatersrand) This research centre includes all aspects of TB diagnosis, testing and Centre of Excellence in Epidemiology Modelling and Analysis (hosted by treatment. With the third-highest Stellenbosch University) incidence rate and second-highest The South African Centre for mortality rate in the world, South Epidemiological Modelling and Africa is facing a TB problem of Analysis (SACEMA) specialises in the such magnitude that this disease mathematical modelling of diseases has been declared a national health prevalent in South Africa, southern Africa emergency. and the African continent. The immediate Biomedical TB Research aim of the research is to understand and predict the development of various diseases and provide advice on how best Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis to combat them.
61 Centre of Excellence in Catalysis, c*change
The DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Catalysis Research, c*change, is hosted by the Centre for Catalysis Research at the University of Cape Town. Its academics and researchers focus on four research areas: synthesis gas conversion, paraffin activation, value addition to unique olefinic feedstocks, and the underdeveloped small-volume chemicals sector.
In addition to its scientific focus on chemical transformations, the Centre serves as an agent of change for the development of a new generation of research leaders incorporating the full diversity of South Africa’s rich scientific potential.
In that light the Centre has been involved in the successful development of teaching material for the new Grade 12 Physical Science syllabus.
The new syllabus requires learners to study the chemical industry in South Africa, with particular emphasis on the manufacture of petrochemicals and synthetic fuels, chlor-alkali derivatives, fertilizers and batteries. As such, c*change initiated the compilation of a resource pack containing a teachers’ guide, learner worksheets, videos, animations and posters. Together with industrial sponsorship for printing and distribution, and involving 18 organisations (universities, Non-Government Organisations [NGOs], education departments and private sector organisations), a number of workshops with high attendance by educators were held, distributing about 5 600 resource packs nationwide. The material is available to the public on several web-sites such as UCT Open-Source.
Fact box In addition, c*change has contributed funding for proof-of-concept work on Direct Liquefaction of Micro-algae Biomass, a so-called c*STAR project that forms part of a larger Micro-algae to Energy initiative. The concept of a c*STAR project is to utilise the c*change network and resource capacity to demonstrate proof-of-concept projects with a view to facilitate c*change and/or to assist its members in attracting outside interest or funding for technology development projects.
62 IMPACT PROJECT
Supported by
organisations18
c*change embraces Grade 12 physical science syllabus 5 600 resource packs distributed nationwide
63 Business overview
Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials
Special awards at the student research workshop
Bernard Odera was awarded the Best Poster Award for his poster entitled Jethro Garrett was awarded the Best Presentation Award for his “Solidification and Liquidus Surface Projections of the Pt-Al-V System at the presentation entitled “SPS Consolidation of Cubic Boron Nitride Pt-RICH Corner”. He has developed an effective electrolytic etch for revealing Reinforced-SAlON Ceramic” at an award ceremony held at the centre as the microstructure of the Pt-based alloys. This is a significant achievement, part of a student research workshop. because there have been challenges in revealing the fine structure of these alloys, and all the published etches use dangerous chemicals, which are mostly prohibited due to safety issues.
Figure 25 and Table 31 provide data on the race and gender of postgraduate students supported and funded by Centres of Excellence since 2004/05.
Figure 25: Growing a representative science and technology workforce in South Africa through the CoEs (2004/05-2011/12)
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
2011/12 2010/11 2009/10 2008/09 2007/08 2006/07 2005/06 2004/05
Black students 257 251 229 206 211 151 117 73
Female students 240 230 199 192 170 152 107 63
64 Table 31 : Breakdown of NRF funding per Centre of Excellence (2008/09-2011/12)
2011/12 2010/11 2009/10 2008/09 Centre of excellence R’m R’m R’m R’m CoE in Birds as Key to Biodiversity Conservation 5.2 5.6 2.9 2.2 CoE in Catalysis 7.1 6.9 6.6 6 CoE for Invasion Biology (CIB) 7.6 7.4 7.1 6.5 CoE in Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA) 6.2 6 5.8 5.3 CoE in Strong Materials 10.5 10.2 9.8 8.9 CoE for Biomedical TB Research 8.7 7.3 7 6.4 CoE in Tree Health Biotechnology 5.2 5.1 2.4 2.2 Total 50.5 48.5 41.6 37.5
Fact box: Understanding a changing planet • Observation, monitoring and adaptive management; Global change research • Dynamics of the oceans around In 2011 a large-scale research programme was launched to respond southern Africa; specifically to the issues of society and sustainability. A first set of • Dynamics of the complex internal 11 research projects has so far been granted funding to a total of earth system; • Linking the land, the air, and the R48.2m for a period of three years. In parallel, three centres have sea; and been established at selected rural universities to provide risk and • Improving model predictions at vulnerability assessment services to local communities and through different scales. Reducing the human footprint these services, facilitate effective use of the Risk and Vulnerability • Waste minimisation methods and Atlas initiated by the DST. technologies; • Conserving biodiversity and The Global change research plan was developed to address the global ecosystems services; • Institutional integration to manage change grand challenge. The research plan is structured around four ecosystems and the services they interrelated knowledge challenges outlined in the highlighted boxes offer; and on the right. • Doing more with less. Adapting the way we live • Preparing for rapid change and extreme events; • Planning for sustainable urban development in a South African context; Innovation for sustainability • Water security for South Africa; • Dynamics of transition at different and scales - mechanisms of innovation • Food and fibre security for and learning; South Africa. • Resilience and capability; • Options for greening the developmental state; • Technological innovation for sustainable social-ecological systems; and This is the drawing from a Grade 7 learner. • Social learning for sustainability, Title: “The world is in our hands” adaptation, innovation and (Source: Global Gallery. http://gg.tigweb.org/tig/imprints-art- resilience. contents/37363)
65 Business overview
International Relations and Cooperation (IR&C) Grants Management and Systems Administration (GMSA)
Scope and purpose Scope and purpose
Within government, the Department of Science of Technology is the custodian The Grants Management and Systems Administration (GMSA) directorate was of international science cooperation, agreements and memberships. The established to perform and coordinate all RISA’s grants management activities DST appointed the NRF as implementing agency for these agreements and and to manage funding processes in a way that separates the programme memberships. The role of the NRF is to: architecture from the programme funding implementation. The purpose of • Develop the science and technology cooperation agreements; this arrangement is to ensure the integrity and fairness of the system. • Draft the programme of cooperation, which generally details modalities, criteria, priorities and conditions; and As a granting directorate, GMSA aims to provide an efficient and effective grant- • Negotiate funding levels. making service for the benefit of the research community in South Africa. The establishment of GMSA resulted in the centralisation of grants management Science and Technology agreements formalise scientific relationships among activities, which in turn helped to achieve economies of scale and improve research communities of intergovernmental signatories and they establish efficiencies.Figure 26 demonstrates the grant management cycle. long-term, sustainable scientific cooperation and networks. The main purpose of cooperative research is to support projects of scientific excellence by promoting the exchange of researchers and stimulating interaction Fact box among scientific communities. There is great emphasis on training. The GMSA key process of cleaning and migrating of CV data of researchers agreements also encourage the inclusion of PhD students and the exchange from the old NRF Online to the new NRF Online Submission system of postdoctoral fellows within approved projects. The NRF may enter into (https://nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za) was completed successfully. The cooperation agreements with counterpart organisations, independently of NRF online submission system was launched in February 2012. This is the overarching intergovernmental agreements. Membership of international a big achievement for GMSA and the entire RISA division. science bodies gives South African scientists access to knowledge, data and networking opportunities.
Figure 26: Grants management cycle
Monitor Open a call progress
START HERE
Set strategy and adjust Screen Award selection criteria applications
Appeals Assess applications
Communicate Funding Make decisions decisions recommendations
Grant administration process Strategy and decision-making Grant application process
66 Knowledge Management and Evaluation (KM&E) Big news
Scope and purpose SADA is going international After investigation and prototyping with a number of key data The Knowledge Management and Evaluation (KM&E) directorate is providers and repositories internationally, Thomson Reuters has responsible for: decided to develop a resource within its Web of KnowledgeSM. • Implementing and acting as custodian of knowledge management processes and principles primarily within the NRF, and generally in the The South African Data Archive (SADA) has been selected as a wider NSI context; key resource for this initiative. Inclusion in the new Data Citation IndexSM will provide the following benefits to our repository: • Providing information, knowledge, records and document management services and advice; This means: • Appraising, monitoring, evaluating and reviewing internal and external • Increased visibility through the Web of Knowledge platform which research programmes; and is used by over 21 million researchers worldwide; • Evaluating and rating the research outputs of individual researchers. • Increased traffic to the repository website using the links provided by the repository. This will allow users to access KM&E achieved the following in 2011/12: the data record in the repository and download data from the • The reviews of the National Institute for Theoretical Physics as well as the source to the repository’s own permissions and policies; National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme in conjunction with • Increased citation of data resulting from increased visibility of the Multi-wavelength Astronomy Programme were completed. the repository, and the support of the practice of data citation • Citation metric searches of 1 940 researchers employed at SA HEI’s by Thomson Reuters; and were conducted. • Metrics on data citation with future possibility to create • Institutional citation metric searches were conducted for 23 public South metrics at the repository level. universities and the CSIR.
728 469 469 117
H-indexes of Citation counts of Journal impact factors Scientometrics researchers research papers of journal titles conducted for individual researchers at all the National Research Facilities
Citation metrics measuring aspects such as productivity, influence and impact were provided to SARChI, CoEs and NRF management for strategic and business intelligence purposes
67 Business overview
RISA special projects Fact box Research Information Management System (RIMS) The DST/NRF Internship programme has reset its recruitment target for the 2012/13 period to more than 600 interns. This will be made The Research Information Management System (RIMS) is a project of the NRF possible by the increased funding in the upcoming financial year. and the DST that has two key imperatives. The first being to provide a research administration system to the Higher Education Institutions and Science Councils • The programme hosted a research presentation day where interns were with the aim to enhance the level of research administration capabilities within given a platform to showcase their skills and a booklet of all the intern institutions. The second is the provision of a business intelligence system that is abstracts was developed. capable of collecting relevant data of research activity within NSI and providing • The Human and Social Dynamics (HSD) internship was opened to full-time aggregated reports on strategic research indicators that will inform national students pursuing Honours and Masters’ degrees in the Social Sciences strategic and funding decisions. and Humanities fields and the target of 50 interns was achieved.
International Council for Science Regional Office for Africa Fact box (ICSU ROA) The RIMS project is unique in that the research administration system has been customised to accommodate a multi-institutional In an endeavour to strengthen international science for the benefit of society configuration that allows the 23 Universities and 9 Science Councils in the developing nations, the International Council for Science (ICSU) created to utilise a single platform. regional offices in the developing regions of the world. The purpose of these offices is to ensure that the voice of the scientific communities in developing At a fully functional level, the RIMS business intelligence countries influences the international research agenda, and that researchers warehouse will produce aggregated reports from data that will map from the less developed parts of the globe are fully involved in international the research landscape thereby informing strategic and funding scientific research guided by regional priorities. decisions at a national level.
Since its inception in 2005, ICSU Regional Office for Africa (ROA) promotes Visit http://info.rims.ac.za/ for more information. advancement of science, engineering, technology and innovation for the socio- economic development of Africa. To achieve this goal, ICSU ROA has developed, DST/NRF Internship programme published, and widely distributed four science plans on: • Sustainable energy; Unemployed SET and R&D graduates and postgraduates are set to benefit • Health and human well-being; from the agreement between the DST and NRF, mandating the NRF to • Natural and human-induced hazards and disasters; and implement and manage an internship programme for developing skills and • Global environmental change (including climate change and adaptation). workplace competencies. The specific aim of this programme is to address skills shortages in the science system and to respond to the Human Resource These documents were well received by the national and international Development Strategy priorities for the public service. Through partnering with communities. In a bid to fulfil its mandate, the office for Africa has worked very Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA) closely with its host, the NRF, to implement a number of joint activities. These and RIMS, the programme will also support capacity development in research include co-organising international and regional workshops and conferences management, research support and administration. and exploring synergies within the Republic that can benefit the region.
The DST/NRF internship Programmes achieved the following in 2011/12: In promoting collaborative research in Africa, ICSU ROA has organised • The DST/NRF internship programme placed 276 interns at various host workshops to facilitate the establishment of international research consortia institutions throughout the country. Of that, 67% (186) were retained that will lead the development and implementation of multi-disciplinary, multi- in the system by either being absorbed into the scientific labor force or institutional and trans-boundary project proposals from the four science plans. furthering their studies. These proposals are at various stages of development; with some already submitted for funding in response to calls for proposals from different donor communities. In effort to make the voice of the African scientific community
68 heard in international fora, the regional office, in collaboration with the NRF and other partners that include some South African government departments, Fact box organised the Rio+20 Science and Technology Regional Workshop for Africa To strengthen international science in the context of Africa’s in 2011. The outcome of this workshop was a comprehensive compilation priorities and for the socio-economic development of the of recommendations of the Africa’s Science and Technology Major Group. continent, ICSU ROA has established international research These recommendations served as the group’s input towards the regional consortia that are working to develop multi-disciplinary, multi- position statement presented during the Rio+20 United Nations Conference institutional and trans-boundary project proposals from its on Sustainable Development that was held in Brazil in 2012. science plans. The implementation of these proposals will bring African scientists closer through collaborative ventures and To put the work of the African scientists in the limelight, the Regional Office build/strengthen linkages between African scientists and their for Africa has embarked on a book project aimed at producing a series of counterparts in other parts of the world. books publications in the different fields of science. The books will highlight the work done by scientists on the continent and showcase scientific success ICSU ROA also thrives to showcase the activities of scientists stories in Africa. The first book to be published in this series was titled ‘Science, in the region through a series on book projects. These books Technology and Innovation for Socio-economic Development’ and the second highlight the success stories of African researchers in the book titled ‘Chemistry for Sustainable Development in Africa’ will be published different fields of science. in the next financial year. The third book on Climate Change Science in Africa is in preparation and is envisaged to be published early 2013.
Delegates attending the Rio+20 S&T regional workshop for Africa, held in Brazil (May 2011)
To view the ICSU ROA science plans, go to: http://www.icsu.org/africa/publications/reports-and-reviews/icsu-roa-science-plan- on-sustainable-energy/roa-science-plan-on-sustainable-energy http://www.icsu.org/africa/publications/reports-and-reviews/icsu-roa-science-plan- on-health-human-well-being/roa-science-plan-on-health http://www.icsu.org/africa/publications/reports-and-reviews/icsu-roa-science- plan-on-hazards-disasters/roa-science-plan-on-hazards http://www.icsu.org/africa/publications/reports-and-reviews/icsu-roa-science-plan- Second ICSU ROA book to be published on-global-change/
69 Business overview
RISA performance according to the strategic goals specifically in sub-Saharan Africa. It intends to create products that are genuinely needed and can improve their quality of life. The NRF and NWO Promoting internationally competitive research as the basis for a have invested R32m over a period of five years. The initiative is anticipated knowledge economy to start fully in the coming financial year. • The DST funded Renewable and Sustainable Energy Scholarship (RSES) During 2011/12 the average number of International Science Information (ISI) that enables students to study at local universities and the Doctoral Studies listed publications per NRF-supported researcher was 2.07 per annum. In in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (DSEE), a doctoral programme promoting and internationally competitive research knowledge, 4 777 were the for students to study abroad at Concordia University in Canada and to total number of peer-reviewed research articles published which is higher than specialise in renewable energy are now managed by the NRF though the 2010/11 (3 935). ARIC directorate. • The disbandment of the New Business Development business division Table 32 below indicates the growth trend of the number in peer-reviewed resulted in the formation of the Stakeholder Relations and Partnership publications supported through RISA's discretionary fund. division. Although still in its infancy, the purpose of the Stakeholders Relations and Partnership division is to design and implement critical Growing a representative science and technology workforce in interventions that are aimed at achieving healthy stakeholder relationships South Africa for the organisation. • An additional 60 Research Chairs were awarded and this has resulted in The major highlights in RISA during the 2011/12 period were as follows: a shift from the dominance of Chairs in technology and science missions • 2ENRICH”, a new technology exchange programme between the NRF to an almost equitable distribution among the five strategic areas of the and the Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Chairs (see Figure 26). The distribution of the 60 awarded Chairs per (Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research) (NWO) was inaugurated. institution is shown in Figure 27. The initiative is focused on the “bottom of the pyramid” population,
Table 32: Number of peer-reviewed publications supported through RISA discretionary funding (2008/09-2011/12)
Target Performance Performance indicators 2011/12 2011/12 2010/11 2009/10 2008/09 Peer-reviewed articles (ISI and others) 3 000 4 777 3 935 2 753 3 239 Books 50 134 61 43 146 Chapters in books 230 524 221 216 568 Patents 18 28 47 12 45
Unfolding the future through the eyes of a microscope
70 Figure 26: The five areas of the Research Chairs
Technology Missions
23Chairs
Science and Innovation, Technology for Engineering and poverty alleviation, Applied Technology Development and sustainable rural Commercialisation development and local/ regional innovation 15 Priority areas Chairs of the Research 20Chairs Chairs
Priority Research Science Areas Missions
15 19Chairs Chairs
Figure 27: Number of Research Chairs per institution (2011/12)
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0 Rhodes UniversityRhodes (RU) University of Venda (UV) University of Pretoria (UP) University of Limpopo (UL) Stellenbosch UniversityStellenbosch (SU) University of Fort Hare (UFH) North-West University (NWU) University of Cape Town (UCT) University (UJ) Johannesburg of University of the Free State (UFS) University of South Africa (UNISA) University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) University of the Western Cape (UWC) University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) Central University of Technology (CUT)Central University Technology of Durban University of Technology (DUT) UniversityDurban Technology of Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) University Technology of Tshwane Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) University Technology of Peninsula Cape Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) University Metropolitan Mandela Nelson
71 Business overview
Providing cutting-edge research, technology and innovation Contributing to a vibrant national innovation system platforms • The NSI Marketing campaign endorsed by the DST is underway. The • In 2011/12, RISA spent R137m in cutting-edge research and collaboration. campaign aims to build awareness of the NSI in the community and • The Centre for High Resolution Transmission Electronic Microscope influence society to adopt a vision of knowledge creation and innovation. (HRTEM) at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) is one of four universities, which have been tasked by the DST to introduce a new Figure 28 below demonstrates a steady growth in South Africa’s annual nanoscience curriculum for master's students. The teaching and training of PhD students per million of the population. The growth can be attributed students for the qualification is a collaborative inititative involving the centre, to relevant government policies, that aim to build human capacity. Some NMMU, University of the Western Cape (UWC), University of the Free State mechanisms have been put in place to achieve these outcomes including the and University of Johannesburg. This curriculum has been approved by the SA PhD project that is administered through the NRF. The SA PhD project was Council on Higher Education and the first students for 2012 have been launched in 2008 and plays an essential part in effecting this mandate. The enrolled. project aims to increase the number of research doctorates to strengthen the academic and R&D workforce in South Africa. The graduation trend has grown Operating world-class evaluation and grant-making systems by an annual average of 0.75 between 2002 and 2010.
• A report documenting lessons learned during the 2010 NRF institutional RISA performance indicators review was finalised with input from various internal stakeholders. It will be used as a guide for future reviews. Table 33 shows the performance trends for RISA from 2008/09-2011/12 and • In 2011/12, some 33 Research Chairs in their fourth year of the first funding the progress toward achieving the Vision 2015 goals. cycle were subjected to a term review to assess performance and to inform the decision as to whether to continue funding for the second cycle of funding. Of the 33 chairs, 30 were granted continued funding for the second cycle, while the outcome of the remaining three will be finalised shortly.
Figure 28: PhD graduations per million of the population (2002/03-2010/11)
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
2010/11 2009/10 2008/09 2007/08 2006/07 2005/06 2004/05 2003/04 2002/03 28,42 27,89 24,15 26,32 22,99 25,14 23,61 22,8 21,69 2002/03 to 2010/11: 6,73% growth in PhD graduations per million of the population
72 Table 33: RISA performance trends (2008/09-2014/15)
Indicator description Actual Actual Actual Actual Target Target Target 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 Promoting internationally competitive research
Number of research grants with reported expenditure 3 570 3 648 4 468 4 349 4 600 4 700 4 800
Research outputs by RISA grantholders - To be reported annually only Peer-reviewed journal articles (ISI 3 239 2 753 3 935 4 777 4 000 4 100 4 200 and others) Books 146 43 61 134 70 80 90
Chapters in books 568 216 221 524 240 250 260
Growing a representative science and technology workforce in South Africa (externally)
RISA support for researchers
Number of grantholders supported 2 422 2 442 2 927 2 890 2 850 3 650 3 820
Proportion of grantholders from designated groups supported Black 27% 26% 29% 26% 30% 31% 32%
Women 37% 35% 34% 33% 40% 41% 42%
Number of NRF rated researchers 1 914 2 142 2 285 2 471 2 560 2 560 2 740
Proportion of NRF rated researchers from designated groups to total Black 16% 17% 19% 20% 18% 20% 21% rated researchers Women 26% 27% 28% 29% 27% 29% 30%
RISA support for students
3rd year/4th year students supported 195 286 425 451 420 440 460
Proportion of 3rd year/4th year students from designated groups supported Black 37% 76% 54% 62% 70% 73% 75%
Women 49% 56% 45% 41% 50% 55% 57%
BTech/Honours students supported 1 215 1 696 2 718 1 723 1 950 2 428 2 355
Proportion of BTech/Honours students from designated groups supported Black 66% 73% 75% 79% 80% 80% 80%
Women 55% 59% 54% 54% 55% 60% 60%
Master’s students supported 2 475 2 373 3 566 3 564 3 390 3 904 3 830
Proportion of Master’s students from designated groups supported Black 36% 53% 54% 54% 55% 59% 60%
Women 51% 52% 50% 49% 50% 54% 55%
Doctoral students supported 1 370 1 384 1 937 1 979 1 715 2 181 2 231
Proportion of Doctoral students from designated groups supported Black 36% 52% 55% 56% 56% 57% 58%
Women 50% 51% 48% 48% 50% 54% 55%
Post-doctoral students supported 222 304 405 402 390 420 440
Proportion of Post-doctoral students from designated groups supported Black 26% 40% 40% 42% 44% 44% 45%
Women 41% 48% 42% 40% 44% 44% 45%
Providing cutting-edge research, technology and innovation platforms
Equipment support
Proportion of RISA grant investment in research equipment at Research Institutions and National 8% 12% 18% 18% 12% 12% 12% Research Facilities (R'000) RISA research information services and platforms
Requests received for the datasets of the South African Data Archive 531 466 429 315 530 545 560
Requests received to Nexus Database System 183 256 188 868 191 610 187 478 179 079 184 452 189 985
73 National Research Facilities
Biodiversity/ Astro/Geosciences Conservation/ Nuclear Environment SAAO SAIAB iThemba LABS NZG HartRAO SAEON SKA SA Project
74 National Research Facilities be established for the cluster; • the SKA is managed as a project within the Astro/Geosciences cluster; and • SAEON is not a declared National Research Facility, but is managed within The National Research Facilities provide unique research infrastructure platforms the structures of the National Research Facilities. through a multi-location network of institutions. These platforms support research areas of strategic importance and provide researchers and research institutions with Generic activities access to “big science” equipment. It is through the National Research Facilities that South Africa can compete and cooperate with international counterparts. The National Research Facilities provide the infrastructure required to generate and support internationally competitive research. Definition and clustering The facilities have the mandate to: • Ensure access to state-of-the-art infrastructure; According to the White Paper on Science and Technology (1996), an institution • Produce internationally competitive research; qualifies as a National Research Facility when it has: • Coordinate and manage large international projects; • A unique position in South African knowledge production; • Provide human resources training in a high-tech environment by providing • Core technologies, research methods or data pools/collections that live up lectures, student supervision and experiential training in collaboration with to international standards; higher education institutions (HEIs); • Goals that are aligned with the overall objectives of the NSI; • Use multidisciplinary and multi-institutional programmes as platforms for • A critical mass of equipment, skills and users; the training and education of students; • Potential for networking and attracting international collaborators; and • Develop strong technical competencies to produce high-quality • Opportunities for human resource development, with special efforts to instrumentation and equipment in niche areas; involve researchers from formerly disadvantaged communities. • Grow scientific and technical collaborations with HEIs locally; and • Build sustainable international collaborations (particularly in Africa) and The education and training focus of the facilities aim to enrich and empower enhance the science and technology profile of South Africa internationally. individuals to function as productive knowledge workers.
As science awareness platforms, the National Research Facilities strive to: In alignment with the science missions identified in the National Research and • Improve the scientific and technological literacy and awareness of Development Strategy (NRDS) of August 2002, the six declared National Research South Africans; Facilities and one emerging facility, SAEON, are clustered into three broad • Encourage inclusion of science and technology content in educational categories according to their areas of specialisation, namely Nuclear Sciences, programmes and curriculum activities; Astro/Geosciences, Biodiversity and Conservation and Environment Sciences. • Host regular science-related activities and national events, such as National Science Week and national quiz activities; It should be noted that • Run educator workshops to improve the understanding and delivery of • The management of the Astro/Geosciences cluster is in a transitional science concepts; and phase. The NRF Board resolved that a dedicated stand-alone unit should • Present summer and winter schools to prospective postgraduate students.
Figure 29: Management of the National Research Facilities
NRF CEO
Deputy CEO: Research infrastructure and National Research Facilities Group Executive: Astronomy
Biodiversity/Conservation/ Astro/Geosciences cluster Nuclear cluster Environment cluster
HartRAO - SKA project iThemba LABS SAIAB, NZG, SAEON SAAO - SALT
75 A blast from the past
The international astronomy community has developed proposals for a major The SKA Organisation agreed on a dual-site model for the SKA, between South 1.5 billion investment in a radio telescope 50 – 100 times more sensitive than Africa and Australia, with the major share in Africa. The majority of SKA dishes any other, able to probe the edges of our Universe. The Square Kilometre Array in Phase I will be built in South Africa, combined with MeerKAT, the 64-dish SKA (SKA) will be a powerful time machine used to see back to the moments after precursor telescope being constructed by SKA South Africa. In addition, all the the Big Bang and discover previously unexplored parts of the cosmos. The best dishes and the mid-frequency aperture arrays for Phase II of the SKA will be built part is that South Africa was awarded the lion’s share of the project in 2012. in southern Africa. Further SKA dishes will be added to the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) array in Australia. The SKA project will change the astronomy landscape on the African continent – and globally. The SKA will help answer long-standing, fundamental questions “In line with NRF goals and DST Grand Challenges, education bursary and support in astronomy, physics, and cosmology, including the nature of dark energy programmes have been established since 2005, providing credibility and growing and dark matter, and will be the largest radio telescope in the world for the networks with local and international universities and other stakeholders,” explains foreseeable future. Bernie Fanaroff, Project Director at SKA. “Many of our students come from other African countries and have started teaching astronomy when they return home. Researchers at universities have also gained valuable expertise, which will be available to industry. Another ongoing objective has been the creation of an interactive science community around the project. Seven research chairs linked to the project have been created and filled.”
A significant number of outstanding international research scientists and technologists have been attracted to South Africa and the project, as well as many outstanding young South Africans. Mutual benefit agreements for research have been signed with Intel and IBM, giving our young team access to next-generation technology and South African companies working with us have developed new capabilities and an international reputation.
Did you know? Originally, the South African SKA project had budget to build a 20-dish array, which was known as KAT (Karoo Array Telescope). However, after a significant increase in funds from the DST, the project was able to think beyond a 20-dish array. The name MeerKAT came about because we were now able to build “more” KAT. In Afrikaans (one of South Africa’s eleven official languages) the word for “more” is “meer”. With a number of Afrikaans-speaking team members, the term MeerKAT was adopted. It is serendipitous that a meerkat is also a small mammal that is indigenous to southern Africa and can be found in the Karoo region of South Africa’s Northern Cape Province, where the MeerKAT telescope is being built. MeerKAT
76 IMPACT PROJECT
2012 South Africa awarded lion's share of SKA Project 50-100 times more powerful than any other...
R1.5 PROUD TO BE billion invested SOUTH AFRICAN The large part of the project will be an African initiative
77 Business overview
The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) SAAO is part of an extensive network of international collaborations and uses this position in the global community to produce internationally recognised Research focus and infrastructure platform research with over 70 papers published in international peer-reviewed journals in 2011/12. SAAO research outputs range from discoveries of planets to the The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) is the national facility for hidden structures of merging galaxies. optical and infrared astronomy in South Africa. Its prime function is to conduct and further fundamental research in astronomy and astrophysics at a national and “The long-term goal is to make South Africa one of the world’s major players international level by providing and utilising a world-class astronomical facility in ground-based astronomy,” says Prof Patricia Whitelock, acting director of and promoting astronomy through SAAO. “To achieve this, SAAO will work closely with other national stakeholders to develop an integrated policy for the management of astronomy and for the … SAAO’s prime function collaboration with other national and international astronomical facilities. interaction of astronomy with society. SAAO is very keen to work with the other is to further fundamental The research telescopes are located astronomy facilities and universities to develop the Multi-wavelength Astronomy research in astronomy and at Sutherland, about 380km from programme that makes the most of our collective strengths. The importance astrophysics at a national Cape Town, where the headquarters of multi-facility observations for the effectiveness of the MeerKAT telescope and international level by are located. This clear, dark site and project cannot be overstated, and this approach provides a secure and long- providing a world-class its environments are protected by the term future for South African astronomy.” astronomical facility … Astronomy Geographic Advantage (AGA) Act of 2007. SAAO fulfils the following functions: • Operates SALT on behalf of the SALT Foundation, an international SAAO contributes to the future development of South Africa by creating and collaboration with a dozen partners, in which South Africa is the major disseminating knowledge in astrophysics, in which South Africa has a particular shareholder; geographic advantage, including developing human resources, providing • Conducts internationally recognised, world-class research; research infrastructure, and providing an interface between science and society. • Pursues instrumentation development that enhances the operations and scientific capacity of the facility; SAAO scientists comprise a significant portion of the South African astronomy • Continuously develops human capacity that can contribute to science and PhD contingent. Members of its staff include postdoctoral researchers and technology development in South Africa; Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) astronomy operations personnel. • Installs and maintains appropriate IT infrastructure in response to the growing needs of the facility, and
SAAO main building
78 • Engages in public outreach and scientific awareness through engagement with science educators, students and the public. Fact box A red dwarf is a fairly “normal” star with a mass and size of SAAO has a responsibility to maintain and operate four telescopes (1.9m, 1.0m, about a tenth of our Sun. A white dwarf, however, is only the 0.75m and 0.5m) on behalf of the South African astronomical community. The size of the Earth but has the mass of our Sun, making it very SAAO‘s larger telescopes (1.9m and 1.0m) have received significant upgrades dense and compact. According to our understanding of stellar and new instruments, ensuring that South Africa continues to best utilise its evolution, white dwarfs are the final remains at the end of astronomy geographic advantage. a star’s life. Our Sun will one day evolve into a white dwarf. On the other hand, and despite its name, a planetary nebular SAAO also hosts international facilities that include the Seismograph (USA), has nothing to do with planets. The name arises from its GeoForschungsZentrum (GFZ) (Germany), Birmingham Solar Oscillations appearance through a telescope – a disc similar to that of a Network or (BiSON) (United Kingdom), the InfraRed Survey Facility (IRSF) planet. Planetary nebulae represent just one of the stages in (Japan and South Africa), Super Wide Angle Search for Planets (SuperWASP) the evolution of stars like the Sun, where the outer gas layers (United Kingdom), Monitoring Network of Telescopes (MONET) (Germany), are ejected, leaving a hot stellar core. Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network (LCOGT) (USA), the Kilodegree Extremely Little Telescope (KELT) (USA); and SOLARIS (Poland).
A happy conclusion to the SALT image quality saga
Images obtained with the SALT, during its initial commissioning phase, showed a variety of catastrophic optical aberration problems. An extensive forensic investigation was conducted which traced the problem to the mechanical interface between the telescope and the four secondary optics of the Spherical Aberration Corrector (SAC). The SAC was removed from the telescope in 2009 and the problematic interface was replaced, and the four corrector mirrors were optically tested and re- aligned.
The SAC was then re-installed on the telescope in 2010. Extensive on-sky tests revealed that the problem was corrected and the telescope's image quality is within specification.
In addition to the fixing of the SAC, the significance of the process cannot be under-stated. It required mechanical and optical expertise that could not be sourced anywhere in South Africa. Because skills sets to execute this project could not be sourced in South Africa, capacity had to be built in-house resulting in a substantial investment in SAAO's expertise and laboratory equipment.
This project has presented itself as a learning curve and the Above: The setting up of an alignment target on the tracker in order to characterise the SAAO will further pursue opportunities in innovation and wobble at the payload’s rotation stage before the SAC is re-installed. Below: The SAC instrument development. being safely lifted back onto the tracker in 2010.
79 Momentous discoveries- planets are everywhere
Two scientists from the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) have found evidence of the existence of an extraordinary planetary system where two giant planets are orbiting a close pair of “suns”.
Drs Stephen Potter and Encarni Romero-Colmenero, together with fellow collaborators at SAAO, made this incredible discovery thanks to new observations with SAAO telescopes and the SALT, combined with archival data spanning 27 years and gathered from multiple observatories and satellites.
If confirmed, this combination of two giant planets orbiting a close pair of “suns” will be an example of a really strange planetary system. The two stars, a white dwarf and a red dwarf, are so close that they take only a couple of hours to orbit each other and would fit comfortably within our Sun. They also appear to eclipse each other once every orbit, as viewed from Earth, with the red dwarf blocking our view of the much brighter white dwarf. The discovery is a challenge to planetary formation theories and hints that there are more paths to planetary formation than studies of our own solar system have suggested.
SAAO astronomer, Dr John Menzies, together with his international collaborators (PLANET), have found evidence that planets are more common and probably found around every Sun-like star.
After a 13-year campaign, in which the SAAO’s 1.0m telescope played a major role, following a painstaking statistical analysis, the collaboration concluded, in a paper published in Nature, that every star similar to the Sun in our Galaxy, the Milky Way, has at least one planetary companion; that means more than 1.6 billion planets! This important result gives us confidence that planets will be found associated with nearby stars and that it will be possible to study them in great detail, and perhaps to discover that some would support life.
The Milky Way galaxy as seen from Earth
80 Momentous discoveries- planets are everywhere IMPACT PROJECT
27 years of archived data
1.6 billion planets
SAAO DISCOVERY scientists challenges planetary discover new formation theories planetary system
81 Business overview
Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory receivers operating in microwave bands at wavelengths of 18cm, 13cm, (HartRAO) 6cm, 5cm, 3.5cm, 2.5cm and 1.3cm. The telescope is multi-purpose, as it can be used as an independent instrument and as part of global radio Research focus and infrastructure platform telescope arrays using the Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) technique for astronomical imaging, astrometry and geodesy. The 26m telescope also The Hartebeesthoek Radio provides an absolute reference point for the other geodetic techniques for ...HartRAO provides an Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) precise position determination and satellite orbit measurement that are affordable, internationally carries out and supports research located at Hartebeesthoek and include: recognised facility for in radio astronomy and space • Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) base station receivers, for the US Global Positioning System (GPS), the Russian Global Navigation research in radio astronomy geodesy using radio telescopes and a variety of geodetic instruments. Satellite System (GLONASS) and the European Galileo; and space geodesy It is the only facility of its kind in • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (USA) MOBile LASer that serves the science Africa. It is located in a valley in the ranger 6 (NASA MOBLAS-6) Satellite Laser Ranger (SLR); and community and develops Magaliesberg hills, 50km north- • Doppler Orbitography and Radio-positioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS). skills and awareness in S&T west of Johannesburg. This French system is located at the adjacent Space Operations Centre of through astronomy and the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), to avoid possible radio- space-based education and The key instrument is the 26-m frequency interference with the radio telescopes at HartRAO. It has been surveyed with the instruments at HartRAO. training... diameter radio telescope, which is equipped with sensitive radio HartRAO fulfils the following roles: • Carries out observational research with the radio telescopes and the geodetic instruments; • Develops, or assists with the development of, other radio telescopes for research, including the 7.6m C-BASS telescope for an all-sky 5GHz survey. Converts the 15m eXperimental Development Model (XDM) KAT- prototype telescope at HartRAO for geodetic and astronomical VLBI, the Karoo Array Telescope (KAT)-7, MeerKAT and redundant large satellite Earth station antennas in SA SKA partner countries in Africa; • Measures the orbits of satellites for the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS), using the Satellite Laser Range (SLR). These satellites perform a variety of functions – precise positioning and navigation, measuring the Earth’s gravity field and its changes, measuring the height of the land and sea surface and their changes, for example, as a result of global warming; • Installs and operates GNSS receivers at various locations across South Africa, southern Africa, islands off Africa and Antarctica, for the International GNSS Service (IGS), in support of the African Geodetic Reference Frame (AFREF) and for other research purposes; and • Supports science advancement through: - Tertiary level student training, study for higher degrees, projects, practicals, in-service training; and - Outreach to school level learners, educators and the public at large.
Thousands of learners and the public come to HartRAO and its visitors centre each year, and an extensive outreach programme takes science to the people at More than 15 000 pupils and teachers visited the observatory during the science festivals and educator workshops. financial year. Here learners from Pecanwood school get to grips with the subject of the Earth in Space.
82 HartRAO’s outreach team participated in the Scifest Africa exhibition in Grahamstown. Thousands of learners were excited to learn about stars, planets and galaxies.
HartRAO Science Communicator Fikiswa Majola with learners at the Venda “Sciencetube” Festival at Thohoyadou
Venus Express An unusual target for the 26m telescope at HartRAO in 2011/12 was the Venus Express spacecraft in orbit around the planet Venus. The aim was twofold: • To test the accuracy of spacecraft tracking by radio telescope networks for future planetary missions; and • To study interplanetary scintillations caused by the solar wind.
83 Carry moonbeams home in a jar
The Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO), the only major radio astronomy observatory in Africa and a National Research Facility under the auspices of the NRF, is playing a vital part on behalf of NASA’s Lunar Fact box Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). • NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) was launched to the Moon on 18 June 2009. • HartRAO’s Satellite Laser Ranger (SLR) started tracking LRO on The LRO is leading NASA’s way back to the moon. Its main objective is to conduct 6 December 2009. investigations that prepare for future lunar exploration. Specifically, LRO is • HartRAO is part of a network of 10 specially equipped SLR scouting for future landing sites, locating potential resources and characterising stations around the world, in collaboration with NASA’s the effects of prolonged exposure to the lunar radiation environment. In addition Goddard Space Flight Centre. to its exploration mission, the LRO is capturing scientific data that help define • Countries participating in this network are the United States the moon’s topography and composition. of America, Australia, Germany, Austria, France, the United Kingdom and South Africa. The LRO carries seven scientific instruments which send lunar imagery and • Since its launch, HartRAO has obtained 1 126 minutes of other data to scientists. It also carries a detector for laser pulses fired from ranging data from the LRO. Earth-based laser ranging systems, reporting each laser pulse hit back to NASA by radio link. This system enables the orbit of LRO around the moon to be measured very precisely.
A NASA Satellite Laser Ranger (SLR) is based at and operated by HartRAO in a joint project with NASA to accurately measure the orbits of a number of satellites in Earth's orbit. These include satellites used to measure the changing height of sea level and the gravity field of the Earth, from which long-term information about the world’s oceans and their currents is gathered, which in turn assists in studying weather and climate.
The Laser Ranger at HartRAO was upgraded by NASA and HartRAO to enable it to join the LRO orbit measurement campaign, and HartRAO SLR operators received special training for this at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre.
Says Ludwig Combrinck, Associate Director: Space Geodesy, HartRAO: “Our participation in the LRO project makes South Africa a role player in space exploration. It enhances our visibility, scientific and technological credibility, and demonstrates that our human capacity is capable of participating in these endeavours at the highest level. Most of what we do at HartRAO has a vision well beyond the NRF’s Vision 2015 goals, as our students and projects are viewed as an integral part of a long-term technical and human development strategy.”
84 IMPACT PROJECT
NASA/NRF join forces
LRO carries New moon landing 7 being explored through HartRAO scientific 2.55mm instruments is the displacement of the Hartebeesthoek radio telescope per year in a north-east direction, caused by movement of the Earth’s tectonic plates. Measured by a global network of radio telescopes, using quasars far out in the Universe as a fixed reference frame.
85 Business overview
National Zoological Gardens of South Africa (NZG) Ground-breaking research Research focus and infrastructure platform Bontebok and blesbok The National Zoological Gardens of South Africa (NZG) is focused on achieving Hybridization between two species or sub-species, such as the its mandate as a National Research Facility by developing flagship research bontebok and blesbok, poses a serious threat to the survival of the programmes in Wildlife Molecular Ecology; Wildlife Health and Reproductive more susceptible species such as the bontebok, which is currently Biology of Wildlife; and Animals of Economic Importance. In addition, as a recipient listed as vulnerable in the International Trade in Endangered of up to 600 000 visitors per annum, the NZG seeks to establish itself as a hub for Species Red List. The NZG has developed a molecular test that is science advancement, through public engagement programmes and research on able to accurately distinguish between pure and hybrid animals. public understanding of biodiversity and environmental sustainability. These focal This test has been accepted by conservation agencies and by the areas are to be underpinned by specific research and operational hubs, namely: Bontebok Breeders Association; all animals have to be tested and • the Centre for Conservation Science (CfCS) in certified by the NZG when they are moved, sold or killed. ...a platform support of wildlife molecular ecology research; that provides • the Centre for Conservation Medicine for mobility across Wildlife Health, and the continent for • the envisaged Life Science Centre for science advancement. African scientists and veterinarians to Through the CfCS, the NZG is able to provide conduct research a knowledge and training hub that focuses on and share expertise conservation biology and wildlife biodiversity ... on biodiversity research, thereby creating opportunities for access conservation and and sharing of affordable state-of-the-art research animal health. facilities, for example in genomics, gene technology, small populations, and wildlife forensics.
Through the foreseen transformation of the NZG’s animal hospital into a Centre for Conservation Medicine (CCM), a platform will be created for wildlife veterinarians from the continent and the globe to conduct research and share expertise on wildlife and ecological health. Both the CCM and the CfCS support the conservation community, zoological gardens, academic institutions, conservation agencies and organisations by • developing new and improved technologies through research, • providing access to research-orientated services, and • offering efficient and professional expertise.
The NZG’s science advancement focuses on support for research and research activities/platforms. This includes visitor studies, and studies on learning in The bontebok, a vulnerable species, is an elegant antelope, chocolate informal environments and ecotourism, thus enabling the NZG to support a brown in colour with lyre-shaped horns and a distinctive white large number of students from diverse fields, such as the natural sciences, marking on the face. humanities, engineering, built environment, fine arts, and drama. bank. The NZG is also the secretariat for a consortium of partners called Biobank The NZG’s wildlife biomaterials bank functions as a platform for research support South Africa that promotes the banking of biomaterials, the standardisation of and includes components of multiple biobanks, such as microbial and cell policies and procedures, the development of best practice, access to the bank cultures, a sperm bank, tissue bank, pathology bank and environmental tissue and benefit sharing.
86 Not only is the NZG the largest zoo in South Africa and the only one with national status, but it is also rated as one of the top zoos in the world, attracting hundreds Fact box of thousands of local and international visitors annually. The NZG has an NZG conservation achievements includes the extensive animal collection numbering over 8 000 specimens managed within • Coordination of the African Preservation Programme (APP) a total footprint of 7 000 hectares and spread over three provinces: Gauteng, of the African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZAB) for Limpopo and North West. The zoo in Pretoria houses 2 586 specimens of 126 the species. mammal species, 1 425 specimens of 158 bird species, 4 189 specimens of 283 fish species, 235 specimens of 21 invertebrate species, 447 specimens of Ground hornbills 90 reptile species, and 29 specimens of four amphibian species. The NZG has developed species-specific markers that have direct conservation applications to captive and wild ground hornbills. The three satellite facilities offer the unique attraction of incorporating both ex situ Relatedness analysis which is able to show which birds are and in situ components, and collectively house an additional 3 000 specimens. related and should not be bred with each other is currently being The animal collection provides a platform for zoobiological research, research and conducted for captive breeders. In addition, the identification of conservation practice training, as well as science advancement in the form of South African and non-South African birds is now possible due to a database of South African ground hornbill samples from various public engagement in the science of wildlife and environmental conservation. populations in Africa.
The NZG fulfils the following functions: • Conduct high-quality and high-impact research to generate knowledge for the conservation of threatened/endangered species and their ecosystems globally, focusing on African fauna; • Develops high-quality human resources in the form of conservation biology scientists and biodiversity conservation practitioners; • Undertakes ex situ conservation of wildlife and makes qualified contributions to in situ conservation of threatened species and their habitats; • Provides a science advancement platform: a place of learning and a source of inspiration to action for science and biodiversity; and • Enhances the quality of life of the community by providing a top-class metropolitan ecotourism facility, a family attraction of first choice that inspires discovery, appreciation, care, knowledge and respect for nature.
Ground-breaking research
Each year the NZG helps to release threatened southern ground Barcoding hornbills back into the wild. The NZG is undertaking the barcoding of South African terrestrial vertebrate species (birds, mammals and reptiles) as part of a Chytrid fungus collaborative project with South African National Biodiversity Disease surveillance through coordinated monitoring of wildlife Institute (SANBI), the African Centre for DNA Barcoding (ACDB) populations is essential for managing the threats posed by at the University of Johannesburg, and various natural history pathogens. Chytridiomycosis is an emerging infectious disease of museums and biological repositories. This project forms part of a amphibians that has a near global distribution. The NZG is involved larger initiative, the International Barcode of Life (IBOL), the largest in providing an occurrence test for chytrid fungus in Madagascar. biodiversity genomics project ever undertaken. Thanks to a database Thus far, all frogs tested are negative at all eight of the monitoring of barcodes developed by the NZG, the facility is able to identify sites. Continued monitoring is required to ensure that the disease is species in police forensic cases as well as in the meat industry, never introduced accidentally or deliberately to the wild amphibian where the species of the product is of importance to the consumer. populations in Madagascar.
87 Taking it to the brink - and back
A wildlife disease database, medical database, biomaterials resource bank and genomics databases for endangered African wildlife are unique platforms that contribute to the National Zoological Gardens (NZG) being recognised as a zoo-based multidisciplinary research centre with global acknowledgement.
Now a major player in the growth and impact of conservation biology and wildlife health research, the NZG contributes to the survival of significant biodiversity by generating new and relevant knowledge, providing infrastructure in support of its mandate and in line with the DST’s Grand Challenge of global change which includes conserving and ensuring the continued survival of significant species.
Throughout 2011/12 there was a tremendous increase in the training of conservationists, veterinary scientists, zoologists and wildlife managers, from Africa especially.
In the same year, the NZG’s Manager of Research and Scientific Services, Professor Antoinette Kotze, received the prestigious Conservation Award of the African Association of Zoos and Aquaria in recognition of her outstanding and significant contributions to the conservation of African species. A collaborative five-year research project on the phylo-geography of cheetah revealed that not only are African cheetahs from various regions distinct from one another, but also, more importantly, the Asiatic cheetah found in Iran is a sub-species distinct from the African variety. These results culminated in a new conservation approach that will contribute to the survival of the species.
The conservation status of cheetahs is currently classified as vulnerable
88 IMPACT PROJECT
2011/12 NZG saw an increase contributes to in training of the survival conservationists, veterinary of significant scientists, biodiversity zoologists and wildlife managers
NZG manager wins prestigious conservation award
89 Business overview
South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) oversubscribed. Research and platform provision are directly oriented around achieving the NRF’s Vision 2015 and supporting the DST’s Global Research focus and infrastructure platforms Change Grand Challenge.
The South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) is located in Through a recently completed and extensive infrastructure refurbishment Grahamstown, in the rural Eastern Cape. SAIAB has an internationally programme, SAIAB offers specialised facilities for use by national and recognised profile in ichthyological research and with its dynamic and international researchers and students. These include a molecular preparation active research staff and postgraduate student school plays a unique role laboratory; an X-ray laboratory with a digital X-ray inspection system; and a within the NSI through provision of world-class research, human capital specialised insulated micro-otolith preparation laboratory. development and unique research platforms. ...SAIAB defines Despite its remote location, SAIAB provides the The modern Margaret Smith Library houses one of the largest document a platform as NSI with three major research platforms, which collections and resource centres for African aquatic biodiversity research in Africa. a unique set are available to researchers from all HEIs. These are the National Aquatic Biodiversity Collection of skills and/or and Biobank and associated laboratories; the The JLB Smith Collection Management Centre includes a collection-sorting infrastructure, Margaret Smith Library, Bioinformation hub laboratory, as well as accommodation for collection staff and visiting scientists which is made and marine research platforms comprising the and students. SAIAB is the recognised leader in wet collection management and available to the African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme curation in South Africa. The Wet Collections Storage Facility provides storage broader research (ACEP); and marine infrastructure such as for the National Fish collection, African Amphibian collection and Aquatic community within uKwabelana, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Biodiversity Tissue Bank. SAIAB also manages the National Diatom Collection, which is housed at North-West University. These are dynamic research platforms the NSI... These research platforms are in high demand by the research community and in some cases for molecular, systematic and conservation-orientated studies.
The research vessel uKwabelana which, with the ROV and rubber duck, Honckenii, dive equipment and vehicles comprise the SAIAB/ACEP/SAEON Elwandle Node marine research platform (see Impact project on page 96).
90 • SAIAB hosts NRF/DST interns and postdoctoral fellows and has a strong Fact box suite of honorary research associates and emeritus curators, some of The strength of ACEP lies in its contributing partners: whom work in residence, adding significantly to the in-house workforce. • DST and NRF • Through targeted outreach to HEIs, SAIAB aims to establish a strong • Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA Oceans and Coasts) student network from undergraduate to postgraduate level to promote • Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) careers in aquatic sciences and grow human resource capacity in the • The Agulhas and Somali Large Marine Ecosystems biodiversity sector. (ASCLME) Project • The South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) • The South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON)
SAIAB plays a major role in the development of appropriate databases for collections in South Africa and regionally. One of SAIAB’s unique features and strengths is the linkage between the Collection and the Bioinformatics Platforms. The Bioinformatics Platform includes a web-based data information portal along with a fully data-based collection including all wet collection specimens, X-rays, photographs, distribution records, art (paintings and scientific illustrations) and GIS layers.
SAIAB hosts Elwandle, the coastal node of the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON). Existing partnerships with SAEON are being strengthened through projects involving researchers from both the Conservation Biology and Ecology, and the Molecular Biology and Systematics research groups, with emphasis on the Sunday's River catchment and Algoa Bay. Of special significance, and in the spirit of research collaboration which underpins SAIAB’s flagship ACEP, more than 16 scientists, ROV pilots and SAIAB fulfils the following roles within the research community: technicians undertook the first fully South African-owned ROV expedition to • As a national facility, SAIAB serves as a major scientific resource for look for coelacanths off Sodwana Bay in KZN in May 2011. The success of the expedition was documented on film – seven coelacanths were filmed by the knowledge and understanding of the biodiversity and functioning of ‘Seaeye Falcon’ ROV on two separate days of diving. The coelacanth was once globally significant ecosystems. By virtue of its unique position with regard thought to be extinct. to both marine and freshwater biogeographical boundaries, southern Africa is ideally placed to monitor and document climate change. • SAIAB’s Biodiversity Information unit is a national leader for collection database systems and in this capacity interacts regularly with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) programmes. • SAIAB has a 40-year outstanding track record in competitively funded research and scientific publications in journals, books and other media. • SAIAB’s operational platform is enhanced by hosting the SAEON Elwandle Node and the management unit for the ASCLME project. The DST-funded ACEP flagship programme is an active partner of, and proof of the South African national commitment to, ASCLME. Several other large national and internationally funded, multidisciplinary and inter-institutional projects managed by SAIAB give further weight and momentum to its role as a hub for aquatic biodiversity research in southern Africa. • Researchers conduct courses for undergraduates and graduate students and supervise honours, master's and PhD students from Rhodes Molecular laboratory at SAIAB University, and other national and international universities.
91 Making waves-collaborative marine research at its best
The largest inter-institutional, multidisciplinary, east coast marine research programme in South Africa, with over 15 participating institutions, more than 50 postgraduate students and seven contributing partners … Yes, it’s easy to see why the African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP) remains one of the DST’s ongoing flagship projects.
ACEP has undertaken both oceanic and coastal research throughout the South West Indian Ocean (SWIO) in almost all fields of marine science. Managed by the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), ACEP has carried out more than 10 research cruises and, partnering with the Agulhas and Somali Current Large Marine Ecosystems (ASCLME) project, coordinated a further 12 cruises in the SWIO. These cruises have provided South African scientists with unparalleled opportunities to conduct research using leading-edge research platforms, including remotely operated vehicles, in the SWIO.
ACEP is truly multidisciplinary, with 30 senior research scientists from various disciplines and 15 research institutes involved in the lastest phase. This collaborative approach, which investigates the DST’s Grand Challenge involving the “dynamics of the oceans around southern Africa”, involves experts from multiple fields and optimises the potential for good ecosystem-level research aimed at global change issues.
The programme has an excellent track record in training the next generation of marine scientists, technicians and innovators, working towards the goal of a transformed and representative science and technology workforce. Its extension until 2015 will see even more emphasis on building and training black and female students.
“The research focus on the east coast of South Africa is one of the DST’s identified key strategic geographic research areas,” says Dr Angus Paterson, Managing Director of SAIAB. “In addition, ACEP ensures internationally competitive science with its alignment to various partners’ research thrusts. The programme also hosts the Global Environment Facility’s ASCLME project; this collaboration has resulted in South Africa having a prominent role in global and climate change research in the SWIO”.
92 IMPACT PROJECT
senior30 research scientists
More than 10 research cruises carried out by ACEP
Further 12 cruises coordinated by ASCLME
93 Business overview
South African Environmental Observation • SAEON is a cornerstone in the implementation of the South African Network (SAEON) Earth Observation Strategy (SAEOS), which is an integral part of the Space and Technology Grand Challenge, and the South African Risk and Research focus and infrastructure platform Vulnerability Atlas. • SAEON fulfils the Long-term Ecological Research (LTER) niche within The South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) consists of six the NSI by providing an institutionalised framework for bringing about geographically dispersed nodes (environmental observatories, field stations better cohesion among existing but fragmented environmental research and research sites) representing the diverse landscapes, coastal areas, and programmes nationally and internationally. It spearheads the national the offshore marine environments in South Africa. The nodes are linked by an agenda of ensuring that long-term data are archived and accessible, as information management network, and their activities are coordinated by the well as extrapolated for large-scale interpretation as a national asset for National Office in Pretoria. generations to come. • SAEON plays a cohesive role by bringing higher education closer to SAEON serves as a research and the innovation requirements of society. Researchers from historically ...SAEON generates and education platform for long-term disadvantaged individals and other universities have been, and continue to archives reliable and studies of ecosystems that will be, involved in SAEON research projects, and some also serve on the SAEON accurate environmental contribute to incremental advances Node Liaison Committees. information, based on in our understanding of ecosystems • SAEON’s data collection, archiving and management function is of national and international significance. Making data sets and data tools long-term observations and our ability to detect, translate and predict environmental change. available online to researchers globally eliminates much of the frustration over a range of ecoregions Based on the three pillars of its that researchers face, thus affording them the opportunity to increase their and land uses, as needed mandate, namely observation, research outputs. by policy and decision- information management and • The science education and outreach programme seeks to empower makers for sustainable education, SAEON has made science teachers and influence high school learners to develop an interest management of natural considerable progress towards in environmental sciences. An advisory panel of education outreach resources and habitat... providing the following of value to experts commended the objectives and implementation processes of the South Africa: programme, and its positive results are increasingly acknowledged by key • Providing comprehensive and reliable data and information about long-term stakeholders in the national human capacity development sector. environmental change, which society needs to address issues of sustainable • SAEON has also created a structured forum for postgraduate students development, vulnerability, environmental degradation and poverty; that are pursuing studies in fields that relate to SAEON’s mandate. The • Contributing to the knowledge economy through research on ecosystems forum, known as the SAEON Graduate Student Network (GSN), facilitates functioning and ecosystem services and by human capacity development interaction and sharing of ideas among the students. SAEON funds GSN in the field; activities, which include annual research training and conferences. SAEON • Providing a form of subsidy to the NSI by offering observation and data also supports GSN members through partial funding for their attendance systems to participating organisations and researchers; at international conferences and winter/summer schools. • Providing meaningful opportunity for the coordination and acceleration of environmental research programmes over space and time, thereby enhancing the quality and cost-effectiveness of outputs from such programmes; • Ensuring that valuable observation systems and data are not lost when programmes and projects are disbanded, thereby increasingly improving opportunities for data analysis; and • Enhancing free and open access to information by providing data online and by offering management tools for the development of data searches and geospatial visualisation.
SAEON fulfils the following roles within the research community: • SAEON is a key player in the coordination and performance of research Dolphin species found in Algoa Bay. (Photo by Dr Stephanie Plön) under the Global Change Grand Challenge. 94 Some of SAEON’s achievements include: be downloaded from the SAEON website. Observations on Environmental • A three-year study, a collaboration between SAEON, SAIAB, South African Change in South Africa is a richly illustrated publication that, for the first National Parks (SANParks) and Bayworld, was aimed at studying the time, gives a picture of environmental change on land, in our oceans and seasonal distribution of whale and dolphin species found in Algoa Bay, in the atmosphere. and determining whether there are certain areas in the bay that are more important to the animals than others. SAEON hosted science advancement activities such as SciFest Africa 2012, • SAEON launched two landmark publications that highlight pertinent socio- Conference of the Parties 17 (COP17); awareness initiatives at schools; and economic implications of environmental change. Both publications can workshops on environmental change its causes, impacts and mitigation. Photo by Mitzi du Plessis
SAEON launched two landmark publications that highlight pertinent socio- economic implications of environmental change. Both publications can be downloaded from the SAEON website (www.saeon.ac.za). Observations on Environmental Change in South Africa is a richly illustrated publication which for the first time gives a picture of environmental change on land, in our oceans SAEON's Thomas Mtonsi (left) gives learners a fascinating glimpse into Earth and in the atmosphere. systems science at SciFest Africa 2012 (Photo by Sibongile Mokoena, SAEON)
SAEON’s Egagasini Node is collaborating with the DAFF and DEA to build capacity for long-term monitoring as part of annual demersal research surveys
95 Watch and learn
The mandate of the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) Goals,” explains Johan Pauw, SAEON Managing Director. “SAEON’s distinctive is to detect, translate and predict environmental change in South Africa in order competencies are in long-term environmental observation platforms and to address environmental concerns – before it is too late. state-of-the-art geospatial data portals, which contribute to the success of the DST’s Global Change and Space Science and Technology Grand Challenges. SAEON’s mandate also is to establish and maintain state-of-the-art observation Ultimately, SAEON’s outcomes are to be found in sustainable development, a and monitoring sites and systems; to drive and facilitate research on long-term green economy and a knowledge society.” change in South Africa’s terrestrial biomes, coastal and marine ecosystems; to develop and maintain collections of accurate, consistent and reliable long-term environmental databases; to promote access to data for research and evidence- based decision making; and to contribute to capacity building and education in environmental sciences. It does this through six nodes:
The Ndlovu Node, Phalaborwa Since becoming operational in 2004, it has established 18 long-term projects in the Savanna Biome. The focus is on vegetation change, firewood harvesting, the impacts of elephants, river degradation and atmospheric carbon dioxide from fires.
The Elwandle Node, Grahamstown
Established in 2006, its role is to understand global climate change drivers in SAEON) (Photo by Beate Hölscher, the coastal zone to ensure the protection of estuaries, shallow reef communities, rocky shores, beaches and dune ecosystems. SAEON’s Ndlovu Node is involved in observation projects aimed at determining distribution of fish in the rivers of the lowveld in relation to water temperature, and the impact of infrequent flood or drought events on The Egagasini Node, Cape Town the aquatic environment of the Olifants River. Since 2007 it has researched global change in the offshore marine environment through physical oceanography and studies of biodiversity and ocean – atmosphere linkages.
The Fynbos Node, Cape Town Started in 2008, it provides a research platform to understand how climate change and human activity are impacting on Fynbos ecosystems.
The Arid Lands Node, Kimberley This was set up in 2011 for long-term observation and data harvesting of the Karoo and Kalahari regions.
The Grasslands – Forests – Wetlands Node, Pietermaritzburg This node was implemented in 2011 for long-term research and monitoring of grasslands, wetlands and forests. SAEON is archiving rainfall data sets collected in the past, and continues with measurements to ensure long-term data collection. Here SAEON’s Abri “Observation, information and education-outreach projects continue to grow Buys is busy reading wind-speed measurements from the weather station across the six nodes, contributing to four of the NRF’s Strategic Performance at Jonkershoek. (Photo by Beate Hölscher, SAEON).
96 IMPACT PROJECT
Contributing towards capacity building and education in environmental science
18 long term projects in the Savanna Biome
SAEON in collaboration with SAIAB, conduct research on global change in offshore marine environments
97 Business overview
iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based Sciences • Production facilities to manufacture radionuclides for both the local (iThemba LABS) nuclear medicine community and the export market (hot cells, targetry stations, clean rooms); Research focus and infrastructure platform • Specialised detectors and spectrometers for use in experiments in nuclear physics; and The iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based Sciences (iThemba LABS) is a • Laboratories for research in radiobiology, mainly in support of the particle multidisciplinary research laboratory providing facilities for: therapy programme. • Basic and applied research using particle beams; • Particle radiotherapy for the treatment of cancer; and iThemba LABS fulfils the following functions within the NSI: • The supply of accelerator-produced radioactive isotopes for nuclear • Growing the research facilities to increase training, human resource medicine and research. development, international collaborations (especially with Africa) and the science and technology profile of South Africa; Activities are based on five sub- • Providing spin-off economic units that are self-sustaining and benefit ...iThemba LABS provides atomic particle accelerators. The from the skills and S&T developments available at iThemba LABS; scientifically and medically large k=200 Separated Sector • Realising the National Particle Therapy Centre (NPTC) project; useful radiation for Cyclotron (SSC) accelerates protons • Growing radionuclide production into a substantial business; • Substantially improving training and research outputs; research on cancer and to energies of 200 MeV, and heavier particles to much higher energies. • Strengthening beneficial collaboration with the higher education sector; other related treatments Charged particles to be accelerated • Forging closer ties with South African and African S&T institutions; through the acceleration are fed to the accelerators through • Quickly expanding the IT/electronics instrumentation capacity at of charged particles one of two smaller injector cyclotrons, iThemba LABS. The current capacity barely meets basic needs. Skills using a separated sector one providing intense beams of and capacity in these disciplines are vital to the national interest; cyclotron... light ions, and the other, beams of • Acquiring the capacity to service, technically and scientifically, university polarised light ions or heavy ions. The research groups that wish to use international facilities such as the CERN other two are Van de Graaff electrostatic accelerators, a 6 MV single-ended (formerly the Conseil Européenne pour la Recherche Nucléaire, now the machine in the Western Cape and a 6 MV tandem accelerator in Gauteng. European Laboratory for Nuclear Physics). This servicing activity is one of the key functions of national research laboratories internationally; and iThemba LABS brings together scientists working in the physical, medical and • Substantially expanding the number of postdoctoral fellowships and biological sciences. Its facilities provide opportunities for modern research, research assistant posts to increase opportunities for young South advanced education, the treatment of cancers, and the production of unique Africans to establish international research reputations. radioisotopes. The facilities are housed at two sites: one in Faure, Cape Town, and the other on the University of the Witwatersrand campus in Johannesburg.
Major research and development platforms include: • A variable energy SSC that produces a wide variety of high-energy particle beams. Proton energies of up to 200 MeV can be produced. The SSC is augmented by two additional injector cyclotrons and supplemented by the HMI electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion source; • A 6 MV Van de Graaff accelerator with a nuclear microprobe, used primarily for materials research and supplemented by an X-ray diffractometer (XRD) unit as well as an atomic force microscope (AFM) and physical properties measurement system (PPMS); • A 6 MV tandem accelerator located in Gauteng, where a flagship accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) facility is being developed; • Specialised particle therapy facilities, such as a 66MeV neutron gantry, a 6 MV medical linear accelerator, a 200 MeV proton therapy nozzle, and Learners at a school in the Western Cape show off their knowledge of the solar system to Sivuyile Manxoyi of SAAO a multi-slice wide-bore computed tomographic scanner; 98 The iThemba LABS research platforms
Radioactive screening The walls and roofs of the vaults that house the cyclotrons consist of very thick concrete blocks, screening radioactive radiation from the outside world. Here a 72-ton concrete block that forms part of the roof of the separated sector cyclotron is lifted into position.
Grenoble Test 2 and ECRIS 4 ion sources These electron cyclotron resonance ion sources are used for the generation of intense, highly charged ion beams, which are accelerated to their final energy in the cyclotron accelerator.
Proton therapy Proton therapy has some advantages over conventional photon therapies, which include a lower integral dose with excellent dose conformation. It is suitable for the treatment of large lesions close to critical anatomical structures. For patients with large inoperable lesions, stereotactic proton radiotherapy is a valuable treatment option.
Isotope production Hot cells are used to house the separation processes of radioisotopes from bombarded target material. The walls are made of lead and lead glass to protect operators from radiation. The hot cells are designed to be flexible and allow the interiors to be revamped, when necessary, so work can be performed quickly at the lowest possible cost.
Operator working at one of the newly refurbished hot cells. Photographs by Herman du Plessis
99 Rock of Ages
Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is an astonishingly sensitive technique, which is used to measure the relative abundance of long-lived radionuclides (particular types of atoms, which are radioactive) that occur naturally as trace elements embedded in, among others, rocks, soils, ice- cores, oceans, bones and artifacts.
In 2005, Wits University leased the former Schonland Research Centre (SRC) to the NRF to be reborn as iThemba LABS (Gauteng). The DST invested R16 million to completely refurbish the EN tandem accelerator of the former SRC, to become an integral component of the first multi- isotope AMS facility in Africa.
Funding was obtained from the International Atomic Energy Agency AMS Ion Source (IAEA) to construct the MC-SNICS ion source. The AMS project then received a National Equipment Programme (NEP) NRF grant to obtain the components needed to couple the ion-source to the accelerator. This part of the system will be commissioned during 2012. More funding was granted through the NRF NEP programme in 2011, allowing the high- energy analysis system to be ordered from the National Electrostatics Corporation (NEC) in the USA.
Thanks to the input from a number of world-leading IAEA-funded experts, the AMS system will rank among the best in the world, and will enable world-class research to be carried out in dating and tracing applications in geology, astronomy, archaeology and biomedicine. It will also help Electrostatic analyser answer major questions concerning environmental sustainability and global climate change.
In support of the AMS system, Prof Lee Berger of Wits University states: “The AMS system will significantly improve our analysis capabilities of the younger rocks at sites of significance to our research, including newly discovered sites in the Cradle of Humankind. These areas are critical to our understanding of the adaptation of early hominins to this environment and more general studies of the environment in which the evolution of our species occur.”
In collaboration with local and distant universities, AMS will provide research and training opportunities at the postgraduate level, which will enable the human capital development necessary to drive the transformation of Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) South African society towards a knowledge-based economy.
100 IMPACT PROJECT AMS system to rank amongst the best in the world
World-class research to be carried out
R16m invested to refurbish the EN tandem accelerator
101 Business overview
Performance of the National Research Facilities Contributing to a vibrant national innovation system according to the strategic goals • iThemba LABS recently commissioned the reverse osmosis system. A The 2011/12 performance highlights for the National Research Facilities have reverse osmosis system (also known as a desalination plant) squeezes been aligned with the NRF goals. radioactive water through a very fine filter, or membrane. This results in only pure clean water being pumped to the dam. As far as is known, this Promoting internationally competitive research as the basis for a is the first nuclear research facility to implement this type of system. knowledge economy • The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Mars Scientific Laboratory Mission, which was launched on 26 November • The publication entitled “The SAEON Story: 2007–2011”, highlighting 2012, carries a sensitive new detector to investigate the radiation the activities and performance of SAEON over the last five years, was environment on the surface of Mars. The response of this radiation completed and handed to the Minister of Science and Technology. assessment detector (RAD) to quasi-mono-energetic high-energy • Discussions are underway with regard to the establishment of a joint neutrons was calibrated at iThemba LABS. centre with the NZG and University of Pretoria. This initiative will improve • The LCOGT network domes, form part of a global telescope network that the NZG’s ability to fulfil its research mandate. Discussions on the will provide continuous coverage of the night-sky with dedicated time establishment of the National Environmental Monitoring Services (NEMS) for astrophysics. wing of SAEON are underway. • The Ocean Tracking Network (OTN) programme was launched during a reception at the Canadian embassy. The additional equipment will enable the programme to make use of acoustic technology to study fish migration patterns. • The National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas (NFEPA) Atlas was successfully launched. • Two nodes at SAEON, Grasslands – Wetlands – Forests – Arid Lands, have been commissioned.
Growing a representative science and technology workforce in South Africa
• NZG presented the first conservation medicine training workshop in Africa. The workshop followed a multidisciplinary approach, focusing on wild animals, the environment and the human interface. • The Sutherland Community Development Centre, funded by the DST, has been completed. • The SALT Collateral Benefits Division (SCBD) developed indigenous art for Stellarium available to be used by all science centres and outreach facilities in South Africa and abroad. Stellarium is a free astronomy software package (a planetarium programme) that shows which stars will be visible and when they will ‘rise’ and ‘set’.
Providing cutting-edge research, technology and innovation platforms
• HartRAO progressed well in commissioning the 15m XDM KAT
prototype for the geodetic VLBI. This unit will complement the 26m SAAO Letarte, Photograph by B. dish, which will be fully operational during the next financial year. Completed in 2011, the new Los Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope (LCOGT) at Sutherland
102 National Research Facilities performance indicators
Table 34 shows the performance trends for the National Research Facilities from 2008/09 to 2011/12 and the progress towards achieving the Vision 2015 goals through the few selected indicators.
Table 34: National Research Facilities performance trend (2008/09–2014/15)
Indicator description Actual Actual Actual Actual Target Target Target 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 Promoting internationally competitive research Research outputs by National Peer-reviewed journal articles (ISI and others) 180 181 220 233 168 181 197 Research Facility researchers Peer-reviewed journal articles (ISI and others) with external co-authors (subset of the above) 128 152 213 229 157 166 175 Growing a representative science and technology workforce in South Africa Experiential training: number of students spending time at and participating in work of facilities as part of their formal training 1 049 382 615 1 368 438 446 453 Number of students employed to undertake temporary research-related work 47 15 38 23 43 45 47 Postgraduate students making use of facilities for training 411 446 523 494 546 596 626 Students supervised by staff of Honours/BTech 54 33 35 35 44 facilities: Master's 138 126 131 132 140 Doctoral 80 104 65 70 73 Total students 217 171 272 263 231 237 257
967 639 220 600
visitors to the National Research learners reached at the National Facilities science awareness Research Facilities platforms
103 Part C: Financial report
The reports and statements set out below comprise the annual financial statements presented to the National Parliament:
Statement of responsibility by the NRF Board of Directors 106 Audit and risk committee report 107 Report of the Auditor-General 108 Statement of financial position 110 Statement of financial performance 111 Statement of changes in net assets 112 Cash flow statement 113
Accounting policies 114 Notes to the annual financial statements 130
Supplementary information 156
104 R2.1 Financial Highlights billion
NRF total budget for 2011/12
From
R113million R234 The Post-Retirement million Medical Benefit liability has been capped through The extent to which NRF leveraged a buyout process funding through matching grant reducing the liability funding
to R12 million R869 million
Total invested in the SKA SA project since inception in 2004
105 105 Financial report
Statement of responsibility by the Board of Directors
The Board is required by the Public Finance Management Act (No. 1 of 1999, The Board acknowledges that it is ultimately responsible for the system of as amended), to maintain adequate accounting records and is responsible internal financial control established by the NRF and places considerable for the content and integrity of the annual financial statements and related importance on maintaining a strong control environment. To enable the Board financial information included in this report. It is the responsibility of the Board to meet these responsibilities, the Board sets standards for internal control to ensure that the annual financial statements fairly present the state of affairs aimed at reducing the risk of error or deficit in a cost-effective manner. of the NRF as at the end of the financial year and the results of its operations The standards include the proper delegation of responsibilities within a and cash flows for the period then ended. The external auditors are engaged to clearly defined framework, effective accounting procedures and adequate express an independent opinion on the annual financial statements and were segregation of duties to ensure an acceptable level of risk. These controls are given unrestricted access to all financial records and related data. The Board monitored throughout the NRF and all employees are required to maintain the believes that all the representations made to the independent auditors during highest ethical standards in ensuring that the NRF’s business is conducted in their audit were valid and appropriate. The report of the Auditor‑General is a manner that in all reasonable circumstances is above reproach. The focus presented on page 108. of risk management in the NRF is on identifying, assessing, managing and monitoring all known forms of risk across the organisation. While operating The annual financial statements have been prepared in accordance with risk cannot be fully eliminated, the NRF endeavours to minimise it by ensuring Standards of Generally Recognised Accounting Practice (GRAP) including any that appropriate infrastructure, controls, systems and ethical behaviour are interpretations, guidelines and directives issued by the Accounting Standards applied and managed within predetermined procedures and constraints. Board. The Board is of the opinion, based on the information and explanations given The annual financial statements are based upon appropriate accounting by management, that the system of internal control provides reasonable policies consistently applied and supported by reasonable and prudent assurance that the financial records may be relied on for the preparation of judgments and estimates. the annual financial statements. However, any system of internal financial control can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance against The NRF’s annual financial statements exclude the financial activities and material misstatement or deficit. transactions of one key programme, namely THRIP, as the control over this programme was exercised by the dti, while the operational management is The Board has reviewed the NRF’s cash flow forecast for the year to 31 March, undertaken by the NRF on a contract basis. Separate financial statements 2013 and, in the light of this review and the current financial position, it is have been prepared for this programme. satisfied that the NRF has, or has access to, adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The surplus of R13.8m represents 0.7% of total income against which grants were awarded during the current financial year, with the corresponding The annual financial statements set out on pages 110 to 158, which have expenditure materialising only in the subsequent financial year. The remainder been prepared on the going concern basis, were approved by the Board on of these monies have been utilised for expenditure on assets. 26 July, 2012 and were signed on its behalf by:
______Professor RM Crewe Dr AS Van Jaarsveld Interim Chairman: NRF Board Chief Executive Officer: NRF
106 Audit and risk committee report
Audit committee responsibility The audit committee concurs with and accepts the Auditor‑General of South Africa’s report included in the annual financial statements, and is of the We are pleased to present our report for the financial year ended 31 March 2012. opinion that the audited annual financial statements should be accepted and read together with the report of the Auditor‑General of South Africa. The audit committee reports that it has complied with its responsibilities arising from section 55(1)(a) of the PFMA and Treasury Regulation 27.1. The The audit and risk committee recommends the adoption of the Annual audit committee also reports that it has adopted appropriate formal terms Financial Statements by the Board. of reference as per its audit committee charter, has regulated its affairs in compliance with this charter and has discharged all its responsibilities as Internal audit contained therein. The audit committee is satisfied that the internal audit function is operating The effectiveness of internal control effectively and that it has addressed the risks pertinent to the NRF and its audits. Auditor ‑General of South Africa The system of internal controls applied by the NRF over financial and risk management is effective, efficient and transparent. In line with the The audit committee has met with the Auditor‑General of South Africa to PFMA, Internal Audit provides the audit committee and management with ensure that there are no unresolved issues. assurance that the internal controls are appropriate and effective. This is achieved by means of the risk management process, as well as the identification of corrective actions and suggested enhancements to the controls and processes. From the various reports of the Internal Auditors, the Audit Report on the annual financial statements, and the management report of the Auditor‑General of South Africa, it was noted that no matters were reported that indicate any material deficiencies in the system of internal control or any deviations therefrom. Accordingly, we can report that the system of internal control over financial reporting for the period under review was efficient and effective. ______Evaluation of annual financial statements Mr Andre Fourie Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee
The audit committee has: • reviewed and discussed the audited annual financial statements to be included in the annual report, with the Auditor‑General and the Accounting Authority; • reviewed the Auditor‑General of South Africa’s management report and management’s response thereto; • reviewed changes in accounting policies and practices; • reviewed the entity’s compliance with legal and regulatory provisions; and • reviewed significant adjustments resulting from the audit.
107 Financial report
Report of the Auditor-General to Parliament on the financial statements of the National Research Foundation for the year ended 31 March 2012
Report on the financial statements of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall Introduction presentation of the financial statements. 1. I have audited the financial statements of the National Research Foundation as set out on pages 110 to 158, which comprise the 5. I believe that the audit evidence I have obtained is sufficient and statement of financial position as at 31 March 2012, the statement appropriate to provide a basis for my audit opinion. of financial performance, statement of changes in net assets and the Cash flow statement for the year then ended, and the notes, Opinion comprising a summary of significant accounting policies and other 6. In my opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material explanatory information. respects, the financial position of the National Research Foundation as at 31 March 2012, and its financial performance and cash flows Accounting Authority’s responsibility for the financial statements for the year then ended in accordance with the Standards of Generally 2. The Accounting Authority is responsible for the preparation and fair Recognised Accounting Practise and the requirements of the PFMA. presentation of these financial statements in accordance with Standards of Generally Recognised Accounting Practise and the requirements of Report on other Legal and Regulatory Requirements the Public Finance Management Act of South Africa, 1999 (Act No. Public Audit Act (PAA) Requirements 1 of 1999) (PFMA) and for such internal control as the accounting authority determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial 7. In accordance with the PAA and the General Notice issued in terms statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to thereof, I report the following findings relevant to performance against fraud or error. predetermined objectives, compliance with laws and regulations and internal control, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion. Auditor’s responsibility 3. My responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements Predetermined objectives based on my audit. I conducted my audit in accordance with the Public 8. I performed procedures to obtain evidence about the usefulness and Audit Act of South Africa, 2004 (Act No. 25 of 2004) (PAA) the General reliability of the information in the annual performance report as set out Notice issued in terms thereof and International Standards on Auditing. on pages 110 to 158 of the annual report. Those standards require that I comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about 9. The reported performance against predetermined objectives was whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement. evaluated against the overall criteria of usefulness and reliability. The usefulness of information in the annual performance report relates to 4. An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about whether it is presented in accordance with the National Treasury’s the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures annual reporting principles and whether the reported performance is selected depend on the auditor’s judgement, including the assessment consistent with the planned objectives. The usefulness of information of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, further relates to whether indicators and targets are measurable (i.e. whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the well defined, verifiable, specific, measurable and time bound) and auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation relevant as required by the National Treasury Framework for managing and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit programme performance information. procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness
108 Report of the Auditor-General to Parliament on the financial statements of the National Research Foundation for the year ended 31 March 2012
10. The reliability of the information in respect of the selected objectives is assessed to determine whether it adequately reflects the facts (i.e. whether it is valid, accurate and complete).
11. There were no material findings on the annual performance report concerning the usefulness and reliability of the information.
Compliance with laws and regulations 12. I performed procedures to obtain evidence that the entity has complied with applicable laws and regulations regarding financial matters, financial management and other related matters. I did not identify any instances of material non-compliance with specific matters in key applicable laws and regulations as set out in the General Notice issued in terms of the PAA
Internal control 13. I considered internal control relevant to my audit of the financial statements, financial performance report and compliance with laws and regulations. I did not identify any deficiencies in internal controls which I considered sufficiently significant for inclusion in this report.
Pretoria 31 July 2012
109 Financial report
Statement of financial position
2012 2011 Note(s) R’000 R’000 Assets Current assets Inventory 6 3 384 3 684 Receivables from exchange transactions 8 117 478 110 175 Grants and bursaries paid in advance 9 602 738 429 991 Other loans 10 12 116 Cash and cash equivalents 11 360 062 795 424 1 083 674 1 339 390 Non‑current assets Property and equipment 3 502 663 464 701 Intangible assets 4 54 553 42 728 Interest in associate 5 35 054 38 150 Retirement benefit asset 12 183 - Other loans 10 100 7 592 553 545 586 Total assets 1 676 227 1 884 976
Liabilities Current liabilities Finance lease obligation 14 874 1 208 Payables from exchange transactions 15 71 586 66 967 Designated income received in advance 16 1 001 702 1 095 956 1 074 162 1 164 131 Non‑current liabilities Finance lease obligation 14 854 1 617 Retirement benefit obligation 12 - 110 200 854 111 817 Total liabilities 1 075 016 1 275 948
Assets 1 676 227 1 884 976 Liabilities (1 075 016) (1 275 948) 601 211 609 028 Net assets Reserves SALT fund 17 35 054 38 150 Capital fund 18 556 112 506 329 Infrastructure development fund 19 9 893 - Accumulated surplus 152 64 549 Total net assets 601 211 609 028
110 Statement of financial performance
2012 2011 Note(s) R’000 R’000
Revenue Parliamentary grant 895 661 769 513 Designated income 21 960 500 1 117 878 Sale of goods and services 22 35 831 39 496 Entrance fees 25 640 22 711 Other income 23 17 163 12 261 Interest income 24 46 667 77 357 Total revenue 1 981 462 2 039 216
Expenditure Employees' remuneration (425 323) (388 703) Finance costs 26 (271) (494) Grants and bursaries (1 119 275) (1 210 080) Programme and operating expenses (419 229) (345 415) Total expenditure (1 964 098) (1 944 692)
Loss on foreign exchange (556) (1 222) Share of deficit in associate 5 (3 096) (3 018) Gain/(loss) on disposal of assets 105 (682) Surplus for the year before asset acquisitions* 27 13 817 89 602
* R71m (2011: R79m) of this figure, inter alia, has been applied to the net acquisition of assets (refer to Statement of changes in net assets)
111 Financial report
Statement of changes in net assets
SALT fund Capital fund Infrastructure Total reserves Accumulated Total net assets development surplus fund R’000 R’000 R’000 R’000 R’000 R’000
Balance at 1 April 2010 41 168 427 303 - 468 471 50 955 519 426 Changes in net assets Surplus for the year - - - - 89 602 89 602 Transfer to capital fund - 79 026 - 79 026 (79 026) - Transfer from SALT fund (3 018) - - (3 018) 3 018 -
Total changes (3 018) 79 026 - 76 008 13 594 89 602
Balance at 1 April 2011 38 150 506 329 - 544 479 64 549 609 028 Changes in net assets Surplus for the year - - - - 13 817 13 817 Transfer to infrastructure development fund - - 9 893 9 893 (9 893) - Transfer of HMO to SANSA - (21 006) - (21 006) (628) (21 634) Transfer from SALT fund (3 096) - - (3 096) 3 096 - Transfer to capital fund - 70 789 - 70 789 (70 789) -
Total changes (3 096) 49 783 9 893 56 580 (64 397) (7 817)
Balance at 31 March 2012 35 054 556 112 9 893 601 059 152 601 211
Note(s) 17 18 19
112 Cash flow statement
2012 2011 Note(s) R’000 R’000
Cash flows from operating activities Receipts Parliamentary grant 895 661 769 513 Interest income 46 667 77 357 Other receipts 937 592 895 010
1 879 920 1 741 880 Payments Employees' remuneration (425 323) (388 703) Suppliers (485 252) (305 679) Finance costs (271) (494) Grantholders (1 292 022) (1 446 024) Transfer of HMO to SANSA (628) -
(2 203 496) (2 140 900) Total receipts 1 879 920 1 741 880 Total payments (2 203 496) (2 140 900) Net cash flows from operating activities 29 (323 576) (399 020)
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property and equipment 3 (100 628) (103 667) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 3 2 159 574 Cost of other intangible assets 4 (12 224) (15 333) Proceeds from sale of other intangible assets 4 4 -
Net cash flows from investing activities (110 689) (118 426)
Cash flows from financing activities
Finance lease payments (1 097) (1 036) Net cash flows from financing activities (1 097) (1 036) Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (435 362) (518 482) Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 795 424 1 313 906
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 11 360 062 795 424
113 Financial report
Accounting policies
1. Presentation of annual financial statements A function is an integrated set of activities that is capable of being conducted and managed for purposes of achieving an entity‘s objectives, either by providing economic benefits or service potential. A function consists of inputs The annual financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the and processes applied to those inputs that have the ability to create outputs. effective Standards of Generally Recognised Accounting Practice (GRAP) A function can either be a part or a portion of an entity or can consist of the including any interpretations, guidelines and directives issued by the Accounting whole entity. Although functions may have outputs, outputs are not required to Standards Board. qualify as a function. The three elements of a function are defined as follows: • Input: Any resource that creates, or has the ability to create, outputs when These annual financial statements have been prepared on an accrual basis of one or more processes are applied to it. accounting and are in accordance with the historical cost convention unless • Process: Any system, standard, protocol, convention or rule that when specified otherwise. They are presented in South African Rand and all values are applied to an input or inputs, creates or has the ability to create outputs. rounded to the nearest thousand (R’000), except when otherwise indicated. The • Output: The result of inputs and processes applied to achieve and improve financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis efficiency. This may be in the form of achieving service delivery objectives, A summary of the significant accounting policies, which have been consistently or the delivery of goods and/or services. applied, are disclosed below. Identifying the acquirer and transferor 1.1 Transfer of functions between entities under For each transfer of functions between entities under common control an acquirer and transferor are identified. All relevant facts and circumstances are common control considered in identifying the acquirer and transferor.
Definitions The terms and conditions of a transfer of functions undertaken between entities An acquirer is the entity that obtains control of the acquiree or transferor. under common control are set out in a binding arrangement. The binding arrangement governing the terms and conditions of a transfer of functions may Carrying amount of an asset or liability is the amount at which an asset or identify which entity to the transaction or event is the transferor(s) and which liability is recognised in the statement of financial position. entity is the acquirer. Where the binding arrangement does not clearly identify the acquirer or the transferor, the behavior or actions of the entities may indicate Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of another which entity is the acquirer and which entity is the transferor. entity so as to benefit from its activities. Determining the acquirer includes a consideration of, amongst other things, A function is an integrated set of activities that is capable of being conducted which of the entities involved in the transfer of functions initiated the transaction and managed for purposes of achieving an entity’s objectives, either by providing or event, the relative size of the entities, as well as whether the assets or revenue economic benefits or service potential. of one of the entities involved in the transaction or event significantly exceed those of the other entities. If no acquirer can be identified, the transaction or A merger is the establishment of a new combined entity in which none of the event is accounted for in terms of the standard of GRAP on mergers. former entities obtains control over any other and no acquirer can be identified. Determining the transfer date Transfer date is the date on which the acquirer obtains control of the function The acquirer and the transferor identify the transfer date, which is the date and the transferor loses control of that function. on which the acquirer obtains control and the transferor loses control of that function. A transfer of functions is the reorganisation and/or the re‑allocation of functions between entities by transferring functions between entities or into another entity. All relevant facts and circumstances are considered in identifying the transfer date. A transferor is the entity that relinquishes control of a function. Assets acquired/(transferred) and liabilities assumed/ Common control ‑ For a transaction or event to occur between entities under (relinquished) common control, the transaction or event needs to be undertaken between The recognition of assets and liabilities is subject to the following conditions: entities within the same sphere of government or between entities that are The assets acquired and the liabilities assumed are part of what had been part of the same economic entity. Entities that are ultimately controlled by the agreed in terms of the binding arrangement (if applicable), rather than the result same entity before and after the transfer of functions are within the same of separate transactions. economic entity.
114 Accounting policies
Determining what is part of the transfer of functions transaction Where an asset is acquired at no cost, or for a nominal cost, its cost is its fair Where the entity and the transferor have a pre‑existing relationship before value as at date of acquisition. or when negotiations for a transfer of functions began, or where a binding arrangement is entered into during the negotiations that are separate from a When significant components of an item of property and equipment have transfer of functions, any amounts that are not part of what were transferred in different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items (major a transfer of functions are identified. This policy only applies to the consideration components) of property and equipment. transferred and the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a transfer of functions as governed by the terms and conditions of the binding arrangement. Costs include costs incurred initially to acquire or construct an item of property and equipment and costs incurred subsequently to add to or replace part of it. If The following factors are considered, which are neither mutually exclusive nor a replacement cost is recognised in the carrying amount of an item of property individually conclusive, to determine whether a transaction is part of a transfer and equipment, the carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognised. or function or whether the transaction is separate: • the reasons for the transaction; and Recognition of costs in the carrying amount of an item of property and equipment • the timing of the transaction ceases when the item is in the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management. Accounting by the entity as transferor Derecognition of assets transferred and liabilities relinquished Major spare parts and stand-by equipment that are expected to be used for As of the transfer date, the entity derecognises from its annual financial more than one period are included in property and equipment. In addition, spare statements, all the assets transferred and liabilities relinquished in a transfer of parts and stand-by equipment that can only be used in connection with an item functions at their carrying amounts. of property and equipment are accounted for as property and equipment.
Until the transfer date, the entity continues to measure these assets and Major inspection costs which are a condition of continuing use of an item of liabilities in accordance with applicable standards of GRAP. property and equipment and which meet the recognition criteria above are included as a replacement in the cost of the item of property and equipment. The consideration received from the acquirer can be in the form of cash, cash Any remaining inspection costs from the previous inspection are derecognised. equivalents or other assets. If the consideration received is in the form of other assets, the entity measures such assets at their fair value on the transfer date Property and equipment is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and in accordance with the applicable standard of GRAP. The difference between any accumulated impairment losses. Land is carried at cost less accumulated the carrying amounts of the assets transferred, the liabilities relinquished and impairment losses. the consideration received from the acquirer is recognised in accumulated surplus or deficit. Property and equipment are depreciated on the straight line basis over their expected useful lives to their estimated residual value. Land has an 1.2 Property and equipment unlimited useful life and therefore is not depreciated. Depreciation of an asset begins when it is available for use, i.e. when it is in the location and Property and equipment are tangible non‑current assets (including infrastructure condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended assets) that are held for use in the production or supply of goods or services, by management. rental to others, or for administrative purposes, and are expected to be used during more than one period. The useful lives of items of property and equipment have been assessed as follows: The cost of an item of property and equipment is recognised as an asset when: Item Useful life • it is probable that future economic benefits or service potential associated Buildings 3-48 years with the item will flow to the entity; and Machinery and equipment 10 years • the cost of the item can be measured reliably. Office furniture 3-30 years Motor vehicles 5-10 years Property and equipment is initially measured at cost. Office equipment 1-20 years IT equipment 1-13 years The cost of an item of property and equipment is the purchase price and other costs attributable to bring the asset to the location and condition necessary Exhibits 10 years for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management. Research equipment 1-20 years Trade discounts and rebates are deducted in arriving at the cost.
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Accounting policies
The residual value, and the useful life and depreciation method of each asset 1.4 Intangible assets are reviewed at the end of each reporting date. If the expectations differ from previous estimates, the change is accounted for as a change in accounting An asset is identified as an intangible asset when it: estimate. • is capable of being separated or divided from an entity and sold, transferred, licensed, rented or exchanged, either individually or together Reviewing the useful life of an asset on an annual basis does not require the with a related contract, assets or liability; or entity to amend the previous estimate unless expectations differ from the • arises from contractual rights or other legal rights, regardless of whether previous estimate. those rights are transferable or separate from the entity or from other rights and obligations. Each part of an item of property and equipment with a cost that is significant in relation to the total cost of the item is depreciated separately. An intangible asset is recognised when: • it is probable that the expected future economic benefits or service The depreciation charge for each period is recognised in surplus or deficit potential that are attributable to the asset will flow to the entity; and unless it is included in the carrying amount of another asset. • the cost or fair value of the asset can be measured reliably.
Items of property and equipment are derecognised when the asset is disposed Intangible assets are initially recognised at cost. Cost includes the cost of of or when there are no further economic benefits or service potential expected materials, direct labour and overhead costs that are directly attributable to from the use of the asset. preparing the asset for its intended use. Subsequent expenditure on capitalised intangible assets is capitalised only when it increases the future economic The gain or loss arising from the derecognition of an item of property and benefits embodied in the specific asset to which it relates and the costs can be equipment is included in surplus or deficit when the item is derecognised. The measured reliably. All other expenditure is expensed as incurred. gain or loss arising from the derecognition of an item of property and equipment is determined as the difference between the net disposal proceeds, if any, and An intangible asset acquired at no or nominal cost, the cost shall be its fair value the carrying amount of the item. as at the date of acquisition.
1.3 Zoo animals Expenditure on research (or on the research phase of an internal project) is recognised as an expense when it is incurred. Zoo animals comprise zoological animals that have not been included as an asset on the statement of financial position. The reason is that the essential An intangible asset arising from development (or from the development phase recognition criteria of measurement for recognising assets cannot be met for of an internal project) is recognised when: the majority of the animals. • it is technically feasible to complete the asset so that it will be available for use or sale; The majority of zoological animals are received as donations, transfers from • there is an intention to complete and use or sell it; other zoos or from births. As a result, they do not have a cost price. • there is an ability to use or sell it; • it will generate probable future economic benefits or service potential; In addition, it is considered impractical to assign a fair value to the animals • there are available technical, financial and other resources to complete the due to a variety of reasons. These reasons include considerations such as development and to use or sell the asset; and the lack of a market for the majority of the animals because they are not • the expenditure attributable to the asset during its development can be commodities, the lack of an active market, as well as restrictions on trade of measured reliably. exotic animals, which precludes the determination of a fair value. Intangible assets are carried at cost less any accumulated amortisation and any The animals for which it may be possible to determine an arbitrary value accumulated impairment losses. approximates 8% of the total animal collection. It is the view of the NRF that it is unethical and not in the best interest of the NZG to attach values to these An intangible asset is regarded as having an indefinite useful life when, based animals. In addition, the NZG is not in the business of trading with these animals. on all relevant factors, there is no foreseeable limit to the period over which the asset is expected to generate net cash inflows or service potential. Amortisation Therefore, on the basis that many species cannot be valued and any attempt is not provided for these intangible assets, but they are tested for impairment to attach values to any species may be unethical, it was considered that annually and whenever there is an indication that the asset may be impaired. any assessment of value would be misleading to the users of the financial For all other intangible assets amortisation is provided on a straight-line basis statements. This assessment is considered to be a significant judgment by over their useful life. management.
116 Accounting policies
The amortisation period, residual value and the amortisation method 1.6 Financial instruments for intangible assets are reviewed at each reporting date. Changes in the expected useful life or the expected pattern of consumption of future Classification economic benefits embodied in the asset are accounted for by changing the The entity classifies financial assets and financial liabilities into the following amortisation period or method, as appropriate, and are treated as changes in categories: accounting estimates. - Loans and receivables; and - Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost. Reassessing the useful life of an intangible asset with a finite useful life after it was classified as indefinite is an indicator that the asset may be impaired. As Classification depends on the purpose for which the financial instruments a result the asset is tested for impairment and the remaining carrying amount were obtained/incurred and takes place at initial recognition. Classification is is amortised over its useful life. re‑assessed on an annual basis.
Internally generated brands, mastheads, publishing titles, customer lists and Initial recognition and measurement items similar in substance are not recognised as intangible assets. Financial instruments are recognised initially when the entity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instruments. Intangible assets are amortised from the day they are available for use. During the period of development, the asset is tested for impairment annually. The entity classifies financial instruments, or their component parts, on initial Amortisation is provided to write down the intangible assets, on a straight line recognition as a financial asset or a financial liability in accordance with the basis, to their residual values as follows: substance of the contractual arrangement.
Item Useful Life Financial instruments are measured initially at fair value. Short‑term receivables Computer software 2-6 years or payables are initially measured at the transaction price, unless the terms of the arrangement are not market related. The amortisation charge for each period is recognised in surplus or deficit unless it is included in the carrying amount of another asset. For financial instruments which are not at fair value, transaction costs are included in the initial measurement of the instrument. Intangible assets are derecognised: • on disposal; or Financial assets are accounted for at trade date. • when no future economic benefits or service potential are expected from its use or disposal. Subsequent measurement Loans and receivables are subsequently measured at amortised cost, using the The gain or loss is the difference between the net disposal proceeds, if any, effective interest method, less accumulated impairment losses. and the carrying amount. It is recognised in surplus or deficit when the asset is derecognised. Financial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest method. 1.5 Interest in associate Fair value determination An investment in an associate is initially accounted for at cost and Where market values are not available, fair values have been calculated subsequently using the equity method of accounting. An associate is an by discounting expected future cash flows at prevailing interest rates. The entity over which the NRF is in a position to exercise significant influence, fair values have been estimated using available market information and but not control, through participation in the financial and operating policy appropriate valuation methodologies, but are not necessarily indicative of the decisions of the investee. The NRF’s share of the total recognised gains and amounts that the NRF could realise in the normal course of business. losses of associates is recognised in the financial statements, from the date that significant influence commences until the date that significant influence Impairment of financial assets ceases, using the equity method of accounting. The financial statements At each end of the reporting period the entity assesses all financial assets to of the associate are calculated using uniform accounting policies and the determine whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset or group associate has a similar year‑end as the NRF. of financial assets has been impaired.
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Accounting policies
For amounts due to the entity, significant financial difficulties of the debtor, Cash and cash equivalents probability that the debtor will enter bankruptcy and default of payments are all Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and demand deposits, and considered indicators of impairment. other short‑term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. Impairment losses are recognised in surplus or deficit. These are measured at initial recognition at fair value, and are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. Impairment losses are reversed when an increase in the financial asset’s recoverable amount can be related objectively to a reversal of the event De ‑recognition which caused the initial impairment and occurring after the impairment was Financial assets (or a portion thereof) are de‑recognised when the NRF realise recognised, subject to the restriction that the carrying amount of the financial the rights to the benefits specified in the contract, the rights expire or the asset at the date that the impairment is reversed shall not exceed what the NRF surrenders or otherwise loses control and does not retain substantially carrying amount would have been had the impairment not been recognised. all risks and rewards of the asset. The NRF de-recognises financial assets using trade date accounting. On de‑recognition, the difference between the Reversals of impairment losses are recognised in surplus or deficit. carrying amount of the financial asset and proceeds receivable is included in the statement of financial performance. Where financial assets are impaired through use of an allowance account, the amount of the loss is recognised in surplus or deficit within operating expenses. Financial liabilities (or a portion thereof) are de‑recognised when the obligation When such assets are written off, the write-off is made against the relevant specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expires. On de‑recognition, allowance account. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are the difference between the carrying amount of the financial liability and amount credited against operating expenses. paid for it is included in the statement of financial performance.
Loans to employees 1.7 Inventory These financial assets are classified as loans and receivables. They are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method if they have Inventory is initially measured at cost except where inventory is acquired at no a fixed maturity or at cost if there is no fixed maturity. cost, or for nominal consideration, then its costs are its fair value as at the date of acquisition. Receivables from exchange transactions Trade receivables are measured at initial recognition at fair value, and are Subsequently inventory is measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value. subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. Appropriate allowances for estimated irrecoverable amounts are Inventory is measured at the lower of cost and current replacement cost where recognised in surplus or deficit when there is objective evidence that the it is held for: asset is impaired. Significant financial difficulties of the debtor, probability • distribution at no charge or for a nominal charge; or that the debtor will enter bankruptcy or financial reorganisation, and default • consumption in the production process of goods to be distributed at no or delinquency in payments (more than 30 days overdue) are considered charge or for a nominal charge. indicators that the trade receivable is impaired. The allowance recognised is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the effective operations less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs interest rate computed at initial recognition. necessary to make the sale, exchange or distribution.
The carrying amount of the asset is reduced through the use of an allowance Current replacement cost is the cost the entity would incur to acquire the asset account, and the amount of the deficit is recognised in surplus or deficit within on the reporting date. operating expenses. When a trade receivable is uncollectible, it is written off against the allowance account for trade receivables. Subsequent recoveries The cost of inventory comprises all costs of purchase, costs of conversion of amounts previously written off are credited against operating expenses in and other costs incurred in bringing the inventory to its present location and surplus or deficit. condition. The cost of inventory of items that are not ordinarily interchangeable and goods or services produced and segregated for specific projects is assigned Trade and other receivables are classified as loans and receivables. using specific identification of the individual costs.
Payables from exchange transactions The cost of inventory is assigned using the first‑in, first‑out (FIFO) formula, Trade payables are initially measured at fair value, and are subsequently except restaurant and animal-related stock where it is valued on the weighted measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method. average method. The same cost formula is used for all inventory having a similar nature and use to the entity.
118 Accounting policies
When inventory is sold, the carrying amounts of the inventory is recognised A cash‑generating unit is the smallest identifiable group of assets held with the as an expense in the period in which the related revenue is recognised. If primary objective of generating a commercial return that generates cash inflows there is no related revenue, the expenses are recognised when the goods are from continuing use that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other distributed, or related services are rendered. The amount of any write‑down assets or groups of assets. of inventory to net realisable value or current replacement cost and all losses of inventory are recognised as an expense in the period the write‑down or Costs of disposal are incremental costs directly attributable to the disposal of an loss occurs. The amount of any reversal of any write‑down of inventory, asset, excluding finance costs. arising from an increase in net realisable value or current replacement cost, is recognised as a reduction in the amount of inventory recognised as an Depreciation (amortisation) is the systematic allocation of the depreciable expense in the period in which the reversal occurs. amount of an asset over its useful life.
1.8n No ‑current assets held for sale and disposal Fair value less costs to sell is the amount obtainable from the sale of an asset groups in an arm’s length transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties, less the costs of disposal. Non‑current assets and disposal groups are classified as held for sale if their carrying amount will be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather Recoverable amount of an asset or a cash‑generating unit is the higher of its fair than through continuing use. This condition is regarded as met only when value less costs to sell and its value in use. the sale is highly probable and the asset (or disposal group) is available for immediate sale in its present condition. Management must be committed to the Useful life is either: sale, which should be expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale • the period of time over which an asset is expected to be used by the within one year from the date of classification. entity; or • the number of production or similar units expected to be obtained from the Non‑current assets held for sale (or disposal group) are measured at the lower asset by the entity. of their carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. Criteria developed by the entity to distinguish cash‑generating assets from A non‑current asset is not depreciated (or amortised) while it is classified as non‑cash‑generating assets are as follows: held for sale, or while it is part of a disposal group classified as held for sale. All assets generating a commercial return that generates cash inflows are Interest and other expenses attributable to the liabilities of a disposal group classified as cash generating. All other assets are non‑cash‑generating. classified as held for sale are recognised in surplus or deficit. Income recognised from non‑current assets held for sale is disclosed in a separate line Identification in the Statement of Financial Performance. When the carrying amount of a cash‑generating asset exceeds its recoverable amount, it is impaired. 1.9 Impairment of cash‑generating assets The entity assesses at each reporting date whether there is any indication that a cash‑generating asset may be impaired. If any such indication exists, the entity Cash‑generating assets are those assets held by the entity with the primary estimates the recoverable amount of the asset. objective of generating a commercial return. When an asset is deployed in a manner consistent with that adopted by a profit‑orientated entity, it generates Irrespective of whether there is any indication of impairment, the entity also a commercial return. tests a cash‑generating intangible asset with an indefinite useful life or a cash‑generating intangible asset not yet available for use for impairment Impairment is a loss in the future economic benefits or service potential of an annually by comparing its carrying amount with its recoverable amount. This asset, over and above the systematic recognition of the loss of the asset’s future impairment test is performed at the same time every year. If an intangible asset economic benefits or service potential through depreciation (amortisation). was initially recognised during the current reporting period, that intangible asset was tested for impairment before the end of the current reporting period. Carrying amount is the amount at which an asset is recognised in the statement of financial position after deducting any accumulated depreciation and Value in use accumulated impairment losses thereon. Value in use of a cash‑generating asset is the present value of the estimated future cash flows expected to be derived from the continuing use of an asset and from its disposal at the end of its useful life.
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Accounting policies
When estimating the value in use of an asset, the entity estimates the future Discount rate cash inflows and outflows to be derived from continuing use of the asset and The discount rate is a pre‑tax rate that reflects current market assessments from its ultimate disposal and the entity applies the appropriate discount rate of the time value of money, represented by the current risk‑free rate of to those future cash flows. interest and the risks specific to the asset for which the future cash flow estimates have not been adjusted. Basis for estimates of future cash flows In measuring value in use the entity: Recognition and measurement (individual asset) • bases cash flow projections on reasonable and supportable assumptions If the recoverable amount of a cash‑generating asset is less than its carrying that represent management’s best estimate of the range of economic amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount. conditions that will exist over the remaining useful life of the asset. Greater This reduction is an impairment loss. weight is given to external evidence; • bases cash flow projections on the most recent approved financial An impairment loss is recognised immediately in surplus or deficit. budgets/forecasts, but excludes any estimated future cash inflows or outflows expected to arise from future restructurings or from improving When the amount estimated for an impairment loss is greater than the carrying or enhancing the asset’s performance. Projections based on these amount of the cash‑generating asset to which it relates, the entity recognises a budgets/forecasts cover a maximum period of five years, unless a longer liability only to the extent that it is a requirement in the standard of GRAP. period can be justified; and • estimates cash flow projections beyond the period covered by the After the recognition of an impairment loss, the depreciation (amortisation) most recent budgets/forecasts by extrapolating the projections based charge for the cash‑generating asset is adjusted in future periods to allocate on the budgets/forecasts using a steady or declining growth rate for the cash‑generating asset’s revised carrying amount, less its residual value (if subsequent years, unless an increasing rate can be justified. This any), on a systematic basis over its remaining useful life. growth rate does not exceed the long‑term average growth rate for the products, industries, or country or countries in which the entity Cash ‑generating units operates, or for the market in which the asset is used, unless a higher If there is any indication that an asset may be impaired, the recoverable rate can be justified. amount is estimated for the individual asset. If it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of the individual asset, the entity determines the Composition of estimates of future cash flows recoverable amount of the cash‑generating unit to which the asset belongs (the Estimates of future cash flows include: asset’s cash‑generating unit). • projections of cash inflows from the continuing use of the asset; • projections of cash outflows that are necessarily incurred to generate the If an active market exists for the output produced by an asset or group of assets, cash inflows from continuing use of the asset (including cash outflows to that asset or group of assets is identified as a cash‑generating unit, even if prepare the asset for use) and can be directly attributed, or allocated on a some or all of the output is used internally. If the cash inflows generated by any reasonable and consistent basis, to the asset; and asset or cash‑generating unit are affected by internal transfer pricing, the entity • net cash flows, if any, to be received (or paid) for the disposal of the asset uses management’s best estimate of future price(s) that could be achieved in at the end of its useful life. arm’s length transactions in estimating: • the future cash inflows used to determine the asset’s or cash‑generating Estimates of future cash flows exclude: unit’s value in use; and • cash inflows or outflows from financing activities. • the future cash outflows used to determine the value in use of any other assets or cash‑generating units that are affected by the internal The estimate of net cash flows to be received (or paid) for the disposal of transfer pricing. an asset at the end of its useful life is the amount that the entity expects to obtain from the disposal of the asset in an arm’s length transaction between Cash‑generating units are identified consistently from period to period for the knowledgeable, willing parties, after deducting the estimated costs of disposal. same asset or types of assets, unless a change is justified.
Foreign currency future cash flows The carrying amount of a cash‑generating unit is determined on a basis Future cash flows are estimated in the currency in which they will be generated consistent with the way the recoverable amount of the cash‑generating unit and then discounted using a discount rate appropriate for that currency. The is determined. entity translates the present value using the spot exchange rate at the date of the value in use calculation.
120 Accounting policies
An impairment loss is recognised for a cash‑generating unit if the recoverable In allocating a reversal of an impairment loss for a cash‑generating unit, the amount of the unit is less than the carrying amount of the unit. The impairment carrying amount of an asset is not increased above the lower of: is allocated to reduce the carrying amount of the cash‑generating assets of • its recoverable amount (if determinable); and the unit on a pro rata basis, based on the carrying amount of each asset in the • the carrying amount that would have been determined (net of amortisation unit. These reductions in carrying amounts are treated as impairment losses on or depreciation) had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset in individual assets. prior periods.
In allocating an impairment loss, the entity does not reduce the carrying amount The amount of the reversal of the impairment loss that would otherwise have of an asset below the highest of: been allocated to the asset is allocated pro rata to the other assets of the unit. • its fair value less costs to sell (if determinable); • its value in use (if determinable); and Redesignation • zero. The redesignation of assets from a cash‑generating asset to a non‑cash‑generating asset or from a non‑cash‑generating asset to a The amount of the impairment loss that would otherwise have been allocated to cash‑generating asset occurs only when there is clear evidence that such a the asset is allocated pro rata to the other cash‑generating assets of the unit. redesignation is appropriate.
Where a non‑cash‑generating asset contributes to a cash‑generating unit, a 1.10 Impairment of non‑cash‑generating assets proportion of the carrying amount of that non‑cash‑generating asset is allocated to the carrying amount of the cash‑generating unit prior to estimation of the Non‑cash‑generating assets are assets other than cash‑generating assets. recoverable amount of the cash‑generating unit. Impairment is a loss in the future economic benefits or service potential of an Reversal of impairment loss asset, over and above the systematic recognition of the loss of the asset’s future The entity assesses at each reporting date whether there is any indication that economic benefits or service potential through depreciation (amortisation). an impairment loss recognised in prior periods for a cash‑generating asset may no longer exist or may have decreased. If any such indication exists, the entity Carrying amount is the amount at which an asset is recognised in the statement estimates the recoverable amount of that asset. of financial position after deducting any accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses thereon. An impairment loss recognised in prior periods for a cash‑generating asset is reversed if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the Costs of disposal are incremental costs directly attributable to the disposal of an asset’s recoverable amount since the last impairment loss was recognised. asset, excluding finance costs. The carrying amount of the asset is increased to its recoverable amount. The increase is a reversal of an impairment loss. The increased carrying Depreciation (amortisation) is the systematic allocation of the depreciable amount of an asset attributable to a reversal of an impairment loss does amount of an asset over its useful life. not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined (net of depreciation or amortisation) had no impairment loss been recognised for Fair value less costs to sell is the amount obtainable from the sale of an asset the asset in prior periods. in an arm’s length transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties, less the costs of disposal. A reversal of an impairment loss for a cash‑generating asset is recognised immediately in surplus or deficit. Recoverable service amount is the higher of a non‑cash‑generating asset’s fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. After a reversal of an impairment loss is recognised, the depreciation (amortisation) charge for the cash‑generating asset is adjusted in future periods Useful life is either: to allocate the cash‑generating asset’s revised carrying amount, less its residual • the period of time over which an asset is expected to be used by the value (if any), on a systematic basis over its remaining useful life. entity; or • the number of production or similar units expected to be obtained from the A reversal of an impairment loss for a cash‑generating unit is allocated to asset by the entity. the cash‑generating assets of the unit pro rata with the carrying amounts of those assets. These increases in carrying amounts are treated as reversals of Identification impairment losses for individual assets. No part of the amount of such a reversal When the carrying amount of a non‑cash‑generating asset exceeds its is allocated to a non‑cash‑generating asset contributing service potential to a recoverable service amount, it is impaired. cash‑generating unit.
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Accounting policies
The entity assesses at each reporting date whether there is any indication that Service units approach a non‑cash‑generating asset may be impaired. If any such indication exists, the The present value of the remaining service potential of the asset is determined entity estimates the recoverable service amount of the asset. by reducing the current cost of the remaining service potential of the asset Irrespective of whether there is any indication of impairment, the entity also before impairment, to conform to the reduced number of service units tests a non‑cash‑generating intangible asset with an indefinite useful life or a expected from the asset in its impaired state. The current cost of replacing the non‑cash‑generating intangible asset not yet available for use for impairment remaining service potential of the asset before impairment is determined as the annually by comparing its carrying amount with its recoverable service amount. depreciated reproduction or replacement cost of the asset before impairment, This impairment test is performed at the same time every year. If an intangible whichever is lower. asset was initially recognised during the current reporting period, that intangible asset was tested for impairment before the end of the current reporting period. Recognition and measurement If the recoverable service amount of a non‑cash‑generating asset is less Value in use than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its Value in use of an asset is the present value of the asset’s remaining service potential. recoverable service amount. This reduction is an impairment loss.
The present value of the remaining service potential of an asset is determined An impairment loss is recognised immediately in surplus or deficit. using the following approach: When the amount estimated for an impairment loss is greater than the Depreciated replacement cost approach carrying amount of the non‑cash‑generating asset to which it relates, the The present value of the remaining service potential of a non‑cash‑generating entity recognises a liability only to the extent that is a requirement in the asset is determined as the depreciated replacement cost of the asset. The standards of GRAP. replacement cost of an asset is the cost to replace the asset’s gross service potential. This cost is depreciated to reflect the asset in its used condition. An asset After the recognition of an impairment loss, the depreciation (amortisation) may be replaced either through reproduction (replication) of the existing asset or charge for the non‑cash‑generating asset is adjusted in future periods to through replacement of its gross service potential. The depreciated replacement allocate the non‑cash‑generating asset’s revised carrying amount, less its cost is measured as the reproduction or replacement cost of the asset, whichever residual value (if any), on a systematic basis over its remaining useful life. is lower, less accumulated depreciation calculated on the basis of such cost, to reflect the already consumed or expired service potential of the asset. Reversal of an impairment loss The entity assesses at each reporting date whether there is any indication that The replacement cost and reproduction cost of an asset is determined on an impairment loss recognised in prior periods for a non‑cash‑generating asset an “optimised” basis. The rationale is that the entity would not replace or may no longer exist or may have decreased. If any such indication exists, the reproduce the asset with a like asset if the asset to be replaced or reproduced entity estimates the recoverable service amount of that asset. is an overdesigned or overcapacity asset. Overdesigned assets contain features which are unnecessary for the goods or services the asset provides. An impairment loss recognised in prior periods for a non‑cash‑generating asset Overcapacity assets are assets that have a greater capacity than is necessary is reversed if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine to meet the demand for goods or services the asset provides. The determination the asset’s recoverable service amount since the last impairment loss was of the replacement cost or reproduction cost of an asset on an optimised basis recognised. The carrying amount of the asset is increased to its recoverable thus reflects the service potential required of the asset. service amount. The increase is a reversal of an impairment loss. The increased carrying amount of an asset attributable to a reversal of an impairment loss Restoration cost approach does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined (net of Restoration cost is the cost of restoring the service potential of a cash‑generating depreciation or amortisation) had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset to its pre‑impaired level. The present value of the remaining service asset in prior periods. potential of the asset is determined by subtracting the estimated restoration cost of the asset from the current cost of replacing the remaining service A reversal of an impairment loss for a non‑cash‑generating asset is recognised potential of the asset before impairment. The latter cost is determined as the immediately in surplus or deficit. depreciated reproduction or replacement cost of the asset, whichever is lower. After a reversal of an impairment loss is recognised, the depreciation (amortisation) charge for the non‑cash‑generating asset is adjusted in future periods to allocate the non‑cash‑generating asset’s revised carrying amount, less its residual value (if any), on a systematic basis over its remaining useful life.
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Redesignation 1.12 Leases The redesignation of assets from a cash‑generating asset to a non‑cash‑generating asset or from a non‑cash‑generating asset to a cash‑generating asset occurs only A lease is classified as a finance lease if it transfers substantially all the risks and when there is clear evidence that such a redesignation is appropriate. rewards incidental to ownership. A lease is classified as an operating lease if it does not transfer substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership. 1.11 Provisions and contingencies The determination of whether an arrangement is, or contains, a lease is based Provisions are recognised when: on the substance of the arrangement at inception date of whether the fulfilment • the entity has a present obligation as a result of a past event; of the arrangement is dependent on the use of a specific asset or assets or the • it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits arrangement conveys a right to use the asset. or service potential will be required to settle the obligation; and • a reliable estimate can be made of the obligation. Finance leases ‑ lessee Finance leases are recognised as assets and liabilities in the statement of The amount of a provision is the best estimate of the expenditure expected to be financial position at amounts equal to the fair value of the leased property or, required to settle the present obligation at the reporting date. if lower, the present value of the minimum lease payments. The corresponding liability to the lessor is included in the statement of financial position as a Where the effect of time value of money is material, the amount of a finance lease obligation. provision is the present value of the expenditures expected to be required to settle the obligation. The discount rate used in calculating the present value of the minimum lease payments is the interest rate implicit in the lease. The discount rate is a pre‑tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability. Minimum lease payments are apportioned between the finance charge and reduction of the outstanding liability. The finance charge is allocated to each Where some or all of the expenditure required to settle a provision is expected period during the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic rate on the to be reimbursed by another party, the reimbursement is recognised when, remaining balance of the liability. and only when, it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received if the entity settles the obligation. The reimbursement is treated as a separate asset. Any contingent rents are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. The amount recognised for the reimbursement does not exceed the amount of the provision. Operating leases ‑ lessor Operating lease revenue is recognised as revenue on a straight‑line basis over Provisions are reviewed at each reporting date and adjusted to reflect the the lease term. current best estimate. Provisions are reversed if it is no longer probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits or service potential will be Initial direct costs incurred in negotiating and arranging operating leases are required, to settle the obligation. added to the carrying amount of the leased asset and recognised as an expense over the lease term on the same basis as the lease revenue. Where discounting is used, the carrying amount of a provision increases in each period to reflect the passage of time. This increase is recognised as an Income for leases is disclosed under revenue in the statement of financial interest expense. performance.
A provision is used only for expenditures for which the provision was originally Operating leases ‑ lessee recognised. Provisions are not recognised for future operating deficits. Operating lease payments are recognised as an expense on a straight‑line basis over the lease term. The difference between the amounts recognised as an If an entity has a contract that is onerous, the present obligation (net of recoveries) expense and the contractual payments are recognised as an operating lease under the contract is recognised and measured as a provision. asset or liability.
Contingent assets and contingent liabilities are not recognised. Contingencies 1.13 Revenue from exchange transactions are disclosed in note 32. Revenue is the gross inflow of economic benefits or service potential during the reporting period when those inflows result in an increase in net assets.
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Accounting policies
An exchange transaction is one in which the entity receives assets or services, or Service revenue is recognised by reference to the stage of completion of the has liabilities extinguished, and directly gives approximately equal value (primarily transaction at the reporting date. Stage of completion is determined by services in the form of goods, services or use of assets) to the other party in exchange. performed to date as a percentage of total services to be performed.
Fair value is the amount for which an asset could be exchanged, or a liability Rendering of services includes parking at the National Zoological Gardens (NZG) settled, between knowledgeable, willing parties in an arm’s length transaction. and providing tours to the public.
Measurement Interest Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, Revenue arising from the use by others of the entity’s assets yielding interest net of trade discounts and volume rebates. is recognised when: • it is probable that the economic benefits or service potential associated Sale of goods with the transaction will flow to the entity, and Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when all the following conditions • the amount of the revenue can be measured reliably. have been satisfied: • the entity has transferred to the purchaser the significant risks and Interest is recognised, in surplus or deficit, using the effective interest rate method. rewards of ownership of the goods; • the entity retains neither continuing managerial involvement to the degree Entrance fees usually associated with ownership nor effective control over the goods sold; The National Zoological Gardens charges patrons an entrance fee. This revenue • the amount of revenue can be measured reliably; is recognised at the time the tickets are sold. • it is probable that the economic benefits or service potential associated with the transaction will flow to the entity; and 1.14 Revenue from non‑exchange transactions • the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably. Revenue comprises gross inflows of economic benefits or service potential received and receivable by an entity, which represents an increase in net assets. Sale of goods includes the sale of food, curios and isotopes. Conditions on transferred assets are stipulations that specify that the future Rendering of services economic benefits or service potential embodied in the asset is required to be When the outcome of a transaction involving the rendering of services can be consumed by the recipient as specified or future economic benefits or service estimated reliably, revenue associated with the transaction is recognised by potential must be returned to the transferor. reference to the stage of completion of the transaction at the reporting date. The outcome of a transaction can be estimated reliably when all the following Control of an asset arise when the entity can use or otherwise benefit from conditions are satisfied: the asset in pursuit of its objectives and can exclude or otherwise regulate the • the amount of revenue can be measured reliably; access of others to that benefit. • it is probable that the economic benefits or service potential associated with the transaction will flow to the entity; Non‑exchange transactions are transactions that are not exchange transactions. • the stage of completion of the transaction at the reporting date can be In a non‑exchange transaction, an entity either receives value from another entity measured reliably; and without directly giving approximately equal value in exchange, or gives value to • the costs incurred for the transaction and the costs to complete the another entity without directly receiving approximately equal value in exchange. transaction can be measured reliably. Restrictions on transferred assets are stipulations that limit or direct the When services are performed by an indeterminate number of acts over a purposes for which a transferred asset may be used, but do not specify that specified time frame, revenue is recognised on a straight line basis over the future economic benefits or service potential is required to be returned to the specified time frame unless there is evidence that some other method better transferor if not deployed as specified. represents the stage of completion. When a specific act is much more sig- nificant than any other acts, the recognition of revenue is postponed until the Stipulations on transferred assets are terms in laws or regulation, or a binding significant act is executed. arrangement, imposed upon the use of a transferred asset by entities external to the reporting entity. When the outcome of the transaction involving the rendering of services cannot be estimated reliably, revenue is recognised only to the extent of the expenses Transfers are inflows of future economic benefits or service potential from recognised that are recoverable. non‑exchange transactions.
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Recognition The related cost of providing services recognised as revenue in the current An inflow of resources from a non‑exchange transaction recognised as an asset period is included in cost of sales. is recognised as revenue, except to the extent that a liability is also recognised in respect of the same inflow. 1.16 Grants and bursaries
As the entity satisfies a present obligation recognised as a liability in respect Grants and bursaries granted are recognised as expenditure in the statement of of an inflow of resources from a non‑exchange transaction recognised as an financial performance in the period which the grants and bursaries are claimed. asset, it reduces the carrying amount of the liability recognised and recognises an amount of revenue equal to that reduction. 1.17 Research and development expenditure
Measurement Research costs are charged against operating surplus as incurred. Development Revenue from a non‑exchange transaction is measured at the amount of the costs are recognised as an expense in the period in which they are incurred increase in net assets recognised by the entity. unless the following criteria are met: • the product or process is clearly defined and the costs attributable to the Where a liability is required to be recognised it will be measured as the best process or product can be separately identified and measured reliably; estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation at the reporting date, and • the technical feasibility of the product or process can be demonstrated; the amount of the increase in net assets, if any, recognised as revenue. When a • the existence of a market or, if to be used internally rather than sold, its liability is subsequently reduced, because a condition is satisfied, the amount of the usefulness to the entity can be demonstrated; reduction in the liability is recognised as revenue. • adequate resources exist, or their availability can be demonstrated, to complete the project and then market or use the product or process; and Gifts and donations, including goods in‑kind • the asset must be separately identifiable. Gifts and donations, including goods in kind, are recognised as assets and revenue when it is probable that the future economic benefits or service potential Where development costs are capitalised, they are written off on a straight‑line will flow to the entity and the fair value of the assets can be measured reliably. basis over the life of the process or product. The amortisation begins from the commencement of the commercial production of the product or use of the Government grants and contract income process to which they relate. Government grants and contract income are recognised in the statement of financial performance in the period to which the grant or contract income relates. The government grant and contract income is recognised if there is 1.18 Employee benefits reasonable assurance that the entity will comply with the conditions attached to the grant or contract and that the grant or contract income will be received. Employee benefits are all forms of consideration given by an entity in exchange for service rendered by employees. The portion of government grants and contract income, that are earmarked for a specific purpose and thus conditional, relating to expenditure that will Termination benefits are employee benefits payable as a result of either: be incurred in future financial years is transferred to income received in • an entity’s decision to terminate an employee’s employment before the advance as it represents an actual liability if conditions are not met. This normal retirement date; or is done in order to match the income with the related costs which they are • an employee’s decision to accept voluntary redundancy in exchange for intended to compensate. those benefits.
1.15 Cost of sales Other long‑term employee benefits are employee benefits (other than post‑employment benefits and termination benefits) that are not due to be settled within twelve months after the end of the period in which the employee When inventories are sold, the carrying amount of those inventories is recognised renders the related service. as an expense in the period in which the related revenue is recognised. The amount of any write‑down of inventories to net realisable value and all deficits Vested employee benefits are employee benefits that are not conditional on of inventories are recognised as an expense in the period the write‑down or loss future employment. occurs. The amount of any reversal of any write‑down of inventories, arising from an increase in net realisable value, is recognised as a reduction in the amount of inventories recognised as an expense in the period in which the reversal occurs.
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Accounting policies
A constructive obligation is an obligation that derives from an entity’s actions Post ‑employment benefits: Defined contribution plans where by an established pattern of past practice, published policies or a Defined contribution plans are post‑employment benefit plans under which an sufficiently specific current statement, the entity has indicated to other parties entity pays fixed contributions into a separate entity (a fund) and will have no that it will accept certain responsibilities and as a result, the entity has created legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions if the fund does not a valid expectation on the part of those other parties that it will discharge hold sufficient assets to pay all employee benefits relating to employee service those responsibilities. in the current and prior periods.
Short ‑term employee benefits When an employee has rendered service to the entity during a reporting period, the entity recognise the contribution payable to a defined contribution plan in Short‑term employee benefits are employee benefits (other than termination exchange for that service: benefits) that are due to be settled within twelve months after the end of the • as a liability (accrued expense), after deducting any contribution already period in which the employee renders the related service. paid. If the contribution already paid exceeds the contribution due for Short‑term employee benefits include items such as: service before the reporting date, an entity recognise that excess as an • wages, salaries and retirement fund contributions; asset (prepaid expense) to the extent that the prepayment will lead to, for • short‑term compensated absences (such as paid annual leave and paid example, a reduction in future payments or a cash refund; and sick leave) where the compensation for the absences is due to be settled • as an expense, unless another standard requires or permits the inclusion within twelve months after the end of the reporting period in which the of the contribution in the cost of an asset. employee renders the related employee service; • bonus, incentive and performance related payments payable within twelve Where contributions to a defined contribution plan do not fall due wholly within months after the end of the reporting period in which the employee twelve months after the end of the reporting period in which the employee renders the related service; and renders the related service, they are discounted. The rate used to discount • non‑monetary benefits (for example, medical care, and free or reflects the time value of money. The currency and term of the financial subsidised goods or services such as housing, cars and cell phones) instrument selected to reflect the time value of money is consistent with the for current employees. currency and estimated term of the obligation.
When an employee has rendered service to the entity during a reporting period, Post ‑employment benefits: Defined benefit plans the entity recognise the undiscounted amount of short‑term employee benefits Defined benefit plans are post‑employment benefit plans other than defined expected to be paid in exchange for that service: contribution plans. • as a liability (accrued expense), after deducting any amount already paid. If the amount already paid exceeds the undiscounted amount of the Actuarial gains and losses comprise experience adjustments (the effects of benefits, the entity recognise that excess as an asset (prepaid expense) differences between the previous actuarial assumptions and what has actually to the extent that the prepayment will lead to, for example, a reduction in occurred) and the effects of changes in actuarial assumptions. In measuring its future payments or a cash refund; and defined benefit liability the entity recognise actuarial gains and losses in surplus • as an expense, unless another standard requires or permits the inclusion or deficit in the reporting period in which they occur. of the benefits in the cost of an asset. Assets held by a long‑term employee benefit fund are assets (other than The expected cost of compensated absences is recognised as an expense as non‑transferable financial instruments issued by the reporting entity) that are the employee renders services that increase his/her entitlement or, in the case held by an entity (a fund) that is legally separate from the reporting entity and of non‑accumulating absences, when the absence occurs. The entity measures exists solely to pay or fund employee benefits and are available to be used only the expected cost of accumulating compensated absences as the additional to pay or fund employee benefits, are not available to the reporting entity’s own amount that the entity expects to pay as a result of the unused entitlement that creditors (even in liquidation), and cannot be returned to the reporting entity, has accumulated at the reporting date. unless either: • the remaining assets of the fund are sufficient to meet all the related The entity recognises the expected cost of bonus, incentive and performance employee benefit obligations of the plan or the reporting entity; or related payments when the entity has a present legal or constructive obligation • the assets are returned to the reporting entity to reimburse it for employee to make such payments as a result of past events and a reliable estimate of benefits already paid. the obligation can be made. A present obligation exists when the entity has no realistic alternative but to make the payments. Current service cost is the increase in the present value of the defined benefit Post ‑employment benefits obligation resulting from employee service in the current period. Post‑employment benefits are employee benefits (other than termination Interest cost is the increase during a period in the present value of a defined benefits) which are payable after the completion of employment. benefit obligation which arises because the benefits are one period closer to settlement. Post‑employment benefit plans are formal or informal arrangements under which an entity provides post‑employment benefits for one or more employees.
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Past service cost is the change in the present value of the defined benefit • current service cost; obligation for employee service in prior periods, resulting in the current period • interest cost; from the introduction of, or changes to, post‑employment benefits or other • the expected return on any plan assets and on any reimbursement rights; long‑term employee benefits. Past service cost may be either positive (when • actuarial gains and losses; benefits are introduced or changed so that the present value of the defined • past service cost; benefit obligation increases) or negative (when existing benefits are changed so • the effect of any curtailments or settlements; and that the present value of the defined benefit obligation decreases). In measuring • the effect of applying the limit on a defined benefit asset (negative defined its defined benefit liability the entity recognises past service cost as an expense benefit liability). in the reporting period in which the plan is amended. The entity uses the Projected Unit Credit Method to determine the present Plan assets comprise assets held by a long‑term employee benefit fund and value of its defined benefit obligations and the related current service cost qualifying insurance policies. and, where applicable, past service cost. The Projected Unit Credit Method (sometimes known as the accrued benefit method pro‑rated on service or as The present value of a defined benefit obligation is the present value, without the benefit/years of service method) sees each period of service as giving rise deducting any plan assets, of expected future payments required to settle the to an additional unit of benefit entitlement and measures each unit separately to obligation resulting from employee service in the current and prior periods. build up the final obligation.
The return on plan assets is interest, dividends and other revenue derived from In determining the present value of its defined benefit obligations and the the plan assets, together with realised and unrealised gains or losses on the related current service cost and, where applicable, past service cost, an entity plan assets, less any costs of administering the plan (other than those included shall attribute benefits to periods of service under the plan’s benefit formula. in the actuarial assumptions used to measure the defined benefit obligation) and However, if an employee’s service in later years will lead to a materially higher less any tax payable by the plan itself. level of benefit than in earlier years, an entity shall attribute benefit on a straight‑line basis from: The entity account not only for its legal obligation under the formal terms of a • the date when service by the employee first leads to benefits under the defined benefit plan, but also for any constructive obligation that arises from plan (whether or not the benefits are conditional on further service); until the entity’s informal practices. Informal practices give rise to a constructive • the date when further service by the employee will lead to no material obligation where the entity has no realistic alternative but to pay employee amount of further benefits under the plan, other than from further benefits. An example of a constructive obligation is where a change in the salary increases. entity’s informal practices would cause unacceptable damage to its relationship with employees. Actuarial valuations are conducted on an annual basis by independent actuaries separately for each plan. The results of the valuation are updated for any The amount recognised as a defined benefit liability is the net total of the material transactions and other material changes in circumstances (including following amounts: changes in market prices and interest rates) up to the reporting date. • the present value of the defined benefit obligation at the reporting date; • minus the fair value at the reporting date of plan assets (if any) out of The entity recognises gains or losses on the curtailment or settlement of a which the obligations are to be settled directly; defined benefit plan when the curtailment or settlement occurs. The gain or loss • plus any liability that may arise as a result of a minimum funding requirement on a curtailment or settlement comprises: • any resulting change in the present value of the defined benefit The amount determined as a defined benefit liability may be negative (an asset). obligation; and The entity measure the resulting asset at the lower of: • any resulting change in the fair value of the plan assets. • the amount determined above; and • the present value of any economic benefits available in the form of refunds Before determining the effect of a curtailment or settlement, the entity from the plan or reductions in future contributions to the plan. The present re‑measure the obligation (and the related plan assets, if any) using current value of these economic benefits is determined using a discount rate actuarial assumptions (including current market interest rates and other current which reflects the time value of money. market prices).
Any adjustments arising from the limit above is recognised in surplus or deficit. When it is virtually certain that another party will reimburse some or all of the expenditure required to settle a defined benefit obligation, the right to The entity determines the present value of defined benefit obligations reimbursement is recognised as a separate asset. The asset is measured at fair and the fair value of any plan assets with sufficient regularity such that value. In all other respects, the asset is treated in the same way as plan assets. the amounts recognised in the annual financial statements do not differ In surplus or deficit, the expense relating to a defined benefit plan is (or is not) materially from the amounts that would be determined at the reporting date. presented as the net of the amount recognised for a reimbursement.
The entity recognises the net total of the following amounts in surplus or deficit, except to the extent that another standard requires or permits their inclusion in the cost of an asset:
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Accounting policies
The entity offsets an asset relating to one plan against a liability relating to • past service cost, which shall all be recognised immediately; and another plan when the entity has a legally enforceable right to use a surplus in • the effect of any curtailments or settlements. one plan to settle obligations under the other plan and intends either to settle the obligations on a net basis, or to realise the surplus in one plan and settle its 1.19 Translation of foreign currencies obligation under the other plan simultaneously. Foreign currency transactions Actuarial assumptions A foreign currency transaction is recorded, on initial recognition in Rands, by Actuarial assumptions are unbiased and mutually compatible. applying to the foreign currency amount the spot exchange rate between the functional currency and the foreign currency at the date of the transaction. Financial assumptions are based on market expectations, at the reporting date, for the period over which the obligations are to be settled. At each reporting date: • foreign currency monetary items are translated using the closing rate; The rate used to discount post‑employment benefit obligations (both funded • non‑monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a and unfunded) reflect the time value of money. The currency and term of the foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the financial instrument selected to reflect the time value of money is consistent with transaction; and the currency and estimated term of the post‑employment benefit obligations. • non‑monetary items that are measured at fair value in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates at the date when the fair value Post‑employment benefit obligations are measured on a basis that reflects: was determined. • estimated future salary increases; • the benefits set out in the terms of the plan (or resulting from any constructive Exchange differences arising on the settlement of monetary items or on translating obligation that goes beyond those terms) at the reporting date; and monetary items at rates different from those at which they were translated on • estimated future changes in the level of any state benefits that affect the initial recognition during the period or in previous annual financial statements are benefits payable under a defined benefit plan, if, and only if, either: recognised in surplus or deficit in the period in which they arise. • those changes were enacted before the reporting date; or • past history, or other reliable evidence, indicates that those state benefits will When a gain or loss on a non‑monetary item is recognised directly in net assets, change in some predictable manner, for example, in line with future changes any exchange component of that gain or loss is recognised directly in net assets. in general price levels or general salary levels. When a gain or loss on a non‑monetary item is recognised in surplus or deficit, any exchange component of that gain or loss is recognised in surplus or deficit. Assumptions about medical costs take account of estimated future changes in the cost of medical services, resulting from both inflation and specific changes Cash flows arising from transactions in a foreign currency are recorded in Rands in medical costs. by applying to the foreign currency amount the exchange rate between the Rand and the foreign currency at the date of the cash flow. Post‑retirement health care benefits The entity provides post‑retirement health care benefits upon retirement to 1.20 Comparative figures some retirees. Where necessary, comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to The entitlement to post‑retirement health care benefits is based on the employee changes in presentation in the current year. remaining in service up to retirement age and the completion of the minimum service period. The expected costs of these benefits are accrued over the period 1.21 Fruitless and wasteful expenditure of employment. Independent qualified actuaries carry out valuations of these obligations at least every three years. Fruitless and wasteful expenditure means expenditure which was made in vain and would have been avoided had reasonable care been exercised. The amount recognised as a liability for other long‑term employee benefits is the net total of the following amounts: All expenditure relating to fruitless and wasteful expenditure is recognised as an • the present value of the defined benefit obligation at the reporting date; expense in the statement of financial performance in the year that the expenditure • minus the fair value at the reporting date of plan assets (if any) out of which was incurred. The expenditure is classified in accordance with the nature of the the obligations are to be settled directly. expense, and where recovered, it is subsequently accounted for as revenue in the statement of financial performance. The entity shall recognise the net total of the following amounts as expense or revenue, except to the extent that another standard requires or permits their 1.22 Irregular expenditure inclusion in the cost of an asset: • current service cost; Irregular expenditure as defined in section 1 of the PFMA (Act no. 1 of 1999, • interest cost; as amended) is expenditure other than unauthorised expenditure, incurred in • the expected return on any plan assets and on any reimbursement right contravention of or that is not in accordance with a requirement of any applicable recognised as an asset; legislation, including this Act. • actuarial gains and losses, which shall all be recognised immediately;
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1.23 Taxation The entity reviews and tests the carrying value of assets when events or changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The NRF is exempt from paying income taxation and Value‑Added Tax (VAT). Assets are grouped at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of cash flows of other assets and liabilities. If there are 1.24 Related parties indications that impairment may have occurred, estimates are prepared of expected future cash flows for each group of assets. Expected future cash flows The NRF operates in an economic environment currently denominated by used to determine the value in use of tangible assets are inherently uncertain entities directly or indirectly owned by the South African government. As a result and could materially change over time. of the constitutional independence of all three spheres of government in South Africa, only parties within the national sphere of government will be considered Property and equipment and Intangible assets to be related parties. Only transactions with such parties which are not at arm’s The entity’s management determines the estimated useful lives and residual length and not on normal commercial terms are disclosed. values of property and equipment and intangible assets. These assessments are made on an annual basis and use historical evidence and current economic Key management is defined as being individuals with the authority and factors to estimate the values. responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the entity. All individuals from the level of Corporate Executives up to the Board of Directors Administrative computer equipment, office furniture and equipment, exhibits are regarded as key management. and motor vehicles are not componentised. These assets do not have significant parts that are considered to have an estimated useful life different to Close family members of key management are considered to be those the estimated useful life of the asset as a whole. family members who may be expected to influence, or be influenced by key management individuals or other parties related to the entity. Post retirement benefits The present value of the post retirement obligation depends on a number of 1.25 Significant judgements and sources of factors that are determined on an actuarial basis using a number of assumptions. estimation uncertainty The assumptions used in determining the net cost (income) include the discount rate. Any changes in these assumptions will impact on the carrying amount of post retirement obligations. In preparing the annual financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts represented in the annual National Zoological Gardens animals financial statements and related disclosures. Use of available information and Zoological animals have not been included as an asset on the statement of the application of judgement is inherent in the formation of estimates. Actual financial position due to the essential recognition criteria of measurement that results in the future could differ from these estimates which may be material to cannot be met for the majority of animals. On the basis that many species the annual financial statements. Significant judgements include: cannot be valued and any attempt to attach values to any species may be Trade receivables and loans and receivables unethical, it was considered that any assessment of value would be misleading to the users of the financial statements. However, disclosure of the different The entity assesses its trade receivables and loans and receivables for species is provided. impairment at the end of each reporting period. In determining whether an impairment loss should be recorded in surplus or deficit, the entity makes Development costs judgements as to whether there is observable data indicating a measurable Initial capitalisation of costs is based on management’s judgment that decrease in the estimated future cash flows from a financial asset. Each technological and economical feasibility is confirmed, usually when a product receivable is reviewed individually at year end. development project has reached a defined milestone according to an established project management model. Fair value estimation The carrying value less impairment provision of trade receivables and payables 1.26 Budget information are assumed to approximate their fair values. The fair value of financial liabilities for disclosure purposes is estimated by discounting the future contractual cash Entities are typically subject to budgetary limits in the form of appropriations or flows at the current market interest rate that is available to the entity for similar budget authorisations (or equivalent), which are given effect through authorising financial instruments. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, trade legislation, appropriation or similar. and other receivables and trade and other payables approximate their fair values due to the short‑term maturities of these assets and liabilities. General purpose financial reporting by entities shall provide information on whether resources were obtained and used in accordance with the legally adopted budget. Impairment testing The recoverable amounts of cash‑generating units and individual assets The annual financial statements and the budget are on the same basis of have been determined based on the higher of value‑in‑use calculations and accounting therefore a comparison with the budgeted amounts for the reporting fair values less costs to sell. These calculations require the use of estimates period have been included in the annual financial statements. The comparison and assumptions. has been done in the form of a note in accordance with guidance issued by the Office of the Accountant General.
129 Financial report
Notes to the annual financial statements
2 New standards and interpretations Where an entity prepares its budget and annual financial statements on a comparable basis, it includes the comparison as an additional column in the 2.1 Standards and interpretations issued, but not yet primary annual financial statements. Where the budget and annual financial effective statements are not prepared on a comparable basis, a separate statement is prepared called the ‘Statement of Comparison of Budget and Actual Amounts’. This statement compares the budget amounts with the amounts in the annual The entity has not applied the following standards and interpretations, which financial statements adjusted to be comparable to the budget. have been published and are mandatory for the entity’s accounting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2012 or later periods: A comparable basis means that the budget and annual financial statements: • are prepared using the same basis of accounting i.e. either cash or accrual; GRAP 23: Revenue from non‑exchange transactions • include the same activities and entities; Revenue from non‑exchange transactions arises when an entity receives • use the same classification system; and value from another entity without directly giving approximately equal value in • are prepared for the same period. exchange. An asset acquired through a non‑exchange transaction shall initially be measured at its fair value as at the date of acquisition. The effective date of the standard is for years beginning on or after 1 April 2012.
This revenue will be measured at the amount of increase in net assets The entity expects to adopt the standard for the first time in the 2012/13 annual recognised by the entity. financial statements.
An inflow of resources from a non‑exchange transaction recognised as an The adoption of this standard is not expected to impact on the results of the asset shall be recognised as revenue, except to the extent that a liability is entity, but will result in more disclosure than is currently provided in the annual recognised for the same inflow. As an entity satisfies a present obligation financial statements. recognised as a liability in respect of an inflow of resources from a non‑exchange transaction recognised as an asset, it will reduce the carrying GRAP 103: Heritage assets amount of the liability recognised as an amount equal to that reduction. GRAP 103 defines heritage assets as assets which have a cultural, environmental, historical, natural, scientific, technological or artistic significance and are held The effective date of the standard is for years beginning on or after 1 April 2012. indefinitely for the benefit of present and future generations. The entity expects to adopt the standard for the first time in the 2012/13 annual Certain heritage assets are described as inalienable items thus assets which financial statements. are retained indefinitely and cannot be disposed of without consent as required by law or otherwise. It is unlikely that the standard will have a material impact on the entity’s annual financial statements as the current accounting policy already incorporates A heritage asset should be recognised as an asset only if: GRAP 23. • it is probable that future economic benefits or service potential associated with the asset will flow to the entity; and GRAP 24: Presentation of budget information in the financial statements • the cost of fair value of the asset can be measured reliably. An entity shall present a comparison of the budget amounts for which it is held publicly accountable and actual amounts either as a separate The standard requires judgment in applying the initial recognition criteria to the additional financial statement or as additional budget columns in the financial specific circumstances surrounding the entity and the assets. statements currently presented in accordance with standards of GRAP. The comparison of budget and actual amounts shall present separately for each GRAP 103 states that a heritage asset should be measured at its cost unless it is level of legislative oversight: acquired through a non‑exchange transaction which should then be measured • the approved and final budget amounts; at its fair value as at the date of acquisition. • the actual amounts on a comparable basis; and • by way of note disclosure, an explanation of material differences between In terms of the standard, an entity has a choice between the cost and revaluation the budget for which the entity is held publicly accountable and actual model as accounting policy for subsequent recognition and should apply the amounts, unless such explanation is included in other public documents chosen policy to an entire class of heritage assets. issued in conjunction with the financial statements, and a cross reference to those documents is made in the notes. The cost model requires a class of heritage assets to be carried at its cost less any accumulated impairment losses.
130 Notes to the annual financial statements
The revaluation model requires a class of heritage assets to be carried at its fair If the recoverable service amount of a non‑cash‑generating asset is less than its value at the date of the revaluation less any subsequent impairment losses. The carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable standard also states that a restriction on the disposal of a heritage asset does service amount. This reduction is an impairment loss. An impairment loss is not preclude the entity from determining the fair value. recognised immediately in surplus or deficit. Any impairment loss of a revalued non‑cash‑generating asset is treated as a revaluation decrease. GRAP 103 prescribes that when determining the fair value of a heritage asset that has more than one purpose, the fair value should reflect both the asset’s An entity assesses at each reporting date whether there is any indication that heritage value and the value obtained from its use in the production or supply of an impairment loss recognised in prior periods for a non‑cash‑generating asset goods or services or for administrative purposes. may no longer exist or may have decreased. If any such indication exists, an entity estimates the recoverable service amount of that asset. GRAP 103 states that a heritage asset should not be depreciated but an entity should assess at each reporting date whether there is an indication that it may A reversal of an impairment loss for a non‑cash‑generating asset is recognised be impaired. immediately in surplus or deficit. Any reversal of an impairment loss of a revalued non‑cash‑generating asset is treated as a revaluation increase. In terms of the standard, compensation from third parties for heritage assets that have been impaired, lost or given up, should be included in surplus or deficit The effective date of the standard is for years beginning on or after 1 April 2012. when the compensation becomes receivable. The entity expects to adopt the standard for the first time in the 2012/13 annual The carrying amount of a heritage asset should be derecognised: financial statements. • on disposal; or • when no future economic benefits or service potential are expected from It is unlikely that the standard will have a material impact on the entity's annual its use or disposal. financial statements as similar accounting policies are already applied.
The gain or loss arising from the derecognition of a heritage asset should be GRAP 26: Impairment of cash‑generating assets determined as the difference between the net disposal proceeds, if any, and the Cash‑generating assets are those assets held by an entity with the primary carrying amount of the heritage asset. Such difference is recognised in surplus objective of generating a commercial return. or deficit when the heritage asset is derecognised. When an asset is deployed in a manner consistent with that adopted by a The effective date of the standard is for years beginning on or after 1 April 2012. profit‑orientated entity, it generates a commercial return. When the carrying amount of a cash‑generating asset exceeds its recoverable amount, it is impaired. The entity expects to adopt the standard for the first time in the 2012/13 annual financial statements. An entity assesses at each reporting date whether there is any indication that a cash‑generating asset may be impaired. If any such indication exists, an entity It is unlikely that the standard will have a material impact on the entity's annual estimates the recoverable amount of the asset. When estimating the value in financial statements as none of assets of the NRF is currently classified as use of an asset, an entity estimates the future cash inflows and outflows to be heritage assets. derived from continuing use of the asset and from its ultimate disposal and an entity applies the appropriate discount rate to those future cash flows. GRAP 21: Impairment of non‑cash‑generating assets Non‑cash‑generating assets are assets other than cash‑generating assets. If the recoverable amount of a cash‑generating asset is less than its carrying When the carrying amount of a non‑cash‑generating asset exceeds its amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable recoverable service amount, it is impaired. An entity assesses at each reporting amount. This reduction is an impairment loss. An impairment loss is date whether there is any indication that a non‑cash‑generating asset may recognised immediately in surplus or deficit. Any impairment loss of a revalued be impaired. If any such indication exists, an entity estimates the recoverable cash‑generating asset is treated as a revaluation decrease. service amount of the asset. If there is any indication that an asset may be impaired, the recoverable The present value of the remaining service potential of a non‑cash‑generating amount is estimated for the individual asset. If it is not possible to estimate the asset is determined using one of the following approaches: recoverable amount of the individual asset, an entity determines the recoverable • Depreciated replacement cost approach; amount of the cash‑generating unit to which the asset belongs (the asset’s • Restoration cost approach; or cash‑generating unit). • Service units approach.
131 Financial report
Notes to the annual financial statements
If an active market exists for the output produced by an asset or group of assets, GRAP25 must be applied by an employer in accounting for all employee benefits, that asset or group of assets is identified as a cash‑generating unit, even if except share based payment transactions. some or all of the output is used internally. If the cash inflows generated by any asset or cash‑generating unit are affected by internal transfer pricing, an entity GRAP25 defines, amongst others, the following: use management’s best estimate of future price(s) that could be achieved in • employee benefits as all forms of consideration given by an entity in arm’s length transactions in estimating: exchange for service rendered by employees; • the future cash inflows used to determine the asset’s or cash‑generating • defined contribution plans as post‑employment benefit plans under which unit’s value in use; and an entity pays fixed contributions into a separate entity (a fund) and will • the future cash outflows used to determine the value in use of any have no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions if the other assets or cash‑generating units that are affected by the internal fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employee benefits relating transfer pricing. to employee service in the current and prior periods; • defined benefit plans as post‑employment benefit plans other than defined Cash‑generating units are identified consistently from period to period for the contribution plans; same asset or types of assets, unless a change is justified. • multi‑employer plans as defined contribution plans (other than state plans and composite social security programmes) or defined benefit plans (other An impairment loss is recognised for a cash‑generating unit if the recoverable than state plans) that: amount of the unit is less than the carrying amount of the unit. The impairment ‑ pool the assets contributed by various entities that are not under is allocated to reduce the carrying amount of the cash‑generating assets of common control; and the unit on a pro rata basis, based on the carrying amount of each asset in the ‑ use those assets to provide benefits to employees of more than unit. These reductions in carrying amounts are treated as impairment losses one entity, on the basis that contribution and benefit levels are on individual assets. determined without regard to the identity of the entity that employs the employees concerned; Where a non‑cash‑generating asset contributes to a cash‑generating unit, a • other long‑term employee benefits as employee benefits (other than proportion of the carrying amount of that non‑cash‑generating asset is allocated post‑employment benefits and termination benefits) that are not due to to the carrying amount of the cash‑generating unit prior to estimation of the be settled within twelve months after the end of the period in which the recoverable amount of the cash‑generating unit. employees render the related service; • post‑employment benefits as employee benefits (other than termination An entity assesses at each reporting date whether there is any indication that benefits) which are payable after the completion of employment; an impairment loss recognised in prior periods for a cash‑generating asset may • post‑employment benefit plans as formal or informal arrangements under no longer exist or may have decreased. If any such indication exists, an entity which an entity provides post‑employment benefits for one or more employees; estimates the recoverable amount of that asset. • short‑term employee benefits as employee benefits (other than termination benefits) that are due to be settled within twelve months after the end of A reversal of an impairment loss for a cash‑generating asset is recognised the period in which the employees render the related service; immediately in surplus or deficit. Any reversal of an impairment loss of a • state plans as plans other than composite social security programmes revalued cash‑generating asset is treated as a revaluation increase. established by legislation which operate as if they are multi‑employer plans for all entities in economic categories laid down in legislation; The effective date of the standard is for years beginning on or after 1 April 2012. • termination benefits as employee benefits payable as a result of either: ‑ an entity’s decision to terminate an employee’s employment before The entity expects to adopt the standard for the first time in the 2012/13 annual the normal retirement date; or financial statements. ‑ an employee’s decision to accept voluntary redundancy in exchange for those benefits; It is unlikely that the standard will have a material impact on the entity's annual • vested employee benefits as employee benefits that are not conditional on financial statements as similar accounting policies are already applied. future employment.
GRAP 25: Employee benefits The standard states the recognition, measurement and disclosure requirements of: The objective of GRAP 25 is to prescribe the accounting and disclosure for • short‑term employee benefits: employee benefits. The standard requires an entity to recognise: ‑ all short‑term employee benefits; • a liability when an employee has provided service in exchange for ‑ short‑term compensated absences; employee benefits to be paid in the future; and ‑ bonus, incentive and performance related payments; • an expense when an entity consumes the economic benefits or service • post‑employment benefits: defined contribution plans; potential arising from service provided by an employee in exchange for • other long‑term employee benefits; employee benefits. • termination benefits.
132 Notes to the annual financial statements
The standard states for Post‑employment benefits: Distinction between defined GRAP 104: Financial instruments contribution plans and defined benefit plans: The standard prescribes recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure • Multi‑employer plans; requirements for financial instruments. Financial instruments are defined as • Defined benefit plans where the participating entities are under common those contracts that results in a financial asset in one entity and a financial control; liability or residual interest in another entity. A key distinguishing factor between • State plans; financial assets and financial liabilities and other assets and liabilities, is that • Composite social security programmes; and they are settled in cash or by exchanging financial instruments rather than • Insured benefits. through the provision of goods or services.
The standard states, for Post‑employment benefits: Defined benefit plans, the One of the key considerations in initially recognising financial instruments is following requirements: the distinction, by the issuers of those instruments, between financial assets, • Recognition and measurement; financial liabilities and residual interests. Financial assets and financial • Presentation; liabilities are distinguished from residual interests because they involve • Disclosure; a contractual right or obligation to receive or pay cash or another financial • Accounting for the constructive obligation; instrument. Residual interests entitle an entity to a portion of another entity’s • Statement of financial position; net assets in the event of liquidation and, to dividends or similar distributions • Asset recognition ceiling; paid at management’s discretion. • Asset recognition ceiling: when a minimum funding requirement may give rise to a liability; and In determining whether a financial instrument is a financial asset, financial • Statement of financial performance. liability or a residual interest, an entity considers the substance of the contract and not just the legal form. The standard prescribes recognition and measurement for: • Present value of defined benefit obligations and current service cost: Where a single instrument contains both a liability and a residual interest ‑ Actuarial valuation method; component, the issuer allocates the instrument into its component parts. The ‑ Attributing benefits to periods of service; issuer recognises the liability component at its fair value and recognises the ‑ Actuarial assumptions; residual interest as the difference between the carrying amount of the instrument ‑ Actuarial assumptions: discount rate; and the fair value of the liability component. No gain or loss is recognised by ‑ Actuarial assumptions: salaries, benefits and medical costs; separating the instrument into its component parts. ‑ Actuarial gains and losses; and ‑ Past service cost. Financial assets and financial liabilities are initially recognised at fair value. • Plan assets: Where an entity subsequently measures financial assets and financial liabilities ‑ Fair value of plan assets; at amortised cost or cost, transactions costs are included in the cost of the ‑ Reimbursements; and asset or liability. ‑ Return on plan assets. The transaction price usually equals the fair value at initial recognition, except The standard also deals with entity combinations and curtailments and settlements. in certain circumstances, for example, where interest free credit is granted or where credit is granted at a below market rate of interest. This standard has been approved by the Board but its effective date has not yet been determined by the Minister of Finance. The effective date indicated is Concessionary loans are loans either received by or granted to another entity a provisional date and could change depending on the decision of the Minister on concessionary terms, e.g. at low interest rates and flexible repayment terms. of Finance. On initial recognition, the fair value of a concessionary loan is the present value of the agreed contractual cash flows, discounted using a market related It is unlikely that the standard will have a material impact on the entity's annual rate of interest for a similar transaction. The difference between the proceeds financial statements as similar accounting policies are already applied. either received or paid and the present value of the contractual cash flows is accounted for as non‑exchange revenue by the recipient of a concessionary loan in accordance with standard of GRAP on revenue from non‑exchange revenue transactions (taxes and transfers), and using the framework for the preparation and presentation of financial statements (usually as an expense) by the grantor of the loan.
133 Financial report
Notes to the annual financial statements
Financial assets and financial liabilities are subsequently measured either at An entity cannot offset financial assets and financial liabilities in the statement fair value or, amortised cost or cost. An entity measures a financial instrument of financial position unless a legal right of set‑off exists, and the parties intend at fair value if it is: to settle on a net basis. • a derivative; • a combined instrument designated at fair value, i.e. an instrument that GRAP 104 requires extensive disclosures on the significance of financial instruments includes a derivative and a non‑derivative host contract; for an entity’s statement of financial position and statement of financial performance, • held‑for‑trading; as well as the nature and extent of the risks that an entity is exposed to as a result of • a non‑derivative instrument with fixed or determinable payments that is its annual financial statements. Some disclosures, for example the disclosure of fair designated at initial recognition to be measured at fair value; values for instruments measured at amortised cost or cost and the preparation of a • an investment in a residual interest for which fair value can be measured sensitivity analysis, are encouraged rather than required. reliably; and • other instruments that do not meet the definition of financial instruments GRAP 104 does not prescribe principles for hedge accounting. An entity is permitted at amortised cost or cost. to apply hedge accounting, as long as the principles in IAS 39 are applied.
Derivatives are measured at fair value. Combined instruments that include a The effective date of the standard is for years beginning on or after April 01, 2012. derivative and non‑derivative host contract are accounted for as follows: • Where an embedded derivative is included in a host contract which is The entity expects to adopt the standard for the first time in the 2013 annual a financial instrument within the scope of this standard, an entity can financial statements. designate the entire contract to be measured at fair value or, it can account for the host contract and embedded derivative separately using It is unlikely that the amendment will have a material impact on the entity's GRAP 104. An entity is however required to measure the entire instrument annual financial statements as similar accounting policies are already applied at fair value if the fair value of the derivative cannot be measured reliably. and the entity has limited financial instruments. • Where the host contract is not a financial instrument within the scope of this standard, the host contract and embedded derivative are accounted IGRAP 7: The limit on a defined benefit asset, minimum funding for separately using GRAP 104 and the relevant standard of GRAP. requirements and their interaction This Interpretation of the standards of GRAP applies to all post‑employment Financial assets and financial liabilities that are non‑derivative instruments with defined benefits and other long‑term employee defined benefits. fixed or determinable payments, for example deposits with banks, receivables and payables, are measured at amortised cost. At initial recognition, an entity For the purpose of this Interpretation of the standards of GRAP, minimum can however designate such an instrument to be measured at fair value. funding requirements are any requirements to fund a post‑employment or other long‑term defined benefit plan. An entity can only measure investments in residual interests at cost where the fair value of the interest cannot be determined reliably. The issues addressed in this interpretation of the standards of GRAP are: • When refunds or reductions in future contributions should be regarded as Once an entity has classified a financial asset or a financial liability either at fair available in accordance with paragraph 68 of the standard of GRAP on value or amortised cost or cost, it is only allowed to reclassify such instruments employee benefits. in limited instances. • How a minimum funding requirement might affect the availability of reductions in future contributions. An entity derecognises a financial asset, or the specifically identified cash flows of an asset, when: The interpretation of the standards of GRAP addresses accounting by the entity • the cash flows from the asset expire, are settled or waived; that grants award credits to its customers. • significant risks and rewards are transferred to another party; or • despite having retained significant risks and rewards, an entity has The effective date of the interpretation is for years beginning on or after 1 April 2013. transferred control of the asset to another entity. The entity expects to adopt the interpretation for the first time in the 2012/13 An entity derecognises a financial liability when the obligation is extinguished. annual financial statements. Exchanges of debt instruments between a borrower and a lender are treated as the extinguishment of an existing liability and the recognition of a new financial It is unlikely that the amendment will have a material impact on the entity's liability. Where an entity modifies the term of an existing financial liability, it is annual financial statements as similar accounting policies are already applied. also treated as the extinguishment of an existing liability and the recognition of a new liability.
134 Notes to the annual financial statements
3. Property and equipment
2011/12 2010/11 R’000 R’000 Accumulated Accumulated depreciation and depreciation and accumulated accumulated Cost impairment Carrying value Cost impairment Carrying value Land 32 039 - 32 039 36 347 - 36 347 Buildings 89 835 (20 105) 69 730 83 636 (18 076) 65 560 Machinery 9 957 (434) 9 523 - - - Office furniture 15 017 (6 668) 8 349 13 968 (5 574) 8 394 Motor vehicles 29 421 (11 445) 17 976 24 132 (9 494) 14 638 Office equipment 45 454 (21 779) 23 675 36 157 (18 524) 17 633 IT equipment 54 673 (36 284) 18 389 48 734 (32 133) 16 601 Exhibits 3 440 (509) 2 931 2 256 (286) 1 970 Capital work in progress 207 916 - 207 916 189 402 - 189 402 Research equipment 251 313 (139 178) 112 135 241 769 (127 613) 114 156
Total 739 065 (236 402) 502 663 676 401 (211 700) 464 701
Reconciliation of property and equipment ‑ 2011/12
Opening Other changes, balance Additions Disposals Transfers movements Depreciation Total Land 36 347 - - - (4 308) - 32 039 Buildings 65 560 11 514 (74) 2 684 (7 322) (2 632) 69 730 Machinery - 239 - 9 718 - (434) 9 523 Office furniture 8 394 1 391 (8) - (226) (1 202) 8 349 Motor vehicles 14 638 7 283 (520) 332 (888) (2 869) 17 976 Office equipment 17 633 4 527 (68) 6 822 (796) (4 443) 23 675 IT equipment 16 601 10 371 (98) 412 (1 266) (7 631) 18 389 Exhibits 1 970 1 401 (12) - (196) (232) 2 931 Capital work in progress 189 402 50 240 - (31 724) (2) - 207 916 Research equipment 114 156 13 662 (1 275) 11 756 (5 992) (20 172) 112 135
464 701 100 628 (2 055) - (20 996) (39 615) 502 663
Depreciation includes R0.98m (2011: R1.17m) relating to leased assets. Transfers during the year relate to assets capitalised from capital work in progress upon completion of the assets. Other changes and movements relate to the transfer of HMO to SANSA (refer to note 35).
135 Financial report
Notes to the annual financial statements
3. Property and equipment (continued)
2011/12 2010/11 R’000 R’000 Reconciliation of property and equipment ‑ 2010/11
Opening balance Additions Disposals Transfers Depreciation Total Land 36 347 - - - - 36 347 Buildings 62 555 4 452 (2) 1 095 (2 540) 65 560 Office furniture 7 286 2 353 (77) 1 (1 169) 8 394 Motor vehicles 15 590 1 945 (368) - (2 529) 14 638 Office equipment 17 293 4 506 (138) (2) (4 026) 17 633 IT equipment 15 067 9 345 (158) (314) (7 339) 16 601 Exhibits 762 1 353 - - (145) 1 970 Capital work in progress 150 796 57 566 (497) (18 463) - 189 402 Research equipment 95 103 22 147 (16) 17 683 (20 761) 114 156 400 799 103 667 (1 256) - (38 509) 464 701
Assets subject to finance lease (net carrying amount)
Motor vehicles - 13 Office equipment 1 370 2 252 1 370 2 265
136 Notes to the annual financial statements
3. Property and equipment (continued)
2011/12 2010/11 R’000 R’000 Details of properties
Portion 1 of the farm Scientia No. 627, Pretoria, with buildings thereon Land 1 277 1 277 Building 23 021 14 591 24 298 15 868
Portion 4 of the farm No. 996, Blue Downs, Stellenbosch, with buildings thereon Land 9 717 9 717 Building 21 552 20 620 31 269 30 337
Portion 6 of the farm Kuilenburg No. 96, Sutherland, with buildings thereon Land 336 336 Building 6 604 5 820 6 940 6 156
Erf 26423, Observatory, Cape Town, with buildings thereon Land 273 273 Building 6 407 5 737 6 680 6 010
Erf 9875, Hermanus, with buildings thereon Land - 4 308 Building - 7 923 - 12 231
Stand No. 2859, Pretoria, with buildings thereon Land 92 92 Building 1 557 1 513 1 649 1 605
Observatory, Johannesburg Land 1 685 1 685 Building 9 404 9 404 11 089 11 089
Portion 1 of the farm Losberg No. 73, Fraserburg Regional District Land 8 860 8 860
137 Financial report
Notes to the annual financial statements
3. Property and equipment (continued)
2011/12 2010/11 R’000 R’000
Mey’s Dam Farm No. 68, Fraserburg Regional District 9 800 9 800 Land Leasehold improvements, HartRAO ‑ Capitalised expenditure 460 131
Leasehold improvements, SAIAB ‑ Capitalised expenditure 20 829 17 896 Total cost of land and buildings 121 874 119 983
Land and buildings were valuated by an independent valuator as at 1 April 2010. The market values of land and buildings are:
Portion 1 of the farm Scientia No. 627, Pretoria 43 400 43 400 Portion 4 of the farm No. 996, Blue Downs, Stellenbosch 36 000 36 000 Portion 6 of the farm Kuilenburg No. 96, Sutherland * 8 674 8 674 Erf 26423, Observatory, Cape Town 40 600 40 600 Erf 9875, Hermanus # - 23 700 Stand No. 2859, Pretoria 16 500 16 500 Portion 1 of Erf 1 Observatory, Johannesburg 8 900 8 900 Portion 1 of the farm Losberg No. 73, Fraserberg and the farm Mey’s Dam No. 68, Carnarvon 24 330 24 330 Total market value 178 404 202 104
* This property was valued on 1 April 2007. No major infrastructure projects were undertaken since then. # This property was transferred to SANSA on 1 April 2011.
The split of the cost between land and buildings has been adjusted in accordance with the valuation dated 1 April 2007.
The land and buildings situated in Pretoria are subject to a pre‑emptive right in favour of the CSIR should the NRF decide to sell the property and will revert back to the CSIR for no consideration should the NRF be disbanded.
Land and buildings of the NZG are situated in Boom Street, Pretoria. This property is not reflected in the records of the NRF as ownership thereof resides with the Department of Public Works. The NZG occupies the property for no consideration.
2012 2011 Zoo animal collection No. of specimens No. of specimens Mammals 2 099 2 997 Aves 1 039 1 364 Reptiles 358 420 Pisces 4 948 4 350 Amphibia 58 48 Invertebrates 645 525 9 147 9 704
138 Notes to the annual financial statements
4. Intangible assets
2011/12 2010/11 R’000 R’000 Accumulated Accumulated amortisation amortisation and and accumulated Carrying accumulated Carrying Cost impairment value Cost impairment value
Computer software in development, internally generated 53 724 - 53 724 41 835 - 41 835 Computer software 1 481 (652) 829 1 168 (275) 893 Total 55 205 (652) 54 553 43 003 (275) 42 728
Reconciliation of intangible assets ‑ 2011/12
Other Opening changes, balance Additions Disposals movements Amortisation Total Computer software in development, internally generated 41 835 11 889 - - - 53 724 Computer software 893 335 (4) (11) (384) 829 42 728 12 224 (4) (11) (384) 54 553
Reconciliation of intangible assets ‑ 2010/11
Opening balance Additions Amortisation Total Computer software in development, internally generated 27 086 14 749 - 41 835 Computer software 518 584 (209) 893 27 604 15 333 (209) 42 728
139 Financial report
Notes to the annual financial statements
5. Investments in associates
2011/12 2010/11 R’000 R’000
Listed / % holding % holding Carrying Carrying Fair value Fair value Name of entity Unlisted 2012 2011 amount 2012 amount 2011 2012 2011 SALT Foundation (Pty) Ltd Unlisted 36.78% 36.78% 35 054 38 150 35 054 38 150
The carrying amounts of associates are shown net of impairment losses.
Movements in carrying value
Opening balance 38 150 41 168 Share of surplus/(deficit) (3 096) (3 018) 35 054 38 150
Principal activities, country of incorporation and voting power
Country of Proportion of voting Legal name Principal activity incorporation power SALT Foundation (Pty) Ltd Construction and operation of an 11-metre telescope for optical astronomy research S.A. 36.78% Summary of associate's financial information
SALT Foundation (Pty) Ltd. Current assets 57 548 23 701 Long-term assets 126 386 130 678 Current liabilities 16 846 3 673 Revenue 22 453 17 940 Profit/(loss) for the year after taxation (8 418) (8 205)
6. Inventory
Consumable stores and maintenance spares 2 957 3 170 Restaurant stock 427 514 3 384 3 684
140 Notes to the annual financial statements
7. Financial assets by category
2011/12 2010/11 R’000 R’000 The accounting policies for financial instruments have been applied to the line items below: 2012 Loans and receivables Total Loans to employees 112 112 Trade and other receivables 64 782 64 782 Cash and cash equivalents 360 062 360 062 Grants and bursaries paid in advance 602 738 602 738 1 027 694 1 027 694
2011
Loans to employees 123 123 Trade and other receivables 78 586 78 586 Cash and cash equivalents 795 424 795 424 Grants and bursaries paid in advance 429 991 429 991 1 304 124 1 304 124
The fair value of financial assets is not expected to differ materially from their carrying values due to the short‑term nature thereof.
141 Financial report
Notes to the annual financial statements
8. Receivables from exchange transactions
2011/12 2010/11 R’000 R’000
Trade debtors 19 179 22 561 Employee costs in advance 7 16 Prepayments 51 130 24 883 Deposits 1 559 6 690 Sundry debtors 45 603 56 025 117 478 110 175
Credit quality of trade and other receivables Credit risk with respect to trade and other receivables is limited due to the large number of customers comprising the NRF’s customer base and their dispersion across different industries and geographical areas.
Trade receivables None of the financial assets that are fully performing have been renegotiated in the last year.
Trade and other receivables past due but not impaired Trade and other receivables which are generally less than 3 months past due are not considered to be impaired. At 31March 2012, R7,728m (2011: R7,095m) was past due but not impaired.
The ageing of amounts past due but not impaired is as follows: 1 month past due 1 509 3 300 2 months past due 2 177 444 3 months past due 4 042 3 351
Trade and other receivables impaired As of March 31, 2012, trade and other receivables of R 0,95m (2011: R 1,098m) were impaired and provided for. The amount of the provision was R 0,95m as of March 31, 2012 (2011: R 1,098m).
The ageing of these impaired debtors is as follows:
3 to 6 months 957 1 098
Reconciliation of provision for impairment of trade and other receivables
Opening balance 1 098 1 140 Provision for impairment 12 332 Amounts written off as uncollectible - (213) Unused amounts reversed (153) (161) 957 1 098
The creation and release of provision for impaired receivables have been included in operating expenses in surplus or deficit (note 27). Amounts charged to the allowance account are generally written off when there is no expectation of recovering additional cash.
The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the fair value of each class of receivable mentioned above. The entity does not hold any collateral as security.
142 Notes to the annual financial statements
9. Grants and bursaries paid in advance
2011/12 2010/11 R’000 R’000 The NRF advances funding to Higher Education and Research Institutions in the form of grant deposits. The advances are calculated based on the expected grant awards for the year. The balance is reviewed annually. The advances are done in order to facilitate adequate cash flow for the grant making process at these institutions. Per agreement, the interest earned on the grant deposits by the institutions is used to fund staff of the institutions that are dedicated to the NRF grant administration process. The original grant deposits are repayable to the NRF on 30 days notice in an event of the funding being discontinued.
Grants and bursaries payments in advance to Higher Education and Research Institutions 602 738 429 991
10. Other loans
0% (2011: 0%) of the total staff loans consists of interest‑bearing loans. Included in the total staff loans is R106,941 (2011: R104,624) relating to the re‑imbursement of study fees paid by the NRF due to employees not complying with conditions. The short‑term portion of staff loans is repayable within the next 12 months, while the long‑term portion is repayable within the next 24 months.
Staff loans Long‑term portion of other loans 100 7 Short‑term portion of other loans 12 116 112 123
11. Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and balances with banks and investments in fixed deposits.
Cash on hand 129 129 Short‑term deposits 318 945 731 219 Bank balance 40 988 64 076 360 062 795 424 These monies relate primarily to designated income received in advance.
Credit quality of cash at bank and short term deposits, excluding cash on hand Cash equivalents and short‑term deposits are placed with high‑ credit quality financial institutions.
143 Financial report
Notes to the annual financial statements
12. Employee benefit obligations
2011/12 2010/11 R’000 R’000 Post ‑retirement medical benefits The NRF undertook a buy‑out exercise in the final quarter of the 2012 financial year. Offers were made to current and future pensioners on a voluntary basis. The NRF continues to have a subsidy obligation for those members who did not accept the offer. To manage the residual liability that has remained, the NRF has acquired an annuity policy which qualifies as a plan asset.
Carrying value Present value of the defined benefit obligation (11 741) (110 200) Fair value of plan assets 11 924 - Net asset/(liability) 183 (110 200)
Non‑current assets 183 - Non‑current liabilities - (110 200) 183 (110 200)
The fair value of plan assets includes:
Annuity Insurance Policy Market value of the Growth Account 582 - Value of the Guaranteed account 11 342 -
The annuity portfolio is made up of a growth account and a guaranteed account. Increases are guaranteed at a minimum of CPI per annum. Funds are transferred from the growth account to the guaranteed account annually to fund any increase in employer contributions in excess of the guaranteed annuities.
Changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligation are as follows:
Opening balance 110 200 106 784 Employer benefit payments (7 264) (6 826) Benefits payments from plan assets 265 - Effect of settlement (102 174) - Employer prefunding contributions (12 189) - Net expense recognised in the statement of financial performance 10 979 10 242 Closing balance of net (asset)/liability (183) 110 200
Net expense recognised in the statement of financial performance
Current service cost 678 680 Interest cost 9 857 9 562 Actuarial (gains)/losses 444 - Total included in employee related costs 10 979 10 242
144 Notes to the annual financial statements
2011/12 2010/11 R’000 R’000 Key assumptions used
Assumptions used at the reporting date:
Discount rates used 8.75% 9.25% Consumer Price Inflation ('CPI') 6.25% 5.75% Real discount rate 0.93% 0.92% Expected increase in healthcare costs 7.75% 8.25% Normal retirement age 65 65
Other assumptions Assumed health care cost trends rates have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in surplus or deficit. A one percentage point change in assumed healthcare cost trend rates would have the following effects:
One % point increase One % point decrease Employer's accrued liability 9.20% (8.00)% Employer's service and interest cost 9.60% (8.70)%
Amounts for the current and previous four years are as follows:
2011/12 2010/11 2009/10 2008/09 2007/08 '000 '000 '000 '000 '000 Defined benefit obligation (11 741) (110 200) (106 784) (92 218) (91 018) Plan assets 11 924 - - - - Surplus (deficit) 183 - - - -
Defined contribution plan It is the policy of the entity to provide retirement benefits to all its employees through the National Research Foundation Pension Fund, which are subject to the Pensions Fund Act. The fund is administered by Alexander Forbes Consultants and Actuaries. The entity is under no obligation to cover any unfunded benefits.
The amount recognised as an expense for defined contribution plans is 29 142 27 088
145 Financial report
Notes to the annual financial statements
13. Financial liabilities by category
2011/12 2010/11 R’000 R’000
The accounting policies for financial instruments have been applied to the line items below: 2012 Financial liabilities at Total amortised cost Trade and other payables 36 961 36 961 Finance leases 1 728 1 728 38 689 38 689
2011 Financial liabilities at Total amortised cost Trade and other payables 34 465 34 465 Finance leases 2 825 2 825 37 290 37 290
14. Finance lease obligation
Minimum lease payments due ‑ within one year 1 029 1 401 ‑ in second to fifth year inclusive 926 1 900 1 955 3 301 less: future finance charges (227) (476) Present value of minimum lease payments 1 728 2 825
Present value of minimum lease payments due ‑ within one year 874 1 208 ‑ in second to fifth year inclusive 854 1 617 1 728 2 825
Non‑current liabilities 854 1 617 Current liabilities 874 1 208 1 728 2 825
It is entity policy to lease certain motor vehicles and equipment under finance leases. The average lease term was 3‑5 years and the average effective borrowing rate was 12% (2011: 13%). The entity’s obligations under finance leases are secured by the lessor’s charge over the leased assets. Refer note 3. Interest costs on finance leases charged to the statement of financial performance for the year amounted to R0.271m (2011: R0.494m).
Market risk The carrying amounts of finance lease liabilities are denominated in the following currencies:
Rand 1 728 2 825 For details of sensitivity of exposures to market risk related to finance lease liabilities, as well as liquidity risk refer to note 34. The fair value of finance lease liabilities approximates their carrying amounts.
146 Notes to the annual financial statements
15. Payables from exchange transactions
2011/12 2010/11 R’000 R’000
Trade payables 30 263 27 507 Accrued leave pay 30 777 28 672 Accrued bonus 3 848 3 830 Other payables 6 698 6 958 71 586 66 967 16. Designated income received in advance
Designated income advances 1 001 702 1 095 956
17. SALT fund
The SALT fund represents income received from the DST for the purpose of investing the funds in the SALT Foundation (Pty) Ltd. The balance is reduced with post acquisition losses of the SALT Foundation (Pty) Ltd.
18. Capital fund
The portion of income utilised to acquire property, equipment and intangible assets is transferred to the capital fund from the accumulated fund and is allocated back to the accumulated fund in the proportions and over the periods in which depreciation/amortisation on such property and equipment or intangible asset is charged or when the asset is retired.
Opening balance 506 329 427 303 Net acquisition of assets 49 783 79 026 Acquisition of property, equipment and intangible assets 3 & 4 112 852 119 000 Transfer of HMO to SANSA (21 006) - Allocation to income 3 & 4 (42 063) (39 974)
556 112 506 329
19. Infrastructure development fund
This fund represents funds set aside to fund future infrastructure projects.
20. Transfer of function under common control
The Hermanus Magnetic Observatory (HMO) was transferred to the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) with effect from 1 April 2011. All assets and liabilities of HMO as at 1 April 2011 was transferred to SANSA. This transfer can be regarded as a transfer of a function between entities under common control as both the NRF and SANSA are controlled by the Department of Science and Technology.
147 Financial report
Notes to the annual financial statements
21. Designated income
2011/12 2010/11 R’000 R’000
Department of Science and Technology 822 921 1 018 649 Other government organisations 87 319 65 613 Other 50 260 33 616 960 500 1 117 878
The NRF manages a number of projects/programmes for government departments and local as well as international organisations on a contractual basis. These funds are designated for specific projects.
Excluded from this amount are contracts with the Department of Trade and Industry for the THRIP programme amounting to R152.5m (2011: R148.4m).
22. Sale of goods and services
Sale of isotopes 19 035 24 026 National Zoological Gardens sales 16 334 15 030 Other sales 462 440 35 831 39 496
23. Other income
Sundry income 12 070 5 957 Rent received 805 893 Services rendered 1 965 2 184 Donations received 31 1 065 Management fees received 2 292 2 162 17 163 12 261
24. Investment revenue
Interest revenue Bank 46 622 77 299 Interest charged on trade and other receivables 45 57 Interest received ‑ other - 1 46 667 77 357
The amount included in investment revenue arising from exchange transactions amounted to R 46,667m.
148 Notes to the annual financial statements
25. Auditors' remuneration
2011/12 2010/11 R’000 R’000
Current year audit 217 509 Prior year audit 2 579 1 718 Other services 200 173 2 996 2 400
26. Finance costs
Finance leases 271 494
27. Operating (deficit) surplus
Operating (deficit) surplus for the year is stated after accounting for the following:
Operating lease charges 6 927 3 888 Gain (loss) on sale of property and equipment 105 (682) Impairment on trade and other receivables - 213 Loss on exchange differences 556 1 222 Amortisation on intangible assets 382 209 Depreciation on property and equipment 39 615 38 509 Employee costs 425 323 388 703 Defined contribution plan 29 142 27 088 Research and development 5 204 6 571 Cost of sales 5 958 5 811
149 Financial report
Notes to the annual financial statements
28. Board and Corporate Executive members remuneration
Short term Total package Total package Non‑Executive Members (Board members) benefits 2011/12 2010/11 R’000 R’000 R’000 Prof RM Crewe (Interim Chairman from 1 October 2011) 20 20 - Prof B Bozzoli (Chairman up to 30 September 2011) 10 10 36 Dr PG Clayton (from 1 October 2011) 9 9 - Prof JW Fedderke (up to 30 September 2011) 4 4 14 Mr TS Gcabashe (up to 30 September 2011) 6 6 16 Prof B Cousins (from 1 October 2011) 9 9 - Dr NT Magau 18 18 14 Dr IR May (up to 31 December 2010) - - 18 Mr AJ Fourie (from 1 October 2011) 14 14 - Mr TM Netsianda (up to 30 September 2011) 4 4 14 Prof MV Leibbrandt (from 1 October 2011) 9 9 - Prof PP Lolwana (from 1 October 2011) 9 9 - Prof T Nyokong (up to 30 September 2011) 4 4 14 Prof V Pillay (up to 30 September 2011) 4 4 14 Ms T Ramano 11 11 7 Ms NZ Yokwana (up to 30 September 2011) 4 4 14 Prof SD Maharaj (from 1 October 2011) 9 9 - Prof EM Tyobeka (from 1 October 2011) 9 9 - 153 153 161
Retirement Short term Fund Medical Total package Total package Total Corporate Executive remuneration benefits contributions contributions Other benefits 2011/12 2010/11 R’000 R’000 R’000 R’000 R’000 R’000 Dr AS Van Jaarsveld (CEO of the NRF) 1 941 273 35 28 2 277 2 123 Ms BA Damonse (from November 2011) 528 72 9 6 615 - Dr D Pillay 1 451 207 - 19 1 677 1 511 Dr G Mazithulela (up to June 2011) 390 22 7 3 422 1 573 Mr B Singh 1 335 198 53 18 1 604 1 301 Mr PB Thompson 1 350 172 61 21 1 604 1 316 6 995 944 165 95 8 199 7 824 Total Corporate Executive and Board remuneration 7 148 944 165 95 8 352 7 985
Corporate Executive members are considered to be key management personnel as they are the delegated key decision makers.
150 Notes to the annual financial statements
29. Cash (used in)/generated from operations
2011/12 2010/11 R’000 R’000
Surplus before asset acquisitions 13 817 89 602
Adjustments for: Depreciation and amortisation 39 997 38 718 Loss on sale of assets and liabilities (104) 682 Deficit from equity accounted investments 3 096 3 018 Debt impairment - 52 Movements in retirement benefit assets and liabilities (110 383) 3 416 Transfer of HMO to SANSA (628) - Changes in working capital: Inventory 300 (401) Receivables from exchange transactions (7 303) (34 190) Debt impairment - (52) Grants and bursaries paid in advance (172 748) (235 944) Other loans 11 (95) Payables from exchange transactions 4 619 (775) Designated income received in advance (94 250) (263 051) (323 576) (399 020)
30. Reconciliation between budget and statement of financial performance
Reconciliation of budget surplus/(deficit) with the surplus/(deficit) in the statement of financial performance:
Net surplus per the statement of financial performance 13 817 89 602
Adjusted for: Committed Lottery funds not received on SKA project 25 000 - Post-Retirement Medical Liability buy‑out 26 253 - (Surplus)/loss in associate 3 096 3 018 Vacancies and delayed recruitment (11 009) - Lower/(higher) than expected interest earned 2 198 (11 387) Delay in SKA capital expenditure 125 161 248 575 Capitalisation of computer software under development (11 517) (14 749) Additional capital expenditure (2 756) (59 209) Net surplus before asset acquisitions per approved budget 170 243 255 850
151 Financial report
Notes to the annual financial statements
31. Commitments
2011/12 2010/11 R’000 R’000
Authorised capital expenditure Already contracted for but not provided for Property and equipment 73 824 26 977
The capital expenditure will be financed from internal funds. Operating leases ‑ as lessee (expense) Minimum lease payments due ‑ within one year 5 986 6 360 ‑ in second to fifth year inclusive 4 075 9 163 10 061 15 523
Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the entity for certain of its office properties. These non‑cancellable leases are negotiated for a term of between 2 and 99 years and rentals escalate between 0% and 10% annually. No contingent rent is payable. Operating leases ‑ as lessor (income) Minimum lease payments due ‑ within one year 126 128 ‑ in second to fifth year inclusive 144 224 270 352
The NRF has entered into non‑cancellable commercial property leases. These leases are negotiated for a term of between 1 and 10 years and rentals escalate between 0% and 10% annually. There are no contingent rents receivable.
32. Contingencies
Future grant commitments awarded 1 709 028 1 598 633
The NRF has awarded multi‑year grants for up to 5 years with subsequent years’ payments conditional upon receipt of progress reports. City of Johannesburg 1 081 966
The amount represents municipal billing in respect of rates, taxes and water charges which is in dispute. The NRF does not consider themselves liable for this amount.
152 Notes to the annual financial statements
33. Related parties
2011/12 2010/11 R’000 R’000
Relationships Controlling entity Department of Science and Technology Associates Refer to note 5 Members of key management Refer to note 27
The remuneration of key management is included in employee’s remuneration (refer to note 27 for Corporate Executive members’ remuneration).
By virtue of the fact that the NRF is a national public entity and controlled by national government any other controlled entity of the national government is a related party. All transactions with such entities are at arm’s length and on normal commercial terms.
Related party balances
Amounts included in trade receivables/ (trade payables) regarding related parties SALT Foundation (Pty) Ltd. 4 862 1 888
The outstanding balance at year‑end is unsecured, interest free and settlement occurs in cash. There have been no guarantees received. No impairment has been recorded of the amount owed.
Related party transactions
The NRF paid SALT Foundation (Pty) Ltd a levy for the use of the telescope 8 373 6 702
SALT Foundation (Pty) Ltd paid the NRF for the recovery of monthly services 21 616 19 678
NRF's contribution to the SALT Foundation (Pty) Ltd Equipment Development Fund 24 800 -
Government grant received from the Department of Science and Technology 1 078 945 761 766
34. Risk management
Financial risk management
The entity’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including currency risk and interest rate risk), credit risk and liquidity risk.
The entity’s overall risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimise potential adverse effects on the entity’s financial performance. Risk management is carried out by a central treasury department under policies approved by the accounting authority. Entity treasury identifies, evaluates and hedges financial risks in close co‑operation with the entity’s business divisions. The accounting authority provides written principles for overall risk management, as well as written policies covering specific areas, such as foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk, credit risk and investment of excess liquidity.
153 Financial report
Notes to the annual financial statements
Liquidity risk Prudent liquidity risk management implies maintaining sufficient cash and the availability of funding. The entity’s risk to liquidity is a result of the funds available to cover future commitments. The entity manages liquidity risk through an ongoing review of future commitments, through proper management of working capital, capital expenditure and actual vs. forecasted cash flows and its investment policy. Adequate reserves and liquid resources are also maintained.
The table below analyses the entity’s financial liabilities into relevant maturity groupings based on the remaining period at the statement of financial position to the contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in the table are the contractual undiscounted cash flows. Balances due within 12 months equal their carrying balances as the impact of discounting is not significant.
At 31 March 2011/12 Less than 1 year Between 1 and 2 years Trade and other payables 36 961 - Designated income received in advance 1 001 702 - Finance leases 1 029 926
At 31 March 2010/11 Less than 1 year Between 1 and 2 years Trade and other payables 34 465 - Designated income received in advance 1 095 956 - Finance leases 1 401 1 900
Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk results from the cash flow and financial performance uncertainty arising from interest rate fluctuations. Financial assets and liabilities affected by interest rate fluctuations include bank and cash deposits.
Interest rate exposure and investment strategies are evaluated by management on a regular basis. Interest‑bearing investments are held with reputable banks in order to minimise exposure. The entity furthermore manages its interest rate risk by obtaining competitive rates from different banks. No significant risks have been identified with regards to interest rates.
Cash flow interest rate risk
Financial instrument Current interest rate Due in less than a Due in one to two year years Other receivables - % 45 603 - Trade receivables ‑ normal credit terms 8.00% 19 179 - Loans to employees - % 12 100 Cash in current banking institutions 4.50% 40 988 - Short‑term deposits 5.50% 318 945 - Trade and other payables - % 36 961 - Grants and bursaries paid in advance - % 602 738 - Designated income received in advance - % 1 001 702 - Finance leases 12.00% 874 854
154 Notes to the annual financial statements
2011/12 2010/11 R’000 R’000
Credit risk Credit risk arises from the risk that a counter‑party may default or not meet The entity does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. its obligations timeously. The entity is exposed to risk from its operating and financing activities. Credit risk consists mainly of cash deposits, cash 35. Irregular expenditure equivalents and trade debtors. The entity only deposits cash with major banks with high quality credit standing and limits exposure to any one counter‑party. Finance lease payments on 1 179 1 542 contracts in excess of a 36 month Trade receivables comprise a widespread customer base. Management contract period evaluates credit risk relating to customers on an ongoing basis. Risk control assesses the credit quality of the customer, taking into account its financial Procurement of goods and 588 - position, past experience and other factors. The entity has no significant services not within threshold concentration of credit risk. The carrying amounts of the financial assets included in the statement of financial position represent the entity’s maximum 1 767 1 542 exposure to credit risk in relation to these assets. The entity does not have any significant exposure to any individual customer or counterparty. In terms of section 66 of the PFMA, Treasury Regulation 32 and Practice Note 5 of 2006/2007, finance leases for office equipment may not exceed a period Foreign exchange risk of 36 months without National Treasury approval. An oversight occurred up Foreign exchange risk arises on financial instruments that are denominated in until 2010/11 and the pre‑approval from National Treasury was not requested. a foreign currency, i.e. in a currency other than the functional currency in which This matter has been reported to National Treasury for the purpose of approval. they are measured. For the purposes of GRAP, currency risk does not arise from financial instruments that are non‑monetary items or from financial instruments Irregular expenditure of various transactions amounting to R 587,668 relates denominated in the functional currency. to the procurement of goods and services not within the threshold values as determined by section 76(4)(c) of the PFMA, Treasury Regulation 16A.6.1 and There were no foreign currency transactions covered by forward exchange Practice Note PN8 of 2007/2008. These procurements were undertaken to contracts at the end of the year. The entity transacts with foreign entities on expedite the SKA project delivery and will be proposed to the NRF Corporate a minimal basis and therefore the balance on foreign exchange debtors and Executive for condonation. creditors are considered immaterial and therefore minimal risk is involved.
155 Financial report
Supplememtary information
South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB): Financial information by segment This National Research Facility serves as a research hub for aquatic biodiversity For management purposes, the NRF is currently organised into the following in southern Africa by housing and developing the National Fish Collection segments and these segments are the basis on which the NRF reports its and associated resource collections as research tools and sources of aquatic primary segment information. All segment revenue and expenses are biodiversity data. It also generates knowledge on aquatic biodiversity through directly attributable to the segments. Segment assets include all operating interactive and collaborative scientific research, and disseminates scientific assets used by a segment and consist principally of property and equipment, knowledge at all levels. as well as current assets. Segment liabilities include all operating liabilities and consist principally of trade creditors. These assets and liabilities are Hermanus Magnetic Observatory (HMO): all directly attributable to the segments. Segment revenue, expenses This facility was transferred to the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and results include transfers between business segments and between with effect from 1 April 2011. All assets and liabilities of HMO were transferred geographical segments. Such transfers are accounted for at competitive to SANSA. This transfer can be regarded as a transfer of a function between market prices charged to unaffiliated customers for similar goods. These entities under common control as both the NRF and SANSA are controlled by the transfers are eliminated on consolidation. Department of Science and Technology.
Research and Innovation Support and Advancement (RISA): South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement This segment’s main business is to provide for the promotion and support (SAASTA): of research and research capacity development in all fields of knowledge SAASTA is positioned as an agency in advancing the public awareness, and technology through investing in knowledge, people and infrastructure; appreciation and understanding of science, engineering and technology developing research capacity and advancing equity and equality to unlock the full in South Africa, as well as the integration of science awareness activities creative potential of researchers; assisting with the development of institutional across the NRF. capacity; and facilitating strategic national and international partnerships and knowledge networks. National Zoological Gardens of South Africa (NZG): The NZG is a national facility for research in terrestrial biodiversity and an active Corporate: participant in terrestrial biodiversity research. The NZG houses one of the The corporate office provides general leadership, coordinates new initiatives largest animal collections in the world. and acts as the liaison and reporting centre for the entire NRF. The corporate office includes the office of the deputy CEO National Research Facilities. South African Environmental Observatory Network (SAEON): SAEON is a National Research Facility that establishes and maintains nodes iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based Sciences (iThemba (environmental observatories, field stations or sites) linked by an information LABS): management network to serve as research and education platforms for This national research facility provides advanced, viable, multidisciplinary long‑term studies of ecosystems that will provide for incremental advances in facilities for training, research and services in the fields of sub‑atomic nuclear our understanding of ecosystems and our ability to detect, predict and react to science and applied radiation medicine. environmental change.
South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO): South African Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Project: This National Research Facility performs fundamental research in astronomy The South African SKA pathfinder project includes the construction of the and astrophysics at a national and international level. SAAO is the National KAT7 prototype telescope array (7 antennas) and the MeerKAT radio telescope Research Facility for optical and infrared astronomy in South Africa. SAAO is (64 antennas) in the Karoo. Once operating, MeerKAT will be the largest also responsible for managing the operations of the Southern African Large radio telescope in the world for many years. The MeerKAT is a project of the Telescope (SALT). Department of Science and Technology, executed through the National Research Foundation and the South African SKA project office. Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO): This National Research Facility was established for radio astronomy research in South Africa. Its primary function is the support of research and training in radio astronomy and space geodesy.
156 Supplememtary information
RISA Corporate (incl. iThemba LABS SAAO (incl. SALT) HartRAO SAEON Dep. CEO NF) 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011
R’000 R’000 R’000 R’000 R’000 R’000 R’000 R’000 R’000 R’000 R’000 R’000 Revenue Parliamentary grant 549 908 423 517 55 024 45 869 132 615 125 109 38 940 36 676 21 079 19 886 18 317 20 799 Designated income 612 825 875 164 10 893 (53) 14 408 7 768 32 328 29 372 1 297 2 665 3 722 1 300 Other revenue 41 27 210 25 006 12 918 19 037 24 028 341 377 14 63 2 -
1 162 774 1 390 577 90 923 58 734 166 060 156 905 71 609 66 425 22 390 22 614 22 041 22 099 Other income 4 843 2 982 491 278 3 012 3 149 2 379 1 746 2 426 29 532 895
Total income 1 167 617 1 393 559 91 414 59 012 169 072 160 054 73 988 68 171 24 816 22 643 22 573 22 994
Expenses Employee costs 88 103 78 451 33 017 25 399 98 104 87 972 44 388 40 230 12 433 10 014 13 819 7 870 Grants and bursaries 1 031 627 1 139 797 - - 1 237 1 317 435 4 128 786 1 004 1 038 5 669 Other expenses 53 503 52 440 45 479 17 99 77 268 69 860 36 054 25 462 8 666 7 631 11 569 6 578 Finance costs - 13 - - 184 285 20 41 20 25 - 1
Total expenses 1 173 233 1 270 701 78 496 43 392 176 793 159 434 80 897 69 861 21 905 18 674 26 426 20 118 Other disclosable items (71) (328) (17) (3) (256) (709) (3 153) (3 497) (32) (72) (7) (9)
Net (deficit)/unspent funds (5 687) 122 530 12 901 15 617 (7 977) (89) (10 062) (5 187) 2 879 3 897 (3 860)2867
Property, equipment and intangible assets ‑ Additions 21 422 20 539 - - 25 354 25 773 8 595 11 448 7 287 10 690 2 750 2 635 ‑ Depreciation (4 548) (4 798) - - (19 870) (18 945) (3 827) (2 734) (1 407) (2 122) (1 402) (698) Assets 776 144 773 413 - - 166 457 165 843 47 752 50 238 39 515 36 357 12 249 12 369 Liabilities 661 274 511 894 - - 28 566 34 769 10 561 16 009 7 751 11 198 5 722 3 992 Post-retirement healthcare liability - 12 749 - - - 52 392 - 15 627 - 7 382 - - No. of employees excl. interns 207 231 44 37 282 272 125 116 44 44 41 32
157 Financial report
Supplememtary information
SKA SAIAB HMO SAASTA NZG TOTAL
2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011
R’000 R’000 R’000 R’000 R’000 R’000 R’000 R’000 R’000 R’000 R’000 R’000 Revenue Parliamentary grant - 12 624 12 636 11 921 - 9 519 16 103 15 443 51 039 48 150 895 661 769 513 Designated income 228 605 139 814 7 055 10 610 - 6 738 46 614 40 940 2 753 3 560 960 500 1 117 878 Other revenue 21 724 37 225 1 1 - - - 1 41 972 37 741 108 138 139 564
250 329 189 663 19 692 22 532 - 16 257 62 717 56 384 95 764 89 451 1 964 299 2 026 955
Other income 1 604 7 413 324 - 1 172 576 930 887 749 17 163 12 261
Total income 251 933 189 670 20 105 22 856 - 17 429 63 293 57 314 96 651 90 200 1 981 462 2 039 216 Expenses Employee costs 48 523 44 336 13 654 13 700 - 11 069 13 011 12 711 60 271 56 951 425 323 388 703 Grants and bursaries 65 413 37 925 2 213 2 030 - 2 228 16 526 15 982 - - 1 119 275 1 210 080 Other expenses 100 025 72 002 9 424 11 597 - 6 650 34 692 29 793 42 550 45 409 419 230 345 415 Finance costs 16 33 13 2 - 65 - - 18 29 271 494
Total expenses 213 977 154 296 25 304 27 329 - 20 012 64 229 58 486 102 838 102 389 1 964 098 1 944 692 Other disclosable items 162 (50) (73) (109) - (36) (12) (3) (88) (106) (3 547) (4 922)
Net (deficit)/ unspent funds 38 118 35 324 (5 272) (4 582) - (2 619) (948) (1 175) (6 275) (12 295) 13 817 89 602 Property, equipment and intangible assets ‑ Additions 38 563 36 060 5 610 3 652 - 4 787 2 474 1 817 797 1 599 112 852 119 000 ‑ Depreciation (3 780) (2 939) (2 028) (1 885) - (1 649) (1 215) (939) (1 920) (2 009) (39 997) (38 718) Assets 506 337 687 368 37 809 37 774 - 32 942 56 656 54 771 33 308 33 901 1 676 227 1 884 976 Liabilities 280 036 495 570 9 653 12 245 - 11 306 39 908 37 394 31 545 31 371 1 075 016 1 165 748 Post-retirement healthcare liability - - - 830 - - - - - 21 220 - 110 200 No. of employees excl. interns 113 95 44 40 - 32 46 41 302 317 1 248 1 220
158 The NRF contributes to the improvement of life to all people in the Republic through the support and promotion of research
159 Part D: Performance Indicator Report
NRF performance according to the NRF strategic goals 162 NRF performance according to the Balanced Scorecard 173
160 161 161 Performance indicator report
NRF performance according to the • The underperformance in the number of keynote/plenary addresses can NRF strategic goals attributed to the challenging economic climate. The research output of the National Research Facilities was as follows: This section presents tables containing a summary of the performance the National Research Facilities produced nine chapters in books. This of the organisation against targets set in the 2011/12 Shareholder’s performance exceeded the annual target of two. The number of peer-reviewed Compact. The Corporate and business division indicators are according articles was 233 against the annual target of 170. The National Research the NRF’s strategic goals: Facilities produced 229 publications with external co-authors against the • Promoting internationally competitive research as basis for a annual target of 156. In relation to the dissemination of research through full- knowledge economy; length conference proceedings, the National Research Facilities published • Growing a representative science and technology workforce in 61 sets of proceedings. This performance was slightly below the annual South Africa; target of 64. The National Research Facilities produced 81 research reports • Providing cutting-edge research, technology and innovation platforms; against the annual target of 30. Most of the National Research Facilities KPI • Operating a world-class evaluation and grant-making systems; and targets for research outputs were exceeded. Amongst other things, this is • Contributing to a vibrant national innovation system. attributed to increasing levels of collaboration between the National Facilities and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and research organisations and also The performance and targets of the NRF are against these strategic goals (see by an increased production of output by scientists, students and associates. table 36 to 38 on page 166 to 172) Table 35 below shows the growth trends of the National Research Facilities Promoting internationally competitive research as the research outputs. basis for a knowledge economy • In order to promote competitive research, the total value of grants The NRF performance against the annual targets set to measure the NRF’s expensed by RISA amounted to R985.3m against the annual target of goal of “Promoting internationally competitive research as the basis for a R900m. The exceptional expensing of grants against the target was knowledge economy” for the 2011/12 financial year was good. due to the increase in funding received from DST for 2011/12. • With the increased funding from the DST, a total of 4 349 grants were Under this goal the NRF performed as follows: expensed to grantholders through RISA and SAASTA. This was an • RISA grantholders authored 4 777 ISI peer reviewed articles against outstanding performance, as this exceeds the annual target of 3 550. the target of 3000. The average number of ISI publications per NRF • The increase in available funding also resulted in the NRF exceeding supported researchers with calendar year has also increased to 2.07 its planned performance of 23% by 8% increased performance toward while the total number of ISI publications worldwide decreased slightly reaching our goal of becoming a R4bil organisation. over the period. The performance is due to the increased productivity and international competitiveness of our researchers.
Table 35: Trend on research outputs by National Facility Researchers (2008/09-2011/12)
Target Performance
Performance indicators 2011/12 2011/12 2010/11 2009/10 2008/09
Journal articles (ISI and others) 170 233 220 181 180
Research Reports (including technical and policy reports) 30 81 109 27 71
Full-length conference proceedings 64 61 61 77 94
Chapters in books 2 9 16 11 17
Books 1 2 5 1 1
Patents 1 0 0 0 0
162 Growing a representative science and technology • The number of students supervised by staff of the National Facilities was workforce in South Africa 263, which is higher than the 2011/12 target of 249 students due to an increased uptake of students throughout the financial year. The NRF places high value in developing appropriately skilled human resources. • Performance in terms of experiential training at National Research The NRF contributes to this strategic goal by providing a diversity of development Facilities was outstanding, with the facilities training a total of 1 368 and support programmes. These range from science awareness and education graduate students, thereby exceeding the annual target of 352. This can programmes at school level to bursary and scholarship programmes for the largely be attributed to the general increase in the number of students next generation of researchers, grants to emerging researchers and established and the fact that the facilities of the NZG are increasingly being used by researchers, and support to research institutions. Overall, the performance of students from disciplines other than those in the natural sciences. e.g. the NRF against the goal of “Growing a representative science and technology Economic Management Sciences and Tourism. workforce in South Africa” against the 2011/12 target was good. Providing cutting-edge research, technology and Under growing a representative science and technology workforce in South innovation platforms Africa goal, NRF performed as follows: • Of the total estimated number of ISI-active researchers in the country South Africa is an international role player in strategically important research the NRF supported 2 890 (96%). This is well above the annual target of areas through the National Research Facilities’ ability provide state-of-the-art 81%. research infrastructure. NRF’s performance under this goal was good. These • Of the total number of 2 471 NRF-rated researchers, 506 (20%) are platforms were also used very successfully for the science awareness activities. black and 717 (29%) are women against the targets of 18% and 27% respectively. • Under providing cutting-edge research, technology and innovation • Of the total number of 2 890 grantholders currently supported by RISA, platforms goal, NRF performed as follows: 754 (26%) are black and 957 (33%) are women. This is below the • The National Research Facilities invested R450.2m (61% of their budget) respective transformation targets of 30% of black grantholders and in providing research platforms at the facilities against the annual target 40% of women grantholders. To improve this situation, women will of 40%. The good performance was a result of additional ring-fenced be encouraged to participate in, amongst other things, THRIP, and, funding received from DST earmarked for the upgrade and maintenance collectively, the NRF is working towards increasing these numbers. of National Research Facilities’ infrastructure and platforms • Participation in science festivals exceeded the annual target of • Approximately R50m (4%) was spent in RISA information services and 114 000, with a total of 412 592 participants taking part. This success platforms, which is slightly higher than the 3% annual budget allocation can be attributed to an ad hoc intervention funded by the DST at the Rand for this purpose. Easter Show in the first quarter, as well as participation in the Lesotho • The number of Science Advancement products and resources generated and Mozambique National Science Weeks during the second quarter. by SAASTA, with the exception of technical manuals and exhibits, was • In the Science Advancement initiatives, SAASTA reached 371 947 generally below the annual targets. This is due to a number of science learners thereby exceeding the annual target of 305 500 learners. This advancement products being obtained from other sources and not can be attributed to an increase in the budget for the Nurturing Talent in developed by SAASTA. Science, Engineering and Technology (NSET) programme through core • The National Research Facilities have focused quite strongly on science funding; a donation from Harmony Gold Mining; and sponsorships from awareness initiatives and produced a number of resources for educators industries (including Harmony Gold Mining, Edcon (Pty) Ltd, the DST and learners as well as exhibits and science promotion publications. All (for Dinaledi Schools) and collaboration with community organisations outputs met or exceeded the annual targets. such as churches and municipalities. The National Research Facilities • Visits to the Facilities as science awareness platforms were well above reached 220 660 learners against the annual target of 220 000. The the annual target by 307 639, with a total of 967 639 visitors. The annual NRF invested R50.6m in offering science advancement initiatives at the target is 660 000. This was made possible by two Science Festivals at National Research Facilities. SAIAB and a general increasing trend in the number of visitors to the • Some 494 postgraduate students made use of the National Research Facilities. Facilities for training, which is above the annual target of 450.
163 Performance indicator report
1 979 12 003 2 890 2 471
NRF-funded PhDs PhDs registered Number of active Total NRF-rated nationally researchers researtchers supported by NRF
Operating world-class evaluation and increase in the number of NRF rated researchers, from 1 992 in 2007/08 to grant-making systems 2 471 in 2011/12.
Core activities of the NRF include the operation of effective and efficient Contributing to a vibrant national innovation system evaluation and grant-making processes. The NRF’s performance in respect of this goal was satisfactory. • A total of R1,2billion (77%) of the total grant funding available within • The NRF though the NZG, presented the first conservation medicine the calendar year was disbursed against the 2011/12 annual target of training workshop in Africa, which followed a multidisciplinary approach, 86%. However, when comparing the actual expenditure amount to the focusing on wild animals, the environment and the human interface. previous financial year (2010/11), the total amount disbursed increased • iThemba LABS recently commissioned a reverse osmosis system (also by R250million. known as a desalination plant) which forces radioactive water through a • Of the 2 471 NRF-rated researchers, 1 875 (76%) were funded by very fine filter, or membrane. This results in only pure clean water being the NRF during the calendar year, which is a very good performance pumped to the dam. As far as is known, this is the first nuclear research against the annual target of 65%. facility to implement this type of system. • The NSI marketing campaign endorsed by the DST is under way. The The NRF evaluation and rating of the outputs of individual researchers are campaign aims to build awareness of the NSI in the community and designed to encourage quality research by continuously benchmarking research influence society to adopt a vision of knowledge creation and innovation. outputs against international standards. Figure 30 shows a progressive
R178 R450 million million
RISA grant investment in research Investment made in providing equipment at the research institutions research platforms at and National Research Facilities National Research Facilities
164 Figure 30: Trend in number of rated researchers in all disciplines (2008/09 to 2011/12)
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
Rating category A B C P Y L Total 2011/12 89 533 1 434 17 364 34 2 471 2010/11 85 502 1 308 16 324 50 2 285 2009/10 85 474 1 209 17 296 61 2 142 2008/09 77 443 1 070 16 256 60 1 922
Performance indicator report
The following section of the document contains tables on the performance targets set for 2011/12 and actual performance of the organisation against these targets.
Three approaches have been used in organising the data in the tables: • NRF performance indicators against organisational goals; • Business divisions performance against organisational goals; and • NRF performance against the Balanced Scorecard perspectives.
165 Performance indicator report
Table 36: NRF performance indicators (including THRIP) according the NRF strategic goal
2008/09 Actual Performance 2009/10 Actual Performance 2010/11 Actual Performance 2011/12 Actual Performance Summary Indicator description Performance Performance Performance Performance R’000 or R’000 or R’000 or R’000 or Target actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio 2011/12 Variance
Promoting internationally competitive research as basis for a knowledge Percentage of total resources expensed to grants (Incl Scholarships) as proportion of RISA expenditure (R’000) 1 014 000 1 311 000 77% 931 850 1 180 169 79% 1 325 037 1 546 669 86% 1 210 697 1 411 118 86% 80% 6% RISA Grant expenditure (Incl Scholarships) within the calendar year as % of R4 billion per annum target (2015) (R’000) 1 014 000 4 000 000 25% 931 850 4 000 000 23% 1 325 037 4 000 000 33% 1 230 302 4 000 000 31% 23% 8% Average number of ISI publications per NRF supported researcher across all disciplines within the calendar year 1,70 1,85 1,77 2,07 1,9 0,2 Average number of ISI publications per NRF employed researcher within the calendar year 1,84 1,84 1,75 1,82 2,0 -0,2
Growing a representative science and technology workforce in South Africa Proportion of active researchers supported by NRF within the calendar year (ISI active ~ 3 000) 2 422 3 000 81% 2 442 3 000 81% 2 927 3 000 98% 2 890 3 000 96% 81% 15% NRF rated researchers as a proportion of active researchers in the country (ISI active ~ 3 000) 1 922 3 000 64% 2 142 3 000 71% 2 285 3 000 76% 2 471 3 000 82% 72% 10% Proportion of NRF rated researchers from Black 316 1 922 16% 367 2 142 17% 433 2 285 19% 506 2 471 20% 18% 2% designated groups to total number of rated researchers Women 499 1 922 26% 578 2 142 27% 634 2 285 28% 717 2 471 29% 27% 2% Proportion of NRF funded PhDs to total PhDs registered nationally within the calendar year 1 370 9 994 14% 1 384 9 992 14% 1 937 11 467 17% 1 979 12 003 16% 14% 2% Proportion of NRF grantholders from Black 656 2 422 27% 629 2 442 26% 839 2 927 29% 754 2 890 26% 30% -4% designated groups to total number of NRF grantholders Women 897 2 422 37% 844 2 442 35% 991 2 927 34% 957 2 890 33% 40% -7%
Growing a representative science and technology workforce in South Africa: Corporate human resources and transformation (NRF Internally)
Black 832 1 207 69% 811 1 140 71% 832 1 220 68% 852 1 248 68% 73% -5% Proportion of NRF staff members from designated Women 472 1 207 39% 458 1 140 40% 484 1 220 40% 516 1 248 41% 42% -1% groups to total NRF staff Disabilities 15 1 207 1.2% 15 1 140 1.3% 14 1 220 1.1% 12 1 248 1.0% 2.0% -1% Proportion of South Africans from designated Black 170 366 46% 66 191 35% 75 240 31% 87 259 34% 40% -6% groups in three highest employment categories Women 125 366 34% 42 191 22% 50 240 21% 56 259 22% 26% -4% Proportion of foreign nationals employed to total NRF staff 37 1 207 3.1% 37 1 140 3.2% 43 1 220 3.5% 52 1 248 4.2% 3.5% 1%
Staff turnover: below 5% 101 1 207 8.4% 82 1 140 7.2% 126 1 220 10.3% 105 1 248 8.4% 5.0% 3% Proportion of seconded staff employed (to provide additional internal expertise) to total NRF staff 1 1 207 0.1% 2 1 140 0.2% 3 1 220 0.2% 3 1 248 0.2% 1.0% -1% Proportion of training expenditure to total salary budget 4 000 287 902 1.4% 6 227 338 425 1.8% 7 301 391 727 1.9% 7 874 409 255 1.9% 2.0% 0% Proportion of NRF staff with postgraduate qualifications 234 1 207 19% 270 1 140 24% 315 1 220 26% 333 1 248 27% 25% 2% DST interns seconded to business units N/A N/A N/A 22 42 -20.0
166 Table 36: NRF performance indicators (including THRIP) according the NRF strategic goal (continued)
2008/09 Actual Performance 2009/10 Actual Performance 2010/11 Actual Performance 2011/12 Actual Performance Summary Indicator description Performance Performance Performance Performance R’000 or R’000 or R’000 or R’000 or Target actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio 2011/12 Variance
Providing cutting-edge research, technology and innovation platforms Proportion of NRF investment in providing research platforms at National Research Facilities 18% 156 163 360 346 43% 367 497 673 668 55% 450 278 739 889 61% 40% 21% Proportion of RISA grant investment (excluding scholarships) in research equipment at Research Institutions and National Research Facilities within the calendar year (R’000) 92 300 929 199 10% 101 929 821 926 12% 186 057 1 026 601 18% 178 605 985 331 18% 14% 4% Proportion of RISA competitive grants investment (excluding Scholarships) in National Research Facilities within the calendar year 36 000 929 199 3.9% 31 687 821 926 3.9% 54 887 1 026 601 5.3% 33 263 985 331 3,4% 4,0% -0,6% Proportion of RISA expenses invested in RISA information services & platforms 16 500 1 123 000 1.5% 14 192 1 180 169 1% 29 334 1 546 669 1.9% 50 044 1 411 118 3,5% 3,0% 1%
Proportion investment in CAPEX 110 700 1 689 600 6.6% 146 994 1 826 278 8.0% 107 938 2 267 899 4.8% 110 790 2 226 561 5,0% 8,0% -3% Proportion of RISA grant expenses (excluding Scholarships) allocated to researchers & HEIs for access to National Research Facilities & equipment within the calendar year (R’000) N/A N/A 1 633 1 026 601 0.2% 1 480 985 331 0,2% 2,0% -1,8%
Operating world-class evaluation and grant-making systems Proportion of available grant funding disbursed 848 000 1 317 000 64% 944 563 1 126 889 84% 1 325 037 1 639 279 81% 1 230 302 1 593 844 77% 86% -9% Proportion of rated researchers funded by NRF 1 181 1 922 61% 1 310 2 142 61% 1 716 2 285 75% 1 875 2 471 76% 65% 11%
Contributing to a vibrant national innovation system Proportion of designated income received from DST to total income N/A N/A N/A 798 372 2 196 606 36% 29% 7% Proportion of designated income received from sources other than DST to total income N/A N/A N/A 323 707 2 196 606 15% 20% -5% Proportion of designated income to total income 549 213 1 361 392 40% 854 656 1 760 347 49% 1 277 178 2 288 147 56% 1 122 079 2 196 606 51% 49% 2% Proportion of operating expenditure to total expenditure 349 500 1 472 494 24% 383 643 1 826 278 21% 357 297 2 267 899 16% 423 619 2 226 561 19% 20% -1% Proportion of remuneration to total expenditure 287 902 1 472 494 20% 338 425 1 826 278 19% 391 727 2 267 899 17% 409 255 2 226 561 18% 20% -2% Ratio of ICT expenditure to total expenditure N/A 34 064 1 826 278 2% 30 786 2 267 899 1% 55 388 2 226 561 2% 5% -3% Ratio of RISA grant investment in Social Sciences and Humanities N/A 139 727 821 926 17% 140 694 1 026 601 14% 132 871 985 331 13% 28% -15% Proportion of RISA grant investment in international initiatives to total RISA grant expenditure within the calendar year 72 500 929 000 8% 70 059 821 926 9% 66 809 1 026 601 7% 60 612 985 331 6% 10% -4%
167 Performance indicator report
Table 37: RISA and SAASTA indicators according to the NRF strategic goals
Indicator description 2008/09 Actual Performance 2009/10 Actual Performance 2010/11 Actual Performance 2011/12 Actual Performance Summary Performance Performance Performance Performance R’000 or R’000 or R’000 or R’000 or Target actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio 2011/12 Variance
Promoting internationally competitive research as basis for a knowledge economy No. of research grants with reported expenditure within the calendar year 3 570 3 648 4 468 4 349 3 550 799 Total value of grants expensed in the calendar year excluding scholarships (R’000) 929 199 821 926 1 026 601 985 331 900 000 85 331 Research outputs by RISA grantholders within the calendar year - To be reported annually only Peer-reviewed journal articles (ISI and others) 3 239 2 753 3 935 4 777 3 000 1 777
Books 146 43 61 134 50 84
Chapters in books 568 216 221 524 230 294 Presentations and keynote/plenary addresses 1 405 1 298 184 155 1 350 -1 195 Articles in non-refereed/non-peer reviewed journals n/a 42 52 123 100 23
Technical and policy reports n/a 149 159 285 160 125
Patents 45 12 47 28 18 10
Products, prototypes and artefacts 168 125 105 103 130 -27
Growing a representative science and technology workforce in South Africa (externally)
SAASTA No. of Interaction with learners learners reached 328 546 226 198 420 467 371 947 305 000 66 947 No. of Interaction with educators educators reached 10 536 12 345 15 151 17 033 11 000 6 033 No. of visitors to science awareness Interaction with public infrastructure 5 649 11 070 8 763 10 000 4 500 5 500 at large No. of public reached N/A 20 997 49 385 33 494 45 000 -11 506 Participation in science festivals 260 389 140 807 57 450 412 592 114 000 298 592
RISA funding programme for grantholders No. of grantholders supported by RISA within the calendar year 2 422 2 442 2 927 2 890 2 060 830
Proportion of grantholders Black 656 2 422 27% 629 2 442 26% 839 2 927 29% 754 2 890 26% 30% -4% from designated groups supported Women 897 2 422 37% 844 2 442 35% 991 2 927 34% 957 2 890 33% 40% -7% Proportion of NRF rated researchers from Black 316 1 922 16% 367 2 142 17% 433 2 285 19% 506 2 471 20% 18% 2% designated groups to total rated researchers Women 499 1 922 26% 578 2 142 27% 634 2 285 28% 717 2 471 29% 27% 2%
168 Table 37: RISA and SAASTA indicators according to the NRF strategic goals (continued)
2008/09 Actual Performance 2009/10 Actual Performance 2010/11 Actual Performance 2011/12 Actual Performance Summary Indicator description Performance Performance Performance Performance R’000 or R’000 or R’000 or R’000 or Target actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio 2011/12 Variance
Support for students
3rd year/4th year 195 286 425 451 210 241
No. of students BTech/Honours 1 215 1 696 2 718 1 723 1 700 23 supported through RISA within the Master’s 2 475 2 373 3 566 3 564 2 820 744 calendar year Doctoral 1 370 1 384 1 937 1 979 1 519 460
Post-doctoral 222 304 405 402 381 21
3rd Black 72 195 37% 217 286 76% 228 425 54% 281 451 62% 79% -17% year/4th year Women 96 195 49% 161 286 56% 190 425 45% 187 451 41% 56% -15%
Black 801 1 215 66% 1 237 1 696 73% 2 043 2 718 75% 1 360 1 723 79% 75% 4% BTech/ Honours Women 672 1 215 55% 995 1 696 59% 1 465 2 718 54% 926 1 723 54% 59% -5% Proportion of students from Black 885 2 475 36% 1 256 2 373 53% 1 925 3 566 54% 1 931 3 564 54% 57% -3% designated groups supported Master’s Women 1263 2 475 51% 1 240 2 373 52% 1 799 3 566 50% 1 743 3 564 49% 53% -4%
Black 492 1 370 36% 717 1 384 52% 1 065 1 937 55% 1 109 1 979 56% 53% 3%
Doctoral Women 691 1 370 50% 699 1 384 51% 933 1 937 48% 943 1 979 48% 52% -4%
Black 57 222 26% 123 304 40% 160 405 40% 169 402 42% 40% 2% Post- doctoral Women 92 222 41% 145 304 48% 169 405 42% 162 402 40% 48% -8%
Growing a representative science and technology workforce in South Africa (RISA & SAASTA internally) Proportion of RISA and SAASTA staff with postgraduate qualifications 82 268 31% 68 265 26% 99 272 36% 84 297 28% 39% -11% Proportion of RISA and SAASTA staff Master’s 18 268 6,7% 19 265 7,2% 18 272 6,6% 25 297 8,4% 8% 0% enrolled for higher degrees Doctoral 4 268 1,5% 4 265 1,5% 13 272 4,8% 12 297 4,0% 1,7% 2% Proportion of staff complying with requirements for obtaining postgraduate qualifications during the financial year N/A 1 265 0,4% 5 272 1,8% 1 297 0,3% 1,0% -0,7% No. of DST interns deployed in business unit N/A N/A N/A 12 18 -6
Providing cutting-edge research, technology and innovation platforms
Equipment support Proportion of RISA grant investment in research equipment at Research Institutions and National Research Facilities within the calendar year (R’000) 92 300 929 199 10% 101 929 821 926 12% 186 057 1 026 601 18% 178 605 985 331 18% 14% 4%
RISA research information services and platforms Proportion of RISA expenses invested in RISA information services & platforms (R’000) 16 500 1 164 000 1% 14 192 1 180 169 1% 29 334 1 546 669 2% 50 044 1 411 118 4% 3,0% 1% Requests received for the datasets of the South African Data Archive 531 466 429 315 515 -200 Requests received to Nexus Database System 183 256 188 868 191 610 187 478 173 000 14 478
169 Performance indicator report
Table 37: RISA and SAASTA indicators according to the NRF strategic goals (continued)
2008/09 Actual Performance 2009/10 Actual Performance 2010/11 Actual Performance 2011/12 Actual Performance Summary Indicator description Performance Performance Performance Performance R’000 or R’000 or R’000 or R’000 or Target actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio 2011/12 Variance
Science Advancement platforms Proportion of Capex investment for Science Advancement through SAASTA (R’000) N/A N/A 548 768 71% 1 454 2 354 62% 16% 46% Educator resources N/A 11 10 7 10 -3 Learner resources N/A 15 20 9 10 -1 No. of science Technical advancement products manuals N/A 6 12 22 10 12 generated
Exhibits N/A 3 16 54 5 49 Science promotion publications N/A 17 16 16 20 -4
Operating world-class evaluation and grant-making systems
Evaluation systems Average turnaround time (months) 8 8,25 8,3 8,0 8 - Completion rate of applications for NRF rating per annum 95% 583 591 99% 519 520 99,8% 694 695 99,9% 95% 5%
Grant-making systems Standard turnaround time (months) - grant & scholarship applications 3,25 3,52 3 5 5 - Proportion of available grant funding including scholarships disbursed within the calendar year (R’000) 848 000 1 317 000 64% 945 000 1 127 000 84% 1 325 037 1 639 279 81% 1 230 302 1 593 844 77% 86% -9% Proportion of active researchers supported by NRF witn the calendar year (ISI active ~ 3000) 2 422 3 000 81% 2 442 3 000 81% 2 927 3 000 98% 2 890 3 000 96% 81% 15%
Contributing to a vibrant national innovation system Proportion of designated income received from DST to total income (R’000) N/A N/A N/A 525 030 1 458 105 36% 26% 10% Proportion of designated income received from sources other than DST to total income (R’000) N/A N/A N/A 286 876 1 458 105 20% 22% -2% Proportion of designated income to total income (R’000) 570 000 1 174 000 49% 652 048 1 198 425 54% 1 029 121 1 535 091 67% 811 906 1 458 105 56% 48% 8% Proportion of operating expenditure to total expenditure (R’000) 137 000 1 164 000 12% 175 000 1 233 000 14% 107 396 1 546 669 7% 91 948 1 411 118 7% 14% -7% Proportion of remuneration to total expenditure (R’000) 81 000 1 164 000 7% 100 000 1 233 000 8% 94 185 1 546 669 6% 85 044 1 411 118 6% 8% -2% Proportion of RISA grant investment in international initiatives to total RISA grant expenditure (2011 calendar year) (R’000) 72 500 929 000 8% 70 000 821 926 8,5% 66 809 1 026 601 7% 60 612 985 331 6% 10% -4%
170 Table 38: National Research Facilities indicators according to the NRF strategic goals
2008/09 Actual Performance 2009/10 Actual Performance 2010/11 Actual Performance 2011/12 Actual Performance Summary Indicator description Performance Performance Performance Performance R’000 or R’000 or R’000 or R’000 or Target actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio 2011/12 Variance
Promoting internationally competitive research as basis for a knowledge economy Peer-reviewed journal articles (ISI and others) 180 181 220 233 170 63 Publications with external co-authors 128 152 213 229 156 73
Expected research Books 1 1 5 2 1 1 outputs by National Research Facility Chapters in books 17 11 16 9 2 7 researchers Full-length conference proceedings 94 77 61 61 64 -3
Research reports 71 27 109 81 30 51
Patents 1 - - - 1 -1
Growing a representative science and technology workforce in South Africa
Science Advancement Proportion of NRF investment in providing science advancement at National Research Facilities (R’000) N/A 13 613 355 490 4% 28 476 673 668 4% 50 597 739 889 7% 4% 3% Interaction with No. of learners learners reached 36 738 241 823 197 646 220 660 220 000 660 Interaction with No. of educators educators reached 4 102 6 564 6 135 10 575 3 100 7 475 Visitors to facility Interaction with science awareness public at large platforms 627 035 643 677 627 171 967 639 660 000 307 639 Community projects in collaboration with disadvantaged communities 18 27 33 31 16 15
Support to graduate students Experiential training: no. of students spending time at and participating in work of facilities as part of their formal training n/a 382 615 1 368 352 1 016 No. of research staff of facilities providing short term student training 70 82 71 61 74 -13 No. of students employed to undertake temporary research-related work 47 15 38 23 32 -9 No. of students involved in summer schools/practicals/vacation schools 188 319 240 201 270 -69
Support to postgraduate students Postgraduate students making use of facilities for training 411 446 523 494 450 44
Honours/Btech 54 33
Students Master’s 138 126 supervised by staff of facilities: Doctoral 80 104
Total 217 171 272 263 249 14
Honours/Btech No. of research 33 23 staff involved Master’s in supervision / 55 51 co-supervision Doctoral of postgraduate 47 48 students Total 78 78 110 122 80 42 No. of postgraduate schools linked to facilities 3 30 32 36 10 26 No. of funded collaborations with institutions abroad 238 117 149 146 140 6 No. of students who complied with requirements for obtaining their postgraduate qualification during the financial year 37 36 54 81 60 21
171 Performance indicator report
Table 38: National Research Facilities indicators according to the NRF strategic goals
2008/09 Actual Performance 2009/10 Actual Performance 2010/11 Actual Performance 2011/12 Actual Performance Summary Indicator description Performance Performance Performance Performance R’000 or R’000 or R’000 or R’000 or Target actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio 2011/12 Variance
Growing a representative science and technology workforce in South Africa (NRF internally) Proportion of South African black staff members to total staff 643 939 68% 620 876 71% 630 948 66% 630 951 66% 80% -14% Proportion of South African women staff members to total staff 306 939 33% 285 876 33% 303 948 32% 317 951 33% 42% -9% Proportion of staff with disabilities to total staff 11 939 1% 8 876 1% 8 948 1% 6 951 1% 2% -1% Proportion of South African black staff in three highest employment levels 72 230 31% 30 134 22% 35 179 20% 46 198 23% 33% -10% Proportion of South African women staff in three highest employment levels 57 230 25% 20 134 15% 27 179 15% 29 198 15% 25% -10%
Proportion of researchers to total staff 92 939 10% 91 876 10% 101 948 11% 108 951 11% 10% 1% Proportion of facility staff with postgraduate qualifications 152 939 16% 186 876 21% 216 948 23% 249 951 26% 29% -3%
Proportion of staff Master’s 9 939 1% 23 876 3% 28 948 3% 33 951 3% 1,9% 2% enrolled for higher degrees Doctoral 11 939 1% 17 876 2% 16 948 2% 25 951 3% 0,9% 2% Proportion of staff who complied with requirements for Master’s 2 939 0% 9 876 1% 3 948 0% 2 951 0,2% 0,5% -0,3% obtaining their postgraduate qualification during the financial year Doctoral 2 939 0% 2 876 0% 3 948 0% 2 951 0,2% 0,2% 0,0%
No. of postdoctoral posts at facilities 14 12 19 18 19 -1 No. of staff spending time (3-12 months) as visiting fellows elsewhere 9 1 3 1 3 -2 No. of joint appointments co-sponsored by other Research Institutions 11 21 16 17 17 -
No. of DST interns deployed in facilities N/A N/A N/A 10 24 -14
Providing cutting-edge research, technology and innovation platforms Proportion of investment in providing research platforms at National Research Facilities (R’000) 18% 156 163 360 349 43% 367 497 673 668 55% 450 278 739 889 61% 40% 21%
Science Advancement platforms Proportion of Capex investment in Science Advancement (R’000) N/A 599 28 279 2% 4 761 133 045 4% 1 418 181 232 1% 8% -7%
Educator resources N/A 17 31 25 7 18
Pilot indicators: Learner resources N/A 20 30 26 14 12 No of science advancement Technical manuals N/A 4 1 3 3 - products generated Exhibits N/A 34 28 16 17 -1 Science promotion publications N/A 30 32 91 32 59
Contributing to a vibrant national innovation system Proportion of designated income received from DST to total income (R’000) N/A N/A N/A 262 450 689 042 38% 1,7% 36% Proportion of designated income received from sources other than DST to total income (R’000) N/A N/A N/A 36 831 689 042 5% 25,4% -20% Proportion of designated income to total income (R’000) 141 000 516 000 27% 63 418 384 815 16% 247 971 693 401 36% 299 281 689 042 43% 27% 16% Proportion of operating expenditure to total expenditure (R’000) 212 000 526 000 40% 162 445 416 401 39% 225 361 673 668 33% 287 049 739 889 39% 41% -2% Proportion of remuneration to total expenditure (R’000) 210 000 526 000 40% 211 615 416 401 51% 275 224 673 668 41% 293 611 739 889 40% 51% -11%
172 Table 38: National Research Facilities indicators according to the NRF strategic goals Table 39: NRF Balanced Scorecard Framework
2008/09 Actual Performance 2009/10 Actual Performance 2010/11 Actual Performance 2011/12 Actual Performance Summary Indicator description Performance Performance Performance Performance R’000 or R’000 or R’000 or R’000 or Target actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio 2011/12 Variance
Stakeholder perspective Average number of ISI publications per NRF supported researcher across disciplines within the calendar year 1,70 1,85 1,77 2,07 1,9 0,2 Average number of ISI publications per NRF employed researcher within the calendar year 1,84 1,84 1,75 1,82 2,0 -0,2 Proportion of active researchers supported by NRF within the calendar year (ISI active ~ 3 000) 2 422 3 000 81% 2 442 3 000 81% 2 927 3 000 98% 2 890 3 000 96% 81% 15% NRF rated researchers as a proportion of active researchers in the country (ISI active ~ 3 000) 1 922 3 000 64% 2 142 3 000 71% 2 285 3 000 76% 2 471 3 000 82% 72% 10% Proportion of NRF funded PhDs to total PhDs registered nationally within the calendar year 1 370 9 994 14% 1 384 9 992 14% 1 937 11 467 17% 1 979 12 003 16% 14% 2% Proportion of NRF investment in providing research platforms at National Research Facilities 18% 156 163 360 346 43% 367 497 673 668 55% 450 278 739 889 61% 40% 21% Proportion of RISA grant investment (excluding scholarships) in research equipment at Research Institutions and National Research Facilities within the calendar year (R’000) 92 300 929 199 10% 101 929 821 926 12% 186 057 1 026 601 18% 178 605 985 331 18% 14% 4% Proportion of RISA competitive grants investment (excluding Scholarships) in National Research Facilities within the calendar year 36 000 929 199 3,9% 31 687 821 926 3,9% 54 887 1 026 601 5,3% 33 263 985 331 3,4% 4,0% -1% Proportion of RISA expenses invested in RISA information services & platforms 16 500 1 123 000 1,5% 14 192 1 180 169 1% 29 334 1 546 669 1,9% 50 044 1 411 118 3,5% 3,0% 0,5%
Proportion investment in CAPEX 110 700 1 689 600 6,6% 146 994 1 826 278 8,0% 107 938 2 267 899 4,8% 110 790 2 226 561 5% 8% -3% Ratio of RISA expenses allocated to researchers & HEIs for access to National Research Facilities & equipment withinthe calendar year N/A N/A 1 633 1 026 601 0,2% 1 480 985 331 0,2% 2% -2% Ratio of RISA grant investment in Social Sciences and Humanities within the calendar year N/A 139 727 821 926 17% 140 694 1 026 601 14% 132 871 985 331 13% 28% -15% Proportion of RISA grant investment in international initiatives to total RISA grant expenditure withinthe calendar year 72 500 929 000 8% 70 059 821 926 9% 66 809 1 026 601 7% 60 612 985 331 6% 10,0% -4%
Financial perspective Proportion of designated income received from DST to total income N/A N/A N/A 798 372 2 196 606 36% 29% 7% Proportion of designated income received from sources other than DST to total income N/A N/A N/A 323 707 2 196 606 15% 20% -5% Proportion of designated income to total income 549 213 1 361 392 40% 854 656 1 760 347 49% 1 277 178 2 288 147 56% 1 122 079 2 196 606 51% 49% 2% Proportion of operating expenditure to total expenditure 349 500 1 472 494 24% 383 643 1 826 278 21% 357 297 2 267 899 16% 423 619 2 226 561 19% 20% -1%
Proportion of remuneration to total expenditure 287 902 1 472 494 20% 338 425 1 826 278 19% 391 727 2 267 899 17% 409 255 2 226 561 18% 20% -2%
Ratio of IT expenditure to total expenditure N/A 34 064 1 826 278 2% 30 786 2 267 899 1% 55 388 2 226 561 2% 5% -3% Proportion of grant expenditure (including Scholarships) to total RISA expenditure within the current financial year 1 014 000 1 311 000 77% 931 850 1 180 169 79% 1 325 037 1 546 669 86% 1 210 697 1 411 118 86% 80% 6% Proportion of RISA grant expensed within the calendar year to the R4 billion per annum total income target (2015) 1 014 000 4 000 000 25% 931 850 4 000 000 23% 1 325 037 4 000 000 33% 1 230 302 4 000 000 31% 23% 8%
Stakeholder perspective Proportion of available grant funding disbursed within the calendar year 848 000 1 317 000 64% 944 563 1 126 889 84% 1 325 037 1 639 279 81% 1 230 302 1 593 844 77% 86% -9% Proportion of rated researchers funded by NRF within the calendar year 1 181 1 922 61% 1 310 2 142 61% 1 716 2 285 75% 1 875 2 471 76% 65% 11%
173 Performance indicator report
Table 39: NRF Balanced Scorecard Framework (continued)
2008/09 Actual Performance 2009/10 Actual Performance 2010/11 Actual Performance 2011/12 Actual Performance Summary Indicator description Performance Performance Performance Performance R’000 or R’000 or R’000 or R’000 or Target actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio actual no. Total Ratio 2011/12 Variance
Organisational learning and growth perspective Proportion of training expenditure to total salary budget 4 000 287 902 1,4% 6 227 338 425 1,8% 7 301 391 727 1,9% 7 874 409 255 1,9% 2% 0% Proportion of NRF staff with postgraduate qualifications 234 1 207 19% 270 1 140 24% 315 1 220 26% 333 1 248 27% 25% 2% Proportion of seconded staff employed (to provide additional internal expertise) to total NRF staff 1 1 207 0.1% 2 1 140 0,2% 3 1 220 0,2% 3 1 248 0,2% 1% -1% N/A DST interns seconded to Business Units N/A N/A N/A 22 42 -20
Human Resources and Transformation perspective (external)
Black 72 195 37% 217 286 76% 228 425 54% 281 451 62% 79% -17% 3rd year/4th year Women 96 195 49% 161 286 56% 190 425 45% 187 451 41% 56% -15%
Black 801 1 215 66% 1 237 1 696 73% 2 043 2 718 75% 1 360 1 723 79% 75% 4% BTech/Honours Women 672 1 215 55% 995 1 696 59% 1 465 2 718 54% 926 1 723 54% 59% -5%
Black 885 2 475 36% 1 256 2 373 53% 1 925 3 566 54% 1 931 3 564 54% 57% -3% Master’s Women 1263 2 475 51% 1 240 2 373 52% 1 799 3 566 50% 1 743 3 564 49% 53% -4%
Black 492 1 370 36% 717 1 384 52% 1 065 1 937 55% 1 109 1 979 56% 53% 3% Doctoral Women 691 1 370 50% 699 1 384 51% 933 1 937 48% 943 1 979 48% 52% -4%
Black 57 222 26% 123 304 40% 160 405 40% 169 402 42% 40% 2% Post-doctoral Women 92 222 41% 145 304 48% 169 405 42% 162 402 40% 48% -8% Proportion of NRF grantholders from designed groups to total number Black 656 2 422 27% 629 2 423 26% 839 2 927 29% 754 2 890 26% 30% -4% of NRF grantholders supporting within the calendar year Women 897 2 422 37% 844 2 423 35% 991 2 927 34% 957 2 890 33% 40% -7% Proportion of NRF rated researchers from Black 316 1 922 16% 367 2 142 17% 433 2 285 19% 506 2 471 20% 18% 2% designated groups to total number of rated researchers Women 499 1 922 26% 578 2 142 27% 634 2 285 28% 717 2 471 29% 27% 2%
Human Resources and Transformation perspective (internal)
Black 832 1 207 69% 811 1 140 71% 832 1 220 68% 852 1 248 68% 73% -5% Proportion of NRF staff members from designated Women 472 1 207 39% 458 1 140 40% 484 1 220 40% 516 1 248 41% 42% -1% groups to total NRF staff
Disabilities 15 1 207 1.2% 15 1 140 1,3% 14 1 220 1,1% 12 1 248 1% 2% -1% Proportion of South Africans from designated groups in Black 170 366 46% 66 191 35% 75 240 31% 87 259 34% 40% -6% three highest employment categories Women 125 366 34% 42 191 22% 50 240 21% 56 259 22% 26% -4% Proportion of foreign nationals employed to total NRF staff 37 1 207 3.1% 37 1 140 3,2% 43 1 220 3,5% 52 1 248 4,2% 3,5% 1%
Staff turnover: below 5% 101 1 207 8.4% 82 1 140 7,2% 126 1 220 10,3% 105 1 248 8,4% 5,0% 3%
174 Publication list
Table 39: NRF Balanced Scorecard Framework (continued) Promoting internationally competitive research Zauderer B, Berger E, Soderberg A, Loeb A, Narayan R, Frail D, Petitpas G, Brunthaler A, Chornock R, Carpenter J, Pooley G, Mooley K, Kulkarni S, Margutti R, Fox D, Nakar E, Patel N, Volgenau N, Culverhouse T, Bietenholz M. 2011. Birth of a relativistic outflow in Astro/Geosciences the unusual y-ray transient Swift J164449.3+573451, Nature, 476(7361): 425–428.
Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO)
Abadie J, Buchner SJ. 2011. Beating the spin-down limit on gravitational wave emission Andersson B, Pintado O, Potter SB et al. 2011. Angle-dependent radiative grain alignment. from the Vela pulsar, Astrophysical Journal, 737(2): 93–109. Confirmation of a magnetic field - radiation anisotropy angle dependence on the efficiency Bietenholz M, Matheson H, Safi-Harb S. 2011. The deepest radio study of the pulsar wind of interstellar grain alignment, Astronomy and Astrophysics, 534: 1–6. nebula G21.5-0.9: Still no evidence for the supernova shell, Monthly Notices of the Balona LAD, Cunha M, Gruberbauer M. 2011. Rotation and oblique pulsation in , 412: 1221–1228. Royal Astronomical Society Kepler observations of the roAp star KIC 10483436, Monthly Notices of the Royal Botai MC, Combrinck WL. 2011. Investigating the accuracy of gravity field models using Astronomical Society, 413(4): 2651–2657. satellite laser ranging data, , 114(3–4): 535–540. South African Journal of Geology Balona LAD, Dziembowski W. 2011. Kepler observations of δ Scuti stars, Monthly Notices Botai MC, Combrinck WL. 2012. Global geopotential models from satellite laser ranging of the Royal Astronomical Society, 417: 591–601. data with geophysical applications: A review, South African Journal of Science, Balona LAD, Guzick J, Uytterhoeven K et al. 2011. The Kepler view of γ Doradus stars, 108(3/4): 1–10. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 415(4): 3531–3538.
Botai O, Combrinck WL, Sivakumar V. 2011. Inferences of α-stable distribution of the Balona LAD, Lenz P, Antoci V et al. 2012. Kepler observations of the high-amplitude δ underlying noise components in geodetic data, South African Journal of Geology, Scuti star V2367 Cyg, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 419(4): 114(3–4): 541–548. 3028–3038.
Chukwude A, Buchner SJ. 2012. Dual spin-down states of the pulsar J1001-5507, Balona LAD, Pigulski A, De Cat P. 2011. Kepler observations of the variability in B-type 745(1): 1–8. Astrophysical Journal, stars, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 413(4): 2403–2420. Combrinck WL. 2011. Testing the general relativity theory through the estimation of PPN Balona LAD, Ripepi V, Catanzaro G. 2011. Kepler observations of Am stars, Monthly parameters γ and β using satellite laser ranging data. South African Journal of Geology, Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 414(1): 792–800. 114(3–4): 549–560. Balona LAD. 2011. Rotational light variations in Kepler observations of A-type stars, Croukamp L, Rossouw JJ, Fourie CJS, Combrinck WL. 2011. Foundation requirements Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 415(2): 1691–1702. for a lunar laser ranger facility at Matjiesfontein, South Africa, South African Journal of Geology, 114(3–4): 573–576. Barclay T, Ramsay G, Hakala P, Potter SB et al. 2011. Stellar variability on time-scales of minutes: Results from the first 5 yr of the Rapid Temporal Survey, Monthly Notices of the Croukamp L, Rossouw JJ, Fourie CJS, Combrinck WL. 2011. Geotechnical investigation Royal Astronomical Society, 413(4): 2696–2708. for the construction of a vault in a rockface for the placement of a gravimeter and a long period seismograph at Matjiesfontein, South African Journal of Geology, 114(3–4): Batista V, Gould A, Dieters S, Menzies JW et al. 2011. MOA-2009-BLG-387Lb: A massive 561–572. planet orbiting an M dwarf, Astronomy and Astrophysics, 529: 1–16.
Hungwe F, Ojha R, Bietenholz M, Booth RS. 2011. Characterization of long baseline Beletsky Y, Gadotti D, Moiseev A, Alves J, Kniazev A. 2011. Looking inside the nest: The calibrators at 2.3 GHz, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 418(4): hidden structure of the merger galaxy NGC 1316 (Fornax A), Monthly Notices of the 2113–2120. Royal Astronomical Society, 418: L6–L10.
Minniti D, Lucas P, Emerson J, Schroeder AC et al. 2010. VISTA variables in the Via Lactea Benedict G, McArthur B, Feast W, Menzies JW, Laney CD et al. 2011. Distance scale zero (VVV): The public ESO near-IR variability survey of the Milky Way, New Astronomy, 15(5): points from galactic RR Lyrae star parallaxes, Astronomical Journal, 142: 1–21. 433–443. Berdnikov L, Kniazev A, Sefako RR, Kravtsov V et al. 2011. BVIc photometry of classical Moin A, Reynolds C, Miller-Jones J, Tingay S, Phillips C, Tzioumis A, Nicolson D, Fender R. cepheids from the ASAS-3 catalog, Astronomy Reports, 55: 816–823. 2011. e-VLBI observations of Circinus X-1: Monitoring of the quiescent and flaring radio Berdnikov L, Kniazev A, Sefako RR, Kravtsov V, Dambis A. 2011. CCD observations of three emission on au scales, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 414(4): RR Lyrae-type stars: CL Eri, CM Eri and CN Eri, Observatory, 131: 315–317. 3551–3556. Berdnikov L, Kniazev A, Sefako RR, Kravtsov V, Dambis A. 2011. CCD observations of Nickola GL, Combrinck WL. 2011. High-precision steering and pointing control of a lunar/ 11 variable classified in theGCVS as RR Lyrae-type stars without light-curve elements, satellite laser ranging telescope, South African Journal of Geology, 114(3–4): 577–580. Observatory, 131: 386–391. Nickola M, Botha RC, Esau I, Djolov G, Combrinck WL. 2011. Site characterisation: Breger M, Balona LAD, Lenz P et al. 2011. Regularities in frequency spacings of δ Scuti Astronomical seeing from a turbulence-resolving model, South African Journal of stars: The Kepler star KIC 9700322, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Geology, 114(3–4): 581–584. Society, 414(3): 1721–1731. Yang J, Pantaleev M, Kildal P, Klein, Karandikar Y, Helldner L, Wadefalk N, Beaudoin C. Cassan A, Kubas D, Beaulieu J, Menzies JW et al. 2012. One or more bound planets per 2011. Cryogenic 2–13 GHz eleven feed for reflector antennas in future wideband radio Milky Way star from microlensing observations., Nature, 481: 167–169. telescopes, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, 59(6): 1918–1934.
175 Publication list
Crawford SM, Wirth G, Bershady M, Hon K. 2011. Spectroscopy of luminous compact in the Magellanic Clouds, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 413(1): blue galaxies in distant clusters. I. Spectroscopic data, Astrophysical Journal, 741(2): 223–234. 1–15. Matsunaga N, Kawadu T, Nishiyama S, Feast W et al. 2011. Three classical Cepheid Davis T, Hui L, Frieman J, Bassett et al. 2011. The effect of peculiar velocities on supernova variable stars in the nuclear bulge of the Milky Way, Nature, 465: 188–190. cosmology, Astrophysical Journal, 741(1): 1–15. Maxwell M, Rushton M, Darnley M, Worters HL et al. 2012. The helium abundance in Drave S, Bird A, Townsend L, McBride A et al. 2012. X-ray pulsations from the region of the ejecta of U Scorpii, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 419(2): the supergiant fast X-ray transient IGR J17544-2619, Astronomy and Astrophysics, 1465–1471. 593: 1–7. Menzies JW, Feast W, Whitelock PA, Matsunaga N. 2011. Asymptotic giant branch stars Garcia-Alvarez D, Lanza A, Messina S, Van Wyk FG et al. 2011. Starspots on the fastest in the Sculptor dwarf spheroidal galaxy, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical rotators in the β Pictoris moving group, Astronomy and Astrophysics, 533: 1–13. Society, 414(4): 3492–3500.
Gulbis AAS, Bus S, Elliot J. 2011. First Results from the MIT Optical Rapid Imaging System Miszalski B, Boffin H, Frew D et al. 2012 et al. A barium central star binary in the Type I (MORIS) on the IRTF: A stellar occultation by Pluto and a transit by exoplanet XO-2b, diamond ring planetary nebula Abell 70, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 123(902): 461–469. Society, 419(1): 39–49.
Gulbis AAS. 2011. Planetary science: Eris under scrutiny, Nature, 478(7370): 464–465. Miszalski B, Jones D, Rodriguez-Gil P et al. 2011. Discovery of close binary central stars in the planetary nebulae NGC 6326 and NGC 6778, Astronomy and Astrophysics, 531: Gupta R, D’Andrea C, Sako M, Bassett et al. 2011. Improved constraints on type 1–5. Ia supernova host galaxy properties using multi-wavelength photometry and their correlations with supernova properties, Astrophysical Journal, 741: 1–12. Miszalski B, Napiwotzki R, Cioni M et al. 2011. The VMC survey. II. A multi-wavelength study of LMC planetary nebulae and their mimics, Astronomy and Astrophysics, 531: Gvaramadze V, Kniazev A, Kroupa P, Oh S. 2011. Search for OB stars running away from 1–38. young star clusters. II. The NGC 6357 star-forming region, Astronomy and Astrophysics, 535: 1–13. Muraki Y, Bennett D, Suzuki D, Menzies JW, Randriamanakoto et al. 2011. Discovery and mass measurements of a cold, 10 Earth mass planet and its host star, Astrophysical Hakala P, Charles PA, Muhli P. 2011. Fast optical and X-ray variability in the UCXB Journal, 741(1): 1–15. 4U0614+09, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 416: 644–649. Muzzin A, Wilson G, Yee H, Gilbank DG et al. 2012. The Gemini Cluster Astrophysics Johnston. 2011. Shedding light on the galaxy luminosity function, Astronomy and Spectroscopic Survey (GCLASS): The role of environment and self-regulation in galaxy Astrophysics Review, 19(1): 1–96. evolution at z~1, Astrophysical Journal, 746: 1–24. Joner M, Taylor B, Laney C, Van Wyk FG. 2011. New BV(RI)C photometry for Praesepe: Newling J, Varughese M, Bassett. 2011. Statistical classification techniques for Further tests of broadband photometric consistency, Astronomical Journal, 142: 1–6. photometric supernova typing, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Joshi Y, Kumar B, Mondal S, Balona LAD. 2012. Photometric study and detection 414(3): 1987–2004. of variable stars in the open clusters - I. NGC 6866, Monthly Notices of the Royal Owen R, Filipovic M, Ballet J, Buckley DAH et al. 2011. IKT 16: A composite supernova Astronomical Society, 419(3): 2379–2390. remnant in the Small Magellanic Cloud, Astronomy and Astrophysics, 530: 1–9. Jurua E, Charles PA, Still M, Meintjes P. 2011. The optical and X-ray light curves of Pathania A, Medupe T. 2012. Radius of the Roche equipotential surfaces, Astrophysics Hercules X-1, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 418(1): 437–443. and Space Science, 338: 127–145. Kankare E, Mattila S, Ryder S, Vaisanen P et al. 2012. Discovery of two supernovae in the Pepper J, Kuhn B, Siverd R. 2012. The KELT-South Telescope, Publications of the nuclear regions of the luminous infrared galaxy IC 883, Astrophysical Journal, 744: 1–6. Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 124: 230–241. Kotze MM, Charles PA. 2012. Characterizing X-ray binary long-term variability, Monthly Potter SB, Romero E, Kotze M, Zietsman E, Butters O, Pekeur N, Buckley DAH. 2012. On Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 420(1): 1575–1589. the spin modulated circular polarization from the intermediate polars NY Lup and IGR Kurtz D, Cunha M, Saio H, Balona LAD et al. 2011. The first evidence for multiple pulsation J15094-6649, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 420(3): 2596– axes: A new rapidly oscillating Ap star in the Kepler field, KIC 10195926, Monthly Notices 2602. of the Royal Astronomical Society, 414(3): 2550–2566. Potter SB, Romero E, Ramsay G, Crawford SM, Gulbis AAS, Barway S, Zietsman, Kotze, Laney CD, Joner M, Pietrzyński G. 2012. A new Large Magellanic Cloud K-band distance Buckley DAH, O’Donoghue DEA. 2011. Possible detection of two giant extrasolar planets from precision measurements of nearby red clump stars, Monthly Notices of the Royal orbiting the eclipsing polar UZ Fornacis, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Astronomical Society, 419(2): 1637–1641. Society, 416(3): 2202–2211.
Lu T, Gilbank DG, McGee S. 2012. CFHT Legacy Ultraviolet Extension (CLUE): Witnessing Pustilnik S, Martin J, Tepliakova A, Kniazev A. 2011. Study of galaxies in the Lynx-Cancer galaxy transformations up to 7 Mpc from rich cluster cores, Monthly Notices of the void – III. New extreme low surface brightness dwarf galaxies, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 420(1): 126–140. Royal Astronomical Society, 417(2): 1335–1349.
Martinez P. 2012. Africa’s first International Astronautical Congress: Highlights of IAC Pustilnik S, Tepliakova A, Kniazev A. 2011. Study of galaxies in the Lynx-Cancer void. II. 2011, Space Policy, 28: 54–58. Element abundances, Astrophysical Bulletin, 66(3): 255–292.
Martinez P. 2012. The African leadership conference on space science and technology for Rajoelimanana F, Charles PA, Udalski A. 2011. Very long-term optical variability of high- sustainable development, Space Policy, 28: 33–37. mass X-ray binaries in the Small Magellanic Cloud, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 413(3): 1600–1622. Matsunaga N, Feast W, Soszynski I. 2011. Period-luminosity relations of type II Cepheids
176 Ramsay G, Napiwotzki R, Barclay T, Potter SB et al. 2011. New short-period stellar Williams P, Van der Hucht K, Van Wyk FG, Marang F, Whitelock PA et al. 2012. Recurrent pulsators at large Galactocentric distances, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical dust formation by WR 48a on a 30-year time-scale, Monthly Notices of the Royal Society, 417: 400–407. Astronomical Society, 420(3): 2526–2538.
Redaelli M, Kepler S, Costa J, Sefako RR, Buckley DAH, O’Donoghue DEA et al. 2011. Wittkowski M, Boboltz D, Ireland M, Whitelock PA, Van Wyk FG et al. 2011. Inhomogeneities The pulsations of PG 1351+489, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, in molecular layers of Mira atmospheres, Astronomy and Astrophysics, 532: 1–5. 415(2): 1220–1227. Zalucha A, Zhu X, Gulbis AAS, Strobel D, Elliot J. 2011. An investigation of Pluto’s Reed M, Kilkenny D, O Toole S, Zietsman E et al. 2012. Multiyear and multisite photometric troposphere using stellar occultation light curves and an atmospheric radiative- campaigns on the bright high-amplitude pulsating subdwarf B star EC 01541-1409, conductive-convective model, Icarus, 211: 685–700. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 421(1): 181–189.
Rubele S, Kerber L, Girardi L, Miszalski B. 2012. The VMC survey. IV. The LMC star formation history and disk geometry from four VMC tiles, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Biodiversity/Conservation/ 537: 1–19.
Saito R, Hempel M, Minniti D, Schroeder C et al. 2012. VVV DR1: The first data release of Environment the Milky Way bulge and southern plane from the near-infrared ESO public survey VISTA National Zoological Gardens (NZG) variables in the Via Lactea, Astronomy and Astrophysics, 537: 1–21. Aggarwal R, Allainguillaume J, Bajay M, Barthwal S, Bertolino P, Chauhan P, Consuegra Sako M, Bassett, Connolly B. 2011. Photometric type Ia supernova candidates from the S, Croxford A, Dalton D, Den Belder E, Diaz-Ferguson E, Douglas M, Drees M, Elderson J, three-year SDSS-II SN Survey data, Astrophysical Journal, 738(2): 1–16. Esselink G, Fernandez-Manjarres J, Franscaria-Lacoste N, Gabler-Schwarz S, De Leaniz Schaefer B, Pagnotta A, LaCluyze A, Worters HL, Sefako RR et al. 2011. Eclipses during C, Ginwal H, Goodisman M, Guo B, Hamilton M, Hayes P, Hong Y, Kajita T, Kalinowski the 2010 eruption of the recurrent nova U Scorpii, Astrophysical Journal, 742: 1–20. S, Keller L, Koop B, Kotze A. 2011. Permanent genetic resources added to Molecular Ecology Resources Database 1 August 2010–30 September 2010, Molecular Ecology Shin I, Choi J, Park S, Menzies JW et al. 2012. Microlensing binaries discovered through Resources, 11(1): 219–222. high-magnification channel, Astrophysical Journal, 746: 1–13. Bartels P, Berjak P, Benson E, Harding K, Mycock D, Pammenter N, Sershen A, Wesley- Shin I, Udalski A, Gould A, Menzies JW et al. 2011. OGLE-2005-BLG-018: Characterization Smith J. 2011. Cryoconservation of South African plant genetic diversity, In Vitro Cellular of full physical and orbital parameters of a gravitational binary lens, Astrophysical and Developmental Biology: Plant, 47: 65–81. Journal, 735(2): 85. Charruau P, Fernandes C, Orozco-Ter Wengel P, Kotze A. 2011. Phylogeography, genetic Skowron J, Udalski A, Gould A, Menzies JW et al. 2011. Binary microlensing event OGLE- structure and population divergence time of cheetahs in Africa and Asia: evidence for 2009-BLG-020 gives verifiable mass, distance, and orbit predictions, Astrophysical long-term geographic isolates, Molecular Ecology, 20: 706–724. Journal, 738: 1–21. Chatiza F, Pieterse G, Bartels P, Nedambale T. 2011. Characterization of epididymal Somero A, Hakala P, Muhli P, Charles PA, Vilhu O. 2012. Phase-resolved optical and X-ray spermatozoa motility rate, morphology and longevity of springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis), spectroscopy of low-mass X-ray binary X1822-371, Astronomy and Astrophysics, 539: impala (Aepyceros melampus) and blesbok (Damaliscus dorcus phillipsi): Pre- and post- 1–10. cryopreservation in South Africa, Animal Reproduction Science, 126(3–4): 234–244.
Tekola AG, Väisänen P, Berlind A. 2012. The environments of local luminous infrared Chepape R, Mbatha KR, Luseba D. 2011. Local use and knowledge validation of fodder galaxies: Star formation rates increase with density, Monthly Notices of the Royal trees and shrubs browsed by livestock in Bushbuckridge area, South Africa, Livestock Astronomical Society, 419(2): 1176–1186. Research for Rural Development, 23(6): 132.
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Panova M, Blakeslee A, Miller A, Makinen E, Ruiz G, Johannesson K, Andre C. 2011. Glacial Wasserman R, Strydom N, Weyl O. 2011. Diet of largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides history of the North Atlantic marine snail, Littorina saxatilis, inferred from distribution of (Centrarchidae), an invasive alien in the lower reaches of an Eastern Cape river, South mitochondrial DNA lineages, Plot One, 6(3): 1–14. Africa, African Zoology, 46(2): 378–386.
Parker D, Weyl O, Taraschewski H. 2011. Invasion of a South African Anguilla mossambica Wasserman R, Weyl O, Strydom N. 2011. The effects of instream barriers on the (Anguillidae) population by the alien gill worm Pseudodactylogyrus anguillae (Monogenea), distribution of migratory marine-spawned fishes in the lower reaches of the Sundays African Zoology, 46(2): 371–377. River, South Africa, Water SA, 37: 495–504.
Phiri C, Chakona A, Day J. 2011. Aquatic insects associated with two morphologically Winker H, Weyl O, Booth A, Ellender B. 2011. Life history and population dynamics of different submerged macrophytes, Lagarosiphon ilicifolius, Aquatic Ecology, 45: 405– invasive common carp, Cyprinus carpio, within a large turbid African impoundment, 416. Marine and Freshwater Research, 62(11): 1270–1280.
Reddy P, James NC, Whitfield AK, Cowley PD. 2011. Marine connectivity and fish length Woodford J, Cochrane T, McHugh P, McIntosh A. 2011. Modelling spatial exclusion of frequencies of selected species in two adjacent temporarily open/closed estuaries in the a vulnerable native fish by introduced trout in rivers using landscape features: a new Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, African Zoology, 46(2): 239–245. tool for conservation management, Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 21: 484–493. Richardson N, Gordon A, Muller W, Whitfield AK. 2011. A weight-of-evidence approach to determine estuarine fish health using indicators from multiple levels of biological organization, Aquatic Conservation-Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 21(5): 423–432. Nuclear sciences Richardson T, Potts WM, Santos C, Sauer W. 2011. Comparison of the population structure and life-history parameters of Diplodus capensis (Sparidae) in exploited and unexploited iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based Science (iThemba LABS) areas of southern Angola, African Journal of Marine Science, 33(1): 191–201. Aamodt K, Abelev B, Abrahantas Quintana A, Adamova D, Buthelezi EZ, Fortsch SV, Steyn Richardson T, Potts WM, Sauer W. 2011. The reproductive style of Dipiodus capensis GF, Vilakazi ZZ. 2012. Harmonic decomposition of two particle angular correlations in Pb- (Sparidae) in southern Angola: Rudimentary hermaphroditjsm or partial protandry?, Pb collisions at √sNN = 2.76 TeV, Physics Letters B, 708: 249–264. African Journal of Marine Science, 33(2): 321–326. Aamodt K, Abelev B, Abrahantas Quintana A, Adamova D, Buthelezi EZ, Fortsch SV, Steyn Roberts M, Zemlak T, Connell A. 2011. Cyclonic eddies reveal Oegopsida squid egg balloon GF, Vilakazi ZZ. 2012. Particle-yield modification in jetlike azimuthal dihadron correlations masses in the Agulhas Current, South Africa, African Journal of Marine Science, 33(2): in Pb-Pb collisions at √sNN = 2.76 TeV, Physical Review Letters, 108: 092301-1– 239–246. 092301-11.
Sheppard J, James NC, Whitfield AK, Cowley PD. 2011. What role do beds of submerged Aamodt K, Buthelezi EZ, Abel N, Fortsch SV, Abeysekara U, Steyn GF, Abrahantas Quintana macrophytes play in structuring estuarine fish assemblages? Lessons from a warm- A, Vilakazi ZZ. 2011. Production of pions, kaons and protons in pp collisions at √s = 900 temperate South African estuary, Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, 95(1): 145–155. GeV with ALICE at the LHC, European Physical Journal C, 71: 1655-1–1655-22.
Skelton PH, Swartz ER. 2011. Walking the tightrope: Trends in African freshwater Aamodt K, Buthelezi EZ, Abelev B, Fortsch SV, Abrahantas Quintana A, Steyn GF, Adamova systematic ichthyology, Journal of Fish Biology, 79(6): 1413–1435. D, Vilakazi ZZ. 2011. Higher harmonic anisotropic flow measurements of charged particles in Pb-Pb collisions as √sNN = 2.76 TeV, Physical Review Letters, 106: 032301-1– 032301-10.
179 Publication list
Aamodt K, Buthelezi EZ, Abrahantas Quintana A, Fortsch SV, Adamova D, Steyn GF, Adare Y, Yosoi M, Zenihiro J. 2011. Electric dipole response in 120Sn, Journal of Physics: A, Vilakazi ZZ. 2011. Rapidity and transverse momentum dependence of inclusive J/ψ Conference Series, 312: 092029-1–092029-6. production in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV, Physics Letters B, 704(5): 442–455. Izerrouken M, Bucher R, Meftah A, Maaza M. 2011. XRD and AFM study of radiation
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181 Acronyms
ACCESS Applied Centre for Climate and Earth Systems Science HICD Human and Institutional Capacity Development ACDB African Centre for DNA Barcoding HMI Hahn Meitner Institute ACEP African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme HMO Hermanus Magnetic Observatory AFM Atomic Force Microscope HR Human Resource AFREF African Geodetic Reference Frame HRTEM High Resolution Transmission Electronic Microscope AGA Astronomy Geographic Advantage IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency AIMS African Institute of Mathematical Science iBOL International Barcode of Life Project AMNH American Museum of Natural History ICP Institutional Capacity Programme AMS Accelerator Mass Spectroscopy ICSU International Council for Science ANU Australia`s National University ICSU ROA International Council for Science Regional Office for Africa AOP African Origins Programme ICT Information and Communication Technology APP African Preservation Programme IGS International GNSS Service ARIC Applied Research, Innovation and Collaboration IKS Indigenous Knowledge Systems ASCLME Agulhas Somali Currents Large Marine Ecosystem Programme ILRS International Laser Ranging Service ASKAP Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder IPMS Integrated Performance Management System BiSON Birmingham Solar Oscillations Network IR&C International Relations and Cooperation BRC Biological Resource Centre ISC International Science Council C-BASS C-Band All Sky Survey ISI International Science Information CCM Centre for Conservation Medicine IT Information Technology CEO Chief Executive Officer iThemba LABS iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based Sciences CERN Centre Européenne pour la Recherche Nucléaire JINR Joint Institute for Nuclear Research CfCS Centre for Conservation Science KAT Karoo Array Telescope CIB CoE for Invasion Biology KELT Kilodegree Extremely Little Telescope CoE Centres of Excellence KFD Knowledge Fields Development CSIR Council for Scientific and Industrial Research KM&E Knowledge Management and Evaluation DAFF Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries KPI Key Performance Indicator DEA Department of Environmental Affairs KZN KwaZulu-Natal DENOSA Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa LCOGT Los Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network DHET Department of Higher Education and Training LP Limpopo DNA Deoxyribonucleic Acid LRO Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter DoE Department of Education LTER Long-term Ecological Research DORIS Doppler Orbitography and Radio-positioning Integrated by Satellite MCM Marine and Coastal Management DSEE Doctoral Studies in Energy Efficiency MC-SNICS Multi-Cathode Source of Negative Ions by Cesium Sputtering DST Department fo Science and Technology MONET Monitoring Network of Telescopes DWA Department of Water Affairs MP Mpumalanga EC Eastern Cape MTEF Medium-Term Expenditure Framework ECR Electron Cyclotron Resonance MWLA Multi-Wavelength Astronomy ELTOSA Environmental Long Term Observatories of Southern Africa NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration FABI Forestry and Agriculture Biotechnology Institute NASA MOBLAS-6 National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the USA MOBile FS Free State LASer ranger F’SATI French South African Institute of Technology NASSP National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme GCRP Global Change Research Plan NBN National Bioinformatics Network GDP Gross Domestic Product NEC National Electrostatics Corporation GEF Global Environmental Facilities NEHAWU National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union GFZ GeoForschungsZentrum NEMS National Environmental Monitoring Services GIS Geographic Information Systems NEP National Equipment Programme GLONASS Global Navigation Satellite System NFEPA National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas GMSA Grant Management and Systems Administration NGO Non-Governmental Organisation GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System NISC National Inquiry Services Centre GP Gauteng Provine NMMU Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University GPS Global Positioning System NPEP Nanotechnology Public Engagement Programme GRAP Generally Recognised Accounting Practice NPTC National Particle Therapy Centre GRI Global Reporting Initiative NRDS National Research and Development Strategy GSN Graduate Student Network NRF National Research Foundation HartRAO Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory NSET Nurturing talent in Science, Engineering and Technology HCP Human Capacity Programme NSI National System of Innovation HEIs Higher Education Institutions NW North West
182 NWO Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek SuperWASP Super Wide Area Search for Planets NZG National Zoological Gardens SWIO South West Indian Ocean OTN Ocean Tracking Network TB Tuberculosis PAAZAB African Association of Zoos and Auquaria the dti Department of Trade and Industry PAST Palaeontological Scientific Trust THRIP Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme PDP Professional Development Programme TIA Technology Innovation Agency PFMA Public Finance Management Act UCT University of Cape Town PLAAS Programme for Land and Agrarian Studies UJ University of Johannesburg PPC Pretoria Portland Cement Company Limited UNDP United Nations Development Programme PPMS Physical Properties Measurement System USA United States of America PSA Public Servants Association of South Africa UWC University of Western Cape R&D Research and Development VAT Value-Added Tax RAD Radiation Assessment Detector VLBI Very Long Baseline Interferometry RIMS Research Information Management System wBRC Wildlife Biological Resource Centre RISA Research and Innovation Support and Advancement WC Western Cape ROV Remotely Operated Vehicle XDM eXperimental Development Model RSES Renewable and Sustainable Energy Scholarship XRD X-ray Diffractometer RTF Research and Technology Fund Y-STAR Yonsei Survey Telescopes for Astronomical Research S&T Science and Technology SA PhD South African PhD SAAO South African Astronomical Observatory SAASTA South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement SABI South African Biosystematics Initiative For further information on aspects of this document please contact: SABMiller South African Brewery Miller SAC Spherical Aberration Corrector Ms Magdal Pienaar-Marais SAC Satellite Applications Centre Manager: Performance Planning and Reporting, Corporate Governance SACEMA South African Centre in Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis SADA South African Data Archive SAEON South African Environmental Observation Network Tel: +27 12 481 4070 SAEOS South African Earth Observation Strategy Fax: +27 12 481 4006 SAIAB South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity E-mail: [email protected] SALDRU Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit SALT Southern African Large Telescope SAMWU South African Municipal Workers Union SANAP South African National Antarctic Programme SANBI South African National Biodiversity Institute SANCCOB Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds SANCOR South African Network for Coastal and Oceanic Research SANHARP South African Nuclear Human Asset and Research Programme SANParks South African National Parks SANSA South African National Space Agency SARChI South African Research Chairs Initiative SARIMA Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association SCBD SALT Collateral Benefits Division SCI Spinal Cord Injury SET Science, Engineering and Technology SETA Sector Education and Training Authorities SHE Safety, Health and Environment SKA Square Kilometre Array SKA-SA Square Kilometre Array South Africa SLR Satellite Laser Ranger SPII Support Programme for Industrial Innovation SPS Spark Plasma Sintering SRC Schonland Research Centre SSC Separated Sector Cyclotron STEMI Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation
183 Notes
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