www.assaf.org.za Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Contents Part A: GENERAL INFORMATION ...... 5
1. PUBLIC ENTITY’S GENERAL INFORMATION...... 6 2. LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS/ACRONYMS...... 7 3. FOREWORD BY THE CHAIRPERSON ...... 9 4. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S OVERVIEW ...... 13 5. STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY AND CONFIRMATION OF ACCURACY FOR THE ANNUAL REPORT ...... 15 6. STRATEGIC OVERVIEW ...... 16 6.1 Vision ...... 16 6.2 Mission ...... 16 6.3 Values ...... 16 7. LEGISLATIVE AND OTHER MANDATES ...... 17 8. ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE ...... 18
Part B: PERFORMANCE INFORMATION ...... 19
1. AUDITOR-GENERAL’S REPORT: PREDETERMINED OBJECTIVES ...... 20 2. SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS ...... 21 2.1 Service Delivery Environment ...... 21 2.2 Alignment with Government Policies ...... 22 2.3 Organisational environment ...... 22 2.4 Key Policy Developments and Legislative Changes ...... 23 2.5 Strategic Outcome Orientated Goals ...... 23 3. PERFORMANCE INFORMATION BY PROGRAMME/ACTIVITY/OBJECTIVE ...... 24 3.1 PROGRAMME 1: Governance and Administration Programme ...... 25 3.1.1 Governance ...... 25 3.1.2 Knowledge Management ...... 25 3.1.3 Communication ...... 25 3.2 PROGRAMME 2: Scholarly Publishing Programme (SPP) ...... 26 3.2.1 Open Science ...... 26 3.2.2 Quality Assurance ...... 29 3.2.3 Research Publishing ...... 30 3.2.4 South African Journal of Science (SAJS) ...... 30 3.2.5 Quest: Science for South Africa ...... 32 3.3 PROGRAMME 3: Liaison Programme (LP) ...... 33 3.3.1 Member Liaison ...... 33 3.3.2 National Liaison ...... 36 3.3.3 International Liaison ...... 37 3.3.4 Overseas Collaborations ...... 39
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3.3.5 African Collaborations ...... 40 3.3.6 Young Scientists’ Activities ...... 43 3.3.7 Gender and STI Activities...... 45 3.4 PROGRAMME 4: Science Advisory Programme (SAP) ...... 47 3.4.1 Health-related Studies ...... 48 3.4.2 Education Studies ...... 51 3.4.3 Poverty-related Studies ...... 52 3.4.4 Humanities Studies ...... 52 3.4.5 Biosafety and Biosecurity Studies ...... 52 3.4.6 Energy and Climate Studies ...... 54 3.5 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES, PERFORMANCE INDICATORS PLANNED TARGETS AND ACTUAL ACHIEVEMENTS ...... 57 3.6 SOUTH AFRICAN ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING (SAAE) ...... 62 3.6.1 Financial Management ...... 62 3.6.2 Executive Committee ...... 62 3.6.3 Activities ...... 63 3.6.4 International Collaboration ...... 64 3.7 INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE COUNCIL REGIONAL OFFICE FOR AFRICA ...... 65 3.7.1 Governance ...... 65 3.7.2 Personnel ...... 65 3.7.3 Engagement with ISC Headquarters and the Governing Board ...... 65 3.7.4 Scientific Activities ...... 65 3.7.5 Facilitating and supporting activities of the ISC family ...... 67 3.7.6 Contributing unbiased scientific advice to governmental and intergovernmental activities, mapping science projects in Africa and dissemination of results to be used to inform policy formulation ...... 71 3.7.7 Leading Integrated Research for Agenda 2030 in Africa (LIRA2030) Programme ...... 72
Part C: GOVERNANCE ...... 73
1. THE ACCOUNTING AUTHORITY/THE BOARD ...... 74 2. RISK MANAGEMENT ...... 77 3. INTERNAL CONTROL UNIT ...... 78 4. INTERNAL AUDIT AND AUDIT COMMITTEES ...... 78 5. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS ...... 78 6. FRAUD AND CORRUPTION ...... 78 7. MINIMISING CONFLICT OF INTEREST ...... 79 8. CODE OF CONDUCT ...... 79 9. HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ...... 79 10. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ...... 79
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Part D: HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ...... 80
1. INTRODUCTION ...... 81 2. HUMAN RESOURCES OVERSIGHT STATISTICS ...... 81
Part E: FINANCIAL INFORMATION ...... 86
1. REPORT OF THE EXTERNAL AUDITOR ...... 87 2. ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ...... 97
ANNEXURE A ...... 131
4 PART A: GENERAL INFORMATION Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
1. PUBLIC ENTITY’S GENERAL INFORMATION
Registered name: Academy of Science of South Africa
Physical address: 1st Floor Block A, The Woods 41 De Havilland Crescent Persequor Park Meiring Naude Road Lynnwood, 0020 Pretoria, South Africa
Postal address: Private Bag, 72135 Lynwood Ridge, 0020 Pretoria, South Africa
Telephone number/s: +27 12 349 6600
Email address: [email protected]
Website address: www.assaf.org.za
External auditors name: SizweNtsalubaGobodo - Grant Thornton Inc
External auditors address 20 Morris Street East Woodmead, 2191 PO Box 2939 Saxonwood, 2132
Banking details: Standard Bank 440 Hilda Street, Address of Bank Hatfield, Pretoria, 0083
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2. LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS/ACRONYMS
AAAS American Association for the Advancement of Science
APP Annual Performance Plan
ASSAf Academy of Science of South Africa
AU African Union
BRICS Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa
COHORT Committee of Heads of Organisations for Research and Technology
DHET Department of Higher Education and Training
DSI Department of Science and Innovation
GenderInSITE Gender in Science, Innovation, Technology and Engineering
IAP InterAcademy Partnership
ICS ROA ICS Regional Office for Africa
IT Information technology
ISC International Science Council
MoU Memorandum of understanding NACI National Advisory Council on Innovation NASAC Network of African Science Academies NDP National Development Plan NRF National Research Foundation NSI National System of Innovation OWSD Organisation for Women in Science in the Developing World PAP Pan-African Parliament PFMA Public Finance Management Act SA South Africa SAAE South African Academy of Engineering SADC Southern African Development Community SAJS South African Journal of Science SAYAS South African Young Academy of Science SciELO Scientific Electronic Library Online SciELO Scientific Electronic Library Online – South Africa SPP Scholarly Publishing Programme
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STEM Science, technology, engineering and mathematics STI Science, technology and innovation STISA Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa TWAS The World Academy of Sciences TWAS SAREP TWAS Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Partner UK United Kingdom WiSET Women in Science, Engineering and Technology
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3. FOREWORD BY THE CHAIRPERSON
Prof Jonathan Jansen President, Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
This reporting period 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020, ended at a time when the country had entered a lock down level 5 phase starting on 27 March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement of the shutdown of the country by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 22 March 2020, with the exception of essential services, was intended to contain the spread of the SARS-CoV-19 virus and to give government an opportunity to prepare the country for the pandemic. Consequently, ASSAf staff have been working remotely since 17 March 2020, with restricted access to our office premises following changes in regulations as stipulated in lock down level 3.
The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the manner in which it has impacted on the country has exposed the inequality that exists in society, and once again, it is the poor who are most disadvantaged by challenges that arise when dealing with disasters. Despite the regulatory measures put into place by the government to manage the situation, the undesirable consequences of the pandemic continue to plague the country, highlighting the urgent need for the use of science and scientific evidence at all levels of planning and implementation. A major concern is the ever increasing lack of trust by the public of government in the wake of mixed messages from representatives of the different government divisions as well as announcements of corruption and theft of funds ear-marked for specific activities to support the poor and in rebuilding the economy.
National academies have mechanisms in place to be proactive and responsive to issues of societal relevance. The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) was formed in 1996 in response to the need for an academy of science congruent with the dawn of democracy in South Africa. As will be seen in this annual report, the Academy has addressed its mandate of utilising scientific enquiry championed by its Members who represent the full diversity of South Africa’s distinguished scientists, by generating evidence- based solutions to national problems; engagement in international connectedness at the highest level of knowledge and insight, and facilitation of public understanding of the nature, scope and value of the scientific, technological and innovation enterprise.
This reporting period covers the last year of the Strategic Plan 2015 – 2020 as implemented in the Annual Performance Plan 2019/20. The new Strategic Plan 2020/1 – 2024/5 and the Annual Performance Plan 2020/1 have been successful endorsed and tabled at Parliament.
Twenty-three new Members were elected and inaugurated in October 2019, growing the total ASSAf Membership to 572 professionals.
It is with sadness that we announce the death of five Members, Professors Reinhard Arndt (Stellenbosch University), Sydney Brenner (Salk Institute for Biological Studies), Michael Feast (University of Cape Town), Gita Ramjee (Aurum Institute) and Voster Muchenje (University of Fort Hare) during the year. These Members contributed unstintingly to ASSAf activities as well as to South African academia at large, and our thoughts go out to their families, colleagues, and friends as they adjust with this loss.
This Annual Report expands on the activities undertaken by the different Programmes within ASSAf. In total, ASSAf has published three Statements, two consensus studies, one peer review panel report, eleven proceedings reports and one policymakers' booklet during the reporting period. Many of the Academy’s current studies address skills development challenges for a knowledge-based economy as evident in the these publications during the year: (1) Twelve Years Later: Second ASSAf Report on Research Publishing in and From South Africa (2018), (2) Recognising Individual Contributions to
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Collaborative Research:Limitations of Proportional Publication Counts and Proposals for Alternatives, and (3) Report on Grouped Peer Review of Scholarly Journals in Communication and Information Sciences.
Our investment in engagements at national, regional and international level partnerships have also attained fruition. The partnership between the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the National Research Foundation (NRF) and ASSAf led to the launch of the African Open Science Platform (AOSP) at the Alexandria Library in Egypt in September 2019. The AOSP aspires to give African scientists opportunities to be connected and to share resources freely and openly across the continent.
ASSAf, in partnership with the DSI, attended the 69th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting (LNLM) on Physics which was held in Lindau, Germany from 30 June to 5 July 2019. The 69th LNLM provided an opportunity for South Africa to host the International Day, to present itself during the day and to showcase scientific and innovative excellence, as well as the country’s culinary and cultural offerings while hosting the dinner function. Mr Bheki Hadebe, Director: High End Skills and Mr Thembinkosi Magasela, Deputy Director: Emerging Researcher Programmes from the DSI accompanied the ASSAf team to the meeting. ASSAf hosted a breakfast meeting with the theme Global science in reaching for the stars which included, among the panellists of young and innovative scientists, Professor Brian Schmidt, a Nobel Laureate in Physics (2011). The dinner programme included a welcome address by Professor Himla Soodyall, Countess Bettina Bernadotte, President of the Council for the LNLM, and an address by Mr Bheki Hadebe. The evening was a showcase of South African culture through dance and music, an event which according to the organisers, was an experience at Lindau never experienced previously. The delegation of young researchers was enriched by the experience and contributed in various ways by featuring various aspects of the South African landscape in physics.
Our scholarly publishing activities advanced through the South African Journal of Science, Quest magazine and the Scientific Electronic Library Online South Africa (SciELO SA) platform, has continued to contribute in mobilising knowledge through open access to the various stakeholders within society. ASSAf hosted and participated at several national, regional and international events to promote strategic partnerships and science engagement.
I wish to thank the Council for their continued support and realise that the term of some Members come to an end in October 2020 in accordance with the regulations. On behalf of Council, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Secretariat; we are confident that the ongoing activities of the Academy led by Professor Himla Soodyall, Executive Officer, will continue as we enter the next five-year plan of the Academy which was enthusiastically endorsed by the Council.
______Professor Jonathan Jansen Chairperson Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) 31 July 2020
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ISANDULELA NGOSIHLALO
U-Prof, Jonathan Jansen UMongameli, Womkhakha Wesayensi WaseNingizimu Afrika (ASSAf)
Lesi sikhathi sokubika umhla ka-1 Ephreli 2019 ukuya kumhla ka-31 Mashi 2020, saphela ngesikhathi izwe lalingene esigabeni sezinga lesi- 5 lokuvalwa kwezwe eliqala ngomhla ka-27 Mashi 2020 ngenxa yobhubhane lwe-COVID-19. Isimemezelo sokuvalwa kwezwe ngoMongameli u-Cyril Ramaphosa ngomhla ka-22 Mashi 2020, ngaphandle kwezinsizakalo ezibalulekile, sasihloselwe ukuvimbela ukusabalala kwegciwane le-SARS-CoV-19 nokunikeza uhulumeni ithuba lokulungiselela izwe ubhubhane. Ngenxa yalokho, abasebenzi be-ASSAf babelokhu besebenza bekude ukusukela ngomhla ka-17 Mashi 2020, ngokuvinjelwa ukufinyelela emagcekeni ehhovisi lethu belandela izinguquko zemithetho njengoba kubekiwe ezingeni lesi-3 lokuvalwa kwezwe.
Imiphumela yobhubhane lwe-COVID-19 kanye nendlela oluthinte ngayo izwe kuveze ukungalingani okukhona emphakathini, kanti futhi, ngabampofu abahlukunyezwa kakhulu yizinselelo eziqubuka lapho kubhekanwa nezinhlekelele. Naphezu kwezinyathelo zokulawula ezenziwe nguhulumeni ukuze alawule lesi simo, imiphumela engathandeki yalolu bhubhane iyaqhubeka nokukhathaza izwe, kugcizelela isidingo esiphuthumayo sokusetshenziswa kobufakazi besayensi nobufakazi besayensi kuwo wonke amazinga okuhlela nokusebenza. Okukhathaza kakhulu ukungabi nokwethembana okwandayo ngumphakathi kahulumeni ngemuva kwemiyalezo exubene evela kulabo abamele izigaba ezahlukahlukene zikahulumeni kanye nezimemezelo zenkohlakalo nokwebiwa kwezimali ezibekelwe imisebenzi ethile yokweseka abampofu kanye nasekwakheni kabusha umnotho.
Imikhakha kazwelonke inezindlela zokuba isebenze futhi iphendule ezindabeni ezifanele umphakathi. Umkhakha Wesayensi WaseNingizimu Afrika (ASSAf) wasungulwa ngonyaka ka-1996 ukusabela esidingweni somkhakha wemfundo ephakeme wesayensi ohambisana nokuqala kwentando yeningi eNingizimu Afrika. Njengoba kuzobonakala kulo mbiko waminyaka yonke, uMkhakha wethule umsebenzi wawo wokusebenzisa uphenyo lwesayensi olugqugquzelwa ngamaLungu ayo amele ukwehluka okuphelele kososayensi abasezingeni eliphezulu baseNingizimu Afrika, ngokwenza izingxazululo ezisuselwa ebufakazini ezinkingeni zikazwelonke; ukuzibandakanya ekuxhumekeni kwamazwe omhlaba ezingeni eliphakeme kakhulu lolwazi nokuqonda, kanye nokwenza lula ukuqonda komphakathi uhlobo, ubukhulu kanye nenani lebhizinisi lesayensi, lobuchwepheshe kanye nokuqanjwa kabusha.
Lesi sikhathi sokubika sihlanganisa unyaka wokugcina Wohlelo lango-2015 - 2020 njengoba lusetshenziswe Ohlelweni Lokusebenza Lonyaka ka-2019/20. The new Strategic Plan 2020/1 – 2024/5 and the Annual Performance Plan 2020/1 have been successful endorsed and tabled at Parliament. Uhlelo olusha luka 2020/1 - 2024/5 kanye Nohlelo Lokusebenza Lonyaka 2020/1 lwamukelwe ngempumelelo lwethulwa ePhalamende.
Kwakhethwa futhi kwamiswa Amalungu amasha angamashumi amabili nantathu ngo-Okthoba 2019, okwandisa isibalo saMalungu e-ASSAf aba ochwepheshe abangu-572.
Kuyadabukisa ukubai simemezela ukushona kwamaLungu amahlanu, uProfesa Reinhard Arndt (Stellenbosch University), uSydney Brenner (Salk Institute for Biological Studies), uMichael Feast (University of Cape Town), Gita Ramjee (Aurum Institute) noVoster Muchenje ( University of Fort Hare) phakathi nonyaka. Lawa Malungu afake isandla ngokungagunci emisebenzini ye-ASSAf kanye nasezifundweni zaseNingizimu Afrika ngokubanzi, futhi imicabango yethu iya emindenini yabo, kozakwabo, nakubangane babo njengoba bezivumelanisa nalokhu kulahlekelwa.
LoMbiko Wonyaka wandisa imisebenzi eyenziwe Yizinhlelo ezehlukene ze-ASSAf. Sekukonke, i-ASSAf ishicilele Izitatimende ezintathu, izifundo ezimbili zokuvumelana, umbiko wephaneli elilodwa lokubuyekezwa kontanga, imibiko yezinqubo eziyishumi nanye kanye nencwajana eyodwa yabenzi benqubomgomo Phakathi nesikhathi sokubika. Izifundo eziningi zamanje zoMkhakha zibhekana nezinselelo zokuthuthukiswa kwamakhono emnothweni osuselwa olwazini njengoba kubonakala kulezi zincwadi phakathi nonyaka: (1) Eminyakeni Eyishumi Nambili Ngemuva Kwesikhathi: Umbiko Wesibili we- 10 Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
ASSAf Wokucwaninga Wokunyatheliswa NaseNingizimu Afrika (2018), (2 ) Ukuqaphela Iminikelo Yomuntu Ngamunye Ekucwaningweni Okubambisene: Ukulinganiselwa Kokubalwa Okubhaliwe Kwezincwadi Eziphakanyisiwe kanye Neziphakamiso Zezinye Izindlela, kanye (3) Nokubika Ngokubuyekezwa Kontanga Okuqoqiwe Emabhukwini Ezifuffundo Kwezokuxhumana Nezesayensi Yezokwazisa.
Ukutshalwa kwezimali kwethu ekuhlanganyeleni ezingeni lobambiswano kuzwelonke, esifundeni kanye nasemazweni omhlaba nakho sekuzuze izithelo ezinhle. Ukubambisana phakathi koMnyango Wezesayensi Nokwakha kabusha (i-DSI), iNational Research Foundation (NRF) kanye ne-ASSAf kuholele ekwethulweni kwe-African Open Science Platform (AOSP) e-Alexandria Library eGibhithe ngoSepthemba 2019. I-AOSP ifisa ukunikeza Ososayensi base-Afrika amathuba okuxhunywa nokwabelana ngezinsizakusebenza ngokukhululeka nangokuvulelekile kulo lonke izwekazi.
I-ASSAf, ibambisene ne-DSI, ihambele Umhlangano we-69 weLindau Nobel Laureate (LNLM) weZifundo zemvelo obubanjelwe eLindau, eJalimane kusukela ngomhla ka-30 Juni ukuya kumhla ka-5 Julayi 2019. I- LNLM yama-69 inikeze iNingizimu Afrika ithuba lokubamba Usuku Lomhlaba wonke, ukuze iziveze Phakathi nosuku futhi ibonise ubungcweti bezesayensi kanye nobokwakha kabusha, kanye nokunikezwa kwezwe kanye namasiko ngesikhathi kusingathwa umcimbi wedili. UMnu Bheki Hadebe, uMqondisi: High End Skills kanye noMnu Thembinkosi Magasela, Iphini Lomqondisi: Izinhlelo ZabaPhenyi Abasafufusa abavela ku-DSI baphelezele ithimba le-ASSAf emhlanganweni. I-ASSAf ibambe umhlangano wesidlo sasekuseni esinesihloko Isayensi Yembulunga yonke ekufinyeleleni ezinkanyezini okuhlanganisa, Phakathi kwabo amathimba ososayensi abasebasha nabanekhono lokusungula, uProfesa uBrian Schmidt, weNobel Laureate kweZezifundo zezemvelo (2011). Uhlelo lokudla kwakusihlwa lubandakanya inkulumo yokwamukela uProfesa Himla Soodyall, u-Countess Bettina Bernadotte, uMongameli woMkhandlu we- LNLM, kanye nenkulumo kaMnu Bheki Hadebe. Kulesi sikhathi sakusihlwa bekukhonjiswa ngesiko laseNingizimu Afrika ngomdanso nangomculo, umcimbi ngokusho kwabahleli, bekungokuhlangenwe nakho okungakaze kubonwe ngaphambili eLindau. Ukuthunyelwa kwabacwaningi abasebasha kwanothiswa yilolu phiko futhi banikela ngezindlela ezahlukahlukene ngokufaka izici ezahlukahlukene zezwe laseNingizimu Afrika ezifundweni zezemvelo.
Imisebenzi yethu yokunyathelisa ngezifundo lithuthuke ngokusebenzisa Iphephandaba laseNingizimu Afrika leSayensi, umagazini i-Quest kanye nendawo ye-Scientific Electronic Library South Africa (i-SciELO SA), iye yaqhubeka nokufaka igalelo ekugqugquzeleni ulwazi ngokufinyelela okuvulelekile kwababambiqhaza abahlukahlukene emphakathini. I-ASSAf isingathe futhi yabamba iqhaza emicimbini eminingana kazwelonke, yesifunda neyamazwe omhlaba ukukhuthaza ukubambisana kwamasu nokuzibandakanya kwezesayensi.
Ngifisa ukubonga uMkhandlu ngokusisekela kwabo okuqhubekayo futhi ngiyabona ukuthi isikhathi samalungu athile sizophela ngo-Okthoba 2020 ukuya ngemithetho. Egameni loMkhandlu, ngithanda ukudlulisa ukubonga kwami okusuka enhliziyweni kwiHhovisi Likanobhala; Siyathemba ukuthi imisebenzi eqhubekayo yaloMkhakha eholwa nguSolwazi uHimla Soodyall, onguMphathi Wenkampani, izoqhubeka njengoba singena ohlelweni lweminyaka emihlanu oluzayo loMkhakha olwamukelwa ngentshiseko nguMkhandlu.
Professor Jonathan Jansen Chairperson Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) 31 July 2020
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4. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S OVERVIEW
Prof Himla Soodyall Executive Officer, Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
It has been an honour to serve the Academy as the newly appointed Executive Officer (EO) since November 2018 and to ensure that the activities outlined in the Annual Performance Plan (2019/20) were adequately implemented.
ASSAf has managed to deliver on most of its annual targets across all four Programmes except for some staff related and financial challenges experienced in the Scholarly Publishing Programme.
As a result of these challenges, we failed in adding the projected number of journals (three added as opposed to the anticipated seven) onto the SciELO platform. Regardless of this, at the end of 2019, the bi- annual evaluation which assesses whether the SciELO SA collection adheres to the strict publishing best- practice as well as evaluating whether the titles adhere to the SciELO Citation Index (which forms part of the Web of Knowledge search portal) criteria, was awarded a score of 99%, a further accolade for the efficiency of our performance. Going forward, it is imperative that we review the number of journals to be added to this platform.
As a result of our financial constraints, we also deviated from our planned targets to host the national Scholarly Book Publishers Forum and National Scholarly Editors Forum. ASSAf recognised the need to stay connected and hosted two webinars. The approved participant for our 2019/20 Distinguished Visiting Scholar Lecture Series, Professor Boyd Swinburn, professor of Population Nutrition and Global Health in the School of Population Health, University of Auckland, was unable to travel and requested a postponement of his visit. Council endorsed an alternative participant, Professor Romain Murenzi, Executive Director: The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), and we are in discussions to host this event virtually during the latter half of 2020.
Due to the retirement at the end of 2019 of our Communications Manager, Ms Patsy Scholtz, ASSAf has lost the expertise of a diligent copy editor who was responsible for ensuring stylistic consistency according to ASSAf processes for the final production of publication outputs. In the interim, we have resorted to outsourcing these responsibilities. Ms Scholtz’s retirement has resulted in the distribution of some of her responsibilities onto other staff personnel who have had to take on additional responsibilities to ensure timeous submission of quarterly reports, annual reports, and other documentation required within the Governance sub-programme. With austerity measures in place against new staff employment, the EO and senior Managers are addressing contingency plans to manage the situation with urgency.
ASSAf has ensured compliance with supply change management processes and all other compliance issues as per the PFMA. Through judicious expenditure within all four programmes, we have managed to stay focussed and deliver on our mandate. The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and lock down regulations, has delayed the auditing of the financial statements to August – September 2020; however, the Audit and Risk Committee and Council have endorsed the financial statements presented by our Financial Manager, Mr Morakeng Chiloane. Pending the audit process, I am pleased to announce that ASSAf has ended the financial year on a positive note.
At the time of the financial year end, the country entered lock down, with various regulatory measures put into place by government to prevent the spread of the virus causing the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the socio- economic challenges that this burden is having on the country and globally, it is envisaged that financial adjustments to our budgets would follow. In anticipation of these adjustments, ASSAf will have to revise some of its projected activities as outlined in the Annual Performance Plan 2020/1. 13 Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
The ASSAf Secretariat is committed to supporting the Council and Members in our collective quest to use evidence-based science in the service of society. We have the capacity to adapt rapidly and to use the depth of expertise among the Membership to provide science advice to policymakers.
______Professor Himla Soodyall Executive Officer Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) 31 July 2020
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5. STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY AND CONFIRMATION OF ACCURACY FOR THE ANNUAL REPORT
To the best of my knowledge and belief, I confirm the following:
All information and amounts disclosed in the annual report is consistent with the annual financial statements audited by the Auditor General.
The Annual Report is complete, accurate and is free from any omissions.
The Annual Report has been prepared in accordance with the guidelines on the annual report as issued by National Treasury.
The Annual Financial Statements (Part E) will been prepared in accordance with the Treasury standards applicable to the public entity; this has yet to be audited.
The accounting authority is responsible for the preparation of the Annual Financial Statements and for the judgements made in this information.
The accounting authority is responsible for establishing and implementing a system of internal control has been designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the integrity and reliability of the performance information, the human resources information and the annual financial statements.
The external auditors are engaged to express an independent opinion on the annual financial statements.
In our opinion, the Annual Report fairly reflects the operations, the performance information, the human resources information and the financial affairs of the public entity for the financial year ended 31 March 2020.
Yours faithfully
______Chief Executive Officer Name: Himla Soodyall Date: 31 March 2020
______Chairperson of the Board Name: Jonathan Jansen Date: 31 March 2020
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6. STRATEGIC OVERVIEW
6.1 Vision
The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) aspires to be the apex organisation for science and scholarship in South Africa, recognised and connected both nationally and internationally. Through its Membership which represents the collective voice of the most active scholars in all fields of scholarly enquiry, ASSAf aims to generate evidence-based solutions to national problems.
6.2 Mission
The mission of the Academy is to:
• Recognise scholarly achievement and excellence in the application of scientific thinking for the benefit of society. • Mobilise Members to ensure that they are available to contribute their expertise in the service of society. • Conduct systematic and evidence-based studies on issues of national importance, producing authoritative reports that have significant impact on policymaking. • Promote the development of an indigenous system of South African research publications, increasing their quality, visibility, accessibility and impact. • Publish science-focused periodicals that will showcase the best of southern African research to a wide national and international audience. • Develop productive partnerships with national, regional and international organisations with a view to building our capacity in science and its application within the National System of Innovation (NSI). • Create diversified sources of funding for sustainable functioning and growth of a national academy. • Communicate effectively with relevant stakeholders through various media and fora.
6.3 Values
ASSAf’s strength resides in the quality and diversity of its Membership; internationally renowned scholars elected by their peers, who give of their time voluntarily in the service of society. The Membership could be regarded as the ‘brains trust’ of the nation. ASSAf is able to use its Membership as a collective resource for evidence-based solutions to national problems. Through the well-recognised convening power of academies, ASSAf is able to mobilise the best scientific minds from across the nation, as well as internationally, to provide authoritative advice to government and other stakeholders based on scientifically rigorous analysis of evidence and consensus of diverse experts. As such, ASSAf is an independent, non- biased and credible source of scientific advice. The diversity of its Membership, embracing the full disciplinary spectrum, enables ASSAf to focus on issues of a multi-disciplinary, multi-sectoral nature and to bring the strengths of a fully inclusive approach to bear on the issues of national and international concern.
ASSAf fully embraces the principles espoused in the Constitution of South Africa.
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7. LEGISLATIVE AND OTHER MANDATES
The Academy of Science of South Africa Act (No 67 of 2001)
This Act establishes the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), which provides evidence-based scientific advice on issues of public interest to government and other stakeholders. ASSAf regularly publishes its findings and recommendations. It acknowledges the achievements of South African scientists in order to develop the intellectual capacity of the nation and promote innovative, scholarly thinking.
Science and Technology Laws Amendment Acts (No 16 of 2011 and No 7 of 2014)
The purpose of the Acts was to amend the Acts of various science entities, including ASSAf, to harmonise processes relating to membership of boards.
Additional policies that are taken into account when identifying strategic priorities of ASSAf are:
• Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) (No 1 of 1999). • National priorities outlined in the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF). • White Paper on Science and Technology (1996). • Ten-Year Innovation Plan for Science and Technology (2008 – 2018). • New Growth Path (2010). • National Skills Development Strategy (2011). • National Development Plan (NDP) (2012). • White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation (2019).
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8. ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE PART B: PERFORMANCE INFORMATION Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
1. AUDITOR-GENERAL’S REPORT: PREDETERMINED OBJECTIVES
The entity is not required to prepare a report on its performance against predetermined objectives as it does not fall within the ambit of the PFMA and such reporting is also not required in terms of the entity's specific legislation.
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2. SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS
2.1 Service Delivery Environment
ASSAf is the official national science academy of South Africa, established by an Act of Parliament (No 67 of 2001), as amended, and represents South Africa in the international community of science academies. It was formed in response to the need for an academy of science congruent with the dawn of democracy in South Africa - activist in its mission of using science for the benefit of society. The Parliament of South Africa passed the Academy of Science of South Africa Act (Act 67 of 2001), as amended, which came into operation in May 2002.
ASSAf activities encompasses all fields of scientific enquiry and it includes the full diversity of South Africa’s distinguished scientists. ASSAf has a dual role – to honour distinguished scholars through election to Membership of the Academy, and to provide science advice to government and other stakeholders on critical national and global issues.
ASSAf’s science advisory role in support of policy development is informed by key national challenges, particularly those outlined in the National Development Plan (NDP) and is executed in both a responsive and proactive manner. ASSAf strives to address cross-cutting and complex issues that suit the convening strength and niche of an Academy. The Academy’s strength lies in undertaking in-depth, evidence-based studies, and seeks to implement projects in collaboration with other science academies in Africa and abroad, in its efforts to be responsive to the ever-changing regional and global environment.
The key universal elements of the academy’s advice are that it is:
• Authoritative • Independent • Objective • Free of vested interests • Trusted • Based on volunteer contributions • Based on rigorous analysis of evidence and peer review • Transparent • Multidisciplinary and able to address complex issues that transcend disciplinary boundaries
Partnerships with organisations hosted by ASSAf – International Science Council Regional Office for Africa (ISC ROA), The World Academy of Science South African Representative (TWAS SAREP), GenderInSITE and South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) promote the strategic goals of the Academy. In addition, ASSAf engages in strong partnerships with the Department of Science of Innovation (DSI), the National Research Foundation (NRF), the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) as well as other national stakeholders.
ASSAf engages internationally with global science academies as a member of the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP), the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC), and Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) Academies.
ASSAf continues to act as secretariat to the Committee of Heads of Organisations for Research and Technology (COHORT).
ASSAf submits all governance-related reports to the DSI, DPME, Treasury and Parliament to meet its compliance obligations.
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2.2 Alignment with Government Policies
ASSAf is committed to the outcomes approach as developed by government (http://www.info.gov.za/ issues/outcomes/index.html). Collectively, ASSAf’s activities contribute towards addressing impact indicators and achieving outputs and targets associated with the 14 outcomes outlined in the government’s Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) (2015 – 2020) that have been linked to objectives set in the NDP, with a strong focus to the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality.
The recently published White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation (2019) provides a framework around which many of ASSAf’s activities are closely aligned.
For ASSAf to fulfill its science advisory role regarding key challenges facing the nation, evidence-based studies contribute to consensus studies undertaken by Members on a volunteer basis, as well as by invited local and regional experts. In addition, ASSAf Members volunteer their service on committees and panels, both locally and internationally. All activities help to strengthen strategic partnerships within South Africa, regionally in Africa and with international partners to enhance the government’s global footprint. 2.3 Organisational environment
ASSAf is a Membership-based organisation that is governed by a Council and supported by the Secretariat. At the end of the financial period, the ASSAf Membership consisted of 572 individuals who are represented by the Council and supported by the Secretariat.
Activities at ASSAf fall into four main Programmes: Governance and Administration; Scholarly Publishing Programme (SPP); Liaison Programme (LP) and Science Advisory Programme (SAP).
The Governance and Administration Programme is central to the efficient functioning of the Academy, providing essential, cross-cutting administrative and financial support to the Council and the secretariat, contributing to ASSAf’s efficiency. The Programme is also responsible for all reporting requirements and compliance matters and implementing the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) component. The overall strategic objective is to ensure good governance of the Academy through the ASSAf Council. This includes execution of Council elections, support of Council meetings and committees, efficient and effective execution of Council resolutions and efficient and effective financial and human resource management activities. This Programme also aims to provide effective and targeted communication with ASSAf stakeholders to support the vision and mission of the Academy to be the apex organisation of science and scholarship in South Africa.
The SPP is regarded as a major intervention into the National System of Innovation (NSI) in South Africa and makes a direct and major contribution to the promotion of innovation and scholarly activity. The strategic goal of the SPP is to enhance the national capacity to produce and publish research, on the one hand, and to increase the quality and visibility of South African research publications, on the other. The SPP’s numerous activities are coordinated to achieve this goal. This Programme is responsible for advancing ASSAf’s open science agenda, coordinating science engagement activities within ASSAf and also responsible for the production and dissemination of the Academy’s flagship journal, the South African Journal of Science and the science magazine, Quest: Science for South Africa.
The LP is structured into several sub-programmes, each of which is designed to establish and strengthen partnerships and engagement with key stakeholders and organisations. The overall purpose is to promote and recognise excellence and scholarly achievement; strengthening
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and enhancing international scientific linkages; and advancing engagement with key policymakers in government, including Parliament and relevant national scientific organisations. The internal structure of the programme is as follows: (1) Member Liaison, which includes all aspects pertaining to Academy Member elections, networking and communicating with Members; (2) National Liaison, which is divided into strategic partnerships; scholarly lectures; prizes and awards; and engagement with the business sector; (3) International Liaison, which is divided into strategic partnerships; African collaboration; and overseas collaboration; (4) Young Scientists’ Liaison; and (5) Promotion of women and gender in science.
The SAP enables ASSAf to fulfil its science advisory role regarding key challenges facing the nation by undertaking targeted evidence-based studies. The studies fall into broad categories related to health, education, climate change, energy, the science-policy nexus, humanities, and biosafety and biosecurity. Studies are selected both proactively and reactively, primarily to respond to national priorities, to suit the niche of the Academy, and to utilise the expertise residing in the Academy’s Members. ASSAf’s various Standing Committees play a major role in recommending studies to be undertaken and in supporting membership to national, regional and global committees. All in-depth consensus studies are approved by 2.4 the ASSAf Council. As in the past year, there will be a continued focus on the dissemination of Academy reports through stakeholder engagement to ensure improved uptake of recommendations.
Key Policy Developments and Legislative Changes
2.5 During this reporting period, the Department of Science and Technology was renamed the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and is now placed within the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation.
Strategic Outcome Orientated Goals
Overarching goals of ASSAf are as follows:
• Recognition and reward of excellence • Promotion of innovation and scholarly activity • Promotion of effective, evidence-based scientific advice • Promotion of public interest in and awareness of science and science education • Promotion of national, regional and international linkages
The broad goals of government, applicable within the context of ASSAf activities, are as follows:
• Responsive, coordinated and efficient NSI • Increased knowledge generation • Human capital development • Using knowledge for economic development • Knowledge utilisation for inclusive development
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3. PERFORMANCE INFORMATION BY PROGRAMME/ACTIVITY/OBJECTIVE
Description of programme activities
ASSAf activities are aligned with the five broad strategic outcome goals to ensure service to society, by promoting human capital development, knowledge generation and human economic development as outlined below.
Strategic Outcome Activities Government oriented Goals Goal Statements 1 Recognition and reward • Targeted Membership drives to increase an • Human capital of excellence diversify Academy Membership development • Award of Science-for-Society gold medals annually • Award of Humanities Book Prize Support of South African Young Academy of Science • Nomination of SA scientists for international awards and opportunities
2 Promotion of innovation • Hosting of Distinguished Visiting Scholar annually • Human capital and scholarly activity • Hosting of regional scholarly lectures development • Hosting of annual ASSAf Humanities Lecture • Publication of SA Journal of Science • Convening of workshops/symposia on a wide variety of topics • Conducting project-related activities • Implementation of Scholarly Publishing Programme • Promotion of young scientists’ activities • Promotion of women in science activities 3 Promotion of effective, • Implementation of evidence-based studies in • Increased evidence-based targeted areas such as health, education, climate knowledge scientific advice change, energy, etc. generation • Dissemination of study reports for improved • Human capital uptake and impact of evidence-based studies development • Using knowledge for economic development
4 Promotion of public • Publication and promotion of Quest: Science for • Human capital Interest in and South Africa magazine development awareness of science • Participation in national science events and science • Hosting of public lectures on a wide variety of education topics • Implementation of STEM Education Committee activities 5 Promotion of national, • Strengthening and initiating bilateral Academy • Increased regional and agreements knowledge international linkages • Strengthening and initiating science generation academies in Africa, particularly the SADC region • Taking a leadership role in implementing the NASAC Strategy 2016-2020 • Hosting and support for ISC ROA and TWAS SAREP
All ASSAf publications during the reporting period are presented in Table 1, and a summary of activities pertaining to lectures, meetings, conferences, workshops, science engagement, strategic partnerships, and women and gender in science for all programmes (hosted or showing participation), are provided in Annexure A.
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3.1 PROGRAMME 1: Governance and Administration Programme
This programme is central to the efficient functioning of the Academy, providing essential administrative and financial support to the Council and the Secretariat. The programme is also responsible for all rep- orting requirements and compliance matters, including the annual audits, the Strategic Plan, the Annual Performance Plan (APP) and quarterly reports. A monitoring and evaluation component is also part of this programme’s responsibilities.
3.1.1 Governance
The overall strategic objective is to ensure good governance of the Academy through the ASSAf Council. This includes execution of Council elections, support of Council meetings and committees, efficient and effective execution of Council resolutions and efficient and effective financial and human resource management activities. More details for this programme are provided in Part C of this report.
3.1.2 Knowledge Management
This is a new function, the need for which has been identified because of ASSAf’s increased activities and an increased focus on reporting and compliance. It involves, inter alia, the development of systems and processes for comprehensive records and documents management, both electronic and paper-based, to support decision-making and performance auditing.
All ASSAf reports are digitally archived in the Research Repository allowing for impact monitoring, specifically for downloads and citations.
3.1.3 Communication
The main purpose of this sub-programme is to provide effective and targeted communication with ASSAf stakeholders to support the vision of the Academy to be the apex organisation of science and scholarship in South Africa and to increase the visibility and standing of ASSAf. It aims to build the ASSAf brand and to communicate the achievements of ASSAf and its Members to ASSAf stakeholders. ASSAf stakeholders include Members, representatives of government and science councils, universities, sponsors and the public.
The sub-programme ensured visibility of ASSAf and its activities in the media through the issue of 24 media releases. The print, online and broadcast media are monitored regularly to determine uptake and impact of Academy activities. The Advertising Value Equivalent (AVE) summary for ASSAf news generated some R 2 631 106. AVE is a measure used to calculate the rand value benefit to ASSAf from media coverage.
The sub-programme is also responsible for the ASSAf website, the quarterly ASSAf e-newsletter and the production of reports. Four Science-for-Society e-newsletters were distributed, reaching some 12 000 recipients per edition.
The sub-programme undertook the production of 19 publications (Table 1), of which two were consensus studies. An e-publication strategy for study reports has been adopted, thereby considerably reducing production and printing cost of ASSAf’s various reports.
Various online platforms were supported. The ASSAf website had 38 356 sessions over the period under review, with 73 331 page views. A total of 126 posts was loaded.
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The ASSAf Facebook account had 2 027 Followers at the end of March 2020. Over the period under review the page received 1 967 Likes. ASSAf has grown its Twitter follower audience from 5 314 on 1 April 2019 to 6 816 on 31 March 2020.
3.2 PROGRAMME 2: Scholarly Publishing Programme (SPP)
The strategic goal of the SPP is to enhance the national capacity to produce and publish research, on the one hand, and to increase the quality and visibility of South African research publications, on the other. It is also making a valuable contribution to improved access to international scholarly publications, an essential ingredient for human capital development in a modern, rapidly developing knowledge-based economy such as South Africa.
The responsibilities for the publication of the South African Journal of Science and Quest are also included in this programme, consolidating all ASSAf’s activities related to scholarly publishing in a single programme. The SAJS aims to promote the visibility and impact of South African and African research and Quest promotes awareness of science amongst the youth.
Activities of this programme are clustered into the following three thrusts:
• Open Science • Quality Assurance • Research Publishing
3.2.1 Open Science
SciELO SA: Open Access Platform
Growth and usage The SciELO SA Collection (www.scielo.org.za) was started in 2009 as a full-text searchable database of selected, high-quality open access South African scholarly journals. The purpose of the collection is to raise global visibility and the indexability of South African research.
The SciELO SA collection is the first fully open access (OA) platform for scholarly publishing in South Africa and on the African continent. Since its inception in 2009, it has 79 OA journal titles in the collection, 1 936 journal issues, and 31 176 articles. During the last 12 months, three new titles were added to the collection and one was removed.
Date Articles Issues Titles 1 April 2019 27 619 1 739 76
31 March 2020 31 176 1 936 79 (*)
Percentage Collection Increase: ± 12.9%, up from a 5.5% increase by the end of March 2019
Comparative statistics show a 15% increase in views from April 2019 to March 2020. (Source: Google Analytics).
April 2019 to March 2020 Page visits Total views since 2009 comparison 1 April 2018 to March 2019 5 400 633 16.7 million (after ± 10 years) 1 April 2019 to March 2020 6 216 785 23 million (after ± 11 years)
The usage of the articles in the platform attests to the value this OA platform offers. Since its inception in 2009 the total number of views of South African open access research via SciELO SA totals almost 26 Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
23 million up from 16,7 million at the end of March 2019, i.e. a 37,7% increase in views over the last 12 months.
The following graph indicates the monthly page views via the platform since 2009. The month during this period with the highest usage was October 2019 with 437 074 views of articles and texts via SciELO SA.
(Source: Google Analytics)
All SciELO journals are included in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), https://doaj.org/. The DOAJ evaluates open access journals for peer-review practices and ensures that no predatory journals are included.
At the end of 2019, the bi-annual evaluation by the SciELO Network took place to assess whether the SciELO SA collection was adhering to the strict publishing best-practice and that all the titles adhere to the SciELO Citation Index (which forms part of the Web of Knowledge (WoK) search portal) criteria about publishing according to the stated periodicity. The collection was awarded a score of 99%. The next assessment will be at the end of May 2020.
The continent and country metrics for accesses to articles and texts via SciELO SA for the period April 2019 to March 2020 are as follows:
Continents % of all the Top 10 Countries % of all the usage during usage during this period this period Africa 52% South Africa 39% Asia 16% United States 12% Northern America 14% India 4.5% Europe 11% Nigeria 3.9% Southern America 4% United Kingdom 3.8% Oceania 3% Philippines 3.2% Australia 2.3% Kenya 1.9% Canada 1.75% Zimbabwe 1.3%
Role in improving the implementation of international publishing best-practice Following the best-practice criteria implemented in 2018, the SciELO SA team has been focusing on enabling SciELO SA journals to implement these new criteria. To this effect the SPP’s Scholarly Publishing Resources webpage was populated with entries on FAQs: https://sites.google.com/view/assaf-scholarly-pub-resources/scielo-sa?authuser=0.
The criteria include: • Inclusion of author ORCiDs and detailed author affiliations • Title, abstract & keywords must be available in English • Journals were encouraged to create a Google Analytics profile for their journal as the • SciELO Advisory Committee will request these metrics from time to time 27 Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
• New best practice in the ‘Instructions to Authors’ were encouraged • The insistence that all articles must have an English equivalent title, keywords and an abstract to enhance global usage • Journals that use ASSAf DOIs must use Reference Linking - a requirement of Crossref to provide the DOIs of the references of each journal article. ASSAf will arrange a webinar on the steps involved shortly.
The renewed relationship with and the regular meetings with the DHET University Research Policy and Support staff will contribute towards more cooperation and a more aligned strategy concerning quality scholarly publishing.
African Open Science Platform (AOSP) The findings from all activities during years 1 and 2 of the pilot AOSP have been compiled into a landscape report, which was submitted to the funder at the end of April 2019. This report - which was launched during the AOSP Delivery Phase Meeting at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Egypt on 2 September 2019, is expected to inform the future AOSP Phase 1, funders, decision/policymakers, partners, new projects, and more. The landscape study was reviewed by global experts in Open Science and an open peer-review approach was followed. An extensive funder report was compiled and submitted to the funder to inform future strategy.
In addition to the landscape study, frameworks for the following have been developed: formulating an Open Data policy, or a policy that makes provision for the governance of research data; an infrastructure framework setting out the requirements and architecture for domain-specific data-intensive disciplines, working in clusters part of the federated AOSP; skills required during different phases of the research data lifecycle, by different stakeholders; a framework on implementing and practicing research data management on an institutional level, and a framework to guide institutions and governments on how to incentivise researchers, creating enabling environments for them to conduct data-driven science. Various experts were consulted as part of the development of the frameworks, and it is expected to provide valuable guidance to governments and institutions on the African continent on how to take Open Science forward as part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
As part of its deliverables in capacity building, AOSP planned and hosted its first Data Science School in Ethiopia. This was done in collaboration with the Ethiopian Academy of Science (EAS), Addis Ababa University, the Research Data Alliance (RDA), and CODATA. The workshop ran from 17 to 29 June 2019.
The ASSAf AOSP team actively participated in the programme committee planning meetings of the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC) Africa conference (December 2019).
The project, after a bidding process, will continue to be hosted through the NRF and other stakeholders i.e. ASSAf, International Science Council.
ASSAf Research Repository The ASSAf research repository is a digital service that collects, preserves, and distributes digital material. The collection consists of ASSAf Consensus Study Reports, Workshop Proceedings and Other Reports, Policymakers’ Booklets, and Quest: Science for South Africa. The details of postings in the repository is summarised in Table 1.
Khulisa Journals ASSAf Council approved the rebranding of the ASSAf Open Journal System (OJS) platform to Khulisa Journals in May 2019. ASSAf’s federated journal platform hosts eight journal websites, each integrated with its own content management system using open-source software. The mission of the platform is to assist good-quality, open-access South African journals to adhere to best practices and to enhance their reach through optimising accessibility, discoverability, indexability, interoperability, and visibility. ASSAf aims to maintain and develop the functionality provided on the platform in line with best practice. The platform currently provides journals with functionality such as article and review reports, Crossref 28 Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
integration for the automatic depositing of DOIs, automatic export to DOAJ, citation export, publishing of ORCiDs, social share buttons, Altmetric (for non-citation metrics) and Dimensions. Dimensions – a digital tool that gathers citation data from various platforms, indexers, and harvesters – was added to the platform in 2019.
ASSAf’s vision for the Khulisa Journals platform is to sustain and grow the hosting service in the long term. Journals added to the platform must be included on the SciELO SA Collection or must have received a recommendation from an ASSAf peer review panel for inclusion on SciELO SA and meet the criteria for inclusion on SciELO SA. Two journals – WaterSA and Clean Air Journal – were added to the platform in August 2019 and October 2019, respectively. ASSAf now hosts eight journals on this platform, including the South African Journal of Science.
The Second Annual Khulisa Journals User Group Meeting was held on 16 July 2019. In consideration of the introduction of new SciELO criteria, the meeting included a training session on journal performance reporting, media releases and marketing, and the use of iThenticate Similarity Check.
African Scientists Directory This database consists of biographical details of African scientists working in science, technology, innovation, and more, across all disciplines (https://africanscientists.africa/).
It was developed in partnership with ISC ROA and funded by the DSI. It aims to benefit the continent as a whole, at the same time advancing collaboration with countries and scientists globally. Approximately 300 scientist profiles were registered by the end of April 2020, as part of the pilot.
3.2.2 Quality Assurance
Discipline-grouped Peer Review of South African Scholarly Journals The Report on Grouped Peer Review of Scholarly Journals in Education was approved by the ASSAf Standing Committee on Scholarly Publishing in South Africa (CSPiSA) with minor changes. The report has been approved by the ASSAf Council.
The second Peer Review Panel meeting of the journals in the Mathematics and Science disciplinary group took place on 30 October 2019. The panel is currently working on the consensus review reports.
The second Peer Review Panel meeting of the journals in the History, Philosophy, and Politics disciplinary group took place on 22 November 2019. The panel is currently working on the consensus review reports.
The Peer Review Panel of the journals in the Economics and Business Management disciplinary group met for the first time on 21 November 2019. The panel has recommended the names of potential reviewers. After being cleared for conflict of interest, three reviewers for each journal (28 journals) were appointed and the journals are currently being reviewed.
Reviews in the Other Disciplines subject group (50 journals) will be conducted in the next period.
Committee on Scholarly Publishing in South Africa (CSPiSA) The CSPiSA, ASSAf’s Standing Committee of the SPP met on 29 April 2019. The secretariat reported on the Scholarly Programme’s activities since the last meeting in April 2018.
The Committee was also consulted on various matters and activities of the SPP during the year.
A new role was discussed and planned for the SPP which will be rolled out in the next five-year strategic plan of ASSAf from 2020 onwards. Peer-Review Panel of Journal Applications for DHET Accreditation ASSAf assisted the DHET in constituting a Peer Review Panel to evaluate the new and re-applications of 29 Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
journals for DHET accreditation. A panel of 12 expert scholars was selected from ASSAf Membership, SAYAS, and the NRF databases. There were 13 journals under review from various fields of education, health, humanities, management, and law. A meeting of the panellists to review the journals took place on 18 November 2018 in Johannesburg. The reports were submitted to the DHET.
3.2.3 Research Publishing
Consensus studies In 2016, the Academy commissioned the Centre for Research on Evaluation of Science and Technology (CREST) at the University of Stellenbosch to do a thorough, largely bibliometric study of scholarly publishing in and from South Africa in the period 2005 to 2014, with all forms of peer-reviewed scholarly publications included, whether in journals, books or conference proceedings. This study formed the basis for this second report Twelve Years Later: Second ASSAf Report on Research Publishing in and from South Africa on Scholarly Publishing in South Africa which was launched on 29 April 2019.
The launch was attended by 71 delegates representing academia, government, and industry. The report was accepted by Dr Diane Parker, Deputy Director-General: University Policy and Development Support of the Department of Higher Education and Training.
ASSAf completed a peer-reviewed consensus study commissioned by the NRF entitled Recognising Individual Contributions to Collaborative Research: Limitations of Proportional Publication Counts and Proposals for Alternatives. The consensus study was initiated as a multi-disciplinary study of how collaborative research could be appropriately recognised and rewarded in South Africa. The study was motivated by the increasing participation of individual academics and researchers in large national and international collaborations.
The report was formally handed over to Dr Dorsamy (Gansen) Pillay, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Research Foundation and Dr Diane Parker, Deputy Director-General: University Policy and Development Support of the Department of Higher Education and Training by Prof Robin Crewe, Chair of Scholarly Publishing in South Africa (CSPiSA), on 11 March 2020 in Pretoria. The launch was attended by 51 delegates representing academia, government, and industry.
3.2.4 South African Journal of Science (SAJS)
The year 2019 marked the 115th year of publication of the Journal.
Prof Jane Carruthers succeeded Dr John Butler-Adam as Editor-in-Chief from April 2019. Dr Butler- Adam served as Editor-in-Chief from November 2012 to March 2019.
The first two Associate Editor Mentees appointed with the introduction of the Associate Editor Mentorship Programme completed their one-year mentorship in May 2019. Prof Yali Woyessa’s mentorship was extended for 6 months for further mentorship and he was then successfully appointed as the Associate Editor for Earth & Environmental Sciences in November 2019, replacing Prof Nic Beukes who had been responsible for that portfolio since its inception in 2008. Two new Associate Editor mentees were appointed in June 2019: Dr Ntombizodwa Mathe from the National Laser Centre at the CSIR in the field of Engineering & Technology and Dr Salmina Mokgehle from the Agricultural Research Council in the field of Agriculture & Forestry.
The annual Editorial Advisory Board Meeting was held on 24 February 2020 and the annual Associate Editors’ Meeting was held on 13 March 2020.
A total of 511 submissions were received in 2019 and 43% of authors were based in SA. The 2019 rejection rate was 91%, and 146 articles (62 peer-reviewed articles) were published in 2019/20. There
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were 166 news reports in mainstream media on SAJS articles in 2019. The advertising value equivalent (i.e. what it would cost to place an equivalent ‘sized’ advertisement) based on this coverage of SAJS articles was R20 million. Increased traffic to the SAJS website to view the articles reported on in the media was consistently observed. In total, there were 67 500 views of the SAJS website in 2019. Media reports on SAJS articles in 2019 and audience reach is shown below:
Print media Online media Broadcast media
109 news reports 53 news reports 4 broadcasts
458 000 circulation 16 600 000 page views 200 000 audience
An Invited Review in the May/June 2019 issue on secondary metabolites from marine sponges as sources of novel pharmaceuticals received much interest from the press, with media reports on the potential anti-cancer effects appearing in Cape Argus, Saturday Dispatch, TimesLIVE, and BusinessTech. Other articles in this issue – on plagiarism and a nurdle spillage – also received media interest, and the author of the article on plagiarism was interviewed on Radio 702. As a consequence of this interest, these articles were downloaded 100 and 140 times, respectively, in the first week after publication. An article on the “Copyright Amendment Bill” was viewed 640 times and downloaded 345 times in the first week after publication.
The number of website views quadrupled on the day of publication of the July/August 2019 issue – from an average of 250 views daily to 1000 views on 30 July. The cover story, Progressive delays in the timing of sardine migration in the southwest Indian Ocean, was reported on extensively in mainstream media outlets, including in TimesLIVE, Daily News, The Citizen, The Witness, and the Beeld. It also received a lot of attention via the SAJS Twitter page and was further shared by science communicators (8%), scientists (15%), and the public (77%). Consequently, the Altmetric Attention Score for this article was very high: in the top 5% of all research outputs scored by Altmetric and in the 97th percentile compared to outputs of the same age. Another article in the July/August issue entitled Cardioprotection conferred by rooibos (Aspalathus linearis): A mini-review to highlight a potential mechanism of action was featured in the #SAJS_Spotlight science engagement series through a Twitter Q&A with the author who had 5700 Followers. The engagement received over 23 tweets from more than six users, with an upper bound of 15 500 Followers. The article entitled “Natural ventilation as a means of airborne tuberculosis infection control in minibus taxis” was viewed 1200 times in 2019 since its publication in the September/October 2019 issue – the highest number of views for all articles published in 2019.
The November/December 2019 issue was themed ‘Promoting Academic Integrity’. Selected papers from the Council on Higher Education’s 2019 conference ‘Promoting Academic Integrity in Higher Education’ comprised this themed issue. The papers addressed different aspects of academic dishonesty from the global scourge of examination cheating and the challenges of assessment in the context of massification of higher education to the practice of ‘sexually transmitted marks’ and the role quality assurance agencies can play in maintaining academic integrity. These articles received between 200 and 300 views and 40–70 downloads each within the first week after publication. The articles were also highlighted on the SAJS Twitter account through the #SAJS_Spotlight and received good engagement. In keeping with the theme of the issue, the joint Statement on Ethical Research and Scholarly Publishing Practices – signed on 31 July 2019 by ASSAf, the Council for Higher Education (CHE), NRF, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and Universities South Africa (USAf) – was also published in this issue, together with responses of each of these key agencies indicating how each will be implementing the Statement. The Statement received over 300 views in the first week after publication. ASSAf’s response to the Statement, authored by Susan Veldsman, Wieland Gevers, and Robin Crewe, received over 200 views in the first week after publication and was mentioned in a University World News report. 31 Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
An article in the January/February 2020 issue on the implications of the reclassification of South African wildlife species as farm animals attracted widespread attention. Within two weeks of publication, the article had received 640 views and was downloaded 255 times on the SAJS website and had 255 clicks on social media with a potential reach of 2600 on Facebook and 800 on Twitter (67% from the public and 25% from scientists). The article was also reported on in Science, The Guardian and Times Select. An article entitled Pleistocene large reptile tracks and probable swim traces on South Africa’s Cape south coast, published in the March/April 2020 issue, was viewed 950 times in the first month. It has an Altmetric Attention Score 49 – placing it in the top 5% of all research outputs scored by Altmetric and in the 94th percentile of outputs of the same age.
Clarivate Analytics released the 2019 Web of Science Journal Citation Reports on 20 June 2019. The number of citations to SAJS articles increased from 2300 in 2017 to 2604 in 2018, and the journal impact factor increased from 1.19 in 2017 to 1.35 in 2018. The Journal is ranked 6th of 52 South African journals and 39th of 64 multidisciplinary journals on the Web of Science database.
3.2.5 Quest: Science for South Africa
Six new members were elected to the Quest editorial board – Prof Martin Bucher (UKZN), Prof Don Cowan (UP), Prof Amanda Esterhuysen (Wits), Dr Marina Joubert (SU), Dr Walter Matli (VUT) and Prof Robin Kroon.
The Quest website was launched in August 2019, during the National Science Week and is available at https://questonline.org.za/. The website has improved the traffic to the ASSAf repository and provided an extended opportunity of aligning the magazine themes to national days where possible. The option to download a single article within an issue has provided new opportunities for people interested in specific articles as opposed to the whole volume. The four volumes published during this reporting period are volumes 15.1-16.1, and the views and downloads from the ASSAf repository are shown below.
15.2 15.3 15.4 16.1 Microcomputed Machine Protecting International tomography learning Paralympians Year of Plant Health Views 1341 372 578 212 Downloads 881 461 Not in top ten 274 anymore
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Top five countries who access the soft copy (either view or download)
15.2 15.3 15.4 16.1 RSA 430 RSA 221 RSA 192 RSA 152 USA 124 USA 86 USA 49 China 5 China 43 China 37 China 31 USA 4 Netherlands 32 Ireland 28 Netherlands 5 Mauritius 3 Germany 29 Netherlands 20 Canada 3 Netherlands 2
Quest is still a very popular science magazine in SA but is slowly making inroads in other countries and possibly competing with other magazines in that space in those respective countries.
3.3 PROGRAMME 3: Liaison Programme (LP)
The LP is structured into a number of sub-programmes, each of which is designed to establish and strengthen partnerships and engagement with key stakeholders and organisations, with the overall purpose of promoting and recognising excellence and scholarly achievement; strengthening and enhancing international scientific linkages; and advancing engagement with key policymakers in government, including Parliament and relevant national scientific organisations.
The internal structure of the programme is as follows:
• Member Liaison, which includes all aspects pertaining to Academy Member elections and communication with Members. • National Liaison, which is divided into strategic partnerships; scholarly lectures; prizes and awards; and science engagement. • International Liaison, which is divided into Strategic Partnerships; Africa Collaboration; and Overseas Collaboration. • Young Scientists’ Liaison, which ensures young scientists’ participation in STI activities nationally, regionally and globally. • Gender and STI, which aims to promote gender mainstreaming and the application of a gender lens. • Hosting international organisations, including TWAS SAREP and ISC ROA.
3.3.1 Member Liaison
The core asset of science academies is their Membership and their ability to draw on highly qualified scientists from a large range of disciplines to assist in the science advisory role.
In its criteria for Membership, ASSAf places emphasis on the application of scientific thinking to the problems and challenges facing South African society. The academy draws its Membership from all population groups and from all scientific disciplines. Although the Academy Membership has increased, there is still underrepresentation of blacks, women and certain disciplines of science. Each year in its Membership call, ASSAf strives to reflect more accurately on the changing profile of South African scholars. The current gender and racial profile of ASSAf is 27% women and 31% Black, respectively.
Twenty-three new Members were elected and inaugurated in October 2019:
• Prof Olubukola Babalola is Full Professor in microbial biotechnology and Director of the Food Security and Safety Niche area at North-West University (Mahikeng Campus). • Prof Martin Bucher is a Research Professor and Honorary Professor in the Astrophysics and Cosmology Research Unit, School of Mathematics, Statistics & Computer Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
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• Prof Yahya Choonara is Chair and Head of Department: Pharmacy and Pharmacology at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and Principal Scientist and Syndicate Co-Director: Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform. • Prof Teresa Coutinho is Professor in the Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria. • Prof James Darkwa is a Visiting Professor in the Department of Chemistry, University of Johannesburg and Lead Researcher: Specialty Chemicals at the Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation, Gaborone, Botswana. • Prof Keertan Dheda is Professor and Head of the Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town. • Prof Aslam Fataar is Distinguished Professor in the Faculty of Education, Stellenbosch University. • Prof Louis Kotzé is Research Professor of Law, North-West University where he also teaches in the post-graduate LLM programme in Environmental Law and Governance. • Prof Loren Landau is Professor in the African Centre for Migration & Society, University of the Witwatersrand. • Prof Genevieve Langdon is Head of Department and Professor: Mechanical Engineering, University of Cape Town. • Prof Lesley Le Grange is Distinguished Professor in the Department of Curriculum Studies at Stellenbosch University. • Prof Paramu Mafongoya is Professor in the School of Agriculture, Earth and Life Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and holds the South African Research Chair in Agronomy and Rural Development at the same institution. • Prof Bridgemohan (Brij) Maharaj is Professor of Geography at the University of Kwazulu-Natal. • Prof Bice Martincigh is a Professor in the School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal. • Prof Ernesta Meintjes is Professor in Biomedical Engineering and the South African Research Chair in Brain Imaging at the University of Cape Town. • Prof Albert Modi is the Deputy-Vice Chancellor and Head of the College of Agriculture, Engineering & Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal. • Prof Letlhokwa Mpedi is Executive Dean of Law at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and Director at the Centre for International and Comparative Labour and Social Security Law at the same institution. • Dr Antonel Olckers is the founder and CEO of DNAbiotec (Pty)Ltd, a sustainable knowledge- based core biotech company. • Prof Charles Parry is Director of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit at the South African Medical Research Council and Distinguished Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Stellenbosch University. • Prof Saurabh Sinha is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation at the University of Johannesburg. • Prof Ann Skelton is Professor in the Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria and Director: Centre for Child Law at the same institution. • Prof Cristina Trois is the South African Research Chair in Waste and Climate Change and Full Professor in Environmental Engineering at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. • Prof David Walwyn is Full Professor, Graduate School of Technology Management at the University of Pretoria.
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ASSAf Membership now stands at 572. The full list of ASSAf Members is available on www.assaf.org.za. The apportionment of Membership by discipline is shown below.
ASSAf Membership by Discipline 140 124 120
100 81 80 73 70 61 60
Number 48 40 27 28 25 17 18 20
0
Discipline
Membership Prizes and Awards Central to the purpose of an Academy is the recognition and reward of outstanding contributions to the advancement of knowledge and to society. While ASSAf has embraced the working Academy model, the value of celebrating scholarly achievements speaks directly to the Academy’s mandate.
ASSAf has instituted prestigious Science-for-Society Gold Medal awards to recognise outstanding scientific achievements in the service of society. Each year up to two Science-for-Society Gold Medals are award- ed. Provision is made for awarding, on an irregular basis, a Gold Medal for Outstanding Meritorious Service, of which only two have been awarded to date.
ASSAf recognised one of South Africa’s foremost scholars with a gold medal at its prestigious Annual Awards Ceremony held in Pretoria on 9 October 2019. The award was presented to South African professor of psychology at Stellenbosch University, Prof Leslie Swartz.
Prof Leslie Swartz has played a leading role in developing the field of disability studies in South Africa and his path-breaking work on disability assessment processes was fundamental in developments in the field.
Alongside his scholarly contributions, he has a long and sustained track record of meaningful capacity building, of contributing to diversifying the academy, and to producing work which improves the lives of vulnerable and excluded people. Central to Swartz`s approach is the development of research capacity in people previously excluded from the academy and to making principles of scientific engagement accessible to the broader community.
As part of his work on care, illness and disablement issues, Swartz has provided free consultation services and he is also supervising the first ever study of mental health issues amongst deaf children conducted on the African continent. Swartz has a keen interest in access to services for people who are 35 Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
excluded in various ways. In this regard, he heads a research team which has worked with the Western Cape Government to train, support and trial the use of language interpreters in a number of health care settings in the Western Cape.
He is sought after as an academic mentor and contributes regularly to training of more junior researchers at a range of South African universities. To date, he has supervised to successful conclusion over forty PhD`s, many of them black, women, and disabled South Africans.
3.3.2 National Liaison
Scholarly Lectures The key objective is to contribute to scholarly activity and discourse through, amongst others, the Distinguished Visiting Scholar (DVS) Programme and Regional Scholarly Lectures.
Distinguished Visiting Scholar Programme The Academy annually brings outstanding international scholars to South Africa for approximately two weeks for a nationwide lecture tour. The purpose is to promote scholarly activity and to contribute towards strengthening scientific endeavour in South Africa.
Prof Boyd Swinburn, professor of Population Nutrition and Global Health in the School of Population Health, University of Auckland was appointed as the 2019/20 Distinguished Visiting Scholar.
He had accepted the Academy’s invitation to visit South Africa as ASSAf’s Distinguished Visiting Scholar, however, requested to delay his visit to later in the 2020/21 financial year. The ASSAf Council endorsed the postponement and approved the appointment of a second Distinguished Visiting Scholar, Prof Romain Murenzi, Executive Director: The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) who has been invited to visit South Africa before the end of the 2019/20 financial year. His visit was postponed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Embassy Lecture Series The Academy collaborates with embassies of various overseas countries to organise the ASSAf- Embassy Lecture Series. The Lecture Series serves as a platform for hosting activities of mutual interest between ASSAf and embassy missions in South Africa.
Presidential Round Tables The Presidential Round Table discussions, moderated by ASSAf President, Prof Jonathan Jansen focus on thought-provoking and sometimes controversial issues facing the academic and higher education community in the country. The fourth in the series took place on 24 October 2019 at Stellenbosch University.
Science, Business and Society ASSAf embarked on a strategy to enhance dialogue and cooperation between science, business and society. Businesses in the country have been engaged to attend a forum where science matters and their role therein are discussed. ASSAf created a platform, the ASSAf Science-Business Leadership Forum (SBLF) initiative, facilitated by ASSAf’s president, Prof Jonathan Jansen, where leading experts from the private sector could engage with prominent scientists from the Academy to deliberate on critical issues affecting both science and the business community. ASSAf in partnership with Jakes Gerwel Fellowship, has subsequently hosted the 2nd annual ASSAf Science-Business Leadership Forum on 27 November 2019 at Allan Gray, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, titled: “Schools, Business and 4IR Imperatives”. The objective of this forum was to address the implications of technological innovations associated with 4IR to advance effective teaching and learning in South African (SA) schools, in particular, how these technologies can resolve inequalities in science and mathematics education, especially in disadvantaged schools.
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Innovation for Inclusive Development (IID) Policy Dialogues The purpose of the IID seminars is to demonstrate how innovative technology solutions may be used to improve the capacity of the State to deliver and improve access to basic services, and thereby advance local economic development. The practical knowledge and insights generated from these seminars can be used as tools to support evidence-based policy and decision-making to enhance service delivery and building capacity in relevant State institutions and communities. Three seminars were hosted during the reporting period.
Parliamentary Engagements ASSAf continued to engage with parliament to maintain and strengthen collaboration, to ensure that legislators are informed of ASSAf’s evidence-based activities and their influence on policymaking; to raise the profile of ASSAf; and position the Academy as a resource for parliament as an independent, credible and objective voice on a range of topics.
Face-to-face meetings were held with the International Relations Secretariat and the Office of the Deputy Speaker, headed by Mr Solomon Tsenoli. ASSAf met with Dr Leon Gabriel from the Knowledge and Information Services division, to finalise the draft MoU. ASSAf has sourced, through a contractual service from the Parliamentary Monitoring Group (PMG), to provide ASSAf with updates on the work of Parliament and Cabinet Statements.
Profs Jansen and Soodyall attended the Colloquium on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) hosted by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Technology at Parliament on 17 September 2019.
3.3.3 International Liaison
The purpose of this sub-programme is to establish, strengthen and sustain productive collaborations with African and overseas academies of science and like-minded organisations, with a view to enhancing capacity in S&T, and its application within the NSI. The programme strengthens and enhances interactions with relevant stakeholders in key national government departments, other public entities of the DSI, for ex- ample the NRF and policymakers in government, whose work has an international focus. The programme also engages in science diplomacy.
Strategic Partnerships During the year under review, the following ASSAf members and Secretariat represented the Academy in key strategic partnerships. These include:
InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) The Vice-President of ASSAf, Prof Brenda Wingfield, continued to serve in the IAP for Science Executive Committee. She was involved in the review of proposals that were submitted to the IAP by member academies. ASSAf continues to serve in the IAP for Health Executive Committee, with Prof Karen Hofman as the ASSAf representative. Dr Kristy Langerman represented the Academy in the IAP Working Group on Urban Health. Dr Chandre Gould has been nominated to represent ASSAf at the IAP’s Respect and Dialogue project. Prof Julian May represented ASSAf at the InterAcademy Partnership Science for Poverty Eradication Committee meeting hosted by the Brazilian Academy of Sciences from 27 – 29 March 2019. ASSAf Members serve on several IAP working groups.
ASSAf also endorsed an IAP statement on a call for action to declare trauma as a disease.
Prof Soodyall, Mr Maphosa and Prof Cheryl Hendricks attended the IAP meeting hosted by the Korean Academy of Science and technology in South Korea, 8 – 10 April 2019, and Prof Soodyall presented a paper on “Science and the SDGs: the role of academies”. Prof Hendricks presented on “Food and Nutrition Security and Agriculture – African Perspective” as part of the Report on Opportunities for Future Research and Innovation on Food and Nutrition Security and
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Agriculture – The InterAcademy Partnership’s Global Perspective. The report is part of the global IAP project Food and Nutrition Security and Agriculture (FNSA) and was endorsed by Prof Hendricks.
TWAS-SAREP Partnership TWAS-SAREP implemented the following activities in 2019 and the activities were funded by TWAS- UNESCO and the DSI.
TWAS-SAREP Awards TWAS-SAREP administered the nomination and selections of the two regional awards i.e TWAS Regional Award and the TWAS-SAREP Regional Young Scientists’ Award. The nominations were received from Ghana; Guinea; Kenya; Namibia; Nigeria; South Africa; Tanzania and Uganda. The TWAS Regional Award was honoured to Prof Michael Umale Adikwu from Nigeria for his significant contributions to the Development of Scientific Educational Material. Scientific Educational Materials are essential components for solving many local, regional and global challenges that include poverty, health and sustainable development.
The TWAS-SAREP Regional Young Scientists’ Award sought to honour an outstanding scientist/candidate who has made significant contribution to the prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable infectious diseases initiatives in developing countries. The honour was awarded to Dr Misaki Wayengera, a young scientist from Uganda.
TWAS-SAREP Regional Young Scientists’ Conference 2019 The Regional Partner collaborated with the Kenya National Academy of Science (KNAS), the DSI, ASSAf, the NRF and the Government of Kenya to host the annual TWAS-SAREP Regional Young Scientists’ Conference (RYSC) in Nairobi, Kenya from 23 to 25 October 2019. The theme for the conference was Water-Food Climate/Energy Nexus and Policy in Africa. The conference addressed critical issues pertinent to Africa’s development challenges in an interdisciplinary approach as identified in the African Union’s Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA) 2024. Both plenary and poster presentations were made at the conference. Deliberations entailed the science as well as the policy dimensions of the four sub-themes, namely: Food Security in Africa; Climate and Environmental Protection; Water Resources Exploitation and Management; and Energy and Sustainable Development in Africa. The event had over 130 participants from Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Participants were selected from over 259 applicants.
TWAS Young Affiliates The regional office administered the 2019 TWAS Young Affiliates selections through an open call to attract early career researchers which was administered electronically. TWAS-SAREP received 60 nominations from Benin, Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Mauritius, Namibian, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The TWAS Executive Director endorsed the following five scientists who were selected by the selection committee as the 2019 cohort of Affiliates: Prof Lisa du Toit (South Africa, Female), Dr Nowsheen Goonoo (Mauritius, Female), Dr Josephine Ngunjiri (Kenya, Female), Dr Tatenda Dalu (Zimbabwe, Male) and Dr Mamadou Kaba (Guinea, Male). The selection committee approved the selection of up to ten Young Affiliates per year beginning from 2020 with a focus on scientists from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and women scientists.
Minds Africa Conference, Kenya TWAS-SAREP in collaboration with the African Academy of Sciences (AAS), the Royal Society, the Global Young Academy (GYA), the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study, and the Next Einstein Forum co- organized a transdisciplinary conference named Connecting Minds Africa. The event was held in Nairobi, Kenya from 25 to 27 September 2019 and attracted the participation of more than 150 early career researchers from African countries, including representatives from National Young Academies in Africa. Connecting Minds Africa is the first event of its kind to gather a large number of diverse emerging and young scientists from various disciplines, viz., Natural and Applied Sciences, Social Sciences and 38 Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Humanities. The conference provided a platform for African scholars to connect and share their research with their peers and to build mutually supportive networks to drive the development of STI on the continent.
Importantly, the conference provided a networking platform for the researchers with policy makers, industry leaders and experts. Notably, the vitality of celebrating scientific achievements and discoveries in Africa was the core of the conversations. The event also featured several skills-imparting sessions like the introductory session on Science Diplomacy by ASSAf, the Role of National Young Academies in Africa led by the GYA, and the AAS mentorship programme for early-career researchers. TWAS-SAREP was represented by eight TWAS Young Affiliates: Prof Archana Bhaw-Luximon (Mauritius), Dr Barbara Burmen (Kenya), Dr Dalia Saad (Sudan), Dr Emile Rugamika Chimusa (Democratic Republic of Congo), Dr Hudaa Neetoo (Mauritius), Prof Achille Ephrem Assogbadjo (Benin), Dr Frederick Adzitey (Ghana) and Dr Banothile Makhubela (South Africa).
3.3.4 Overseas Collaborations
Mental Health Symposium ASSAf jointly with the German National Academy of Sciences, Leopoldina, supported by DSI and Janssen Phamaceutica, hosted a two-day symposium on mental health titled Global Mental Health in an Era of Sustainable Development: Research and Policy Priorities. The symposium was held on 30 to 31 May 2019 at St George Hotel and Conference Centre in Pretoria, Gauteng. The event brought together experts from Germany and Brazil, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) excluding Russia, to deliberate on policy priorities and current research needs for global, regional and national understanding of mental health.
The symposium provided a platform to funding agencies such as the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) to share information about available funding to support mental health research. The event was attended by academics, policy makers as well as public and private health practitioners.
Air Pollution and Health ASSAf jointly with the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (ABC), the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, the US National Academy of Medicine (USNAM), and the US National Academy of Sciences (USNAS) hosted a launch on Air Pollution and Health. The launch took place on 19 June 2019 at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York, USA. The academies handed over a joint science-policy statement on air pollution and health to UN representatives and UN Ambassadors representing Brazil, Germany and the United States of America (USA). The UN permanent representative, H.E. Mauro Viera, H.E. Christoph Hausgen and H.E. Cherith Norman Chalet, from Brazil, Germany and the USA, respectively, received the statement and made short remarks.
The statement is a product of a science-policy initiative jointly convened by the five national academies to contribute to the reduction of air pollution associated risks to health. It brought together the best scientific evidence and policy advice from eminent scientists for the enhancement of global action in this field. ASSAf nominated Professor Angela Mathee from the South African Medical Research Council (MRC), Professor Stuart Piketh from North-West University (NWU), Dr Kristy Langerman from University of Johannesburg (UJ), Dr Caradee Wright (MRC) and Dr Tafadzwa Makonese (UJ) to represent the academy and contribute to the drafting of the statement.
During the launch, messages of support were made by Satya Tripathi (UN Assistant Secretary-General), Werner Obermeyer (Deputy Executive Director of the WHO Office) and Helena Molin Valdes (Head of Secretariat, Climate and Clean Air Coalition). Professor Himla Soodyall represented ASSAf at the launch on behalf of Professor Jonathan Jansen, President of ASSAf and was accompanied by Dr Caradee Wright (ASSAf scientific coordinator).
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Energy Efficiency and Energy Storage ASSAf jointly with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina hosted a symposium on Research and Innovation in Energy Efficient and Energy Storage Technologies in an Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The symposium took place from 14 to 16 October 2019 at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences in China. The event was attended by energy experts from South Africa, China and Germany. ASSAf was represented by Dr Peter Mukoma (CSIR), Professor Daniel Irurah (University of the Witwatersrand), Professor Natasha Sacks (Stellenbosch University), Professor Daniel Chowdhury (Tshwane University of Technology), and Dr Siyavuya Bulani (ASSAf secretariat).
The aim of the symposium was to assess global research patterns and domestic policies, with emphasis on South Africa, China and Germany, aimed at promoting innovation and research in energy efficiency and energy storage. The symposium focused on energy efficiency in the building, industrial and transport sectors and distributed energy resources. South African and German energy experts where given an opportunity to visit one of the leading large-scale energy storage battery manufacturing factories in China.
2nd BRICS Academies of Science Meeting The Brazilian Academy of Sciences (ABC) hosted the 2nd BRICS Academies of Science meeting on 4 and 5 November 2019 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The meeting was attended by representatives from other BRICS Academies such as the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), Indian National Science Academy (INSA), CAS and ASSAf. ASSAf was represented by Prof Himla Soodyall and Dr Siyavuya Bulani, The academy representatives deliberated on building science and cooperation within the context of BRICS. The focus of the talks was finding common challenges facing the BRICS countries and potential solutions.
Since the academies are now formally recognised as a working group, all representatives resolved that a strategic plan for the BRICS Academies of Science should be put together. The plan will provide details on the role of academies within the BRICS framework and identify activities of mutual interest and implementation thereof. In addition, the BRICS Academies of Science will produce a joint statement aligned to the theme of the BRICS Young Scientist Forum. The next BRICS Academies of Science meeting will be hosted by RAS in 2020.
BRICS Academies of Science Committee During the 2nd BRICS Academies of Science meeting hosted by the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (ABC) on 4 and 5 November 2019 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Prof Himla Soodyall and Mr Marcos Scheuenstuhl, EO of ASSAf and Executive Director of International Affairs of the ABC, respectively, were appointed as coordinators for the BRICS Academies of Science Strategic Plan Committee. The Committee will be tasked with drafting a Strategic Plan that would detail the role of the academies within the BRICS Framework, identify themes and activities of mutual interest, and an implementation plan. All the academies have nominated their representatives in the Committee. The following people were nominated by their respective academies: ABC (Prof Helena Nader, Prof Jailson Bittencourt de Andrade, and Prof Wanderley de Souz); Russian Academy of Science (RUS) (Prof Yuri Balega, Prof Valery Bondur); Indian National Science Academy (INSA) (Prof K.N. Ganeshaiah, and Prof Maharaj K. Pandit); Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) (Prof Dr. Chen Jin, Prof LI Xianfeng, and Prof Yi Shi); and, ASSAf (Prof Alan Christoffels, Prof Wieland Gevers, and Prof Evance Rabban Kalula).
3.3.5 African Collaborations
A major thrust of ASSAf’s international liaison is focused on African cooperation. It includes building and maintaining relationships with academies of science in Africa, of which there are 28, and supporting NASAC. ASSAf has MoUs with academies in Benin, Mauritius, Nigeria, Senegal and Uganda and partners with these and other academies on both a bilateral and multilateral level. addressing socio-economic issues on the African continent. 40 Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Cooperation within Africa is broadly implemented under NASAC’s Strategic Plan and aims, inter alia, to strengthen academies of science in Africa. ASSAf has a critical role to play as it is one of the strongest and better resourced academies in Africa.
Specific objectives for ASSAf are to focus on academy development in the SADC region and to strengthen bilateral agreements with academies in African countries where the DSI already has bilateral agreements. ASSAf also engages with the Pan African Parliament Committee on Science and Technology and the African Union Scientific Technical Research Commission (STRC).
Strategy Brainstorming for the Botswana Academy of Sciences The Botswana Academy of Science (BAS) hosted a strategy planning meeting at the Botswana Institute of Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI) in Gaborone, Botswana on 29 April 2019. ASSAf was invited to make a presentation about its own strategy and BAS will use best practices from ASSAf and other science academies to develop their own five-year strategy. The strategy drafting meeting was attended by ASSAf’s International and National Manager, Mr Stanley Maphosa and Dr Pulane Mswela, BAS General Secretary presented a draft on what the BAS strategy should entail.
Following on this strategic meeting, two board members of BAS were tasked with drafting the strategy of the academy. This first draft of the strategy was sent to ASSAf for input in September and Ms Phyllis Kalele and Mr Stanley Maphosa reviewed the document. Once finalised, the strategy will be shared with government and other key stakeholders.
The role of ASSAf was acknowledged in most of the BAS achievements thus far. BAS was launched on 10 November 2016 and aims to recognise, support, and promote excellence in scientific research.
In 2017, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states agreed to support the formation of new academies of science and to develop existing academies. The number of science academies in the SADC region is steadily increasing and there is a need for continuous engagements. Angola is in the final stages of establishing a national academy of science and Namibia, Lesotho and Malawi have expressed interest in establishing a national academy of science.
ASSAf Signs Agreement with the Pan African Parliament (PAP) ASSAf entered into an agreement with the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) with the objective of the advancement of science on the continent. The memorandum of agreement (MoU), signed by Prof Himla Soodyall, Executive Officer of ASSAf on behalf of ASSAf President, Prof Jonathan Jansen, and the Honourable Roger Nkodo Dang, President of PAP, paved the way for effective collaboration on activities of common interest, particularly the development of science academies within the continent, the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Priority areas of cooperation will be derived from the AU’s Agenda 2063 vision of “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa representing a dynamic force in global arena”, in particular its aspiration for an Africa whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of African people, especially its women and youth, and caring for children. Goal 4 of the SDGs urging a refocus of efforts to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”,
The partnership will allow PAP to make informed policy decisions through evidence-based studies. The sharing of information will also allow continuous engagement between scientists and legislators which is rare in most countries.
PAP was inaugurated in 2004 as a platform for people from all African states to be involved in discussions and decision-making on the problems and challenges facing the African continent. The MOU will not only provide opportunities for more science engagements but will also ensure focus in
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NASAC-Leopoldina Project Evaluation Meeting NASAC and Leopoldina project-based cooperation came to an end in August 2019 after eight years. As the project reached the end of the agreed period, it was deemed prudent to hold an evaluation meeting to review the past cooperation with all national academies that were part of the project. The evaluation meeting was held in Nairobi, Kenya on 16 and 17 May and an evaluation report was produced by Leopoldina.
SADC Joint Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Education and Training & Science, Technology and Innovation, Windhoek, Namibia ASSAf participated in the joint meeting for SADC Ministers in Windhoek, Namibia from 17 to 21 June 2019. ASSAf’s participation was primarily to follow up on- and track the progress of the ministers’ decision on science academies. ASSAf is recognised by NASAC as the lead academy in the SADC region and its responsibilities are to assist SADC countries to establish science academies, strengthen and capacitate academies’ secretariats. There are currently nine academies of science of the 16 SADC member states, these are. Botswana, eSwatini, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The meeting was a success and Seychelles expressed their interest in establishing an academy and liaise with ASSAf for assistance. ASSAf held discussions with Namibia through a meeting facilitated by the DSI Namibia. Namibia has subsequently shown interest to establish an academy.
NASAC Board Meeting NASAC held its 2019 board meeting in Pretoria, South Africa on 22 July 2019 which was hosted by ASSAf. During the board meeting, the members had a meet and greet session with Mr Daan du Toit, Deputy Director General: International Cooperation and Resources, DSI. After the board meeting, the board members held an open forum where they held meetings with representatives from the IAP, African Scientific Research and Innovation Council (ASRIC) and the Global Young Academy (GYA). The board members met ASSAf Council members and participated in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 Symposium which ASSAf hosted on 23 and 24 July 2019.
AAAS-TWAS Train the Trainers Course on Science Diplomacy The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and TWAS recently hosted the first Train the Trainers Course on Science Diplomacy which was held on 26 to 28 August 2019 at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy. Ms Phyllis Kalele, Senior Liaison Officer-African Collaboration at ASSAf formed part of this inaugural cohort composed of participants drawn from 22 countries around the world. Each participant at this training course had previously participated in science diplomacy workshops hosted by AAAS and TWAS since 2014.
Regional Consultation on Strengthening National Academies of Science in Support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development The United Nations Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries (UNTBLDCs), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the NASAC hosted the above-mentioned meeting in Antananarivo, Madagascar. This meeting was held on 18 and 19 September and was specifically targeted at countries in the SADC region. The objectives of the meeting were to:
• Discuss the role of science in providing solutions to global challenges and in informing policy making to meet the global and regional sustainable development agendas • Exchange national and regional experiences on engaging and harnessing national academies of sciences in the design and implementation of initiatives to meet national sustainable development agendas • Identify pilot countries for support in the establishment of national academies of science and to strengthen the work programmes of existing academies of sciences
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ASSAf was represented at the meeting by Mr Stanley Maphosa who gave a presentation that shared experience on the formation and development of ASSAf.
Fifteenth Annual Meeting of African Science Academies (AMASA 15) ASSAf represented by Prof Himla Soodyall (EO); Mr Stanley Maphosa, International and National Liaison Manager and Mr Kholani Mbhiza, Liaison Officer and TWAS Secretariat participated at AMASA15. The meeting was hosted by the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) in Accra, Ghana from 12 to 16 November under the theme, Science Technology and Innovation for Food Security and Poverty Alleviation in Africa: The Role of Academies. ASSAf supported the GAAS by hosting a half- day learning collaborative on science diplomacy. ASSAf nominated Prof Igle Gledhill to be considered as part of the new NASAC board, this proposal was accepted. Prof Gledhill was elected the Vice- President: International Relations and Scientific Affairs during the NASAC General Assembly.
Learning Collaborative on Science Diplomacy at AMASA 15, Ghana TWAS-SAREP hosted a Learning Collaborative on Science Diplomacy in Accra, Ghana on 13 November 2019 in partnership with the DSI, ASSAf, TWAS, GAAS, and NASAC. The Learning Collaborative preceded the AMASA15 meeting that took place from 13-16 November 2019. The opening ceremony was led by the President of the Republic of Ghana, his Excellency Nana Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who gave a talk aligned to the celebrations of the 60 years’ existence of GAAS. The theme of the meeting was Science, Technology and Innovation for Food Security and Poverty Alleviation in Africa: The Role of Academies. The workshop deliberations concluded that effective science diplomacy is driven by both science and policy to improve collaboration between countries and promote development in Africa. The deliberations were followed by a simulation game on Solar Radiation Management (Jigsaw exercise) which was aimed at training participants on negotiations on transboundary and foreign policy related issues.
International Training Course on “Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) Diplomacy” ASSAf and the DSI in partnership with the Centre for Science and Technology of the Non-aligned and Other Developing Countries hosted the International Training Course on Science, Technology and Innovation Diplomacy in Pretoria from 28 November to 3 December 2019. The course preceded the Innovation Bridge Science Forum South Africa 2019. The training course had over 50 participants from Bhutan, Cuba, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Zimbabwe. The participants were treated to a scientific excursion to the Cradle of Humankind (Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves) on Sunday, 02 December 2019. The programme featured keynote addresses from inter alia Mr Daan du Toit- Deputy Director General DSI, Mrs Mmampei Chaba- Chief Director DSI, Mr Cecil Masoka- Acting Chief Director DSI, Mr Stanley Maphosa (ASSAf), Dr Amitava Bandopadhyay (NAM), Mr Dhesigen Naidoo - CEO of the Water Research Commission (WRC), Dr Valanathan Munsami, CEO of South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and a number of other local expert speakers. The course featured a simulation exercise on Solar Radiation Management, adapted from Dr Peter McGrath (TWAS) and conducted by ASSAf. After the training course, several international delegates were afforded an opportunity to participate at the 2019 Innovation Bridge Science Forum South Africa. This was aimed at advancing the STI diplomacy engagements throughout the forum.
3.3.6 Young Scientists’ Activities
Since 2010, ASSAf has hosted an Annual Young Scientists’ Conference that was aligned to the International Year themes of the UN and later changed to the AU year theme, as part of its commitment to supporting the development of young scientists.
In its quest to support the growth of SAYAS, ASSAf continues to provide secretariat support to the young academy.
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Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings The 69th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting (LNLM) on Physics was held in Lindau, Germany from 30 June to 5 July 2019 with twenty young scientists attending the Meeting. In lieu of South Africa (SA) hosting the International Day, the number of young scientists was increased from ten to twenty. The South African young scientists were: Tariq Blecher, Rhodes University/Square Kilometre Array (SKA); Stive Djiokop, Nelson Mandela University (NMU); Jake Gordin, University of Cape Town (UCT); Thandi Gumede, University of the Free State (UFS); Arthur Harrisson, University of Pretoria (UP); Julia Healy, UCT/ South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO); Jan Louw, Stellenbosch University; Genevéve Marx, NMU; Itumeleng Monageng, UCT/ South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO); Francis Otieno, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits); Valentine Saasa, UP/Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); Michael Sarkis, Wits; Hester Schutte, North-West University (NWU); Katekani Shingange, UFS; Sinenhlanhla Sikhosana, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN); Kimeel Sooknunan, UCT; Tanita Ramburuth-Hurt, Wits; Johannes Thiersen, NWU; Nicole Thomas, University of the Western Cape (UWC)/ SARAO; Danielle Venter, NMU.
In Lindau, the young scientists experienced a six-day programme with numerous lectures and panel discussions. They were also introduced to the Lindau Nobel Laureates.
The 69th LNLM also provided an opportunity for SA to host the International Day, to present itself during the day and to showcase scientific and innovative excellence, as well as the country’s culinary and cultural offerings. Mr Bheki Hadebe, Director: High End Skills, and Mr Thembinkosi Magasela, Deputy Director: Emerging Researcher Programmes from the DSI were the SA representatives.
The following engagements were undertaken:
• A breakfast meeting featuring a panel discussion -This included SA early career researchers and an assigned Nobel laureate. The theme for the session was: Global science in reaching for the stars. The following were panellists for this session: Facilitator: Dr Beverley Damonse, Group Executive: Science Engagement and Corporate Relations, National Research Foundation, SA Presenter 1: Dr Frank Bradley, Senior Developer -Project Lead, South African Radio Astronomical Observatory, SA Presenter 2: Dr Buyisiwe Sondezi, Lecturer - Physics, University of Johannesburg, SA Presenter 3: Prof. Thebe Medupe, Deputy Dean: Community Engagement and Stakeholder Relations, North West University Presenter 4: Nobel Laureate -Prof. Brian Schmidt, 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics for providing evidence that the expansion of the universe is accelerating.
• City Reception by Invite Only -The SA delegation was invited by the Lord Mayor of Lindau to a city reception, including a signing ceremony of the Golden Book of the City.
• Dinner -The programme included: – A welcome address by Prof Himla Soodyall, Executive Officer, ASSAf and Countess Bettina Bernadotte, President of the Council for the LNLM and an address by Mr Bheki Hadebe who was the SA representative. – Showcase of SA culture through dance and music. – The delivery of appropriate hospitality during dinner for all participants, such as cultural characteristics in the table décor and delegate gift items as well as country specific food of SA.
• An information booth featuring various aspects of SA Science with a slant on Physics
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The feedback received from the Lindau Council and the delegates as well as the atmosphere on the material day (1 July) proved that the SA International Day was a resounding success.
Young Physician Leaders (YPL) Programme ASSAf nominated two young scientists in the public health field to attend the 9th IAP Young Physician Leaders (YPL) Programme held on 24 to 29 October 2019 in conjunction with the World Health Summit in Berlin, Germany that was held on 27 to 29 October 2019. The South African young scientists nominated were Dr Rubeshan Perumal, Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) and Dr Atiya Mosam, University of the Witwatersrand.
This year’s programme was articulated in three parts:
• A specific leadership development programme with a focus on analysing models of leadership with the aim of developing an individual action plan for personal leadership growth. • A visit sponsored by the Bayer Science and Education Foundation to research laboratories in the Berlin area. • Participation by the awardees in the events of the World Health Summit, a forum within which the YPL will be exposed to an outstanding scientific and policy programme attended by a global group of medical and policy professionals.
South African Young Scientists’ engage with their BRICS counterparts at the 4th BRICS Young Scientist Forum Twenty-three South African young scientists were granted an opportunity to engage with fellow BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) young scientists at a Young Scientist Forum (YSF) hosted by Brazil in Rio de Janeiro on 6 to 8 November 2019. The meeting was supported by the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovations and Communications (MOSTIC) of Brazil.
This 4th BRICS YSF under the themes “Cybersecurity and Bioeconomy” highlighted the strategic importance of science, technology and innovation as key drivers of youth entrepreneurship and leadership. The 4th BRICS YSF programme also included sessions on Young Women in Science Dialogue and a Science Diplomacy Dialogue as well as a competition for young innovators.
ASSAf assists in the selection process of the young scientists. The selected South African young scientists were: Mr Didi Xhanti Makaula, University of Cape Town; Miss Uraisha Ramlucken, University of Pretoria; Ms Liesel van Emmenes, Stellenbosch University; Dr Palesa Sekhejane, Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC); Mrs Motlalepule Zulu, Port Elizabeth TVET College; Mr Brian Greaves, University of Johannesburg (UJ); Miss Lerato Nellvecia Madike, Vaal University of Technology; Mr Frans Frederik Blauw, UJ; Dr Ashira Roopnarain, Agricultural Research Council; Dr Lusisizwe Kwezi, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research; Mr Vuyolwethu Mdunyelwa, Nelson Mandela University; Dr Bianca Brandt, University of Stellenbosch; Mr Thamsanqa Ndlovu, North West University; Miss Nokubalela Mchunu, Asset Management (Cape Town); Miss Mashudu Mukhuba, Agricultural Research Council, Pretoria; Dr Bongiwe Mcata, Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA), HSRC; Ms Zabentungwa Hlongwane, University of KwaZulu-Natal; Miss Sindisiwe Muthwa, Durban University of Technology; Mr Simon Hazell, INSECO Pty Ltd.; Mr Sello Malinga, Inno R Solutions t/a Spinetector Safety Vest and Mr Tshepo Ndlovu, EezeeFeeder.
3.3.7 Gender and STI Activities
The OWSD SA NC EXCO of South Africa, hosted by ASSAf, supports the membership drive. During this reporting period the membership has increased by 71 new members. GenderInSITE is a global initiative to raise the awareness of decision-makers on gender and science, innovation, technology and engineering (SITE) dimensions of development, aimed at both men and women; the African Regional Focal point has launched its own website: https://genderinsite-africa.org
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OWSD SA NC EXCO Meetings The OWSD SA NC EXCO convened twice for the period under review, at the Academy of Science of South Africa, in Pretoria, and via skype given the situation with Covid-19. The purpose of these meetings was to review the past activities of the National Chapter and provide input towards the upcoming activities. Effective implementation of the strategy of OWSD SA NC in moving towards targeting the objectives of OWSD were considered. The meetings also clarified the role of each of the EXCO members as it relates to the objectives of OWSD and the work of GenderInSITE.
Gender Mainstreaming The OWSD SA NC secretariat has been involved in the development of a tool for gender mainstreaming within the academy and its affiliate organisations. As part of this process, a two-week visit to four institutions in the United Kingdom was undertaken in partnership with the SToRM Fellowship programme. This provided the opportunity to raise awareness of the Academy, OWSD and GenderInSITE, and gain insights towards gender mainstreaming in collaboration with the institutions visited.
Women in STEM Lecture On 16 October 2019, ASSAf, the Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS), the OWSD SA NC, the Embassy of the United States in South Africa together with the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) hosted a public lecture titled A Seat at the Table: A Discussion on Diversity and Inclusion in Aerospace at the Botanical Gardens, Pretoria. The lecture was aligned to the national Transport Month. October was declared Transport Month in 2005 during the Transport Lekgotla. This year’s theme was “Celebrating 20 years of Delivering Efficient, Reliable and Safe Transport Services”. The focus of the one-day lecture was on the inclusion of women and school learners in aerospace.
Research and Development on Gender Mainstreaming, Monitoring and Evaluation Tool The Gender Liaison Officer travelled to the United Kingdom on a fellowship from 3 to 18 May 2019 and visited four institutions. The visit was partially funded by GenderInSITE. One of the objectives was to interact with institutions to learn their approaches in gender mainstreaming. The officer has developed a tool for gender mainstreaming in ASSAf and other research and innovation institutions.
SADC Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (WISET) Meeting The ASSAf Gender Liaison Officer attended the above meeting in Namibia from 17 to 20 June 2019 as the representative of GIS Africa and shared the draft Gender Fact Sheets for the SADC region. The WISET meeting is an initiative to monitor the implementation of the Gender Protocol and the WISET Charter, including the establishment of WISET national chapters. GIS Africa has been playing a major role in promoting awareness of gender issues amongst SADC member states and hosted an initial meeting.
Pathways to Success Dissemination The Pathways to Success report was presented by the GIS Africa Coordinator, Ms Phyllis Kalele, at the Global Forum on Women in Scientific Research (GoFoWiSeR), held from 18 and 19 July in Dakar, Senegal. At the end of the presentation, the report was formally launched and handed over to Dr Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg (AWARD) and Prof Soukeye Dia Tine, Director-Research Finances, Ministry of Higher Education and Research, Senegal. The forum was hosted by the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), in collaboration with the African Academy of Sciences (AAS), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the UK Department of International Development (DFID), NRF and the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE).
The Pathways report has also been uploaded to the ASSAf repository which allows for accurate tracking of report views and downloads.
Gender Summit 16 Asia Pacific This summit was held from 28 to 29 August 2019 in Singapore under the theme Diversity and Gender in Science: Enhancing the Value of Research and Innovation. The regional focal point was represented by Mr Stanley Maphosa, International and National Liaison Manager at ASSAf, who presented on Science 46 Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Academies as a Nexus for Gendered Research and Innovation Policy Agendas: A Case from the Academy of Science of South Africa.
Gender Session at Annual Young Scientists’ Conference The ASSAf Annual Young Scientists’ Conference (AYSC) was held from 28 to 29 October at the Future Africa Campus, University of Pretoria. GIS influenced the programme to ensure that gender-related policy issues were covered. Each session of the AYSC ensured not only women’s participation but also the application of the gender lens to the topic under discussion.
Session hosted by GIS - Subtheme: Gender, Health and Migration.
Panel Members: Mr Michael Belebema, University of the Western Cape Title: African Immigrant and Refugee Families’ Perceptions on Informational Support and Health Status: A Comparison of African Immigrants living in South Africa and the United States.
Ms Rachel Chinyakata, University of Venda Title: Intersectional Factors Contributing to the Vulnerability of Young Zimbabwean Female Immigrants in Johannesburg
Miss Yolanda Tshililo, University of Cape Town Title: Migrant Women’s Access to Public Health Care Facilities in Makhado, Limpopo: A Case of Zimbabwean Women.
SADC Gender in STI Fact Sheets The Gender in STI Fact Sheets were an output of the SADC workshop held in Botswana in 2017. The fact sheets are aimed at bridging the gap between policy and practice in terms of gender monitoring and evaluation in STI and how the SADC protocol on gender and development relates to STI.
Production of the Fact Sheets was completed in October 2019. The Fact Sheets have been disseminated to the SADC secretariat science desk and the MLW on gender in international cooperation in STI that was held in Malta. Additionally, the Fact Sheets were disseminated at two workshops hosted by the SADC (for Protocol implementation and Training of Parliamentarians (Dec 2019), European Union and the GiZ on Strengthening STI policy implementation for enhanced national and regional systems of innovation in SADC from 27 to 29 November 2019.
The Fact Sheets serves to create a number of important ‘connection points’ to other projects of mutual interest for the partners and participants.
3.4 PROGRAMME 4: Science Advisory Programme (SAP)
ASSAf has five Standing Committees: Health; Scholarly Publishing in South Africa; Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education; Humanities; Biosafety and Biosecurity; and Science for the Reduction of Poverty and Inequality. Each of these committees provides strategic direction to ASSAf’s science advisory activities and assists with the identification of Members who represent ASSAf in various committees nationally, regionally and internationally.
The Academy’s achievements in the SAP are summarised below.
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3.4.1 Health-related Studies
Standing Committee on Health
Membership: Prof Salim Abdool Karim (Chair), Dr Laila Asmal and Prof Judith Bruce stepped down from the committee. Prof Shabir Madhi is the current Acting/Interim Chair. At a committee meeting held on 18 November 2019 new members were proposed and approved by Council in February 2020. The committee is now represented by the following members:
Name Affiliation Area of Expertise Date Appointed Prof Steve Reid UCT Primary Healthcare March, 2013 Prof Solomon SMU Mental Health March, 2013 Rataemane Prof Linda Richter Wits Psychology & Social Sciences March, 2013 Prof Shabir Madhi (Acting Chair), Communicable diseases September, 2015 SAMRC’s RMPRU Prof Karen Hofman Wits Public Health September, 2015 Prof Angela Mathee SAMRC Environmental Health September, 2015 Prof Lekan Ayo-Yusuf SMU Public Health May, 2018 Prof Shane Norris Wits Non-communicable diseases Feb, 2020 Dr Caradee Wright SAMRC Climate change Feb, 2020 Prof Mosa Moshabela UKZN Public Health Feb, 2020 Prof Neil McKerrow KZN DoH/UCT Maternal, newborn and child Feb, 2020 health Prof John Ataguba UCT Health Economics Feb, 2020 Prof Minrie Greeff NWU Ethics and regulatory sciences Feb, 2020 Dr Elizabeth Lutge KZN DoH Injury, trauma and prevention Feb, 2020 Prof Heidi van Rooyen HSRC Social Sciences Feb, 2020
Representation: Following Dr Asmal’s resignation, Dr Kristy Langerman (University of Johannesburg) is the new ASSAf representative in the IAP Urban Health Working Group and she has participated in several meetings. ASSAf in collaboration with colleagues from the SAMRC produced an urban health focused video that was officially published by IAP in September 2019. The video was also disseminated through ASSAf media platforms.
Prof Karen Hofman represented ASSAf and the committee at a workshop on Universal Health Coverage in LMICs hosted by the UK Academy of Medical Sciences (UK AMS), London in May 2019. Dr Kerrigan McCarthy represented ASSAf and the committee at the UK AMS (London) workshop on Multidisciplinary Research in Epidemic Preparedness and Response in October 2019. Both reports have been released and disseminated.
Committee members contributed to the nomination process for the annual IAP Young Physician Leaders Programme.
Prof Steve Reid presented at the ASSAf Council meeting in February 2020 on behalf of the committee.
General: The committee’s terms of reference (ToR) were revised and approved by Council. Communication continued regarding collaborative initiatives between the committee and other ASSAf standing committees especially where there are synergies.
Studies and Statements: The committee proposed a panel of experts for its initiated and Council approved consensus study on Challenges of Good Governance and Management in the South African Health System. A proposed consensus study on The State of One Health and Anti-microbial resistance in South Africa was endorsed by the committee for submission to ASSAf Council. The committee reviewed and endorsed two statements: (a) the joint Academies’ statement on Air Pollution and Health; and (b) IAP
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statement on Furthering the fight against falsified and substandard medical products. Some committee members contributed to the ASSAf statement on COVID-19.
Reconceptualising Health Professions Education in South Africa: Consensus Study Stakeholder engagements: As part of ongoing stakeholder engagements for the implementation of the report’s recommendations, Ms Phakamile Mngadi attended and participated at the Joint Health Sciences Education Committee (JHSEC) meeting held on 3 April 2019. JHSEC comprises of representatives from National Treasury, Department of Health (DoH), Department of Higher Education and Training, and health professions councils. DoH highlighted interest in the report for its upcoming new Human Resources for Health (HRH) Strategic Plan. Prof Sabiha Essack became a member of DoH’s Ministerial Task Team (education section) for the HRH Strategic Plan and she attended the meeting on 9 April 2019.
Uptake of recommendations: DoH formally requested permission from ASSAf to use both the study report and its recommendations (verbatim in certain aspects) towards the drafting of the new HRH Strategic plan. Permission was granted.
General: JHSEC has held three meetings (2019) since the launch of the report and the ASSAf report has been a standing item on the agenda. Prof Jimmy Volmink (Study Chair) is part of JHSEC.
Ethical, Legal and Social Issues Related to Human Genetics and Genomics in South Africa: Consensus Study As part of the dissemination process the completed consensus study was presented and disseminated at the Young Scientist Symposium titled One Health: A focus on Infectious Diseases in Africa which was held at the Sub-Saharan Africa Network for TB/HIV Research Excellence (SANTHE) based in Durban on 27 and 28 May 2019. The symposium hosted young scientists from across the African continent, which allowed the study to be disseminated beyond South Africa. The discussions were led by Professor Collet Dandara a panel member of the consensus study. The report was also disseminated at the 9th South African AIDS conference at a session titled the Nexus between Science, Policy and Society in the HIV and AIDS perspective hosted by ASSAf on 12 June 2019.
The chair of the panel was invited to present at the Science Forum South Africa 2019. The platform was intended to allow debate on the role of science, technology and innovation in society. At the same time, local technologies generated from publicly financed research and development was to be showcased. The workshop’s topics were as follows, The social and legal implications of genomics and genetics work in relation to science journalism” and can journalism be mainstreamed? The study was also presented at the Genomic and Precision Medicine stakeholder meeting on 2 and 3 March 2020 at the SAMRC in Cape Town. The study continues to make significant media impact.
Ethical, Legal and Social Issues (ELSI) Related to Gene Therapy: A South African Perspective: Consensus Study ASSAf completed a consensus study titled Human genetics and genomics in South Africa: ethical, legal and social implications which was successfully launched on 4 December 2018. Given the depth of this first study, it was not possible to address other important ELSI related issues. Therefore, ASSAf is conducting a second study that focusses specifically on gene therapy (which includes gene editing). The second study and proposed panel members were approved by the ASSAf council at its meeting in May 2019.
The primary objective of this study is to provide a report that will input directly into the drafting of one or more policy documents, regulations and guidelines by the Department of Health and the Department of Science and Innovation. The panel has had two panel meetings on 24 July 2019 and 1 November 2019. Preliminary topics which will be under consideration for this study were identified. The panel has had three public consultations to solicit the input of the public for guidance in formulating the study, identification of stakeholders to engage with in drafting the report going forward. The public consultations were held as follows: 49 Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
• 5th National Cell and Gene Therapy Meeting - 26 September 2019 • 1st South African Gene Editing Conference - 29 November 2019 • Cell and Gene Therapy Policy drafting meeting - 02 December 2019
Provider Core Competencies for Improved Mental Health Care of the Nation: Consensus Study A mental health symposium titled Global Mental Health in an Era of Sustainable Development: Research and Policy Priorities was hosted on 30 and 31 May 2019 at the St George Hotel and Convention Centre in Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa. The symposium attracted over 50 participants, comprising senior researchers/experts, private sector representatives, policy makers, the scientific community and the public at large. The event had speakers from countries such as Germany, Brazil, Russia, China and India. The aim of the symposium was to assess global research patterns and domestic policies aimed at addressing challenges pertaining to mental health. This aim was achieved thorough the following objectives:
1. Scientifically analysing global and regional research developments pertaining to mental health; 2. Identifying current and future research needs and strengthen policy developments; 3. Assessing possible solutions to current challenges as they relate to research and policy on mental health.
The symposium addressed the following sub-themes:
• Neuroscience and genetics • Public mental health and epidemiology • Intervention research.
The proceedings report from the symposium was published (Table 1). The symposium served as a consultative and information gathering process for the panel. The panel is making great progress on the consensus study report which is currently going through the peer review process.
A member of the panel, Prof Madeleine Duncan represented ASSAf at a joint workshop focusing on the social determinants of mental health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This workshop was jointly run by the Academy of Medical Sciences, one of the UK’s National Academies, and the IAP for Health, a global network of academies of medicine. It took place on October 31and 1 November 2019 at RIBA, 66 Portland Place, London, UK.
Root Causes of Low Coverage and Under-Immunisation of the African Child: Consensus Study Further systematic reviews were undertaken in April and May 2019 at the SAMRC’s Cochrane Unit. Both the ASSAf and the Uganda National Academy Secretariat staff collected additional data and revised the draft report, in consultation with the 11-member study committee. The revised draft study report was extensively discussed at the committee meeting held on 18 to 19 November 2019. Discussions included the study report’s conclusions and recommendations.
External peer-reviewers were proposed and approved by ASSAf Council in February 2020. These reviewers include five experts from within the African continent and beyond. The finalised draft report was submitted to these reviewers for the peer-review process on 31 March 2020.
Additional funding for the study was also solicited and an amount of R150 000 was obtained from the SAMRC for the 2020/1 financial year.
The Challenges of Good Governance and Management in the South African Health System: Consensus Study The consensus study was approved by the ASSAf Council at its meeting of 12 February 2019. Since the approval the ASSAf Health committee took a decision that the panel should include the following skills/experience:
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• Community activist focusing on health care governance • Public Health care service leader, preferably a nurse who knows how current governance • mechanisms are failing • Legal person, who is expert in health care law • Health finance expertise, preferably from Treasury • Private health care sector person, knowledgeable on private health service governance • A researcher who is studying health service delivery and/or governance • A practicing clinician from a large academic hospital
Panel members meeting the above-mentioned criteria where approved by the ASSAf Council and have been invited to serve on the panel.
Improving the Prevention and Management of Multimorbidity in sub-Saharan Africa: Workshop The workshop took place on 5 and 6 September 2019 in SA and it was in collaboration with the UK Academy of Medical Sciences. The objective of the workshop was to discuss the multimorbidity challenges in the region and the role of research especially in improving the understanding of multimorbidity and identifying effective ways of prevention and treatment.
Prof Karen Hofman (Wits University and member of the ASSAf Standing Committee on Health) served as the co-chair for the steering committee. The workshop was attended by 52 expert participants representing Zambia, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Uganda, Botswana, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, India, the UK and SA.
The workshop summary report was officially and publicly launched, with a media release, on 4 February 2020 (Table 1). The report has also been disseminated (both hard copies and e-versions) to other African Academies and local stakeholders (i.e. SAMRC, Department of Health, World Health Organisation, and the British High Commission). In addition, stakeholder engagements for the implementation of recommendations were initiated. SAMRC has discussed the report with its Executive Management Committee and the Department of Health proposed a meeting which was put on hold due to COVID-19.
Italy-South Africa Bilateral Workshop on Transmissible Diseases: HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria ASSAf in collaboration with the Italian Embassy hosted the bilateral workshop on 5 April 2019. The workshop featured researchers from different institutions from both Italy and South Africa in these three fields. The aim of the workshop was to highlight and celebrate the contributions made towards research and knowledge generation as well as encourage development of future bilateral collaborations in health research. Opportunities for further collaboration were discussed and identified at the workshop. The event was held on the Italian Research Day in the World 2019.
3.4.2 Education Studies
STEM Education Standing Committee
Postgraduate Research Training in Engineering: Consensus Study
As part of the dissemination process for the consensus report the study was presented on various platforms. It was presented at the 6th South Africa UNESCO Engineering Conference held at the North West University, Mafikeng Campus on 26 and 27 September 2019. The report was also presented at the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) discussion Forum titled Career paths for researchers - where to in a changing world? This event was held on 2 and 3 December 2019 at the CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, Gauteng. The report was also disseminated at the ASSAf exhibition stall at the Innovation Bridge/Science Forum South Africa 2019.
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Effective Intervention in Science and Mathematics Education: Consensus Study The ASSAf Council approved this consensus study in February 2019 to improve learning gains in science and mathematics education at a systemic level in South African schools. This is still ongoing.
3.4.3 Poverty-related Studies
Standing Committee on Science for the Reduction of Poverty and Inequality Activities are overseen by a Standing Committee on Science for the Reduction of Poverty and Inequality.
The proceedings of the workshop on Poverty, Inequality and Global Climate Change that was held on 18 and 19 September 2018 at the Protea Hotel OR Tambo in Rhodesfield was published. Using the proceedings as a foundation, the committee is finalising a statement on the urgent and integrated responses to the triple challenge of poverty, inequality and climate change.
3.4.4 Humanities Studies
Humanities Standing Committee
ASSAf Annual Humanities Lecture The ASSAf Annual Humanities Lecture took place on 14 August 2019 at the Future Africa Campus (UP). The lecture on Archives, scholars and bureaucrats was presented by Prof Crain Soudien, CEO HSRC. ASSAf partnered with the HSRC and University of Pretoria (UP) in the commemoration of some Humanities and Social Science milestones.
Unravelling age and the ageing mindset in the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) ASSAf participated the annual Science Forum December 2019 through a panel discussion related to the theme of Scientific advancements with a view to the world we will live in 2030.
Panellists included Prof Ben Loos, Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Stellenbosch; Mr Koos van Heerden, Management Consultant; Prof Vasu Reddy, Prof of Sociology and Dean, Faculty of Humanities, University of Pretoria and was facilitate by Dr Hester du Plessis is a research associate at the University of Pretoria, Faculty of Humanities.
The objectives of this discussion included: Reigniting the discussion on age, ageing, care and wellness; Identify the roles that the aged can play in supporting the 4IR; Identify how the aged will benefit from the 4IR; Debunk the negative view of the elderly; and Examine the though-processes related to ageless living.
3.4.5 Biosafety and Biosecurity Studies
Standing Committee on Biosafety and Biosecurity Studies and Statements: Some committee members, in consultation with external experts and the Secretariat, compiled the study proposal on The State of One Health and Anti-microbial resistance in South Africa. Three of the seven members played a dual role by also being members of the panel for the study on the State of Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity in the SADC region. Committee members provided inputs to the ASSAf Statement on COVID-19.
Membership: Prof Pamela Andanda (Wits University) joined the committee while Prof Anton van Niekerk (Stellenbosch University) stepped down from the committee in March 2020.
General: The committee met on 25 February 2020 where the direction for the committee and new membership were discussed with a way forward. Prof Parker presented at ASSAf Council in February 2020 on behalf of the committee.
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Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat Dialogue Prof Iqbal Parker (Committee Chair), together with ASSAf secretariat met with members of the SADC Secretariat in Gaborone, Botswana on 15 April 2019. The meeting was led by Dr Willy Amisi (Head of SADC’s Health and Nutrition Directorate). The main objective of the meeting was to extensively discuss and seek approval for the new ASSAf study on the State of Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity in the SADC region. Endorsement for the study was obtained. The discussions also included issues that are of interest to both organisations.
Africa CDC Initiative to Strengthen Biosecurity and Biosafety: Southern Africa Regional Collaborating Centre Technical Workshop Members of the committee Prof Parker and Dr Jacqueline Weyer participated at this three-day workshop (24-26 June 2019) with Prof Parker making a presentation on behalf of ASSAf. The workshop proceedings outcomes have fed into the ASSAf consensus study on Biosafety and Biosecurity.
Gene Drives Technology: Commissioned article Prof Lizette Koekemoer, Ms Lizeka Tandwa (both Wits University) and Prof Michael Samway (Stellenbosch University) were commissioned to write an article on gene drives technology on behalf of the committee. The draft article was completed in late February 2020 with feedback from Committee members shared with the writers.
An initial meeting was held on 16 April 2019 between ASSAf (Ms Phakamile Mngadi) and Prof Koekemoer and Ms Tandwa where the importance of the article was agreed upon.
The State of Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity in the SADC Region: Consensus Study Membership: The inaugural panel meeting was held on 27 June 2019 where it was agreed that Prof Iqbal Parker (South Africa) will serves as an Interim Chairperson with Prof Gerald Misinzo (Tanzania) as the Vice-Chairperson for the study. The search for a permanent chairperson was intensified. The rest of the Council approved panel members are as listed:
Name Country
Prof Iqbal Parker (Interim Chair) South Africa Dr Misheck Mulumba South Africa Dr Jacqueline Weyer South Africa Prof Justin Masumu Democratic Republic of Congo Prof Gerald Misinzo Tanzania
Ms Gugu Maphalala eSwatini Mrs Lula Budiaki Lesotho Prof Lovemore Gwanzura Zimbabwe Dr Mokganedi Mokopasetso Botswana Mr Joseph Ihula Namibia Ms Cynthia Baltazar Mozambique Dr Kunda Musonda Zambia
The data collection processes continued from the inaugural June meeting with the second panel meeting taking place on 21 November 2019 where data collected was presented and discussed. Ethical clearance for the study was obtained. Key stakeholders including the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) were formally consulted about the study with positive feedback and collaborations established.
Assessing the State of Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity in the SADC region: Workshop The SADC-wide workshop took place on 20 on 21 November 2019 in South Africa where 13 of the 16 SADC Member States presented and participated. The only three Member States that were not 53 Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
represented were: Madagascar, Lesotho, and Comoros. Both the World Health Organisation and Africa CDC gave keynote addresses with the United States Government’s Defence Threat Reduction Agency also presenting. The workshop was attended by 42 participants from different areas of laboratory biosafety and biosecurity in SADC. The key objective of the workshop was to gather information towards the ASSAf consensus study which was achieved with additional valuable contacts also established for the study.
Neonicotinoids and Their Impact on Ecosystem Services for Agriculture and Biodiversity in Africa: Project ASSAf, in collaboration with the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) hosted a working group meeting/workshop on 13-16 May 2019, in Nairobi, Kenya. The participants deliberated on the state of knowledge on neonicotinoids and their impact on ecosystem services for agriculture and biodiversity in Africa. The working group meeting was well attended by outstanding experts in the field from across the African continent. The working group meeting proceedings report titled Neonicotinoids and their Impact on Ecosystem Services for Agriculture and Biodiversity in Africa was published on the ASSAf website in October 2019. A final policymakers’ booklet exploring the use and effects of neonicotinoids in African agriculture with recommendations was published in November 2019. This policymakers’ booklet reviewed the relevant scientific literature from 28 African countries, and analysed the state of knowledge on neonicotinoids and their impact on ecosystem services for agriculture and on biodiversity in Africa. The policymakers’ booklet has collated an unprecedented amount of information, identified gaps in scientific knowledge and research relating to neonicotinoids in Africa, and developed key recommendations from science to policy-makers to ensure the sustainability of African agriculture and thus food security.
The State of One Health and Anti-microbial Resistance in South Africa: Proposed Consensus Study A consensus study proposal was compiled and submitted to ASSAf Council for approval in February 2020. Council provided feedback on revising the proposal and focus which have been attended to.
3.4.6 Energy and Climate Studies
Evaluation of Alternative Telecommunication Technologies for the Karoo Central Astronomy Advantage The consensus study was initiated in May 2019 with an inaugural meeting of eight panel members. Panel members have undertaken various investigations and reviews within three components of the study: 1) legal context; 2) local socio-economic context and 3) technical context related to telecommunication technologies. Vital to the success of the study is ensuring a balanced approach with due regard for both ‘Big Science’ with international and political support, and for the well-being and rights of the local communities of the Karoo Central Astronomy Advantage Area.
The panel has engaged with relevant staff of the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) and the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Project to better understand the constraints and opportunities from the perspective of radio astronomy operations. Local community groupings have also been engaged to understand the local context, including priorities, challenges and perceptions. In particular, the dominant local agricultural group have been consulted to gain appreciation of the challenges and grievances in terms of access to and quality of telecommunication services.
The study has not reached conclusion yet, with a few key activities outstanding to ensuring the panel proposes telecommunication technology solutions that are feasible, desirable and affordable.
Landscaping the coordination of national role-players and activities toward SDG6 (water and sanitation) in South Africa The role of a national academy of science regarding a nation’s efforts to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is not clear. To better ascertain ASSAf’s role in South Africa, ASSAf, with the support 54 Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
of the IAP and the South African National Department of Water and Sanitation, hosted a workshop on 23 and 24 July 2019 at the Saint Georges Hotel in Centurion.
The purpose of the workshop included: 1) highlighting the coordination of the water sector towards achieving the targets of SDG6; 2) evaluating gaps and challenges in this coordination; 3) assisting in furthering the efforts toward progress by facilitating collaboration within SDG6 and amongst other SDGs; and 4) providing updates on progress in SDG6 targets and discuss methods of improving progress.
The workshop was attended by over 130 people representing primarily national government, local authorities and practitioners. Academia and civil society were represented but less so.
The first day focussed on the SDGs in general, both from an international and national point of view, with discussions on progress and reporting on SDGs at a global, continental and national scale. The proceedings then focussed on the water sector, with a presentation on international water challenges and activities followed by detail discussions on the coordination of the water sector in South Africa. Toward the end of the programme of eth first day, the focus narrowed onto progress and activities toward each of the targets of SDG 6. The second day of the workshop was more interactive. The day began with an overview of the previous day, and a debated presentation on country reporting on SDGs in South Africa and the criteria with regards to data. Thereafter delegates separated into breakaway groups, themed around clusters of SDG 6 targets, to get a detailed overview on progress and to discuss the domestication of each target. Each breakaway group was well organised and prepared, and finished the breakaway activity with a formal feedback presentation with questions and debate.
According to the public officials assisting with the coordination of the event, the workshop and preceding activities were tremendously valuable. It was felt that the workshop had renewed and revived the collective effort and drive toward making progress. Furthermore, existing relationships/collaborations were strengthened, and new connections were made which would ultimately result in a strengthened sector.
ASSAf has gained a better perspective on its potential role regarding the SDGs within the national system, and that its role of convener and ‘neutral broker’ is needed. A further impact was that ASSAf had been recognised as a point source for academic engagement.
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Table 1: Summary of ASSAf publications hosted on the ASSAf repository/website
Statements (click on Title to access document)
29 April 2019 Trauma is a disease: A call for action by IAP Health 31 July 2019 Statement on Ethical Research and Scholarly Publishing Practices 2 March 2020 ASSAf Statement on the Implications of Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19) in South Africa Date Peer Review Reports
December 2019 Report on Grouped Peer Review of Scholarly Journals in Communication and Information Sciences Date Consensus Studies (click on Title to access document) May 2019 Twelve Years Later: Second ASSAf Report on Research Publishing in and from South Africa (2018) February 2020 Recognising Individual Contributions to Collaborative Research: Limitations of Proportional Publication Counts and Proposals for Alternatives Date Proceedings Reports (click on Title to access document) April 2019 Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - Annual Multi-Stakeholder April 2019 Surveillance and Response to Infectious Diseases and Comorbidities: An African and German Perspective April 2019 Poverty, Inequality and Global Climate Change: Connecting the Discussion May 2019 Consultative Workshop on the Shale Gas Science Action Plan for South Africa October 2019 Neonicotinoids and their Impact on Ecosystem Services for Agriculture and Biodiversity in Africa October 2019 Protection of Intellectual Property for Grassroots Innovation as Part of the Innovation for Inclusive Development (IID) Seminar Series November 2019 Stakeholders Awareness Workshop on the 2019 White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) as Part of the Innovation Inclusive Development (IID) Seminar Series February 2020 Proceedings Towards Coordinating National Role Players & Activities to Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals: A Focus on SDG 6 (Water and Sanitation) February 2020 The Smart City Initiatives in South Africa and Paving a Way to Support Cities to Address Frontier Issues Using New and Emerging Technologies as Part of the Innovation for Inclusive Development (IID) Seminar Series January 2020 Global Mental Health in an Era of Sustainable Development: Research and Policy Priorities Symposium Proceedings February 2020 Improving the prevention and management of multimorbidity in sub-Saharan Africa Date Policymakers Booklets (click on Title to access document) May 2019 Neonicotinoid Insecticides: Use and Effects in African Agriculture
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3.5 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES, PERFORMANCE INDICATORS PLANNED TARGETS AND ACTUAL ACHIEVEMENTS
A summary of the ASSAf performance indicators, planned targets and actual achievements for the 2019/2020 reporting period for the different strategic objectives is presented in Table 2.
ASSAf has managed to deliver on most of its annual targets across all four programmes except for some staff related and financial challenges mostly experienced in SPP. As a result of these challenges, we failed in adding the projected number of journals (three added as opposed to the anticipated seven) onto the SciELO platform. Going forward, it is imperative that we review the number of journals to be added to this platform.
As a result of our financial constraints, we also deviated from our planned targets to host the national Scholarly Book Publishers Forum and National Scholarly Editors Forum. ASSAf recognised the need to stay connected and hosted two webinars instead.
The approved participant for our 2019/20 Distinguished Visiting Scholar lecture series, Professor Boyd Swinburn, professor of Population Nutrition and Global Health in the School of Population Health, University of Auckland, was unable to travel and requested a postponement of his visit. Council endorsed an alternative participant, Professor Romain Murenzi, Executive Director: TWAS, and we are in discussions to host this event virtually during the latter half of 2020.
Only one nomination for the Science for Society Gold Medal was approved by the Committee reviewing applications during this reporting period. This prestigious award is presented to a nominee who demonstrates the societal impact of their activities. ASSAf receives many nominations for acclaimed scientists who have excellent academic records who are recognised globally for their contribution to science. However, the criteria for this award is cleared presented in the regulations is to demonstrate how nominees have utilised their academic excellence in advancing activities recognised in accordance with the regulations. ASSAf will continue to brand this initiative among its Membership.
ASSAf has performed above the projected target with respect to media reports. This was due to increase in some activities like the publication of proceeding reports and reports of workshops hosted (Table 1).
Strategy to overcome areas of under performance ASSAf will continue to use alternate strategies like increasing engagement with Members by hosting virtual engagement activities to promote their participation in ASSAf activities. In addition, ASSAf must implement a strategy that takes into consideration national and global challenges when prioritising activities for the 2020/1 financial year. These discussions have started among the Management, and discussions between Management with the Audit and Risk Committee, the HR Committee and Council.
Changes to planned targets No changes to planned targets we implemented during this reporting period.
Linking performance with budgets These are presented in the budget statements for the different programmes.
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Table 2: Strategic objectives, performance indicators planned targets and actual achievements
Programme 1: Governance and Administration Strategic Outcome Oriented Goal: Promotion of effective, evidence-based scientific advice
Strategic objectives Actual Achievement Planned Target Actual Achievement Deviation from planned Comment on deviations 2018/2019 2019/2020 2019/2020 target to Actual Achievement for 2019/2020
To increase the visibility and standing of ASSAf • Number of media 27 20 24 +4 Increased ASSAf activities releases produced • Number of issues of 4 4 4 0 electronic Science for Society newsletter published
Programme 2: Scholarly Publishing Programme Strategic Outcome Oriented Goal: 2.1 Promotion of innovation and scholarly activity 2.2 Promotion of public interests in and awareness of science and science education Strategic objectives Actual Achievement Planned Target Actual Achievement Deviation from planned Comment on deviations 2018/2019 2019/2020 2019/2020 target to Actual Achievement for 2019/2020
To increase the visibility, accessibility and searchability of SA accredited journals • Number of new journal 5 7 3 -4 SciELO SA works in collaboration with titles published on SciELO Brazil. Due to volumes of titles SciELO SA open to be added in the network as a whole access platform and expertise required to do the work, ASSAf is dependent on the workflow and priorities of the Network. To improve the quality of SA journals and books • Number of peer review 1 1 1 0 reports published • Number of National 1 1 2 +1 Due to budget constraints a Scholarly Publishers’ physical meeting was not Forums hosted scheduled. Instead two webinars were held. Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
• Number of National 1 1 2 +1 Due to budget constraints a physical Scholarly Editors’ meeting was not scheduled. Instead, Forums hosted one webinar and one event were held via online.
To promote the visibility and impact of SA and African research 1through the publication of the South African Journal of Science • Number of issues of 6 6 6 0 SAJS published To promote awareness of science amongst the youth through Quest science magazine • Number of issues of 4 4 4 0 Quest published
Programme 3: Liaison Programme Strategic Outcome Oriented Goal: 3.1 Recognition and reward of excellence 3.2 Promotion of national, regional and international linkages Strategic objectives Actual Achievement Planned Target Actual Achievement Deviation from planned Comment on deviations 2018/2019 2019/2020 2019/2020 target to Actual Achievement for 2019/2020
To increase and diversify the membership of the Academy • Proportion of women 26% 27% 27% 0 Members • Proportion of Black 31% 30% 31% +1% Appeal to Members successful Members To recognise and reward excellence in science and promote scholarly activity • Number of Science- 2 2 1 -1 The Selection Committee reached a for-Society gold general consensus not to award a medals awarded second award this year. • Number of 1 1 0 -1 Based on the recommendation made by Distinguished Visiting the Council appointed sub-committee for Scholars hosted the 2019/20 Distinguished Visiting Scholar (DVS), a second DVS will be invited to visit South Africa before the end of March 2020. • Number of regions 5 3 5 +2 Series of talks jointly hosted with Royal hosting public Society of South Africa (RSSAf) in Cape lectures Town Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
A grant was awarded SAASTA for ASSAf’s support of National Science Week through activities such as public talks at Universities. To collaborate with and strengthen African science academies • Number of joint 4 1 2 +1 The TWAS Young Scientists meetings hosted with Conference was hosted by the Kenya an African science National Academy of Sciences in academy collaboration with ASSAf.
AMASA 15 was hosted by the Ghana Academy of Sciences with the support of ASSAf. To increase participation of young scientists in science- related activities • Number of young 3 1 4 +3 Provision of funding from the Lindau scientists’ programme enabled the hosting of the conferences hosted Public Lecture.
Additional funding support from other partners (SANTHE, SAMRC, TWAS- TYAN) enabled the hosting of the Infectious Diseases Symposium To increase participation of women in science-related activities and promote the application of a gender lens in Academy activities • Number of new 79 8 73 +65 OWSD SA NC secretariat has had members of OWSD improved engagement with its members, National Chapter as well as with communication to the added larger public which has resulted in an increase in membership. Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Programme 4: Science Advisory Programme Strategic Outcome Oriented Goal: Promotion of effective, evidence-based scientific advice
Strategic objectives Actual Achievement Planned Target Actual Achievement Deviation from planned Comment on deviations 2018/2019 2019/2020 2019/2020 target to Actual Achievement for 2019/2020
To facilitate scholarly engagement on key national and global challenges
• Number of workshop 2 2 11 +9 More activities and collaborations reports published improved on this output To provide evidence-based science advice to support policy development • Number of consensus 3 2 2 0 . study reports published Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
3.6 SOUTH AFRICAN ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING (SAAE)
The South African Academy of Engineering (SAAE) provides access to the wealth of knowledge and ex- perience of its 206 members who are eminent practitioners from all engineering disciplines. For the benefit of all people of South Africa and for the technological welfare of the nation, SAAE offers independent, evidence-informed advice, while promoting excellence in the science and application of engineering. In this endeavour the SAAE collaborates with academic and scientific institutions which have a similar mission and maintains bilateral and multilateral relations with academies in SA and other countries.
3.6.1 Financial Management
SAAE receives financial support from the DSI to fund its membership of and participation in the activities of the International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences (CAETS) and collaborations with Academies of Engineering in Africa and overseas. ASSAf administrates these funds and provides office facilities to SAAE. Other activities of the SAAE and its administration are funded by annual subscription fees paid by its members and by ad hoc sponsorship of special events.
During the past year SAAE undertook the following activities in pursuit of these goals.
3.6.2 Executive Committee
Following the resignation of Dr Musa Furumele from the Executive Committee in July 2019, Messrs Makhetha and Makwarela were co-opted to the Committee in November 2019. The Committee, whose term of office expires in May 2020, consists of:
• Dr Trueman Goba, Chairman of Hatch Africa (Pty) Ltd. • Prof Elsabe Kearsley, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, UP. • Dr Hylton Macdonald, Retired Construction Advisor Aveng Ltd and Director of HKM Consulting. • Mr Neil Macleod, Specialist Water and Sanitation Consultant and Honorary Research Fellow at UKZN. • Mr Seetella Makhetha, Director, Makhetha Development Consultants. • Mr Hangwani Makwarela, Founder and CEO of Muteo Consulting cc • Mr Stanford Mkhacane, Director, Nyeleti Consulting (Pty) Ltd. • Prof Cyril O’Connor, Emeritus Professor and Senior Research Scholar, UCT. • Mr Bob Pullen, Independent Civil Engineering Consultant: Management of Water Resources and related fields. • Dr Mike Shand, Consultant, Aurecon Consulting Engineers. • Prof Wikus van Niekerk, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, SU.
SAAE’s 100th Executive Committee Meeting took place by video conference on 14 May 2019 between the offices of Aurecon in Pretoria and Cape Town. Six of the ten committee members participated in the meeting.
SAAE’s 101st Executive Committee Meeting, which took place at ASSAf in Pretoria on 6 August 2019, was arranged to coincide with the Gauteng Induction Dinner so that members who travelled to Pretoria to attend the meeting could also attend the Induction Dinner. The meeting was attended by seven Executive Committee members.
SAAE’s 102nd Executive Committee Meeting took place on 19 November 2019. The meeting took place by teleconference between Aurecon’s offices in Pretoria and in Cape Town. The meeting was attended by seven members.
SAAE’s 103rd Executive Committee Meeting took place by teleconference on 25 February 2020 between the offices of Aurecon in Pretoria and Cape Town. The meeting was attended by six members. 62 Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
3.6.3 Activities
Annual General Meeting The 22nd Annual General Meeting of the SAAE took place on 27 June 2019 by electronic communication with all members. Fifty-seven members took part in the Annual General Meeting. At this meeting the Annual Report and the Audited Financial Statements were accepted and twelve new members were elected as Fellows of the Academy.
Induction The induction dinner for new SAAE members in the Western Cape took place on 16 July 2019 at Kelvin Grove in Cape Town. The dinner was attended by 46 Fellows, spouses and guests and was partly sponsored by the Faculty of Engineering of UCT. New Fellows, Peter Flower, Kobus Janse van Rensburg, Prof Kim Jenkins, Werner Jerling and Hangwani Makwarela were inducted by SAAE President Dr Trueman Goba. New Fellow Peter Flower delivered an informative presentation on the water crisis in Cape Town. The Gauteng induction dinner took place at the Pretoria Country Club on 6 August 2019 and was attended by 56 Fellows, spouses and guests. The dinner was partly sponsored by Pat Naidoo Consulting Engineers cc RSA. New Fellows Stanley Bridgens, Vivian Crone, Dr James Cullis, Prof David Limebeer, Hermien Oberhozer and Abe Thela were inducted. Brian Currin, a renowned international human rights lawyer and facilitator of dispute resolution processes delivered a presentation on the topic The Government alone cannot save South Africa from self-destruction.
International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences CAETS invited Dr Trueman Goba to be a member of a CAETS evaluation team that visited the Nigerian Academy of Engineering on 3 and 4 June 2019 at their office at the University of Lagos in Lagos. The visit team evaluated the Academy for membership of CAETS which was accepted by the CAETS Council meeting on 24 June 2019.
The 2019 CAETS Convocation took place from 24 to 28 June 2019 in Stockholm, Sweden and was hosted by the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering (IVA) that celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019. To mark the event IVA hosted an international Convocation under the auspices of CAETS about the future of the engineering sciences entitled Engineering a better world – the next 100 years. SAAE was represented at the Convocation by Dr Trueman Goba, President, Prof Elsabe Kearsley, Vice-President, Dr Mike Shand, Exco Member and Prof Wikus van Niekerk, Exco Member.
Hendrik van der Bijl Lecture On 9 October 2019 Andrew Kirby FSAAE, President and CEO of Toyota South Africa and President of NAAMSA, presented the Hendrik van der Bijl Memorial Lecture in the Senate Hall of the UP. The Hendrik van der Bijl Memorial Lecture is presented annually by the SAAE in collaboration with UP. The topic of the lecture was Can the South African Automotive Industry contribute to the reindustrialisation of our country? The lecture was attended by one hundred and ten people and the lecture was live streamed via YouTube, a first for a SAAE lecture.
Academy Lectures On 30 July 2019 Dr Gustav Rohde FSAAE presented the lecture The Fourth Industrial Revolution: Digital Transformation – An opportunity to Reposition. The lecture took place in the Bessie Head Room on the Doornfontein campus of the UJ. The lecture was attended by 57 guests.
The SAAE Executive Committee disseminated information from the Annual CAETS Convocations by presenting a series of lectures in South Africa so that the public may benefit from SAAE’s membership of CAETS. The theme of the 2018 CAETS Convocation in Montevideo, Uruguay, was Engineering a Better World - Sustainable Development of Agricultural and Forestry Systems. Mr Felix Reinders FSAAE, Manager of the Irrigation and Drainage Engineering Division at the ARC’s Institute for Agricultural
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Engineering, represented SAAE at the 2018 CAETS Convocation. He presented lectures on the proceedings of this Convocation at SU on 8 October 2019 and at UFS on 29 October 2019 with the kind cooperation of the Deans of Engineering of the respective Universities and with financial support from NSTF pro-Set. The lectures were very well attended
On 28 November 2019 Peter Flower FSAAE presented the 2019 Annual Academy Lecture entitled Cape Town’s Water Supply – Experience and the way forward in the New Lecture Theatre on the UCT campus. The lecture was attended by one hundred and twenty people.
3.6.4 International Collaboration
Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) and other Organisations in China On 25 April 2019 Dr Trueman Goba and Mr Bob Pullen attended the Thematic Forum on Innovation associated with the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in Beijing. The aim of the Forum was to build bridges for international cooperation in science, technology and innovation.
On 26 April 2019 Dr Goba and Prof LI Xiaohong, the President of the CAE, formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the CAE and the SAAE in Beijing. The MoU outlines the intended cooperation between the two Academies in joint activities over the next three years. This MoU is the third such undertaking between the two Academies in terms of a Cooperation Agreement which was concluded in 2002.
The first activity arranged in terms of the MoU took place from 19 to 23 May 2019 when a CAE Nuclear Expert Group visited South Africa as the guests of SAAE. SAAE facilitated visits by the Expert Group to the Nuclear Safety Institute at the UP, to NECSA at Pelindaba, and to Eskom’s Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, Cape Town. Fellows of SAAE accompanied the Expert Group on these visits.
Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) From 28 April 2019 to 1 May 2019 Mr Bob Pullen attended a meeting in Kigali, Rwanda as guest of the RAE. This meeting was convened by the RAE, on behalf of the GCRF in the United Kingdom, as Implementing Agent for their Africa Catalyst Initiative (ACI). The ACI is focused on establishing and developing sustainable institutions in the engineering professions in sub-Sahara countries. Participants in the meeting were representatives of teams who were responsible for projects completed in Phase 1 of the ACI and teams who were busy with projects in Phase 2.
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3.7 INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE COUNCIL REGIONAL OFFICE FOR AFRICA
3.7.1 Governance
ISC ROA reports directly to the ISC Headquarters in Paris and is hosted by ASSAf. It receives strategic guidance from the Regional Committee for Africa (RCA).
3.7.2 Personnel
The office is manned by the following personnel:
Dr Daniel Nyanganyura – Regional Director Dr Richard LK Glover – Programme Specialist Ms Nomasomi Gasa – Project Coordinator Mr Bongani Mahlalela – Communications Officer Ms Lerato Mmatloa – Administrative Assistant Ms Sibusisiwe Matiya – Intern
3.7.3 Engagement with ISC Headquarters and the Governing Board
In its efforts to advance the ISC agenda in Africa through the delivery to, mobilisation and participation of the regional scientific community and relevant actors in ISC activities and strategy and development while widening the ISC membership on the continent, the Office engaged in a number of activities:
ISC Headquarters (HQ) The Office established constant communication links with HQ and shared information through virtual meetings to harmonise HQ and ISC ROA website, ensured sustained and effective dissemination of information based on the global ISC branding and communication strategy. ISC ROA activities are regularly published in the ISC newsletter. These contributed to increasing the visibility of the Office’s activities at global level.
ISC Governing Board (GB) The ISC GB held two meetings: one in June 2019, in Paris, France; and the other in Beijing, China in October 2019. The meetings deliberated and made decisions on a number of issues that included the following: the existing and proposed ISC activities; the ISC Regional Strategy and future regional engagement; new ISC priorities and activities including ISC Science Action Plan for 2019-2021; and governance that includes the ISC Working Groups and GB operations; membership application, dues and engagement; and ISC financials.
The Regional Office participated in these meetings to give updates on the activities in Africa and carry the view of the African community to the Board. The draft Regional Strategy is being developed by the Board, which will seek to give ISC Regional Offices a clear mandate within their respective regions to implement the ISC vision and mission, but also inclusive of relevance to the regional needs and priorities.
3.7.4 Scientific Activities
Implementing the Office’s Science Plans to address major issues and new challenges of science that are pertinent to the African continent, in alignment with key strategies on the continent
Engagement with scientists and policy makers at Regional Economic Community levels The Office worked on fostering collaborations between scientists in the respective Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and bridging the gap between the scientific community and the policy makers in their respecting regions.
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Southern African Development Community (SADC) As part of the engagement with SADC, the results and recommendations from the workshop on health promoting and diseases preventing food plants and animals from the SADC region (held in March 2019, Johannesburg, South Africa) were presented by the Office at the Joint Meeting of the SADC Ministers Responsible for Education and Training; and Science, Technology and Innovation held in June 2019 Safari Hotel Windhoek, Namibia. The Ministers noted the recommendations from the workshop and directed the SADC Secretariat, with the Office’s inputs, to develop an awareness and advocacy plan in partnership with Member States to be implemented in the region to promote the value and use of indigenous knowledge for socio-economic development by June 2020. Through these activities, ISC ROA is now an agenda item of the Joint Meetings of the SADC Ministers Responsible for Education and Training; and Science, Technology and Innovation.
East African Community A second workshop in the sub-regional series was organized for the East African region and was held in October 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya. Forty-eight (48) participants from institutions in Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda as well as the East Africa Science and Technology Commission of the East African Community, fellows of the African Academy of Sciences, members of the ISC ROA Health and Human Wellbeing Consortium and staff and partners of ISC ROA were in attendance. The recommendations of the first workshop held in the SADC region were presented.
Consumption of health promoting and disease preventing neglected and underutilized species of African food plants and insects from East Africa to promote human health and wellbeing was showcased and encouraged through the numerous research outputs presented from that region. The workshop also increased the visibility of ISC within the East African Indigenous Knowledge community while promoting inter-regional and intra-regional collaboration between the relevant stakeholders.
Facilitating the interaction between ISC ROA/Regional Committee for Africa (RCA) members and regional scientific community/stakeholders
Engagement with the scientific community One way through which the interaction between the members of the RCA with scientific community was achieved was through a one-day science seminar organized by the Office in collaboration with the IThemba Labs and International Astronomical Union (IAU) Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD). This science seminar, which attracted several local scientists, served as a platform where the RCA members interacted with South African scientists, shared knowledge/good practices and networked with the local scientists on issues of priority to South Africa and the continent as well as explored avenues for scientific collaboration. It also served to profile and expose to the RCA members, the state-of-the arts research and activities conducted at IThemba Labs. The seminar also increased the visibility of ISC and ISC ROA within the nuclear physics community in South Africa and the region. A plan for ISC ROA and IAU OAD to co-organise a workshop on Science for Development later in the financial year was conceptualised during this science seminar.
The Office, in collaboration with the IAU OAD, and supported by the DSI and the NRF, as well as several other partners, organise a workshop that brought together researchers, industry leaders and communicators from across disciplines and across the world to explore synergies and develop initiatives that would ultimately contribute to the achievement of the SDGs by 2030. This event provided a platform to stimulate collaborations and partnerships between participants and generate ideas and plans for interdisciplinary science-for-development projects, which could be incubated/piloted within the OAD or ISC ROA networks, and potentially expanded globally. The participants included members of the ISC ROA consortia who freely discussed socio-economic development on the continent and the ISC president gave a keynote presentation about the Council’s activities.
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Engaging regional stakeholders The Office represented ISC during a workshop that was organised in January 2020, Nairobi, Kenya, by the UN. This event provided an opportunity for regional stakeholders to engage and consult the ocean community concerning the implementation plan for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development - particularly, assess the status of regional ocean research regarding policy requirements. The Office’s inputs during and after this event help to define priorities in research and/or capacity development and training that could be furthered through the Decade and will identify possible contributions from regional stakeholders. This event afforded the opportunity for ROA to share with other participants, the activities of the ISC ROA GEC consortium in relation to Ocean Science as well as present the ISC Action Plan. This helped to improve the visibility of ISC and its activities.
Strengthening the functioning of the ISC Regional Committee for Africa to get the best strategic guidance for the African Regional Office
Activities with the ISC Regional Committee for Africa (RCA) Until December 2019, the ISC RCA was tasked with giving strategic guidance to the Regional Office. A number of virtual meetings with the RCA members were held and the RCA Chair was a member of the LIRA2030 Scientific Advisory Committee. The Office organised the 3rd RCA meeting in August 2019, in Cape Town, South Africa. The meeting was attended by five out of six statutory members as well as the ISC President and the Executive Officer of ASSAf which is the ISC ROA host institution, as ex-officio members. ISC HQ joined in electronically.
The meeting reviewed completed activities of the Office as well as restructured and provided strategic inputs into the APP and Budget of the Regional Office for the 2020/21 financial year. The APP and budget for were provisionally approved with the modifications for submission to the ASSAf Council and the DSI.
3.7.5 Facilitating and supporting activities of the ISC family
Interaction with the ISC Scientific Unions
TROP-ICSU The two-day workshop was conducted for 29 Gauteng university lecturers and professors by the TROP ICSU project led by the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS) and the International Union of Quaternary Sciences (INQUA), in collaboration with the International Science Council – Regional Office for Africa. This event, which focused “Climate Across the Curriculum: Teaching Resources for Climate Change Education”, was held in April 2019, Pretoria, South Africa. The workshop introduced the participants to digital teaching resources for teaching topics in the Sciences, Mathematics, Social Sciences, and Humanities using climate-related examples, case studies, and activities. Participants reviewed the educational resources of the TROP ICSU project provided their feedback on the appropriateness and the user friendliness of the teaching tools and lesson plans. The workshop concluded with a brief discussion on continued engagement and collaboration with the TROP ICSU project.
The event brought local scientists to explore and used tools developed by members of ISC, and participants committed to forming an online platform to share experiences and challenges in adapting their teaching topics to climate-related case studies.
Engagement with ISC Scientific Unions In a bid to support the ISC Scientific Unions activities on the continent, the Office attended a Conference that was organised by the Order of Tunisian Engineers, in collaboration with WFEO – one of the ISC partners. The Conference, which took place in June 2019, in Tunis, Tunisia, deliberated on issues around science, engineering and food security in Africa with special focus on Agenda 2030. The event was attended by actors involved in the SDGs implementation process, particularly SDGs 2 and 12. The Conference resulted in the creation of a platform where the knowledge, innovative ideas, experiences,
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capacity building and work fields results of engineers, scientists, policymakers and representatives of civil society involved in this field would be discussed, shared, and disseminated. The Office participated and shared ROA’s view on science, engineering, and food security in Africa as well as the ISC Action Plan. It also gave the Office a platform to engage with the WFEO and bring them on board on issues around the Science and Technology Major Group on SDGs.
Engagement with Nation Members
African Unity for Renaissance Conference and Africa Day Expo and Exhibition The Office, in collaboration with the HSRC, a National member of ISC, DSI, NRF and other partners from SA, organised the 9th edition of the African Unity for Renaissance Conference (AURC) and Africa Day Expo and Exhibition, in May 2019 in Pretoria, SA. The main objective of the conference was to reflect on the continued relevance and contribution of the ideals of Pan Africanism for Africa’s development.
The Office made contributions in the panel discussion that focused on African Perspectives on Science, Technology, and Innovation Diplomacy. It also mounted an exhibition on its programmes and activities during the conference and Africa Day Expo. The participation of the Office in this event was a show of support to the National Member’s activities and the host country agenda. The exhibition and distribution of ISC and ISC ROA marketing materials increased the awareness and visibility of ISC and ISC ROA activities within the Social Sciences space, in the region.
The Office planned to host an ISC African Regional Consultative Forum for ISC Members, partners and stakeholders to be held end of March 2020. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the Forum could not materialise, however, the Office organise a virtual Forum that was held 30 March 2020. The virtual Forum served as a platform to give the Members updates on ISC activities, present the Action Plan and well as deliberate on the ISC regional strategy as well as trigger a process to get inputs form members, partners and stakeholders on the continent.
Engagement with African Science Academies The AMASA-15 which was hosted by the GAAS in collaboration with NASAC, took place in November 2019, in Accra, Ghana. The event was attended by about 70 participants selected to represent science and policy communities from Africa and Europe, as well as 50 local delegates from selected institutions within Ghana. The Office participated in the meeting as part of its mandate to support activities of the ISC National members on the continent. It was also afforded the opportunity to add the voice of ISC in improving scientific input to partner initiatives and explored avenues for harnessing STI to address Africa’s socio- economic challenges. ISC ROA sponsored and hosted a networking dinner during this event that was well attended.
Engagement with young scientists The Office participated during the 14th AYGS conference, which was held in March 2020, Gaborone, Botswana, under the theme: Innovating for Sustainable Development: The Research-Policy-Practice Nexus. The event examined the theories, rationales, and practices of innovations in the context of sustainable development in Africa. Through a roundtable discussion, thematic as well as technical paper presentations that advance theoretical and conceptual arguments as well as specific case studies, several indicative issues were discussed under the following four interrelated sub-themes are: (a) Innovating for economic development (b) Science and Technology for Sustainable Development: Harnessing Big Data, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (c) Innovative and Multi-dimensional Approaches to Sustainable Peace, Security and Justice in the 21st Century and (d) Social Sciences and Humanities for Sustainable Development.
ISC ROA participated and gave a presentation titled ISC Action Plan: Projects and Programmes of Critical Importance to Science and Society. This improved ISC/ISC ROA’s visibility amongst young researchers in the continent and established traction in terms of the Office’s current projects and programmes.
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Future Earth Activities in Africa
As the Secretariat of AFEC, the Office managed the activities of the Committee, organised selection of new members and the drafting working plan for Future Earth in Africa. The Office worked with other stakeholders in Southern Africa to setup the Future Earth Regional Office for Southern Africa (FEROSA).
African Future Earth (AFEC) coordination The 5th African Future Earth Committee Meeting, was organised from 16 to 17 July 2019 in Pretoria, and attended by the newly composed committee, representatives of the global Future Earth Secretariat, Future Earth Regional Office for Southern Africa, and representatives of the NRF and DSI.
The meeting provided a platform to put together a regional Future Earth strategy as well as prepare a concrete action plan with short-, medium- and long-term objectives. The tasks that are of high priority for the Future Earth community on the continent were identified and modalities on how best the Committee could work together with the Future Earth Global Secretariat and the Future Earth Regional Office for Southern Africa were explored. A platform for interactive communication links between AFEC and FEROSA and Future Earth Global Secretariat was established.
Future Earth Regional Office for Southern Africa (FEROSA) The NRF was awarded the contract to host the newly formed FEROSA for the next three years. AFEC, through the Office, was instrumental in the process to establishment FEROSA. The Office participated in monthly meetings of the FEROSA Interim Steering Committee where it gave presentations/made interventions on the background information on Future Earth activities on the continent and AFEC meetings.
The deliberations focused on the development of a framework document and finding ways to gain support from the rest of Southern Africa countries. The developed framework document of FEROSA has since been submitted to the NRF. Through the instrumentality of the Office, a substantive FEROSA Steering Committee was constituted.
Facilitating and supporting scientific activities of stakeholders and partners
Support of an event of South Africa National Space Agency on Socio- Economic Benefits of Space Resources Utilisation- African Perspectives The Office was invited to participate in the workshop held in May 2019, Pretoria, South Africa, which was an opportunity for Africans to give their inputs with regards to Space Science.
The workshop explored African perspectives in this emerging area of technical and commercial activity, identified the benefits of development in this area and discussed methods for participation by African entities in the sector. Delegates from African-based Space agencies, African Union and relevant government entities from South Africa were in attendance and shared what is being done in their respective countries with regards to Space Science and how each entity can collaborate going forward.
The Office shared the information of this event to its networks to raise awareness of recent developments in the field to scientists on the continent.
Engagements in SDGs Implementation in Africa The Office contributed to debates that critically reflect on and discuss the progress that has been made towards achieving the SDGs in Africa thus far and identify priorities for SDG implementation, determine institutional and financial gaps in implementation, and set forth pragmatic recommendations for African countries to stay on track towards SDG achievement. One of such platforms was the SDGs Implementation in Africa held in Kigali, Rwanda, in June 2019. This event brought together all stakeholders – leaders from governments across Africa, the United Nations Agencies, bilateral institutions, international and other non- governmental organisations, universities and research institutions, civil society, and the private sector.
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ISC had an opportunity to interact with participants from government and inter-governmental organisations, and other stakeholders as the Office plans to roll out an initiative to domesticate SDGs in Africa. The role of ISC in the STI UN Major Groups was also espoused.
African Open Science Platform The Regional Office, as a member of the Technical Advisory Committee of the pilot phase of the AOSP, participated in a high-level meeting of the platform in September 2019, in Alexandria, Egypt, hosted by the at the meeting held at the Library of Alexandria in partnership with the Serageldin Institute for Multi- disciplinary Advanced Research. This meeting brainstormed on the design and implementation phase of the AOSP initiative with key regional stakeholders and international representatives with the aim of setting up a collaborative Pan-African programme. ISC ROA was recognised and commended as one of the key partners during the first phase and urged it to strive to be one of the key building blocks of the AOSP in future.
Engagements with UNECA
Consultative meeting on STI Policy Design and Implementation in Africa held in November 2019 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia In a bid to support and make inputs to the continental efforts to set up Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Design and Implementation processes in Africa, the Office worked together with UNECA on several initiatives. One of them is a consultative meeting on STI Policy Design and Implementation in Africa held in November 2019 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which contributed towards the development of a framework and guide that countries can use in the design and implementation of STI policies. The other process was meant to assess and recommend appropriate policies and strategies needed to build the technical competences, foster investment in research and development, support start-ups and promote use of emerging technologies to meet healthcare needs of the continent. The Office gave a presentation on the ISC Action Plan and its domains of impact, during this meeting.
Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development Goals (ARFSD), 24-27 February 2020, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Just like the 5th forum that took place in April 2019 in Marrakech, Morocco, the 6th ARFSD which took place in February 2020 in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, provided a platform to review progress, share experiences and lessons learned and build a consensus on key recommendations in the form of key messages to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063. The deliberations focused on in-depth review of several SDGs as well as the corresponding goals of Agenda 2063.
The Regional Office participated in the forum as a representative of ISC in the Science and Technology Major Group as well as during the Africa Regional Science Technology and Innovation Forums on Sustainable Development organised by DSI and UNECA in collaboration with regional stakeholders. Besides chairing sessions during the Forum, the Office made the STI Major Group contributions to the session of High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development which included Africa’s specific challenges in the implementation of the SDGs, gaps, and levels of change to accelerate implementation.
The Innovation Bridge Technology Matchmaking and Showcasing Event and Science Forum South Africa, 4-6 December 2019, Pretoria, South Africa
The Office organised two sessions during the forum:
Advancing the 2030 Agenda in African cities through knowledge co-production: Urban experiments led by African early career scientists This session sought to give early career African researchers an opportunity to showcase their research work on what innovative ways they have employed to address the Sustainable Development Goals for Agenda 2030, with respect to urban development in Africa. The panellists, who were LIRA2030 grantees,
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presented their findings, which ignited conversation about science impact in benefiting the respective communities. The LIRA2030 programme thus increased its visibility amongst the early career researchers within the region.
Advancing Science as a Global Public Good – the role of the International Science Council This session offered a unique platform to ignite conversation about science with impact that fosters the interface between science, policy, and society. The keynote presentation and a panel discussion stimulated debate on how science, technology and innovation can enhance sustainable socio-economic development. The visibility of ISC was increased within the region through this session organised by its Africa Regional Office.
Facilitating capacity building on key scientific areas through working with international scientific unions and other partners who can coordinate training sessions, particularly targeting young scientists and women
Collaboration with other stakeholders in supporting young scientists ISC ROA, in collaboration with World Water Council, UNESCO International Hydrological Programme, Global Water Partnership, the 9th World Water Forum organising committee – Senegal, International Secretariat for Water, and Association des Jeunes Professionnels de l'Eau et de l'Assainissement du Sénégal, co-convened a session that brought together the youth from around the globe during the World Water Week International Conference held in August 2019, Stockholm, Sweden. ISC ROA is one of the stakeholders supporting the engagement of the youth in the realisation of the SDGs on the continent, and the Office, through this event, enhanced the continual cooperation, engagement and participation of all stakeholders, including youth on these issues in Africa. It therefore sponsored one young female scientist from South Africa working in the water sector, to attend and present her work at the Conference.
3.7.6 Contributing unbiased scientific advice to governmental and intergovernmental activities, mapping science projects in Africa and dissemination of results to be used to inform policy formulation
Support for International Network for Government Science Advice-Africa Chapter (INGSA-Africa) activities in Africa
INGSA-Central Africa sub-Regional Capacity Development Workshop As the secretariat of the INGSA-Africa Chapter, the Office supported INGSA Africa Chapter and the Cameroon Academy of Young Scientists to organise an INGSA- Central Africa sub-Regional Capacity Development Workshop in August 2019, Yaoundé, Cameroon. This was done in partnership with the Chief Scientist of Québec, Professor Rémi Quirion and the Fonds de Recherche du Québec (FRQ), and with the support of the Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation and the Ministry of Higher Education of Cameroon. The workshop which had the main objective to develop and reinforce the capacity of 120 participants made up of researchers, academics, government, and civil society from 11 Francophone countries for decision making and implementation of evidence-informed-practices involved plenaries and case studies.
Learning Collaborative Workshop on Government Science Advice-AMASA-15 The Office supported the INGSA-Africa Chapter in organising a Learning Collaborative Workshop on Government Science Advice as part of the 15th Annual Meeting of African Science Academies (AMASA- 15) on 15 November 2019 in Accra, Ghana.
The workshop involved a case study called Doumbelane which discussed Mobilisation of Water and Land Resources for Food Security, in synchrony with the session sub-theme on The Innovation that determines the achievement of Food Security and Poverty Reduction.
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3.7.7 Leading Integrated Research for Agenda 2030 in Africa (LIRA2030) Programme
The Office continued to coordinate and give inputs to the initiative’s activities that seeks to increase the production of high-quality, integrated (inter- and transdisciplinary), solutions-oriented research on global sustainability by early career scientists on the continent. Thirty - five (35) young scientists underwent a one-week trans-disciplinary capacity building workshop. The project has resulted in significant societal impact in several countries, including the South African city communities that were involved in this project.
One-day stakeholders’ workshop, April 2019, Stellenbosch, South Africa The LIRA2030 grantees are expected to host a few workshops during their 2-year funding period. One of the LIRA2030 projects that were funded from 2017 – 2019, hosted its final one-day stakeholders’ workshop in April 2019, in Stellenbosch. The Project Coordinator was in attendance and gave a presentation on the LIRA2030 Programme activities thus far, as well as the role of the Regional Office.
South African early career researchers were engaged and were given more information about the initiative’s approach to SDGs that they can utilise in their research projects.
3rd Annual Research Forum, February 2020, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia In February 2020, the Office, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Academy of Science, hosted the 3rd Annual Research Forum, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Forum brought together the representatives of 28 funded projects to foster collaboration and networking between them, to present their progress as well as to share their experiences in project implementation.
The Forum provided an opportunity and platform for young scientists to discuss how to advance sustainable urban development on the continent and learn about what early career scientists are doing to drive transformational change in cities across Africa. It further provided an opportunity to showcase the experience of Ethiopia in tackling urban challenges.
72 PART C: GOVERNANCE Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
1. THE ACCOUNTING AUTHORITY/THE BOARD
The Academy is governed by a Council comprising 13 members. Twelve are elected from the membership and one is appointed by the Minister as representative of the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI).
The Academy has five office-bearers: The President, two Vice-Presidents, General Secretary and Treasurer.
The Council has constituted an Executive Committee comprising the office-bearers. The purpose of the Executive Committee is to streamline Council operations and to allow for decision-making on important matters in the intervals between Council meetings. In addition, the Council has a Human Resources Committee and an Audit and Risk Committee.
The Academy’s activities are guided by the Academy of Science of South Africa Act (Act No. 67 of 2001), as amended by the Science and Technology Laws Amendment Acts (Act 16 of 2011 and Act 7 of 2014), and a set of established regulations that collectively comprise the Academy’s Constitution.
The ASSAf Council met five times during 2019/20, one being the Strategic Planning Meeting held on 11 February 2020, and four Council meetings (11 February 2019, 15 May 2019, 24 July 2019 and 9 October). The AGM was held on 9 October 2019.
Name Designation Date Attendance End of on Council appointed at meetings term Prof Jonathan President 2016 4 2024 Jansen Prof Brenda Vice President 2012 3 2020 Wingfield Prof Nayameko Vice President 2016 5 2020 Barney Pityana Prof Sabiha Essack General Secretary 2016 3 2024 Prof Eugene Cloete Treasurer 2016 3 2024 Prof Norman Council Member 2015 2 2023 Duncan Prof Stephanie Council Member 2014 2 2022 Burton Prof Mary Scholes Council Member 2016 4 2024 Prof Zeblon Council Member 2012 2 2020 Vilakazi Prof Refilwe Nancy Council Member 2016 1 2024 Phaswana-Mafuya Prof Wim de Villiers Council Member 2019 1 2024 Prof Johann Council Member 2012 4 2020 Mouton Prof Wieland Advisor 2012 4 2020 Gevers Prof Sunil Maharaj Advisor 2016 4 2020 Prof Evance Kalula Advisor 2016 4 2020 Prof Shadrack NACI 2015 1 Resigned, Moephuli representative June 2019
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President Prof Jonathan Jansen is Distinguished Professor of Education at the University of Stellenbosch. He is President of the Academy of Science of South Africa and in 2020 will be a Knight-Hennessey Fellow at Stanford University. He started his career as a Biology teacher in the Cape and holds a PhD from Stanford as well as honorary doctorates from Edinburgh, Vermont, Cleveland State and the University of Cape Town. He is the author of the award-winning book, Knowledge in the Blood (Stanford University Press) and his 2019 books include Inequality in South African schools (with Nic Spaull, Springer Publishers) and Decolonization in universities (Wits U Press), His 2020 books include Race, Science and Society (SUN MEDIA) and Who gets in and why: the politics of admission in South Africa’s elite schools (with Samantha Kriger, UCT Press). He was recently elected as a Fellow of the International Academy of Education.
Vice-Presidents Prof Nyameko Barney Pityana is the retired Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of South Africa (Unisa). Previously he served as the Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission. He was also a member of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. He is a member of the Council of Wits University. Until November 2019 he completed two terms as Secretary General of the Network of African Academies of Science (NASAC).
Pityana is the Professor emeritus of Law at the College of Law, Unisa, and Honorary Visiting Professor at the Centre for Ethical Leadership, Department of Philosophy, Rhodes University. He holds honorary degrees from universities in Argentina, South Africa, Canada and the United States, and a Fellow of King’s College London, Commonwealth of Learning, Oxford Ripon College Cuddesdon and STIAS. He holds degrees in Law from South Africa and an admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa; (non-practicing); and in Theology from King’s College London and Oxford University. He was awarded a PhD in Religious Studies at the University of Cape Town. Prof Pityana was bestowed with the Order of the Grand Counsellor of the Baobab (GCOB) in the Presidential Honours List in South Africa in 2006.
Prof Brenda Wingfield holds the Department of Science and Technology-National Research Foundation (DST-NRF) South African Research Chair Initiative (SARChI) Chair in Fungal Genomics and is Professor of Genetics at the University of Pretoria (UP). She also served as the Chair of the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) until recently and is the recipient of the prestigious Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship for her outstanding research.
General Secretary Prof Sabiha Essack is the DST-NRF SARChI Research Chair in Antibiotic Resistance and One Health and Professor in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the UKZN.
Treasurer Prof Thomas Eugene Cloete is Vice-Rector, Research and Innovation at SU. He is a former recipient of the ASSAf Science-for-Society Gold Medal award. He is the Founding Director of the SU Water Institute.
Council Members Prof Stephanie Burton is Professor in Biochemistry, and Professor at Future Africa, at the University of Pretoria. From 2011 to 2020, she was the Vice-Principal for Research and Postgraduate Education at the University of Pretoria. She holds an MSc in Organic Chemistry (1990) and a PhD in Biochemistry (1994) from Rhodes University. Professor Burton’s academic career started in Biochemistry and Biotechnology at Rhodes University, and then as Professor in Chemical Engineering at the University of Cape Town. She served as Director of Postgraduate Studies and Director of the Biocatalysis and Technical Biology Group at Cape Peninsula University of Technology before her current appointment. Her research interests are in sustainability, applied biochemistry and biotechnology, and she has held a National Research Foundation B rating. She has published widely and supervised numerous postgraduate students.
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Prof Wim de Villiers is Rector and Vice-Chancellor of SU, Vice-Chair- person of Universities South Africa (USAf) and a Council Member of the Association of Common- wealth Universities (ACU).
Prof Norman Duncan is Professor in Psychology and Vice-Principal: Academic at UP.
Prof Johann Mouton is Professor in, and Director of the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology and the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence for Scientometrics and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy at SU.
Prof Refilwe Nancy Phaswana-Mafuya is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC): Research and Innovation at North-West University (NWU). She is one of the few qualified black female epidemiologists in South Africa. She is an ASSAf member, AAS Fellow and NRF rated scientist. She is also member of the International Panel on Infectiology of the German Research Foundation where she represents the African Continent, technical health expert (HIV/Chronic NCDs Scientist)on Higher Health Board, member of USAF Research & Innovation Strategy Group, and also serves on the NRF Board. She chaired the 9th SA AIDS Conference in June 2019, the second largest medical meeting in the world. Prof Phaswana-Mafuya was awarded the NSTF TW Nkambule Science Award IN 2016/2017, for Research and its outputs 15 years after obtaining PhD. Her passion is to contribute towards closing science disparities in South Africa through developing research capacities among emerging scientists. In this regard, she has been involved in the NSTF Share & Dare Programme, NSTF Young Brilliants, SAYAS, SAYSP as well as media talks to motivate young people to choose science careers.
Prof Mary Scholes is a Professor in the School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences at Wits. She serves as Vice-Chairperson for the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security Committee, Max- Planck-Institute for Chemistry and the Secretary-General for the Standing Committee of Public Enterprise.
Prof Zeblon Vilakazi is DVC: Research and Postgraduate Affairs at Wits.
NACI Representative
Dr Shadrack Moephuli, the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) who was appointed by the DST Minister as a NACI representative, resigned in June 2019. No replacement has been made to date.
Advisors Prof Wieland Gevers is Emeritus Professor of Medical Biochemistry and former Senior DVC at UCT. He is a former President of ASSAf (1998 – 2004), a Fellow of TWAS and a recipient of the National Order of Mapungubwe (Silver).
Prof Evance Rabban Kalula is Chairperson of the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association (CFA; Emeritus Professor of Law, University of Cape Town and Honorary Professor, University of Rwanda. He also serves as advisor on Council of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), and the Governance and Nominations Committee (GNC) of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS).
Prof Sunil Maharaj is Director of the Astrophysics and Cosmology Research Unit, holds the SARChI Research Chair in Gravitating Systems, and is a Senior Professor of Applied Mathematics at UKZN. He is the former Treasurer of ASSAf and presently chairs two subcommittees.
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Committees Council has appointed two committees, the Audit and Risk Committee and the Human Resources (HR) Committee to ensure that the ASSAf Management oversees the operational issues of the Academy in accordance with the ASSAf mandate and ensuring compliance.
Committee No. of meetings held No. of members Name of members Audit and Risk Committee 4 5 Committee Members Prof Sunil Maharaj (Chairperson, (held ahead of Council (representing Council and ASSAf Advisor on Council), meetings) nominated by ASSAf), Prof Eugene Cloete (ASSAf Treasurer on Council), Internal Auditors Prof Zeblon Vilakazi (ASSAf Council), External Auditors Prof Dawid van Wyk (External member of the Committee) ASSAf secretariat support Prof Jacoba Kleynhans (External member of the committee but resigned in October 2019)
Internal auditors: KPMG
External auditors: SNG – Grant Thornton Inc.
ASSAf secretariat: Prof Himla Soodyall (EO) Mr Morakeng Chiloane (Financial Manager) Ms Lynette du Plessis (HR Manager)
Human Resources Committee Issues are discussed via email 5 Committee Members Prof Barney Pityana (Chairperson) correspondence as they arise Prof Norman Duncan with Members on this Prof Sabiha Essack Committee Prof Himla Soodyall (EO) Ms Lynette du Plessis (HR Manager)
Council also appoints discipline sub-committees to assist the General Secretary in evaluating new applications for Membership. This process entails inviting voluntary participation of Members to serve on the three Membership Advisory Committees (MACs), followed by Council’s endorsement of the Chairperson and Members selected to participate in the three MACs. The three MACs represent the Humanities and Social Sciences; the Earth and Environmental Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Engineering and Technological Sciences; and the Health/Medical Sciences, Life Sciences and Agricultural Sciences. Following evaluation, the Chairpersons of MACs send their recommendations to Council for approval for the names to be included in the ballot form that is completed in accordance with the regulation for Membership. These meetings take place once in the year.
In addition, Council nominates Members to serve on the Committee that reviews applications received for the prestigious ASSAf Science for Society Gold Medal. The General Secretary, together with at least three additional Members, serve on this Committee and make their recommendations using the regulation 2 to guide this process. This meeting takes place once a year.
Remuneration of board members Council Members represent ASSAf Members voluntarily. Financial support is only provided for expenses related to their attendance at meetings and no allowances are paid.
2. RISK MANAGEMENT
The entity has a risk management policy and strategy which is encapsulated in a form of a risk register. The policy identifies key risk areas, identifies possible factors and appropriate mitigating factors to minimise or curb those risks. The risk register is reviewed on an annual basis and is updated on the basis of the risk assessments gathered. The risk register was last updated in February 2020. 77 Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
The management serves as a risk management committee. The Audit and Risk Committee acts as a high-level overseer of the entity’s risk management. There is good progress in the management of ASSAf’s identified risks and this has aided the entity’s performance.
3. INTERNAL CONTROL UNIT
ASSAf does not have an internal control unit, however there are a number of internal controls in place.
4. INTERNAL AUDIT AND AUDIT COMMITTEES
The internal audit undertakes regular reviews of the various spheres that make up the entity’s operational components. This includes the review of the supply chain management, the financial discipline as well as follow reviews of the human resources and the Information Technology (IT) General Controls.
This process also reviews ASSAf’s performance pertaining to good governance in accordance with applicable legislation, review of policies that are intended to enhance good governance, and the review of quarterly and annual financial statements. The table below provides relevant information on the audit committee members.
Name Qualifications Internal If Date Date No. of or internal, appointed Resigned Meetings external position attended in the public entity S Maharaj Professor Internal Chairperson March 2010 4 D van Wyk Professor External March 2015 4 J Kleynhans Professor External October 2016 October 2 2019 E Cloete Professor Internal Treasurer February 2017 2 Z Vilakazi Professor Internal Council February 2017 3 Member
5. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS
The entity complies with the:
PFMA, PPPFA and National Treasury Regulations in its Supply Chain Management processes; PFMA, National Treasury and Auditor General requirements on financial reporting and auditing and; PFMA and National Treasury requirements on budgeting processes.
6. FRAUD AND CORRUPTION
With very limited resources, the entity has adequate segregation of duties. Bank reconciliations are performed and reviewed monthly. Passing of journal entries is approved and reviewed monthly. There are no incentives that are paid to finance and supply chain management staff. Cost centre reports are generated, disseminated to the relevant Programme/Project Officers and Management and are reviewed on a monthly basis. Financial statements are produced and disseminated to the Audit and Risk Committee and Council on a quarterly basis. Financial reporting is undertaken to the DSI and National Treasury on a quarterly basis. Periods are closed monthly. There are financial policies and procedures which are reviewed on an annual basis. Financial information sharing transparency is
78 Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
promoted and practiced. Communication channels on financial and supply chain management are not restricted in that every staff member is free to communicate or report any suspected wrong doing or practice to any staff member irrespective of the position they hold in the entity including those who serve on the Council. The entity has an internal audit function which operates and functions independently outside of the management and reports directly to the Audit and Risk Committee. The entity also undertakes external audits on an annual basis. Communication channels on financial and supply chain management are not restricted in any way in that every staff member is free to communicate or report any wrong doing or practice to any staff member irrespective of the position they hold in the entity including those who serve on the Council and its various subcommittees. Reporting of cases is promoted and encouraged and can come from different angles. The HR unit serve as the ultimate recipient of any allegations related to allegations of misconduct and it has the latitude to evaluate and recommend whatever action it considers appropriate.
7. MINIMISING CONFLICT OF INTEREST All employees sign a declaration of interest form when they join ASSAf. This is kept on their personnel files. In addition, all Council Members complete a conflict of interest declaration at each meeting.
8. CODE OF CONDUCT An Employee Relations Policy that includes Grievance, Counselling and Disciplinary processes and procedures is in place.
9. HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ASSAf has a Health and Safety Policy in place and have 2 employees that are elected and trained Health and Safety Officers.
10. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Due to the limited baseline, the entity does not have any corporate social projects in place.
79 PART D: HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
1. INTRODUCTION
ASSAf’s Human Resources (HR) process are implemented as follows:
• A Human Resources Committee is in place that reviews all HR related processes and approves all HR related changes • The primary purpose of the Committee is to assist Council and the Executive Officer in establishing internal human resource management and development strategies that ensure the processes of recruitment, development, compensation, retention, succession planning and performance management are in accordance with the Academy’s objectives and strategic plan • HR priorities are set annually, and a performance agreement is in place to measure the priorities • Recruitment processes are formalised and recruitment panels are selected when there are vacancies prior to commencing with interviewing processes • A Performance Management Policy is in place, Performance reviews are completed twice annually, every 6 months • The entity has an employee wellness program in place with a CSD registered service provider • A Policy and Procedure Working Group with approved terms of reference is in place • ASSAf has a fairly stable workforce with a low staff turnover. The majority of employees at ASSAf are skilled staff. A positive and motivated staff morale is prevalent • AS a result of the new strategic plan, reconsideration of the organisational structure may be required in the near future to align with the strategic plan in delivering the ASSAf mandate. Upskilling of employees will be required.
2. HUMAN RESOURCES OVERSIGHT STATISTICS
Personnel Cost by programme/activity/objective
Programme/activity/ Total expenditure Personnel Personnel No. of Average objective for the entity expenditure exp. as a employees personnel (R’000) (R’000) % of total cost per exp. (R’000) employee (R’000) Governance and 14 909 8084 54 13 622 Administration Scholarly Publishing 10 485 70 13 562 Programme 7311
Liaison Programme 13 906 5940 43 9 660
Science Advisory 6 045 3248 54 5 650 Programme
ISC ROA 7 818 3715 48 6 541
81 Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Personnel cost by salary band
Level Personnel % of personnel No. of employees Average personnel Expenditure exp. To total cost per employee (R’000) personnel cost (R’000) R’000) Top 7 492 016 32.5 6 1 248 000 Management (1) and Senior Management (5) Professional 10 658 695 46.2 16 666 168 qualified
Skilled 4 775 374 20.7 15 318 358
Unskilled 128 283 0.55 2 64 141
TOTAL 23 054 39
Note: ASSAf does not pay performance allowances. However, should an employee contribute significantly to activities outside of their brief, ASSAf does acknowledge this with a discretionary bonus as stipulated in the approved Policy and Procedure relating to the payment of discretionary bonuses.
Training Costs
Programme/activity/objective Personnel Training Training No. of Avg Expenditure Expenditure Expenditure employees training (R’000) (R’000) as a % of trained cost per Personnel employee Cost.
Senior Management 4 548 285 61 060 1.34 2 30 530
Professional qualified 10 658 695 58 830 0.55 3 19 610
Skilled 4 775 374 121 328.11 2.54 5 24 266
TOTAL 19 982 354 241 218.11 1.21 10 24 121
Employment and vacancies
Programme/activity/objective 2018/2019 2018/2019 2019/2020 2019/2020 % of No. of Approved No. of Vacancies vacancies Posts Employees Employees Admin and Governance 11 11 10 1 10
Scholarly Publishing Programme 12 11 10 0 10
Liaison Programme 8 8 8 0 0
Science Advisory Programme 5 6 5 1 20
ISC ROA 6 6 6 0 0
82 Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
. 2019/2020 2019/2020 2020/2021 2020/2021 % of No. of Approved No. of Vacancies vacancies Employees Posts Employees Top 1 1 1 0 0 Management
Senior 6 6 5 1 20 Management
Professional 18 18 16 1 7 qualified
Skilled 15 15 15 0 0
Semi-skilled 0 0 0 0 0
Unskilled 2 2 2 0 0
TOTAL 42 42 39 2 6
One Senior Manager retired during this period. The duties have been absorbed by two of the Professional Qualified employees whilst the organisation is reconsidering its organisational structure.
One Professional Qualified position has been vacant for more than 12 months. This position was internally advertised. The interview process has been put on hold following the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lock down.
Employment changes
Employment at Employment Salary Band beginning of period Appointments Terminations at end of the period Top Management 1 0 0 1
Senior Management 6 0 1 5
Professional qualified 18 0 2 16
Skilled 15 0 0 15
Semi-skilled 0 0 0 0
Unskilled 2 0 0 2
Total 42 0 3 39
Reasons for staff leaving
Reason Number % of total no. of staff leaving Death 0
Resignation 1 2.5
Dismissal 1 2.5
Retirement 1 2.5
Total 3 7.7
83 Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Labour Relations: Misconduct and disciplinary action
Nature of disciplinary Action Number Verbal Warning
Written Warning
Final Written warning
Dismissal 1
Equity Target and Employment Equity Status
Levels MALE African Coloured Indian White Current Target Current Target Current Target Current Target Top 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Management
Senior 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Management
Professional 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 qualified
Skilled 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Semi-skilled 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unskilled 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TOTAL 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Levels FEMALE AFRICAN COLOURED INDIAN WHITE Current Target Current Target Current Target Current Target Top 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 Management
Senior 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 Management
Professional 6 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 qualified
Skilled 9 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Semi-skilled 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unskilled 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TOTAL 17 0 0 0 1 0 11 0
84 Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Levels Disabled Staff Male Female Current Target Current Target Top Management 0 0 0 0
Senior Management 0 0 0 0
Professional qualified 0 0 0 0
Skilled 0 0 0 0
Semi-skilled 0 0 0 0
Unskilled 0 0 0 0
TOTAL 0 0 0 0
85 PART E: FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 SizweNtsalubaGobodo Grant Thornton Inc Registered Auditors Published 30 September 2020 1. REPORT OF THE EXTERNAL AUDITOR Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 General Information
Nature of operation and principal activities Promotion and application of scientific thinking in the service of society.
Council Members Prof Jonathan Jansen Prof Brenda Wingfield Prof Johann Mouton Prof Zeblon Vilakazi Prof Stephanie Burton Prof Norman Duncan Prof Eugene Cloete Prof Sabiha Essack Prof Barney Pityana Prof Nancy Phaswana-Mafuya Prof Mary Scholes Prof Wim De Villiers
Registered office 41 De Havilland Crescent Block A The Woods, Persequor Park Pretoria 0020
Physical address 41 De Havilland Crescent Block A The Woods, Persequor Park Pretoria 0020
Postal address PO Box 72135 Lynnwood Ridge 0040
Bankers Standard Bank
Auditors SizweNtsalubaGobodo Grant Thornton Inc
87 2. ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Index
The reports and statements set out below comprise the annual financial statements presented to the parliament:
Page
Council's Responsibilities and Approval 89
Audit and Risk Committee Report 90-91
Council's Report 92
Independent Auditor's Report 93 - 96
Statement of Financial Position 97
Statement of Financial Performance 98
Statement of Changes in Net Assets 99
Cash Flow Statement 100
Statement of Comparison of Budget and Actual Amounts 101 - 102
Accounting Policies 103 - 112
Notes to the Annual Financial Statements 113-130
88 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Council's Responsibilities and Approval
The Council members are required by the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) (Act 1 of 1999), to maintain adequate accounting records and are responsible for the content and integrity of the annual financial statements and related financial informationi ncluded in this report. It is the responsibility of the Council members to ensure that the annual financial statements fairly present the state of affairs of the entity as at the end of the financial year and the results of its operations and cash flows for the period then ended. The external auditors are engaged to express an independent opinion on the annual financial statements and were given unrestricted access to all financial records and related data.
The annual financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Standards of Generally Recognised Accounting Practice (GRAP) including any interpretations, guidelines and directives issued by the Accounting Standards Board.
The annual financial statements are based upon appropriate accounting policies consistently applied and supported by reasonable and prudent judgements and estimates.
The Council members acknowledge that they are ultimately responsible for the system of internal financial control established by the entity and place considerable importance on maintaining a strong control environment. To enable the Council members to meet these responsibilities, the Accounting Authority sets standards for internal control aimed at reducing the risk of error or deficit in a cost effectivemanne r. The standards include the proper delegation of responsibilities within a clearly defined framework, effective accounting procedures and adequate segregation of duties to ensure an acceptable level of risk. These controls are monitored throughout the entity and all employees are required to maintain the highest ethical standards in ensuring the entity's business is conducted in a manner that in all reasonable circumstances is above reproach. The focus of risk management in the entity is on identifying, assessing, managing and monitoring all known forms of risk across the entity. While operating risk cannot be fully eliminated, the entity endeavours to minimise it by ensuring that appropriate infrastructure, controls, systems and ethical behaviour are applied and managed within predetermined procedures and constraints.
The Council members are of the opinion, based on the information and explanations given by management, that the system of internal control provides reasonable assurance that the financial records may be relied on forthe preparation of the annual financial statements. However, any system of internal financial control can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance against material misstatement or deficit.
The Council members have reviewed the entity's cash flow forecast for the year to 31 March 2021 and, in light of this review and the current financial position, they are satisfied that the entity has or has access to adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.
The entity is wholly dependent on the National Treasury for continued funding of operations. The annual financial statements are prepared on the basis that the entity is a going concern and that the National Treasury has neither the intention nor the need to liquidate or curtail materially the scale of the entity.
The external auditors are responsible for indepedently reviewing and reporting on the entity's annual financial statements.
The annual financial statements set out on pages 97 to 130, which have been prepared on the going concern basis, were approved by the accounting authority on 30 September 2020 and were signed on its behalf by:
Prof Jonathan Jansen Chairperson
89 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Audit and Risk Committee Report
We are pleased to present our report for the financial year ended 31 March 2020.
Audit and Risk Committee members and attendance
The Audit and Risk Committee consists of the members listed hereunder and should meet four times per annum as per its approved terms of reference. During the current year four meetings were held.
Name of member Number of meetings attended Prof S Maharaj (Chairperson) Four Prof D van Wyk Four Prof E Cloete (Treasurer) Two Prof Z Vilakazi Three Prof J Kleynhans (resigned October 2019) Two
Audit and Risk Committee responsibility
The Audit and Risk Committee reports that it has complied with its responsibilities arising from section 51 (1 )(a)(ii) of the PFMA and Treasury Regulation 27.1. The Audit and Risk Committee also reports that it has adopted appropriate formal terms of reference as its Audit and Risk Committee Charter, has regulated its affairs in compliance with this charter and has discharged all its responsibilities as contained therein.
The effectiveness of internal control
The Audit and Risk Committee, in executing its oversight role, considers ASSAfs internal controls to be effective. The Audit and Risk Committee and management are committed to ensuring that ASSAfs internal controls continue to be enhanced in order to ensure that they are effective and efficient and that they are responsive to the principles of good governance.
The Audit and Risk Committee is always prepared to welcome the external auditor's recommendations on internal control processes and procedures and is willing to ensure that they are implemented. The Audit and Risk Committee reports that it has complied with the requirement to submit reports to the Accounting Authority, Accounting Executive, the National Treasury and the Office of the Auditor General. The Audit and Risk Committee is satisfied with the content and quality of the reports that were prepared and issued by the management of the entity during the year under review.
Quarterly Reports
The entity has been reporting quarterly to the National Treasury as is required by the PFMA.
Evaluation of annual financial statements
The Audit and Risk 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 SizweNtsalubaGobodo Grant Thornton (SNG GT)'s management report and management's response thereto and the implementation plan for audit issues raised in the prior year and are satisfied that the matters have been adequately resolved; • 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.
The Audit and Risk Committee concurs with and accepts SNG GT's report on the annual financial statements, and is of the opinion that the audited annual financial statements should be accepted and read together with the report of SNG GT. SNG GT has served as the external auditors for six years and this is their last audit.
90 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Audit and Risk Committee Report
Internal audit
During the year under review, the outsourced internal audit service providers, KPMG, undertook reviews of the Financial Discipline and Supply Chain Management as well as follow up reviews on Human Resource and IT General Controls. The internal auditors issued five reports, including a progress report.
One of the functions of internal audit is to provide the Audit and Risk Committee and management with assurance on the effectiveness of internal controls. According to their reports they considered the internal controls to be operating satisfactory and noted possible opportunities for improvement in certain instances.
KPMG has served as internal auditors for four years.
The Audit and Risk Committee is satisfied that the internal audit function is operating effectively and that it complements efforts that are intended to address risks.
Prof Sunil Maharaj Chairperson
30 September 2020
91 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Council's Report
The Council members submit their report for the year ended 31 March 2020.
1. Established
The entity was established on the 22 March 1996 and commenced with its operation on the same day.
2. Review of activities
Main operations
The entity is engaged in the promotion and application of scientific thinking in the service of society and operates principally in South Africa.
The operating results and state of affairs of the entity are fully set out on page 97 to 130 of the accompanying annual financial statements.
3. Going concern
We draw attention to the fact that as at 31 March 2020, the entity had sustainability fund of R 7,755,277 and that the entity's total liabilities do not exceed its assets
The annual financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis. This basis presumes that funds will be available to finance future operations and that the realisation of assets and settlement of liabilities, contingent obligations and commitments will occur in the ordinary course of operation.
4. Events after reporting date
There were no significant events after the reporting date that would require additional disclosure or adjustment to the annual financial statements.
The COVID 19 impact is discussed under note 26.
5. Council
The Council members of the entity during the year and to the date of this report are as follows:
Name Nationality Date appointed Prof Jonathan Jansen South African appointed: 18 October 2016 Prof Brenda Wingfield South African appointed: 31 October 2012 Prof Johann Mouton South African appointed: 31 October 2012 Prof Zeblon Vilakazi South African appointed: 31 October 2012 Prof Stephanie Burton South African appointed: 31 May 2014 Prof Norman Duncan South African appointed: 20 February 2015 Dr Shadrack Moephuli South African resigned: 12 June 2019 Prof Eugene Cloete South African appointed: 14 October 2016 Prof Sabiha Essack South African appointed: 14 October 2016 Prof Barney Pityana South African appointed: 14 October 2016 Prof Nancy Phaswana-Mafuya South African appointed: 14 October 2016 Prof Mary Scholes South African appointed: 4 July 2018 Prof Wim De Villiers South African appointed: 1 February 2019
6. Auditors
SizweNtsalubaGobodo Grant Thornton contract has ended and new auditors will be appointed for the next financial year.
92 SNG Grant Thornton An instinct forgrowth ·
Independent Auditor's Report
To the Minister of Science and Innovation on the Academy of Science of South Africa
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) set out on pages 97 to 130, which comprise the statement of financial position as at 31 March 2020 and the statement of financial performance, statement of changes in net assets, cash flow statement and the statement of comparison of budget and actual amounts for the year then ended, as well as the notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies.
In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Academy of Science of South Africa as at 31 March 2020, and its financial performance and cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with the Standards of Generally Recognised Accounting Practice (GRAP) and the requirements of the Academy of Science of South Africa Act, 2001 (Act No. 67 of 2001) (ASSAf Act).
Basis for opinion We conducted our audit in accordance with the International Standards on Auditing (ISAs). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report.
We are independent of the Academy of Science of South Africa in accordance with the sections 290 and 291 of the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors' Code of Professional Conduct for Registered Auditors (Revised January 2018), parts 1 and 3 of the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors' Code of Professional Conduct for Registered Auditors (Revised November 2018) (together the IRBA Codes) and other independence requirements applicable to performing audits of financial statements in South Africa. We have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities, as applicable, in accordance with the IRBA Codes and in accordance with other ethical requirements applicable to performing audits in South Africa. The IRBA Codes are consistent with the corresponding sections of the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants' Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants and the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants' International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) respectively.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Responsibilities of the Accounting Authority for the financial statements The Council, which constitutes the Accounting Authority is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with (GRAP) and the requirements of the ASSAf Act and for such internal control as the accounting authority determines necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the Accounting Authority is responsible for assessing the entity's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters relating to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the appropriate governance structure either intends to liquidate the entity or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.
93 Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's reportthat includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with the ISAs will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is included in the annexure to this auditor's report.
Report on the audit of the annual performance report
The entity is not required to prepare a report on its performance against predetermined objectives as it does not fall within the ambit of the PFMA and such reporting is also not required in terms of the entity's specific legislation.
Report on the audit of compliance with legislation
Introduction and scope
In accordance with the PAA and the general notice issued in terms thereof we have a responsibility to report material findings on the compliance of the entity with specific matters in key legislation. We performed procedures to identify findings but not to gather evidence to express assurance.
We did not identify material non compliance with specific matters in key legislation, as set out in the General Notice issued in terms of the PAA.
Other infomation
The Academy of Science of South Africa Accounting Authority is responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report. The other informationdoes not include the financial statements and the auditor's report.
Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express an audit opinion or any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If, based on the work we have performed, on the other information obtained prior to the date of this auditor's report, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.
Internal control deficiencies
We considered internal control relevant to our audit of the financial statements and compliance with applicable legislation, however the objective is not to express any form of assurance thereon. We did not identifyany significant deficienciesin internal control.
Other reports
We draw attention to the following engagements conducted by various partiesthat have or could potentially have an impact on the matters reported onthe entity's financial statements and compliance with applicable legislation. The reports noted do not form partof our opinion on the financial statements or compliance with legislation.
Audit-related services and special audits - Agreed-upon procedures
An agreed-upon procedures engagement was performed on behalf of ASSAf relating to the expenditure incurred and income received for the year ended 31 December 2019 by the International Science Council (ISC) Regional OfficeAfrica (ROA) for the Building Capacity for Integrated Research on Global Sustainability funded by the Swedish International Development Agency. The reportwas issued to ASSAf management on the 9th of April 2020.
Auditor tenure
In terms of the IRBA rule published in Government Gazette Number 39475 dated 4 December 2015, we reportthat SizweNtsalubaGobodo Grant Thornton Inc has been the auditor of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) for 6 years.
94 Vincent Motholo SizweNtsalubaGobodo Grant Thornton Inc. Director Registered Auditor
30 September 2020 20 Morris Street East Woodmead 2191
95 Annexure - Auditor's responsibility for the audit
As part of an audit in accordance with the ISAs, we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout our audit of the financial statements and on the entity's compliance with respect to the selected subject matters.
Financial statements
In addition to our responsibility for the audit of the financial statements as described in the auditor's report, we also:
• identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
• obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit to design audit 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.
• evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the council, which constitutes the Accounting Authority.
• conclude on the appropriateness of the Accounting Authority's use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements. We also conclude, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Academy of Science of South Africa ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor's report to the related disclosures in the financial statements about the material uncertainty or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify the opinion on the financial statements. Our conclusions are based on the information available to me at the date of the auditor's report. However, future events or conditions may cause an entity to cease to continue as a going concern.
• evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and determine whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
Communication with those charged with governance
We communicate with the Accounting Authority regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
We also confirm to the Accounting Authority that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, and communicate all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to have a bearing on our independence and, where applicable, actions taken to eliminate threats or safeguards applied.
From the matters communicated to those charged with governance, we determine those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the financial statements of the current period and are therefore key audit matters. We describe these matters in this auditor's reportunless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in this auditor's reportbecause the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest of such communication.
96 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Statement of Financial Position as at 31 March 2020 Figures in Rand Note(s) 2020 2019
Assets Current Assets Other financial assets 4 13,133,274 12,152,463 Receivables from exchange transactions 5 1,054,727 887,171 Receivables from non-exchange transactions 6 1,276,992 1,711,172 Cash and cash equivalents 7 5,775,990 4,570,165 21,240,983 19,320,971
Non-Current Assets Property, plant and equipment 3 205,113 400,094 Non-Current Assets 205,113 400,094 Current Assets 21,240,983 19,320,971 Total Assets 21,446,096 19,721,065
Liabilities Current Liabilities Payables from exchange transactions 11 512,660 2,070,185 International Science Council - Regional Office for Africa {ISC ROA) 10 1,315,730 1,486,769 Unspent conditional grants and receipts 8 8,108,909 6,887,816 Provisions 9 3,753,520 1,564,224 13,690,819 12,008,994 Non-Current Liabilities Current Liabilities 13,690,819 12,008,994 Total Liabilities 13,690,819 12,008,994 Assets 21,446,096 19,721,065 Liabilities (13,690,819) (12,008,994) Net Assets 7,755,277 7,712,071 Reserves Sustainability Fund 7,755,277 7,712,071 Total Net Assets 7,755,277 7,712,071
97 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Statement of Financial Performance Figures in Rand Note(s) 2020 2019
Revenue Revenue from exchange transactions Fees earned 12 667,908 1,258,642 Interest received 12 1,441,926 1,354,592 Gain on foreign exchange 3,269 159 Fair value adjustments 16 19,488 63,335 Total revenue from exchange transactions 2,132,591 2,676,728
Revenue from non-exchange transactions Transfer revenue Government grants & subsidies 13 39,011,994 41,063,181 Local grants and donations 12 8,128,856 9,154,706 Foreign grants and donations 12 3,337,701 3,582,534 Total revenue from non-exchange transactions 50,478,551 53,800,421 2,132,591 2,676,728 50,478,551 53,800,421 Total revenue 52,611,142 56,477,149
Expenditure Employee related costs 14 (28,297,446) (26,594,309) Depreciation and amortisation 3 (196,228) (260,528) Finance costs (89) Lease rentals on operating lease (1,834,421) (1,782,564) Provision for doubtful debts 5 (242,011) (149,602) Loss on disposal of assets (11,369) (17,794) General Expenses 15 (21,986,372) (29,587,021) Total expenditure (52,567,936) (58,391,818)
Total revenue 52,611,142 56,477,149 Total expenditure (52,567,936) (58,391,818) Surplus (deficit) before taxation 43,206 (1,914,669) Taxation Surplus (deficit) for the year 43,206 (1,914,669)
98 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Statement of Changes in Net Assets Sustainability Total net Figures in Rand Fund assets
Balance at 01 April 2018 9,626,740 9,626,740 Changes in net assets Deficit for the year (1,914,669) (1,914,669) Total changes (1,914,669) (1,914,669) Balance at 01 April 2019 7,712,071 7,712,071 Changes in net assets Surplus for the year 43,206 43,206 Total changes 43,206 43,206 Balance at 31 March 2020 7,755,277 7,755,277
99 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Cash Flow Statement Figures in Rand Note(s) 2020 2019
Cash flows from operating activities
Receipts Fees 662,689 4,600,917 Grants 50,478,551 52,089,249 Interest received 1,441,926 1,354,592 52,583,166 58,044,758
Payments Employee costs (28,217,255) (26,594,309) Suppliers (22,186,058) (39,506,869) Finance costs (89) (50,403,402) (66,101,178) Total receipts 52,583,166 58,044,758 Total payments (50,403,402) (66,101,178) Net cash flows from operating activities 19 2,179,764 (8,056,420)
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 3 (12,616) (103,238) Acquisition of additional financial assets (961,323) (3,491,979) Net cash flows from investing activities (973,939) (3,595,217)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 1,205,825 (11,651,637) Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 4,570,165 16,221,802 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 7 5,775,990 4,570,165
100 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Statement of Comparison of Budget and Actual Amounts Budget on Cash Basis Approved Adjustments Final Budget Actual amounts Difference Reference budget on comparable between final basis budget and Figures in Rand actual
Statement of Financial Performance Revenue Revenue from exchange transactions Fees earned 440,000 180,000 620,000 667,908 47,908 28 Interest received - investment 1,200,000 1,200,000 1,441,926 241,926 28 Total revenue from exchange 1,640,000 180,000 1,820,000 2,109,834 289,834 transactions
Revenue from non-exchange transactions Transfer revenue Government grants & subsidies 38,133,685 5,404,364 43,538,049 39,011,994 (4,526,055) 28 Local grants and donations 2,863,097 584,319 3,447,416 8,128,856 4,681,440 28 Foreign grants and donations 3,912,525 3,912,525 3,337,701 (574,824) 28 Total revenue from non- 40,996,782 9,901,208 50,897,990 50,478,551 (419,439) exchange transactions 'Total revenue from exchange 1,640,000 180,000 1,820,000 2,109,834 289,834 transactions' 'Total revenue from non- 40,996,782 9,901,208 50,897,990 50,478,551 (419,439) exchange transactions' Total revenue 42,636,782 10,081,208 52,717,990 52,588,385 (129,605)
Expenditure Personnel (22,858,911) (171,711) (23,030,622) (28,297,446) (5,266,824) 28 Depreciation and amortisation (196,228) (196,228) Finance costs (89) (89) Lease rentals on operating lease (1,246,899) (1,246,899) (1,834,421) (587,522) 28 Provision for doubtful debts (242,011) (242,011) General Expenses (18,530,972) (9,909,497) (28,440,469) (21,986,372) 6,454,097 28 Total expenditure (42,636,782) (10,081,208) (52,717,990) (52,556,567) 161,423 42,636,782 10,081,208 52,717,990 52,588,385 (129,605) (42,636,782) (10,081,208) (52,717,990) (52,556,567) 161,423 Operating surplus 31,818 31,818 Loss on disposal of assets and (11,369) (11,369) liabilities Gain on foreign exchange 3,269 3,269 Fair value adjustments 19,488 19,488 11,388 11,388 31,818 31,818 11,388 11,388 Surplus before taxation 43,206 43,206 Surplus before taxation 43,206 43,206 Taxation Actual Amount on Comparable 43,206 43,206 Basis as Presented in the Budget and Actual Comparative Statement
101 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Statement of Comparison of Budget and Actual Amounts Budget on Cash Basis Approved Adjustments Final Budget Actual amounts Difference Reference budget on comparable between final basis budget and Figures in Rand actual
Reconciliation of Actual amounts on a Comparable Basis and Actual amounts on the Annual Financial Statements. Net Cash flows from Operating Financing Investing Total Activities Activities Activities Actual amounts on comparable basis as 161,423 161,423 presented in the budget and actual comparative statement Basis difference 2,018,341 (973,939) 1,044,402 Timing difference Entity difference Actual amount in Cash Flow Statement 2,179,764 (973,939) 1,205,825
102 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Accounting Policies
1. Presentation of Annual Financial Statements
The annual financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Standards of Generally Recognised Accounting Practice (GRAP), issued by the Accounting Standards Board in accordance with Section 122(3) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) (Act 1 of 1999) and the requirements of the Academy of Science of South Africa Act, 2001 (Act No. 67 of 2001) (ASSAf Act).
The annual financial statements have been prepared on an accrual basis of accounting and are in accordance with historical cost convention as the basis of measurement, unless specified otherwise.
A summary of the significant accounting policies, which have been consistently applied in the preparation of these annual financial statements, are disclosed below.
1.1 Presentation currency
The annual financial statements are presented in South African Rand (rounded off to the nearest Rand), which is the functional and presentation currency of the entity.
1.2 Going concern assumption
The annual financial statements have been prepared based on the expectation that the entity will continue to operate as a going concern for at least the next 12 months.
1.3 Significant judgements and sources of estimation uncertainty
In preparing the annual financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts represented in the annual financial statements and related disclosures. Use of available information and the application of judgement is inherent in the formation of estimates. Actual results in the future could differ from these estimates which may be material to the annual financial statements. Significant judgements include:
Trade receivables I Held to maturity investments and loans and receivables
The entity assesses its trade receivables, held to maturity investments and loans and receivables for impairment at the end of each reporting period. In determining whether an impairment loss should be recorded in surplus or deficit, the entity makes judgements as to whether there is observable data indicating a measurable decrease in the estimated future cash flows from a financial asset.
The impairment for trade receivables, held to maturity investments and loans and receivables is calculated on a portfolio basis, based on historical loss ratios, adjusted for national and industry-specific economic conditions and other indicators present at the reporting date that correlate with defaults on the portfolio. These annual loss ratios are applied to loan balances in the portfolio and scaled to the estimated loss emergence period.
Fair value estimation
The fair value of financialinstruments traded in active markets (such as trading and available-for-sale securities) is based on quoted market prices at the end of the reporting period. The quoted market price used for financial assets held by the entity is the current bid price.
The fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market (for example, over-the counter derivatives) is determined by using valuation techniques. The entity uses a variety of methods and makes assumptions that are based on market conditions existing at the end of each reporting period. Quoted market prices or dealer quotes for similar instruments are used for long-term debt. Other techniques, such as estimated discounted cash flows, are used to determine fair value for the remaining financial instruments. The fair value of interest rate swaps is calculated as the present value of the estimated future cash flows. The fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts is determined using quoted forward exchange rates at the end of the reporting period.
The carrying value less impairment provision of trade receivables and payables are assumed to approximate their fair values. The fair value of financial liabilities for disclosure purposes is estimated by discounting the future contractual cash flows at the current market interest rate that is available to the entity for similar financial instruments.
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1.3 Significant judgements and sources of estimation uncertainty (continued)
Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the entity has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, when it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation and when the amount can be reliably estimated. Provisions are not recognised for future operating losses.
Provision for leave pay: The provision is measured as the number of accumulated leave days multiplied by the daily remuneration rate. Provision for bonus: The provision is an estimate which is an equivalent of the employees one month salary. Additional disclosure of this estimate of provision is included in note 9&11.
Allowance for doubtful debts
Impairment loss on debtors is recognised in surplus and deficit when there is objective evidence that it is impaired. The impairment is measured at the amount equal to an invoice when its due for more than one hundred and twenty days.
1.4 Property, plant and equipment
The cost of an item of property, plant and equipment is recognised as an asset when: • it is probable that future economic benefits or service potential associated with the item will flow to the entity; and • the cost of the item can be measured reliably.
Property, plant and equipment is initially measured at cost.
The cost of an item of property, plant and equipment is the purchase price and other costs attributable to bring the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management. Trade discounts and rebates are deducted in arriving at the cost.
Where an asset is acquired through a non-exchange transaction, its cost is its fair value as at date of acquisition.
Where an item of property, plant and equipment is acquired in exchange for a non-monetary asset or monetary assets, or a combination of monetary and non-monetary assets, the asset acquired is initially measured at fair value (the cost). If the acquired item's fair value was not determinable, it's deemed cost is the carrying amount of the asset(s) given up.
When significant components of an item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items (major components) of property, plant and equipment.
Costs include costs incurred initially to acquire or construct an item of property, plant and equipment and costs incurred subsequently to add to, replace part of, or service it. If a replacement cost is recognised in the carrying amount of an item of property, plant and equipment, the carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognised.
The initial estimate of the costs of dismantling and removing the item and restoring the site on which it is located is also included in the cost of property, plant and equipment, where the entity is obligated to incur such expenditure, and where the obligation arises as a result of acquiring the asset or using it forpurposes other than the production of inventories.
Recognition of costs in the carrying amount of an item of property, plant and equipment ceases when the item is in the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management.
Items such as spare parts, standby equipment and servicing equipment are recognised when they meet the definition of property, plant and equipment.
Major inspection costs which are a condition of continuing use of an item of property, plant and equipment and which meet the recognition criteria above are included as a replacement in the cost of the item of property, plant and equipment. Any remaining inspection costs from the previous inspection are derecognised.
Property, plant and equipment is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses.
Property, plant and equipment are depreciated on the straight line basis over their expected useful lives to their estimated residual value.
104 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Accounting Policies
1.4 Property, plant and equipment (continued)
The useful lives of items of property, plant and equipment have been assessed as follows:
Item Depreciation method Average useful life Furniture and fixtures Straight line 6 to 7 years Office equipment Straight line 6 to 7 years Computer equipment Straight line 3 years
The depreciable amount of an asset is allocated on a systematic basis over its useful life.
Each part of an item of property, plant and equipment with a cost that is significant in relation to the total cost of the item is depreciated separately.
The depreciation method used reflects the pattern in which the asset's future economic benefits or service potential are expected to be consumed by the entity. The depreciation method applied to an asset is reviewed at least at each reporting date and, if there has been a significant change in the expected pattern of consumption of the future economic benefits or service potential embodied in the asset, the method is changed to reflect the changed pattern. Such a change is accounted for as a change in an accounting estimate.
The entity assesses at each reporting date whether there is any indication that the entity expectations about the residual value and the useful life of an asset have changed since the preceding reporting date. If any such indication exists, the entity revises the expected useful life and/or residual value accordingly. The change is accounted for as a change in an accounting estimate.
The depreciation charge for each period is recognised in entity or deficit unless it is included in the carrying amount of another asset.
Items of property, plant and equipment are derecognised when the asset is disposed of or when there are no further economic benefits or service potential expected from the use of the asset.
The gain or loss arising from the derecognition of an item of property, plant and equipment is included in entity or deficit when the item is derecognised. The gain or loss arising from the derecognition of an item of property, plant and equipment is determined as the differencebetween the net disposal proceeds, if any, and the carrying amount of the item.
Assets which the entity holds for rentals to others and subsequently routinely sell as part of the ordinary course of activities, are transferred to inventories when the rentals end and the assets are available-for-sale. Proceeds from sales of these assets are recognised as revenue. All cash flows on these assets are included in cash flows from operating activities in the cash flow statement.
1.5 Financial instruments
A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a financial asset of one entity and a financial liability or a residual interest of another entity.
A derivative is a financial instrument or other contract with all three of the following characteristics: • Its value changes in response to the change in a specified interest rate, financial instrument price, commodity price, foreign exchange rate, index of prices or rates, credit rating or credit index, or other variable, provided in the case of a non-financial variable that the variable is not specific to a party to the contract (sometimes called the 'underlying'). • It requires no initial net investment or an initial net investment that is smaller than would be required for other types of contracts that would be expected to have a similar response to changes in market factors. • It is settled at a future date.
A financial asset is: • cash; • a residual interest of another entity; or • a contractual right to: receive cash or another financial asset from another entity; or exchange financial assets or financial liabilities with another entity under conditions that are potentially favourable to the entity.
A financial liability is any liability that is a contractual obligation to: • deliver cash or another financial asset to another entity; or
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1.5 Financial instruments (continued)
Financial instruments at fair value comprise financial assets or financial liabilities that are: • derivatives; • combined instruments that are designated at fair value; • instruments held for trading. A financial instrument is held for trading if: it is acquired or incurred principally for the purpose of selling or repurchasing it in the near-term; or on initial recognition it is part of a portfolio of identified financial instruments that are managed together and for which there is evidence of a recent actual pattern of short term profit-taking; non-derivative financial assets or financial liabilities with fixed or determinable payments that are designated at fair value at initial recognition; and financial instruments that do not meet the definition of financial instruments at amortised cost or financial instruments at cost.
Initial recognition
The entity recognises a financial asset or a financial liability in its statement of financial position when the entity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
The entity recognises financial assets using trade date accounting.
Initial measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities
The entity measures a financial asset and financial liability initially at its fair value plus transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of the financial asset or financial liability.
The entity measures a financial asset and financial liability initially at its fair value [if subsequently measured at fair value].
The entity first assesses whether the substance of a concessionary loan is in fact a loan. On initial recognition, the entity analyses a concessionary loan into its component parts and accounts for each component separately. The entity accounts for that part of a concessionary loan that is: • a social benefit in accordance with the Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements, where it is the issuer of the loan; or • non-exchange revenue, in accordance with the Standard of GRAP on Revenue from Non-exchange Transactions (Taxes and Transfers), where it is the recipient of the loan.
106 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Accounting Policies
1.5 Financial instruments (continued)
Subsequent measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities
The entity measures all financial assets and financial liabilities after initial recognition using the following categories: • Financial instruments at fair value. • Financial instruments at amortised cost. • Financial instruments at cost.
All financial assets measured at amortised cost, or cost, are subject to an impairment review.
Fair value measurement considerations
The best evidence of fair value is quoted prices in an active market. If the market for a financial instrument is not active, the entity establishes fair value by using a valuation technique. The objective of using a valuation technique is to establish what the transaction price would have been on the measurement date in an arm's length exchange motivated by normal operating considerations. Valuation techniques include using recent arm's length market transactions between knowledgeable, willing parties, if available, reference to the current fair value of another instrument that is substantially the same, discounted cash flow analysis and option pricing models. If there is a valuation technique commonly used by market participants to price the instrument and that technique has been demonstrated to provide reliable estimates of prices obtained in actual market transactions, the entity uses that technique. The chosen valuation technique makes maximum use of market inputs and relies as little as possible on entity-specific inputs. It incorporates all factors that market participants would consider in setting a price and is consistent with accepted economic methodologies for pricing financial instruments. Periodically, an entity calibrates the valuation technique and tests it for validity using prices from any observable current market transactions in the same instrument (i.e. without modification or repackaging) or based on any available observable market data.
The fair value of a financial liability with a demand feature (e.g. a demand deposit) is not less than the amount payable on demand, discounted from the first date that the amount could be required to be paid.
Reclassification
The entity does not reclassify a financial instrument while it is issued or held unless it is: • combined instrument that is required to be measured at fair value; or • an investment in a residual interest that meets the requirements for reclassification.
Where the entity cannot reliably measure the fair value of an embedded derivative that has been separated from a host contract that is a financial instrument at a subsequent reporting date, it measures the combined instrument at fair value. This requires a reclassification of the instrument from amortised cost or cost to fair value.
If fair value can no longer be measured reliably for an investment in a residual interest measured at fair value, the entity reclassifies the investment from fair value to cost. The carrying amount at the date that fair value is no longer available becomes the cost.
If a reliable measure becomes available for an investment in a residual interest for which a measure was previously not available, and the instrument would have been required to be measured at fair value, the entity reclassifies the instrument from cost to fair value.
Gains and losses
A gain or loss arising from a change in the fair value of a financial asset or financial liability measured at fair value is recognised as entity or deficit.
For financial assets and financial liabilities measured at amortised cost or cost, a gain or loss is recognised as entity or deficit when the financial asset or financial liability is derecognised or impaired, or through the amortisation process.
Impairment and uncollectibility of financial assets
The entity assess at the end of each reporting period whether there is any objective evidence that a financial asset or group of financial assets is impaired.
Financial assets measured at amortised cost:
107 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Accounting Policies
1.5 Financial instruments (continued)
If there is objective evidence that an impairment loss on financial assets measured at amortised cost has been incurred, the amount of the loss is measured as the difference between the asset's carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows (excluding future credit losses that have not been incurred) discounted at the financial asset's original effective interest rate. The carrying amount of the asset is reduced directly OR through the use of an allowance account. The amount of the loss is recognised as entity or deficit.
If, in a subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the previously recognised impairment loss is reversed directly OR by adjusting an allowance account. The reversal does not result in a carrying amount of the financial asset that exceeds what the amortised cost would have been had the impairment not been recognised at the date the impairment is reversed. The amount of the reversal is recognised as entity or deficit.
Financial assets measured at cost:
If there is objective evidence that an impairment loss has been incurred on an investment in a residual interest that is not measured at fair value because its fair value cannot be measured reliably, the amount of the impairment loss is measured as the difference between the carrying amount of the financial asset and the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the current market rate of return for a similar financial asset. Such impairment losses are not reversed.
Derecognition
Financial assets
The entity derecognises financial assets using trade date accounting.
The entity derecognises a financial asset only when: • the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire, are settled or waived; • the entity transfers to another party substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset; or • the entity, despite having retained some significant risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset, has transferred control of the asset to another party and the other party has the practical ability to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party, and is able to exercise that ability unilaterally and without needing to impose additional restrictions on the transfer. In this case, the entity : derecognise the asset; and recognise separately any rights and obligations created or retained in the transfer.
Financial liabilities
The entity removes a financial liability (or a part of a financial liability) from its statement of financial position when it is extinguished - i.e. when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled, expires or waived.
Presentation
Interest relating to a financial instrument or a component that is a financial liability is recognised as revenue or expense.
Losses and gains relating to a financial instrument or a component that is a financial liability is recognised as revenue or expense.
1.6 Leases
Operating leases - lessee
A lease is classified as an operating lease if it does not transfer substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership.
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 expense and the contractual payments are recognised as an operating lease asset or liability.
108 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Accounting Policies
1. 7 Employee benefits
Short-term employee benefits
The cost of short-term employee benefits, (those payable within 12 months after the service is rendered, such as paid vacation leave and sick leave, bonuses, and non-monetary benefits such as medical care), are recognised in the period in which the service is rendered and are not discounted.
The expected cost of compensated absences is recognised as an expense as the employees render services that increase their entitlement or, in the case of non-accumulating absences, when the absence occurs.
The expected cost of entity sharing and bonus payments is recognised as an expense when there is a legal or constructive obligation to make such payments as a result of past performance.
1.8 Revenue from exchange transactions
Measurement
Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, net of trade discounts and volume rebates.
Sale of goods
Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when all the following conditions have been satisfied: • the entity has transferred to the purchaser the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods; • the entity retains neither continuing managerial involvement to the degree usually associated with ownership nor effective control over the goods sold; • the amount of revenue can be measured reliably; • it is probable that the economic benefits or service potential associated with the transaction will flow to the entity; and • the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably.
Rendering of services
When the outcome of a transaction involving the rendering of services can be estimated reliably, revenue associated with the transaction is recognised by 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 conditions are satisfied: • the amount of revenue can be measured reliably; • it is probable that the economic benefits or service potential associated with the transaction will flow to the entity; • the stage of completion of the transaction at the reporting date can be measured reliably; and • the costs incurred for the transaction and the costs to complete the transaction can be measured reliably.
When services are performed by an indeterminate number of acts over a specified time frame, revenue is recognised on a straight line basis over the specified time frame unless there is evidence that some other method better represents the stage of completion. When a specific act is much more significant than any other acts, the recognition of revenue is postponed until the significant act is executed.
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 recognised that are recoverable.
Service revenue is recognised by reference to the stage of completion of the transaction at the reporting date. Stage of completion is determined by the proportion that costs incurred to date bear to the total estimated costs of the transaction.
Interest, royalties and dividends
Revenue arising from the use by others of entity assets yielding interest, royalties and dividends or similar distributions is recognised when: • It is probable that the economic benefits or service potential associated with the transaction will flow to the entity, and • The amount of the revenue can be measured reliably.
Interest is recognised, in entity or deficit, using the effective interest rate method.
109 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Accounting Policies
1.9 Revenue from non-exchange transactions
Recognition
An inflow of resources from a non-exchange transaction is recognised as revenue when funds are received.
Measurement
Revenue from a non-exchange transaction is measured at the amount of the increase in net assets recognised by the entity.
When, as a result of a non-exchange transaction, an entity recognises an asset, it also recognises revenue equivalent to the amount of the asset measured in accordance with GRAP 23 paragraph .41, unless it is also required to recognise a liability. Where a liability is required to be recognised it will be measured in accordance with the requirements of GRAP 23 paragraph .57, and the amount of the increase in net assets, if any, recognised as revenue. When a liability is subsequently reduced, because the taxable event occurs or a condition is satisfied, the amount of the reduction in the liability will be recognised as revenue.
Transfers
Apart from Services in kind, which are not recognised, the entity recognises an asset in respect of transfers when the transferred resources meet the definition of an asset and satisfy the criteria for recognition as an asset.
The entity recognises an asset in respect of transfers when the transferred resources meet the definition of an asset and satisfy the criteria for recognition as an asset.
Transferred assets are measured at their fair value as at the date of acquisition.
Grants and subsidies
Grants are recognised as revenue when: - it is probable that the economic benefits or service potential associated with the transaction will flow to the entity, - the amount of the revenue can be measured reliably, and - to the extent that there has been compliance with any restrictions associated with the grant.
The entity assesses the degree of certainty attached to the flow of future economic benefits or service potential on the basis of the available evidence. Certain grants payable by one level of one to another are subject to the availability of funds. Revenue from these grants is only recognised when it is probable that the economic benefits or service potential associated with the transaction will flow to the entity. An announcement at the beginning of a financial year that grants may be available for qualifying entities in accordance with an agreed programme may not be sufficient evidence of the probability of the flow. Revenue is then only recognised once evidence of the probability of the flow becomes available, which in most cases is on receipt.
Restrictions on grants may result in such revenue being recognised on a time proportion basis. Where there is no restriction on the period, such revenue is recognised on receipt or when the act becomes effective, which-ever is earlier.
When grants are remited on a re-imbursement basis, revenue is recognised when the qualifying expense has been incurred and to the extent that any other restrictions have been complied with.
Other grants and donations (Conditional grants etc)
Other grants and donations are recognised as revenue when: - it is probable that the economic benefits or service potential associated with the transaction will flow to the entity; - the amount of the revenue can be measured reliably; and - to the extent that there has been compliance with any restrictions associated with the grant.
If goods in-kind are received without conditions attached, revenue is recognised immediately. If conditions are attached, a liability is recognised, which is reduced and revenue recognised as the conditions are satisfied.
1.10 Investment income
Investment income is recognised on a time-proportion basis using the effective interest method.
110 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Accounting Policies
1.11 Translation of foreign currencies
Foreign currency transactions
A foreign currency transaction is recorded, on initial recognition in Rands, by applying to the foreign currency amount the spot exchange rate between the functional currency and the foreign currency at the date of the transaction.
At each reporting date: • foreign currency monetary items are translated using the closing rate; • non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction; and • 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 was determined.
Exchange differences arising on the settlement of monetary items or on translating monetary items at rates different from those at which they were translated on initial recognition during the period or in previous annual financial statements are recognised in entity or deficit in the period in which they arise.
When a gain or loss on a non-monetary item is recognised directly in net assets, any exchange component of that gain or loss is recognised directly in net assets. When a gain or loss on a non-monetary item is recognised in entity or deficit, any exchange component of that gain or loss is recognised in entity or deficit.
Cash flows arising from transactions in a foreign currency are recorded in Rands by applying to the foreign currency amount the exchange rate between the Rand and the foreign currency at the date of the cash flow.
1.12 Fruitless and wasteful expenditure
Fruitless expenditure means expenditure which was made in vain and would have been avoided had reasonable care been exercised.
All expenditure relating to fruitless and wasteful expenditure is recognised as an expense in the statement of financial performance in the year that the expenditure was incurred. The expenditure is classified in accordance with the nature of the expense, and where recovered, it is subsequently accounted for as revenue in the statement of financial performance.
1.13 Irregular expenditure
Irregular expenditure as defined in section 1 of the PFMA is expenditure other than unauthorised expenditure, incurred in contravention of or that is not in accordance with a requirement of any applicable legislation, including - (a) this Act; or (b) the State Tender Board Act, 1968 (Act No. 86 of 1968), or any regulations made in terms of the Act; or (c) any provincial legislation providing for procurement procedures in that provincial government.
National Treasury practice note no. 4 of 2008/2009 which was issued in terms of sections 76(1) to 76(4) of the PFMA requires the following (effective from 1 April 2008):
Irregular expenditure that was incurred and identified during the current financial year and which was condoned before year end and/or before finalisation of the financial statements must also be recorded appropriately in the irregular expenditure register. In such an instance, no further action is required with the exception of updating the note to the financial statements.
Irregular expenditure that was incurred and identified during the current financial year and for which condonement is being awaited at year end must be recorded in the irregular expenditure register. No further action is required with the exception of updating the note to the financial statements.
Where irregular expenditure was incurred in the previous financial year and is only condoned in the following financial year, the register and the disclosure note to the financial statements must be updated with the amount condoned.
111 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Accounting Policies
1.13 Irregular expenditure (continued)
Irregular expenditure that was incurred and identified during the current financial year and which was not condoned by the National Treasury or the relevant authority must be recorded appropriately in the irregular expenditure register. If liability for the irregular expenditure can be attributed to a person, a debt account must be created if such a person is liable in law. Immediate steps must thereafter be taken to recover the amount from the person concerned. If recovery is not possible, the accounting officeror Council may write offthe amount as debt impairment and disclose such in the relevant note to the financial statements. The irregular expenditure register must also be updated accordingly. If the irregular expenditure has not been condoned and no person is liable in law, the expenditure related thereto must remain against the relevant programme/expenditure item, be disclosed as such in the note to the financial statements and updated accordingly in the irregular expenditure register.
1.14 Budget information
Academy of Science of South Africa presents its approved budget on a cash basis and the financial statements on the accrual basis.
The budget is approved on a cash basis by functional classification as well as economic classification.
The approved budget covers the fiscal period from 01/04/2019 to 31/03/2020.The budget and the accounting basis differ.
The financial statements for the entity are prepared on the accrual basis using a classification based on the nature of expenses in the statement of financial performance.
The financial statements differ from the budget, which is approved on the cash basis.
The statement of comparison budget and actual amounts is prepared on a comparable basis to the budget. The reconciliation of the actual comparable amounts to the net cash flows per the cash flow statement is presented on the statement of comparison of budget and actual amounts.
1.15 Related parties
A related party is a person or an entity with the ability to control or jointly control the other party, or exercise significant influence over the other party, or vice versa, or an entity that is subject to common control, or joint control.
Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.
Joint control is the agreed sharing of control over an activity by a binding arrangement, and exists only when the strategic financial and operating decisions relating to the activity require the unanimous consent of the parties sharing control (the venturers).
Related party transaction is a transfer of resources, services or obligations between the reporting entity and a related party, regardless of whether a price is charged.
Significant influence is the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of an entity, but is not control over those policies.
Management are those persons responsible for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the entity, including those charged with the governance of the entity in accordance with legislation, in instances where they are required to perform such functions.
Close members of the family of a person are considered to be those family members who may be expected to influence, or be influenced by, that management in their dealings with the entity.
The entity is exempt from disclosure requirements in relation to related party transactions if that transaction occurs within normal supplier and/or client/recipient relationships on terms and conditions no more or less favourable than those which it is reasonable to expect the entity to have adopted if dealing with that individual entity or person in the same circumstances and terms and conditions are within the normal operating parameters established by that reporting entity's legal mandate.
Where the entity is exempt from the disclosures in accordance with the above, the entity discloses narrative information about the nature of the transactions and the related outstanding balances, to enable users of the entity's financial statements to understand the effect of related party transactions on its annual financial statements.
112 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Notes to the Annual Financial Statements Figures in Rand 2020 2019
2. New standards and interpretations
2.1 Standards and interpretations issued, but not yet effective
The following standardsand interpretations, which have been published and are mandatory for the entity's accounting periods beginning on or after 01 April 2020 or later periods:
Standard/ Interpretation: Effective date: Expected impact: Years beginning on or after • GRAP 104 (amended): Financial Instruments To be confirmed Unlikely there will be a material impact • Guideline: Guideline on the Application of Materiality to To be confirmed Unlikely there will be a Financial Statements material impact • !GRAP 20: Accounting for Adjustments to Revenue 01 April 2020 Unlikely there will be a material impact • GRAP 1 (amended): Presentation of Financial Statements 01 April 2020 Unlikely there will be a material impact
113 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements forthe year ended 31 March 2020 Notes to the Annual Financial Statements Figures in Rand
3. Property, plant and equipment
2020 2019 Cost/ Accumulated Carrying value Cost/ Accumulated Carrying value Valuation depreciation Valuation depreciation and and accumulated accumulated impairment impairment Furniture and fixtures 1,507,218 (1,478,520) 28,698 1,507,218 (1,439,988) 67,230 Office equipment 377,150 (343,869) 33,281 377,150 (327,275) 49,875 Computer equipment 1,267,332 (1,124,198) 143,134 1,266,085 (983,096) 282,989 Total 3,151,700 (2,946,587) 205,113 3,150,453 (2,750,359) 400,094
Reconciliation of property, plant and equipment - 2020
Opening Additions Disposals Depreciation Total balance Furniture and fixtures 67,230 (38,532) 28,698 Office equipment 49,875 (16,594) 33,281 Computer equipment 282,989 12,616 (11,369) (141,102) 143,134 400,094 12,616 (11,369) (196,228) 205,113
Reconciliation of property, plant and equipment - 2019
Opening Additions Disposals Depreciation Total balance Furniture and fixtures 113,627 (46,397) 67,230 Office equipment 62,130 14,381 (26,636) 49,875 Computer equipment 153,311 296,180 (17,795) (148,707) 282,989 329,068 310,561 (17,795) (221,740) 400,094
4. Other financial assets
117 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Notes to the Annual Financial Statements Figures in Rand 2020 2019
4. Other financial assets (continued) Designated at fair value Stanlib Income Fund 13,133,274 12,152,463 Investment is measured at the value of the listed investment at reporting date.
Financial assets at fair value
Fair value hierarchy of financial assets at fair value
For financial assets recognised at fair value, disclosure is required of a fair value hierarchy which reflects the significance of the inputs used to make the measurements. The fair value hierarchy have the following levels:
Level 1 represents those assets which are measured using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.The fair value of the stanlib income fund is measured using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets.
Level 2 applies inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices). The entity has no items that are fair valued using inputs other than quoted prices.
Level 3 applies inputs which are not based on observable market data. The entity has no items fair valued using unobservable.
Level 1 Stanlib Income Fund 13,133,274 12,152,463
5. Receivables from exchange transactions
Trade debtors 539,634 673,352 Prepayments 527,914 341,009 Deposits 247,170 247,170 Provision for impairments (432,908) (451,476) Project advances 172,917 77,116 1,054,727 887,171
Credit quality of trade and other receivables
Trade receivables consist of a large number of customers, spread across different industries in the geographical area of the entity. Periodic credit evaluation is performed on the financial condition of accounts receivable and, where appropriate, credit guarantee is increased accordingly. Trade receivables are non-interest bearing and are generally on 30 day collection terms. The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the amortised cost of each class of receivable mentioned above. In determining the recoverability of a receivable, management considers any change in the credit quality of the debtor from the date credit was initially granted up to the reporting date. Any impairment on trade and other receivables exists predominantly due to the possibility that these debts will not be recovered. Management assesses these debtors individually for impairment and group them together in the Statement of Financial Position as financial assets with similar credit risk characteristics. The credit quality of trade receivables that are neither past due nor impaired are considered fair by the company taking into account the historical information available.
Trade and other receivables exchange transactions
Trade and other receivables that are outside their normal payment terms are considered to be past due. The following represents an analysis of the past due financial assets.
The ageing of amounts past due is as follows:
Current 300,927 376,404 30+ days 180,199 91,444 60+ days 48,004 57,768 90+ days 71,837 62,128 120+ days 886,669 750,903
115 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Notes to the Annual Financial Statements Figures in Rand 2020 2019
5. Receivables from exchange transactions (continued)
Trade and other receivables impaired
As at 31 March 2020, trade and other receivables of R 242,011 (2019: R 149,602) were impaired.
The amount of the provision was R 432,908 as at 31 March 2020 (2019: R (456,023)).
The ageing of these receivables is as follows:
120+ days 432,908 451,476
Reconciliation of provision for impairment of trade and other receivables
Opening balance (456,023) (397,880) Provision for impairment (242,011) (149,602) Amounts written offas uncollectible 263,126 76,800 Unused amounts reversed 2,000 14,659 (432,908) (456,023)
In determining the recoverability of debtors, the allowance for impairment of trade receivables has been made for customer balances outstanding over 120 days. No further credit allowance is required in excess of the allowance for Impairment.
6. Receivables from non-exchange transactions
Public contributions and subsidies 1,276,992 1,711,172
Credit quality of receivables from non-exchange transactions
Periodic credit evaluation is performed on the financial condition of accounts receivable and, where appropriate, credit guarantee is increased accordingly. Trade receivables are non-interest bearing. The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the fair value of each class of receivable mentioned above. In determining the recoverability of a receivable, management considers any change in the credit quality of the debtor from the date credit was initially granted up to the reporting date. Any impairment on trade and other receivables (loans and receivables) exists predominantly due to the possibility that these debts will not be recovered. Management assesses these debtors individually for impairment and group them together in the Statement of Financial Position as financial assets with similar credit risk characteristics. The credit quality of trade receivables from non-exchange that are neither past due nor impaired are considered fair by the company taking into account the historical information available.
Receivables from non-exchange transactions
Other receivables from non-exchange transactions that are outside their normal payment terms are considered to be past due. The following represents an analysis of the past due financial assets.
The ageing of amounts past due is as follows:
Current 935,503 861,798 30+ days 41,177 185,265 60+ days 160,650 90+ days 139,653 664,109 120+ days
Receivables from non-exchange transactions impaired
As at 31 March 2020, other receivables from non-exchange transactions of R- (2019: R 4,547) were impaired.
The amount of the provision was R - as of 31 March 2020 (2019: R -).
116 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Notes to the Annual Financial Statements Figures in Rand 2020 2019
6. Receivables from non-exchange transactions (continued)
Reconciliation of provision for impairment of receivables from non-exchange transactions
Opening balance 4,547 Provision forimpairment Amounts written offas uncollectible 4,547 Unused amounts reversed Other (4,547) 4,547
7. Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of:
Bank balances 103,339 84,117 Short-term deposits 5,672,651 4,486,048 5,775,990 4,570,165
8. Unspent conditional grants and receipts
Unspent conditional grants and receipts comprises of:
Unspent conditional grants and receipts Deutsche Akademie 380,292 1,135,938 Department of Science and Innovation - Energy Efficiency Technology 314,806 314,806 Department of Science and Innovation - Genetics and Genomics 118,073 120,595 Department of Science and Innovation - Hydraulic Fracturing 109,985 110,635 Department of Science and Innovation - Postgraduate Engineering 301,642 388,324 Department of Science and Innovation - SAAE 145,644 15,537 IDRC - Breaking Barriers 968,392 Janssen Pharmaceuticals - M&S 369,561 489,397 National Research Foundation - African Open Science Platform 573,025 UNESCO - Genderlnsite 13,402 Department of Science and Innovation - Energy Management Knowledge 90,536 156,576 Department of Science and Innovation - Innovation for Inclusive Development 1,390,445 987,219 Department of Science and Innovation - International Cooperation & Intra 3,096,828 3,155,387 Academy in Africa Alternative Telecommunication Technologies 249,680 8,108,909 6,887,816
117 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Notes to the Annual Financial Statements Figures in Rand 2020 2019
8. Unspent conditional grants and receipts (continued)
Movement during the year
Deutsche Akademie Balance at the beginning of the year 1,135,938 498,770 Additions during the year 512,369 1,475,103 Revenue recognised during the year (1,268,015) (723,688) Refund during the year (114,247) Balance at end of the year 380,292 1,135,938 Department of Science and Innovation - Energy Efficiency Technologies Balance at the beginning of the year 314,806 656,277 Revenue recognised during the year (231,471) Refund during the year (110,000) Balance at end of the year 314,806 314,806 IDRC - Breaking Barriers Balance at the beginning of the year Additions during the year 970,530 Revenue recognised during the year (2,138) Balance at the end of the year 968,392 Department of Science and Innovation - Hydraulic Fracturing Balance at the beginning of the year 110,635 440,056 Revenue recognised during the year (650) (329,421) Balance at end of the year 109,985 110,635 Department of Science and Innovation - Lindau Nobel Laureate Balance at the beginning of the year 618,914 Additions during the year 2,750,685 3,169,841 Revenue recognised during the year (2,750,685) (3,788,755) Balance at the end of the year Department of Science and Innovation - Postgraduate Engineering Balance at the beginning of the year 388,324 547,370 Revenue recognised during the year (86,682) (159,046) Balance at end of the year 301,642 388,324 Department of Science and Innovation - SAAE Balance at the beginning of the year 15,537 Additions during the year 269,463 265,000 Revenue recognised during the year (139,356) (249,463) Balance at end of the year 145,644 15,537 Departmentof Science and Innovation - Energy Management Knowledge Balance at the beginning of the year 156,576 998,708 Additions during the year 1,000,000 1,000,000 Revenue recognised during the year (1,066,040) (1,842,132) Balance at the end of the year 90,536 156,576 Department of Science and Innovation - Genetics and Genomics Balance at the beginning of the year 120,595 222,078 Revenue recognised during the year (2,522) (101,483) Balance at the end of the year 118,073 120,595 Department of Science and Innovation - Innovation for Inclusive Development Balance at the beginning of the year 987,219 798,555 Additions during the year 1,000,000 1,000,000 Revenue recognised during the year (596,774) (811,336) Balance at the end of the year 1,390,445 987,219
118 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Notes to the Annual Financial Statements Figures in Rand 2020 2019
8. Unspent conditional grants and receipts (continued) Department of Science and Innovation - International Cooperation and Intra Academy in Africa Balance at the beginning of the year 3,155,387 1,313,586 Additions during the year 9,588,365 11,380,000 Revenue recognised during the year (9,646,924) (9,538,199) Balance at the end of the year 3,096,828 3,155,387 European Union - ESASTAP PLUS 2020 Balance at the beginning of the year 166,944 Additions during the year 297,144 Revenue recognised during the year (464,088) Balance at end of the year National Research Foundation - Africa Open Science Platform Balance at the beginning of the year 2,279,363 Additions during the year 2,863,097 Revenue recognised during the year (2,290,072) (2,279,363) Balance at end of the year 573,025 National Research Foundation - Third Worldwide Meeting of Young Scientists Balance at the beginning of the year 37,994 Revenue recognised during the year (37,994) Balance at end of the year Alternative Telecommunication Technologies Balance at the beginning of the year Additions during the year 390,150 Revenue recognised during the year (140,470) Balance at end of the year 249,680 UNESCO - GenderlNSITE Balance at the beginning of the year 13,402 Additions during the year 508,798 588,779 Revenue recognised during the year (508,798) (575,377) Refund during the year (13,402) Balance at end of the year 13,402 Janssen Pharmaceuticals - M&S Balance at the beginning of the year 489,397 Additions during the year 649,642 Revenue recognised during the year (119,836) (160,245) Balance at end of the year 369,561 489,397
9. Provisions
Reconciliation of provisions - 2020
Opening Additions Utilised Total Balance during the year 13th Cheque bonus 266,682 2,443,291 (266,682) 2,443,291 Leave pay 1,297,542 2,247,457 (2,234,770) 1,310,229 1,564,224 4,690,748 (2,501,452) 3,753,520
119 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Notes to the Annual Financial Statements Figures in Rand 2020 2019
( 9. Provisions continued) Reconciliation of provisions - 2019
Opening Additions Utilised Total Balance during the year 13th Cheque bonus 1,795,724 266,682 (1,795,724) 266,682 Leave pay 1,196,375 2,274,472 (2,173,305) 1,297,542 2,992,099 2,541,154 {3,969,029) 1,564,224
The provision represents an estimated amount to be paid for 13th cheque bonuses. The process of finalising 13th cheque bonus for the current year will be concluded in the next financial year, when the actual payments, and the determination thereof will occur.
120 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Notes to the Annual Financial Statements Figures in Rand 2020 2019
10. ISC ROA
International Science Council - Regional Office for Africa (ISC ROA) is an entity being hosted by ASSAf from 1 May 2015 to 31 March 2021 and it is not funded from ASSAfs budget.
Reconciliation Opening balance 1,486,769 3,562,830 Amounts received during the year 7,799,694 7,180,727 Expenditure incurred during the year (7,845,907) (9,256,788) Other costs incurred during the year (124,826) 1,315,730 1,486,769
11. Payables from exchange transactions
Trade payables 441,678 1,705,058 Income received in advance 1,200 235,052 Salary control account 811 811 Unallocated receipts 68,971 129,264 512,660 2,070,185
12. Revenue
Fees earned 667,908 1,258,642 Interest received 1,441,926 1,354,592 Government grants & subsidies 39,011,994 41,063,181 Local grants and donations 8,128,856 9,154,706 Foreign grants and donations 3,337,701 3,582,534 52,588,385 56,413,655
The amount included in revenue arising from exchanges of goods or services are as follows: Publication fees 426,586 204,356 Consulting fees 919,860 Membership fees 106,400 104,800 Other income Bad debts recovered 2,000 14,659 Insurance recoveries 7,378 14,400 Sundry recoveries 125,544 567 667,908 1,258,642
The amount included in revenue arising from non-exchange transactions is as follows: Transfer revenue Government grants & subsidies 39,011,994 41,063,181 Local grants and donations 8,128,856 9,154,706 Foreign grants and donations 3,337,701 3,582,534 50,478,551 53,800,421
13. Government grants and subsidies
Operating grants Department of Science and Innovation - Baseline 26,983,000 25,668,000 Department of Science and Innovation - Contract funding 10,101,976 12,301,316 South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement 63,849 49,604 National Research Foundation 1,813,169 2,794,261 South African Medical Research Council 50,000 250,000 39,011,994 41,063,181
121 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Notes to the Annual Financial Statements Figures in Rand 2020 2019
14. Employee related costs
Basic 22,132,323 22,524,208 Bonus 2,443,291 Unemployment Insurance Fund 146,418 155,370 Workers Compensation Assistance 65,008 53,522 Skills Development Levy 227,320 217,611 Other payroll levies 13,720 13,104 Leave pay provision charge 12,687 101,167 Defined contribution plans 3,256,679 3,529,327 28,297,446 26,594,309
15. General expenses
Advertising 17,214 132,250 Auditors remuneration 487,301 560,993 Bank charges 46,864 71,163 Consulting and professional fees 448,105 466,163 Consumables 12,492 51,336 Gifts 9,950 Insurance 277,337 260,031 Conferences and seminars 113,680 IT expenses 552,813 362,239 Promotions and sponsorships 60,000 130,000 Magazines, books and periodicals 47,700 Placement fees 5,273 78,700 Postage and courier 2,703 5,937 Printing and stationery 182,555 306,205 Repairs and maintenance 3,173 26,548 Security services 5,425 8,952 Software expenses 792 605,219 Staff welfare 41,100 20,380 Subscriptions and membership fees 103,780 110,095 Telephone and fax 54,861 70,675 Training 202,585 161,454 Travel - local and overseas 628,862 907,990 Project Expenditure 18,606,704 24,892,167 Office expenses 69,290 88,522 Casual workers 31,126 Layout and design 136,755 15,102 Catering and refreshments 27,140 26,396 Other expenses 13,248 26,048 21,986,372 29,587,021
16. Fair value adjustments
Other financial assets • Fair value adjustments - investment 19,488 63,335
17. Auditors' remuneration
Fees 487,301 560,993
18. Lease Rentals on Operating Leases
Premises 1,799,259 1,738,897 Photocopier 35,162 43,667 1,834,421 1,782,564
122 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Notes to the Annual Financial Statements Figures in Rand 2020 2019
19. Cash generated from (used in) operations
Surplus (deficit) 43,206 (1,914,669) Adjustments for: Depreciation 196,228 260,528 Loss on disposal of assets 11,369 17,794 Fair value adjustments (19,488) (63,335) Provision for doubtful debts 242,011 149,602 Changes in working capital: Receivables from exchange transactions (167,556) 3,342,116 Provision for impairment of debtors (242,011) (149,602) Other receivables from non-exchange transactions 434,180 {1,711,172) Payables from exchange transactions (1,557,525) (2,792,947) ISC ROA (171,039) (2,076,061) Unspent conditional grants and receipts 1,221,093 (1,690,799) Provisions 2,189,296 (1,427,875) 2,179,764 (8,056,420)
20. Financial instruments disclosure
Categories of financial instruments
2020
Financial assets
At fair value At amortised Total cost Other financial assets 13,133,274 13,133,274 Trade and other receivables from exchange transactions 1,054,727 1,054,727 Other receivables from non-exchange transactions 1,276,992 1,276,992 Cash and cash equivalents 5,775,990 5,775,990 13,133,274 8,107,709 21,240,983
Financial liabilities
At amortised Total cost Trade and other payables from exchange transactions 4,266,180 4,266,180
2019
Financial assets
At fair value At amortised Total cost Other financial assets 12,152,463 12,152,463 Trade and other receivables from exchange transactions 887,171 887,171 Other receivables from non-exchange transactions 1,711,172 1,711,172 Cash and cash equivalents 4,570,165 4,570,165 12,152,463 7,168,508 19,320,971
Financial liabilities
At amortised Total cost Trade and other payables from exchange transactions 3,634,409 3,634,409
123 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Notes to the Annual Financial Statements Figures in Rand 2020 2019
21. Commitments
This committed expenditure relates to office rent, parking bays and photocopier.
Operating leases - as lessee (expense)
Minimum lease payments due - within one year 355,396 1,202,167 - in second to fifth year inclusive 278,650 Photocopier - within one year 38,502 21,643 - in second to fifth year inclusive 57,753
The total future minimum sublease payment expected to be received under 1,502,460 non-cancellable sublease
Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the entity for office rent and parking bays for ASSAf and ISC ROA. ASSAfs lease duration is from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020 and ISC ROA lease duration is from 1 October 2019 to 30 April 2020. Monthly lease payment amount to R92,883.33 for ASSAf and R18,993.02 for ISC ROA. No contingent rent is payable.
Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the entity for photocopier for ASSAf. ASSAfs lease duration is from 1 October 2019 to 30 September 2022. Monthly lease payment amount to R3,208.50. No contingent rental is payable.
124 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Notes to the Annual Financial Statements Figures in Rand 2020 2019
22. Related parties
Relationships Controlling entity Department of Science and Innovation Controlled entities Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Human Sciences Research Council National Advisory Council on Innovation National Research Foundation South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions South African National Space Agency Technology Innovation Agency ASSAf Council Members Prof B Wingfield Prof J Mouton Prof S Burton Dr S Moephuli Prof Z Vilakazi Prof N Duncan Prof E Cloete Prof S Essack Prof M Scholes Prof J Jansen Prof N Phaswana-Mafuya Prof B Pityana Prof Wim De Villiers Members of key management Prof H Soodyall Mr M Chiloane Mr S Maphosa Mrs L Du Plessis Mrs P Scholtz Mrs S Veldsman
Related party balances
Unspent conditional grants Department of Science and Innovation 5,567,959 5,249,079 National Research Foundation 573,025
Receivables from exchange and non exchange transactions Department of Science and Innovation 524,862 565,009 Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 16,303 16,303 National Research Foundation 342,764
Payables from exchange transactions National Research Foundation 34,251 Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 80,300
Related party transactions
Grants received Department of Science and Innovation 37,084,976 37,969,316 National Research Foundation 1,813,169 2,794,261
Consulting fees Department of Science and Innovation 919,860
Income from publications Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 14,252
125 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Notes to the Annual Financial Statements Figures in Rand 2020 2019
22. Related parties (continued) Expenditure incurred National Research Foundation 133,108 52,001 Human Sciences Research Council 65,000
126 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Notes to the Annual Financial Statements Figures in Rand
22. Related parties (continued)
Remuneration of management
Executive management
2020
Basic salary Bonuses and Other short- Total performance term related employee payments benefits Name Executive Officer 1,788,000 184,760 9,000 1,981,760 Financial Manager 1,387,899 143,416 6,000 1,537,315 Human Resource Manager 974,444 100,116 6,000 1,080,560 Communications Manager 801,162 4,500 805,662 Liaison Manager 1,139,378 117,736 6,000 1,263,114 Scholary Publishing Manager 1,052,147 108,721 6,000 1,166,868 7,143,030 654,749 37,500 7,835,279
2019
Basic salary Other short- Other long- Total term term benefits employee benefits Name Executive Officer - current 745,000 3,750 748,750 Executive Officer - previous 1,499,832 6,750 9,060 1,515,642 Financial Manager 1,350,096 6,000 8,480 1,364,576 Human Resource Manager 922,725 6,000 928,725 Communications Manager 922,725 6,000 8,480 937,205 Liaison Manager 1,108,344 6,000 1,114,344 Scholarly Publishing Manager 1,023,489 6,000 8,475 1,037,964 7,572,211 40,500 34,495 7,647,206
127 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Notes to the Annual Financial Statements Figures in Rand 2020 2019
23. Council members' emoluments
No emoluments were paid to the Council members or any individuals holding a prescribed office during the year.
24. Comparative figures
Comparative figures have been restated to facilitate correct disclosure.
25. Risk management
Financial risk management
The entity's activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including currency risk, fair value interest rate risk, and cash flow 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 entity's finance department under policies approved by the Accounting Authority. Entity finance finance department identifies, evaluates and hedges financial risks in close co-operation with the entity's operating units. 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.
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.
Cash flow forecasts are prepared and adequate utilised borrowing facilities are monitored.
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 2020 Less than 1 Between 1 year and 2 years Trade and other payables 4,266,180
At 31 March 2019 Less than 1 Between 1 year and 2 years Trade and other payables 3,634,409
Credit risk
Credit risk consists mainly of cash deposits, cash equivalents, derivative financial instruments and trade debtors. The entity only deposits cash with major banks with high quality credit standing and limits exposure to any one counter-party.
Trade receivables comprise a widespread customer base. Management evaluated credit risk relating to customers on an ongoing basis. If customers are independently rated, these ratings are used. Otherwise, if there is no independent rating, risk control assesses the credit quality of the customer, taking into account its financial position, past experience and other factors. Individual risk limits are set based on internal or external ratings in accordance with limits set by the Council. The utilisation of credit limits is regularly monitored.
Market risk
128 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Notes to the Annual Financial Statements Figures in Rand
25. Risk management (continued)
Interest rate risk
As the entity has no significant interest-bearing assets, the entity's income and operating cash flows are substantially independent of changes in market interest rates.
Foreign exchange risk
The entity receives grants and make payments to suppliers in foreign denomination. Foreign exchange risk arises from funding received in US dollar and Euro.
The entity does not hedge foreign exchange fluctuations.
26. Going concern
The annual financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis. This basis presumes that funds will be available to finance future operations and that the realisation of assets and settlement of liabilities, contingent obligations and commitments will occur in the ordinary course of business.
COVID-19 pandemic impact:
On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organisation declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a global pandemic which subsequently resulted in the President of South Africa declaring a national state of disaster on 15 March 2020, with many measures implemented by the government, such as travel restrictions. On 23 March 2020, the President of South Africa announced a national 21-day lockdown starting on the 26 March 2020.
ASSAf receives its funding mainly from government and some from local and foreign sources in the form of grants. The funding is still anticipated to be received in the foreseeable future based on the pledges and or contracts in place.
In addition, the entity operated as normal as projects and activities were being undertaken virtually. ASSAf is expected to continue to receive funding and the going concern assumption remains appropriate.
27. Events after the reporting date
Council is not aware of any material events that would impact the reportingof the annual financial statements. The annual financial statements have been authorised for issue by the Council on the 30 September 2020, as the audit opinion was provided on those annual financial statements
28. Budget differences
Differences between actual and budgeted values basis of preparation and presentation
The budget and accounting basis differ. The financial statements are prepared on the accrual basis using a classification on the nature of expenses in the statement of financial performance. The financial statements differ from the budget, which is approved on the cash basis.
The amounts in the annual financial statements were recast from the accrual basis to the cash basis and reclassified by functional classification to be on the same basis as the final approved budget.
129 Academy of Science of South Africa Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 Notes to the Annual Financial Statements Figures in Rand
28. Budget differences (continued)
The variance between the actual and budgeted values are explained as follows:
The budget is approved on a cash basis by functional classification. The approved budget covers the period from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020. The variance on the budget was as a result of the following;
28.1 Fees earned. Favourable variance of 1 %. This was as a result of a new on line journals hosting during the course of the year. 28.2 Interest received. Favourable variance of 20%. This was as a result of interest capitalisation as well as cash and cash equivalents that was kept in a short term interest generating bank account. 28.3 Government grants and subsidies. Unfavourable variance of 10%. This was as a result of reduction in grant funding. 28.4 Local grants and donations. Favourable variance of 136%. This was as a result of additional grant funding secured during the year. 28.5 Foreign grants and donations. Unfavourable variance of 15%. This was as a result of reduction in grant funding. 28.6 Personnel costs. Unfavourable variance of 23%. This was as a result of the annual salary increase, provision for bonus and annual leave paid out. 28. 7 Lease rentals on operating lease. Unfavourable variance of 47%. This was as a result of the office rental for an entity ASSAf is hosting. 28.8 General expenses. Favourable variance of 23%. This was as a result of more project activities undertaken.
Changes from the approved budget to the final budget
The changes between the approved and final budget are a consequence of changes in the overall budget parameters due to additional funding secured during the year.
130 Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
ANNEXURE A
Table 4: Summary of activities pertaining to ASSAf’s lectures, meetings, conferences, workshops, science engagement, strategic partnerships, and women and gender in science for all programmes (hosted or showing participation).
Date Programme/Partner Activity details Participant(s)
ASSAf-Royal Society Seminars hosted by University of Cape Town 17/4/19 LP Title: Can day zero be postponed Speaker: indefinitely? Dr Kevin Winter, Lead Researcher, Future Water Institute, (UCT) 15/5/19 LP Title: The story of equids in Africa: Historical, Speaker: archaeological and new genetic insights Prof Susan Kidson, Former Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences (UCT) 19/6/19 LP Title: Making bio-bricks from human urine Speaker: Dr Dyllon Randall, Senior Lecturer, Future Water Institute, (UCT) 21/8/19 LP Title: Unravelling the biology of extinct Speaker: vertebrates from bone histology Prof Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan, Biological Sciences, (UCT) 18/9/19 LP Title: Much more than the Coelacanth: The Speaker: life and work of Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer Prof Mike Bruton, Self-employed (‘Mike Bruton Imagineering) 08/10/19 LP Title: Merging ways – research and Speaker: professional pathways in an academic Prof Stephanie Burton, University of Pretoria career (UP) 20/11/19 LP Title: An introduction to biomimicry from a Speaker: marine perspective Mr Xavier Zylstra, Senior Educator, Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape Town 18/02/2020 LP Title: The costs of keeping cool: climate Speaker: change and the future for desert birds Dr Susan Cunningham, Fitzpatrick Institute of African Ornithology, (UCT) Embassy Lecture Series 02/09/19 LP SA-Italy Partnership, in conjunction with Moderator: Prof Igle Gledhill (Wits) SANSA and SAASTA. Speaker: Dr Tiziana Ventouri, Director of the Italian National Institute of Astrophysics
Title: Radio Astronomy: A Golden Mine for Education, Innovation and International Partnership
Venue: Botanical Gardens, Pretoria 16/10/19 LP In partnership with the Embassy of the Moderator: Prof Igle Gledhill (Wits) United States, the Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS), the Organisation for Panellists: Women in Science for the Developing World Ms Aisha Bowe, Founder and CEO of South Africa National Chapter (OWSD SANC) and (SAASTA) STEMBoard, US Ms Lisa Cele, ATNS Ms Megan Werner, U-Dream Global Title: A seat at the table: a discussion on diversity and inclusion in aerospace
Venue: Botanical Gardens, Pretoria. Presidential Round Tables 24/10/19 LP Title: Implications of a European Plan S on Moderator: Prof Jonathan Jansen (SU) South African Research SPP Panellists: Prof Robin Crewe (UP) Prof Tandi Matsha (CPUT) The discussion focused on Plan S, the Ms Ellen Tise (SU) Science Europe initiative for Open Access Prof Keyan Tomaselli (UJ & UKZN)
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publishing. Used as a platform to share differing views, the roundtable endeavoured to gain a better understanding of this somewhat contentious subject and the related issues and succeeded in creating awareness on the role of transformative agreements in lowering article processing costs (APCs).
Venue: Stellenbosch University Library ASSAf Annual Science-Business Leadership Forum 27/11/19 LP Title: Schools, Business and 4IR Imperatives Moderator: Prof Jonathan Jansen, SU
Keynote: Mr Stafford Masie (former head of Google Venue: Allan Gray, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town South Africa and General Manager of WeWork)
Panellists: Ms Wendy Horne, Principal of Protea Heights Academy Mr Haroon Mohamed, Chief Director of Curriculum Management and Teacher Development, MCED Innovation for Inclusive Development (IID) Seminars (Partnership with DSI) 21/5/19 LP Title: Protection of Intellectual Property for Facilitator: Mr Stanley Maphosa Grassroots Innovation Panellists: Mr Manesh Patel, National Innovation Fund, India Venue: Protea Hotel Fire & Ice, Menlyn, Prof Malebakeng Forere, Senior Lecturer, Pretoria Wits Mr Ashley Bhugwandin, Technology Localisation Manager, CSIR Ms Thamaray Govender, Legal Advisor: Intellectual Property, TIA Ms Lungelwa Kula, Deputy Director: National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) Mr Mehluli Ncube, Patent Examiner at Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) Ms Sandiswa Qayi, Managing Director of AET Africa Ms Nathacia Olivier, Founder of Indoni Beauty 02/07/19 LP Title: Stakeholder Awareness Workshop on Facilitator: Mr Stanley Maphosa the 2019 White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation Panellists: Ms Urszula Rust (DSI) Venue: Future Africa Conference Centre, Ms Nonhlanhla Mkhize (DSI) University of Pretoria Ms Busisiwe Ntuli (DSI) 03/09/19 LP Title: The Smart City Initiatives in Panellists: South Africa and Paving a Way to Mr Mxolisi Mchunu, SALGA Support Cities to Address Frontier Mr Guilherme Johnston, Global Business Issues Using New and Emerging Engagement, Connected Places Catapult, UK Technologies Mr Segofatso Thepa, Enterprise Project Management Office, City of Ekurhuleni Venue: St George’s Hotel, Mr Lawrence Boya, Smart Cities Programme, Doornkloof, Rietvleidam, Pretoria City of Johannesburg
Meetings/Conferences/Functions/Strategic Partnership participation and/or hosted 03/04/19 JHSEC Joint Health Sciences Education Committee Ms Phakamile Mngadi (JHSEC) meeting.
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The committee comprises of representatives from National Treasury, The meeting was attended as part of ongoing Department of stakeholder engagements for the Health, Department implementation of the recommendations of of Higher Education ASSAf’s consensus study on and Training, and Reconceptualising Health Professions health professions Education in South Africa. councils.
05/04/19 Italian Embassy Italy-South Africa Bilateral Workshop on Speakers: Transmissible Diseases: HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Prof Himla Soodyall Ms Mirta Gentile, Chargé d’affaires: Italian Embassy Pretoria Prof Lyn-Marie Birkholtz (UP) Dr Dalu Mancama (CSIR) Venue: Albert Luthuli Auditorium, National Dr Jaishree Raman, Wits Research Institute Research Foundation, Pretoria for Malaria Dr Patric Moonasar, Department of Health Dr Pietro Alano, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome Prof Donatella Taramelli, Università di Milan
06/04/19 OWSD Black Women in Science (BWIS) Gala Dr Tebogo Mabotha Dinner Prof Himla Soodyall (Speaker)
Venue: Birchwood, Johannesburg.
08-09/04/19 DTI hosted Intellectual Property and Technology Dr Tebogo Mabotha Commercialisation Colloquium.
Venue: St Georges Hotel, Pretoria 16-17/04/19 Trialogue hosted The Trialogue Business in Society Dr Tebogo Mabotha Conference.
Venue: Wanderers Club, Johannesburg 29/04/19 Botswana Academy Strategy Brainstorming with the Mr Stanley Maphosa of Science (BAS) Botswana Academy of Sciences held at the Botswana Institute of Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI) in Gaborone, Botswana.
Mr Stanley Maphosa and Dr Pulane Mswela, BAS General Secretary, presented a draft on what the BAS strategy should entail. 13-16/05/19 ASSAf, in Workshop: Prof Volker ter Meulen, former President of collaboration with the German National Academy of Sciences the German National Neonicotinoids and their Impact on Leopoldina Academy of Ecosystem Services for Agriculture Dr Michael Lattorff, Senior Scientist Bee Sciences Leopoldina and Biodiversity in Africa and the Network of Research in the Environmental Health African Science Theme at icipe Academies (NASAC) Prof Baldwyn Torto, Principal Scientist and Head of Behavioural and Chemical Ecology Venue: Nairobi, Kenya Unit, icipe, and Extraordinary Professor, Department of Zoology and Entomology, UP Prof Mike Norton, Scientific Director of the EASAC Environment Programme Mr Stanley Maphosa (ASSAf) Mrs Jackie Olang-Kado (NASAC) Dr Peter McGrath (IAP)
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Dr Sunday Ekesi, Director of Research and Partnerships at icipe Dr Mike Norton, Scientific Director of the EASAC Environment Programme Professor Salah A. Soliman, Department of Pesticide Chemistry and Technology, Alexandria University, Egypt Dr Enock Dankyi, Department of Chemistry, University of Ghana Dr Elizabeth Bandason, Lilongwe University of Agriculture, and Natural Resources, Malawi Dr Penny Hiwilepo-van Hal, University of Namibia Professor Papa Ibra Samb, Department of Plant Biology, Université Cheick Anta Diop de Dakar, Senegal Professor Samir Abbes, Institut Superieur de Biotechnologie de Beja, University of Jendouba, Tunisia Professor Phillip Nkunika, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Zambia Professor Charles Nhachi, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Zimbabwe
16-17/5/19 NASAC, & German NASAC-Leopoldina Project Mr Stanley Maphosa National Academy Evaluation Meeting, held in Nairobi, of Sciences, Kenya (Leopoldina)
27-28/05/19 Sub-Saharan Africa ASSAf’s consensus study on Prof Collet Dandara, Panel member of the Network for TB/HIV Ethical, Legal and Social Issues consensus study Research Related to Human Genetics and Excellence Genomics in South Africa was (SANTHE) presented at the Young Scientist Symposium titled One Health: A focus on Infectious Diseases in Africa
Venue: Durban, South Africa 30-31/5/19 ASSAf, German Mental Health Symposium: Panellists: National Academy of Sciences Prof Arvin Bhana (SAMRC) Leopoldina, DSI & Dr Siyavuya Bulani (ASSAf) Prof Bonga Chiliza (UKZN) Title: Global Mental Health in an Janssen Prof Pedro Gabriel Godinho Delgado, Era of Sustainable Development: Phamaceutica Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Research and Policy Priorities Prof Katharina Domschke, University of Freiburg, Germany Prof Thomas Elbert, University of Konstanz, Germany Venue: St George Hotel and Prof Rachel Jewkes (SAMRC) Conference Centre Prof Ashraf Kagee (SU) Mrs Tracy Klarenbeek (NRF) Prof Crick Lund (UCT) Prof Bronwyn Myers (SAMRC) Mr Stanley Maphosa (ASSAf) Prof Markus Nöthen, University Hospital of Bonn, Germany Prof Inge Petersen (UKZN) Dr Khutso Phalane-Legoale (ASSAf) Prof Mu-ming Poo, Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Prof Marcella Rietschel, Central Institute of Mental Health, Germany Prof Frank Rösler, University of Hamburg Dr Steven Shongwe, WHO, Regional Office for Africa Prof Subrata Sinha, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India Prof Rita Thom (Wits) Prof Dan J Stein (UCT) Ms Abeda Williams, Janssen Phamaceutica
12/06/19 ASSAf hosted 9th SA AIDS Conference 2019, hosted Facilitator: a session: Dr Tebogo Mabotha
Panellists: Prof Refilwe Nancy Phaswana-Mafuya Title: The Nexus between Science, (NWU) Policy and Society in the HIV and AIDS Prof Keymanthri Moodley (SU) Perspective Prof Kogie Naidoo (CAPRISA) Mr Stanley Maphosa (ASSAf)
Venue: ICC, Durban, KZN
17-21/06/19 SADC SADC Joint Meeting of Ministers Mrs Elzarie Barnard Responsible for Education and Mr Kholani Mbhiza Training & Science, Technology and Innovation, Windhoek, Namibia 19/06/19 ASSAf jointly with Launch of Statement at the United Prof Himla Soodyall the Brazilian Nations (UN) Headquarters in New Dr Caradee Wright Academy of York, USA. Hosted a launch on “Air Dr Siyavuya Bulani Sciences (ABC), the Pollution and Health”. German National Academy of Panellists: Sciences Prof Angela Mathee (SAMRC) Leopoldina, the US Prof Stuart Piketh (NWU) National Academy of Dr Kristy Langerman (UJ) Medicine (USNAM), Dr Caradee Wright (SAMRC) and the US National Dr Tafadzwa Makonese (UJ) Academy of Sciences (USNAS)
24-26/06/19 Africa Centre for Africa CDC Initiative to Strengthen Participants: Disease Control and Biosecurity and Biosafety: Southern Prevention (CDC) Africa Regional Collaborating Prof Iqbal Parker, Chair: Standing Centre Technical Workshop Committee on Biosafety and Biosecurity, ASSAf Member Dr Jacqueline Weyer, Standing Committee on Biosafety and Biosecurity 30/6-5/7/19 Lindau Nobel The 69th Lindau Nobel Laureate Panellists: Laureate Meeting Meeting (LNLM) on Physics was Dr Frank Bradley (SAAO) (LNLM), ASSAf & held in Lindau, Germany with Dr Buyisiwe Sondezi (UJ) DSI twenty young scientists attending Prof Thebe Medupe (NWU) the Meeting. Prof Brian Schmidt, 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics South Africa (ASSAf/DSI) hosted the International Day event: Prof Himla Soodyall breakfast and dinner Mr Bheki Hadebe Ms Edith Shikumo Ms Henriette Wagener Breakfast function: Facilitator: Dr Beverley Damonse, (Group Executive: Science Engagement and Corporate Relations, NRF).
Dinner hosted by ASSAf/DSI
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02/07/19 SPP (Open Science) SA National Research Data Workshop Mrs Ina Smith (DIRISA), Pretoria, SA 22/07/19 NASAC & ASRIC ASSAf supported the NASAC Board ASSAf Council Meeting and invited NASAC Board & DSI ASRIC representatives to meet with the ASSAf Council in Pretoria
23-24/07/19 ASSAf with the Workshop on: Prof Himla Soodyall (ASSAf) support of the IAP Mrs Magamase Mange (UNEP) and the South Dr Kefiloe Masiteng (DPME) African National Landscaping the coordination of Ms Jackie Olang–Kado Department of Water national role-players and activities and Sanitation toward SDG6 (water and sanitation) (NASAC) in South Africa Ms Amanda Nyingwa (Pegasys) Mr Mark Bannister (DWS) Mr Alistair Wensley Mr Thabita Napakade Ms Thembi Mthombeni Venue: St Georges Hotel, Pretoria Mr Xolani Hadebe Mr Patrick Mlilo Ms Lebogang Matlala Ms Refiloe Moloi-Owoyomi Mr Bheki Mbentse Ms Nwabisa Fundzo (DWS) Prof Robin Crew (UP) Representative (DPME) Representative (Stats SA) 25-26/07/19 eThekwini’s Local Government Sustainable Development Dr Tebogo Mabotha Municipal Institute of Goals (SDGs) Symposium on SDGs Learning (MILE), the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG) & SALGA Venue: ICC, Durban, KZN 14/08/19 ASSAf in partnership ASSAf Annual Humanities Lecture Speaker: with the HSRC and Prof Crain Soudien (HSRC) UP
Title: Archives, scholars and bureaucrats
Venue: Future Africa Conference Centre, University of Pretoria 21/08/19 SPP (Open Science) International Federation of Library Mrs Ina Smith Associations (IFLA): Science and Technology Libraries section and Evidence for Global and Disaster Health SIG “Library Services for Open Science” Satellite Meeting, Vienna
22-23/08/19 SPP (Open Science) IFLA Big Data intelligence in libraries: the Mrs Ina Smith actual and artificial perspectives Satellite Meeting, Frankfurt. 26-28/08/19 American AAAS-TWAS Train the Trainers Ms Phyllis Kalele Association for the Course on Science Diplomacy, at Advancement of the International Centre for Science (AAAS) & Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in TWAS Trieste, Italy 05-06/09/19 ASSAf in Workshop: Steering Committee: collaboration with UK Academy of Co-chairs Medical Sciences Prof Alan Silman FMedSci, University of Oxford, UK Improving the Prevention and Management of Multimorbidity in sub-Saharan Africa Prof Karen Hofman FAAP (Wits)
Members
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Dr Mayassine Diongue, Institut de Santé et Venue: Johannesburg, South Africa Développement, Senegal Prof Benson Estambale, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Kenya Dr Ray Handema, Centre for Infectious Disease Research, Zambia Prof John Idoko, University of Jos, Nigeria Sambayawo Nyirenda, Sarai Holistic Care, Botswana
17/09/19 ASSAf Council Colloquium on the Fourth Industrial Prof Jonathan Jansen Revolution (4IR) hosted by the Parliamentary Prof Himla Soodyall Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Technology at Parliament 18-19/09/19 The United Nations Regional Consultation on Strengthening Mr Stanley Maphosa Technology Bank for National Academies of Science in Support the Least Developed of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Countries Development (UNTBLDCs), the United Nations Economic hosted the above-mentioned meeting in Commission for Antananarivo, Madagascar. Africa (ECA) & NASAC 25-27/09/19 TWAS-SAREP, Connecting Minds Africa. The event was held Prof Archana Bhaw-Luximon, Mauritius Academy of in Nairobi, Kenya from and attracted the Dr Barbara Burmen, Kenya Sciences (AAS), the participation of more than 150 early career Dr Dalia Saad, Sudan Royal Society, the researchers from African countries. TWAS- Dr Emile Rugamika Chimusa, Global Young SAREP sponsored eight early career Academy (GYA), the scientists to participate. Democratic Republic of Congo Stellenbosch Institute Dr Hudaa Neetoo, Mauritius for Advanced Study, Prof Achille Ephrem Assogbadjo, Benin and the Next Einstein Dr Frederick Adzitey, Ghana Forum Dr Banothile Makhubela, South Africa
14-16/10/19 ASSAf jointly with the Energy Efficiency and Energy Dr Peter Mukoma (CSIR) Chinese Academy of Storage Prof Daniel Irurah (Wits) Sciences (CAS) and Prof Natasha Sacks (SU) the German National symposium on “Research and Prof Daniel Chowdhury (TUT) Academy of Sciences Innovation in Energy Efficient and Leopoldina Energy Storage Technologies in an Dr Siyavuya Bulani Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution”.
The symposium took place at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences in China.
The event was attended by energy experts from South Africa, China and Germany. 18/10/19 SPP (Open Science) University of Zululand, Open Access Mrs Ina Smith Day.
23/10/2019 SPP (Open Science) e-Research Australasia Conference, Mrs Ina Smith Brisbane, Australia. Mrs Susan Veldsman
23-25/10/19 TWAS-SAREP, DSI, The Annual TWAS-SAREP Regional Young Mr Kholani Mbhiza NRF in partnership Scientists’ Conference (RYSC) took place in Ms Phyllis Kalele with the Kenyan Nairobi, Kenya. The theme for the conference Academy of Science was Water-Food Climate/Energy Nexus and Policy in Africa. The conference addressed critical issues pertinent to Africa’s development challenges in an
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interdisciplinary approach as identified in the African Union’s Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA). 24-29/10/19 IAP hosted Young Physician Leaders (YPL) Dr Rubeshan Perumal (CAPRISA) Programme, World Health Summit in Dr Atiya Mosam (Wits) Berlin, Germany. 04-05/11/19 Brazilian Academy 2nd BRICS Academies of Science Prof Himla Soodyall of Sciences (ABC) Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Dr Siyavuya Bulani
06-08/11/19 BRICS, ASSAf/DSI South African Young Scientists’ Twenty-three South African young scientists partnership engage with their BRICS counterparts at the 4th BRICS Young Scientist Forum hosted by Brazil in Rio de Janeiro on. The meeting was supported by the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovations and Communications (MOSTIC) of Brazil. 12-16/11/19 AMASA 15, Fifteenth Annual Meeting of African Prof Himla Soodyall Science Academies (AMASA 15), Mr Stanley Maphosa (Ghana Academy of under the theme, Science Mr Kholani Mbhiza Science) Technology and Innovation for Food Security and Poverty Alleviation in Africa: The Role of Academies. 13/11/10 TWAS-SAREP, DSI, TWAS-SAREP hosted a Learning Mr Stanley Maphosa Ghana Academy of Collaborative on Science Diplomacy in Accra, Mr Kholani Mbhiza Arts and Sciences, Ghana The Learning Collaborative preceded Prof Himla Soodyall NASAC the Annual Meeting of African Science Academies (AMASA). 20-21/11/19 SADC Member Workshop: Speakers: States Assessing the State of Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity in the SADC region Ms Phakamile Mngadi (ASSAf) Mrs Mandry Ntshani (DSI) Venue: Capital Empire Hotel, Sandton, Dr Willy Amisi SADC Secretariat, Botswana South Africa Prof Iqbal Parker, Interim Chair of the ASSAf Study (UCT) Dr Victor Mukonka: Africa CDC RCC, Zambia Dr Brian Chirombo: World Health Organisation (WHO) South Africa Dr Jellita Gondwe, Malawi Ministry of Health Dr Kunda Musonda, Zambia National Public Health Institute Mrs Vera Vieira Mendes, Angola Ministry of Health Ms Julia Volcere, Seychelles Ministry of Health Prof Milijaona Randrianarivelojosoa, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar Dr Asha Dookun-Saumtally, Mauritius Sugarcane Industry Research Institute Prof Gerald Misinzo, SACIDS Foundation for One Health Prof Justin Masumu, Université Pédagogique Nationale Mr Joseph Ihula, University of Namibia Prof Lovemore Gwanzura, University of Zimbabwe Dr Mokganedi Mokopasetso: Botswana Vaccine Institute Mr Angelo Augusto, Mozambique Ministry of Ms Gugu Maphalala, eSwatini Ministry of Health Dr Khotso Mahomo,SACIDS Foundation for One Health Prof Gerald Misinzo, National Department of Health Mr Zibusiso Masuku, National Institute for Communicable Diseases
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20-23/11/19 ASRIC African Scientific Research and Innovation Ms Phyllis Kalele Council (ASRIC) 2nd Congress hosted by the African Union Commission (AUC) through its agency the African Union - Scientific Technical Research Commission (AU- STRC) in Abuja, Nigeria. 28/11- ASSAf, DSI ASSAf and the DSI in partnership with the Mr Stanley Maphosa 03/12/19 partnership Centre for Science and Technology of the Ms Phyllis Kalele Non-aligned and Other Developing Countries hosted the International Training Course on Science, Technology and Innovation Diplomacy in Pretoria. The Innovation Bridge Science Forum South Africa 2019 04/12/19 IBSFSA 2019 Title: Industrial Parks as Supportive Moderator: Dr Tebogo Mabotha Environments for STI Collaborations under the theme Enabling Science and Innovation (LP) Panellists: Collaboration Mr Bernd Oellerman, Director: Regional Industrial Development, Special Economic Zones and Economic Transformation, DTI Venue: CSIR International Convention Mr Barnard Mokwena, Executive Centre, Pretoria during the Innovation Bridge Chairman: Kazol Resources Science Forum South Africa 2019. Ms Lesego Serolong Holzapfel, CEO: Bokamoso Impact Investments) Ms Noma Koranteng, Co-Founder and CEO: Luhlaza Integrated Industries Group Ms Zubeida Zwavel, Director: ZZwavel Environmental Consulting Dr Wolfgang Wittke, Advisor: EUREKA Head of Secretariat
04/12/19 IBSFSA 2019 Session entitled “Tackling Air Pollution Moderator: Prof Rebecca Garland and Health in the Era of the Fourth (CSIR) Industrial Revolution”. The session (LP) discussed statement presented to the Panellists: United Nations (UN) on “Air Pollution and Health” by National Academies of Dr Caradee Wright (SAMRC) Science and Medicine from South Prof Stuart Piketh (NWU) Africa, Brazil, Germany and the United Dr Thuli Khumalo (DEA) States of America. The Academies issued an urgent call to the action on harmful air pollution.
06/12/19 IBSFSA 2019 SAJS hosted a session entitled ‘Pure or Moderator: Prof Jane Carruthers, Editor-in- Applied Science in the age of the Chief of SAJS. Anthropocene: Which does 'South (SPP) Africa 2030' need more urgently?’ Panellists: Prof Kevern Cochrane (RU) Luthando Dziba, South African National Parks Prof Coleen Vogel (Wits) Prof Norman Owen-Smith (Wits) Science Engagement and outreach 08-13/04/19 SPP (Quest) Polokwane Eding Science Festival, Mr Tsepo Majake hosted approximately 56 000 learners from Polokwane and the surrounding areas. Quest presented three lectures per day on “Falling bodies and climate change” for grade 10 – 12 learners 24/05/19 SPP (Quest) Africa Day celebrations, at the Freedom Mr Tsepo Majake Park in Pretoria. Quest and other ASSAf publications were exhibited to
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the public and Quest copies were distributed 12-14/06/19 SPP (Quest) Exhibit at the inaugural career expo Mr Tsepo Majake (City of Tshwane). The event took place at the Tshwane Leadership Academy and learners, as well as students from around Pretoria, attended. The Quest presentation focused on 4IR and future careers in science.
12-14/06/19 SPP (Quest) Through SAASTA, the Mayor of Mr Tsepo Majake Tshwane sent a request for support of the inaugural career expo that was held in Tshwane. A career presentation was made to grade 9 and 10 learners from various schools in the Pretoria East and West areas and 550 copies of Quest magazine were distributed.
18/06/19 Youth Month University Day, SPARK Midrand: Dr Tebogo Mabotha hosted its first annual University Day. This event provided an educational (LP) opportunity for the students to receive from members of the community, parents, professionals, academics, and entrepreneurs, detail about their respective careers. Dr Tebogo Mabotha represented ASSAf as a guest speaker to inspire scholars from Grade R to Grade 6 in the field of Chemistry. The interaction provided fun, practical and interactive sessions on various aspects of the field including educational background, skills required for the position, description of a “typical day”, challenges of the job, the importance of ethics and prospects for advancement.
27/06/19 SPP (Quest) Presentation at the Brilliant Minds Mr Tsepo Majake National Science Technology Forum (NSTF) programme, Emperors Palace. First-year students were addressed.
29/07- National Science National Science Week: Mrs Renate Venier 03/08/19 Week (partnership Ms Bongi Zwane with SAASTA) and The Academy was among 100 Mrs Susan Veldsman SAYAS organisations that received grants from Mrs Ina Smith SAASTA to carry out activities to Mr Tsepo Majake popularise science across South Africa. Mr Floyd Masemola The Academy’s presence was noticeable in three of the municipalities SPU - the Sarah Baartman, Francis Baard, and Ngaka Modiri Molema Municipality. Speaker: Dr Munyaradzi Manjoro, Senior Lecturer: Physical Geography Lecturer (SPU) Two lectures – one at North-West University (NWU) and the second at NWU Sol Plaatje (SPU) – were held in Panellists: collaboration with the respective Dr Tozama Qwebani-Ogunleye, SAYAS universities. Also, outreach on science Member (VUT) education was done at five schools in Dr Kenalemang Olga Kgoroeadira, the Humansdorp and Jeffreys Bay Indigenous Knowledge Specialist and regions. Subsistence Farmer, Thojane Organic Farming in Phokeng, Rustenburg Dr Khosi Ramachela (NWU) Mr Akano Oreoluwa Ibukun (NWU)
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25-31/08/19 SPP (Quest) Eding international science festival in Mr Tsepo Majake Mmabatho and Zeerust. Eight presentations on future careers, the 4IR, and science education were presented to high school learners from schools around the area, and Taletso TVET college students at the Lehurutse and Mafikeng campuses were visited. 16-20/09/19 Peer review week With the theme ‘Quality in peer review’ SAJS, Social Media – was observed through the posting and sharing of tweets and polls on peer (SPP) review via SAJS social media.
25/09/19 SPP (Quest) Academy presented on digital Mr Tsepo Majake citizenship to 150 top-performing learners who are representatives of the nine provinces. Copies of the Quest magazine were distributed to participants.
04-05/10/19 SPP (Quest) The STEM conference, Ticket-Dome. Mr Tsepo Majake Over 800 people visited the exhibition and the Quest magazine was distributed. This conference is run by an NPO known as Stem-Business. 11/10/20 Open Access Week A post was published on the Directory Available at: Overview of the African of Open Access Journals blog, briefly Open Access landscape, with a focus (SPP) summarising the outcomes of the on scholarly publishing African Open Science Platform from a scholarly publishing perspective. 16/10/19 SPP (Quest) in The Embassy lecture series with the Mr Tsepo Majake partnership with USA on Diversity and inclusion in SAASTA Aerospace, provided an opportunity to engage grade10-12 learners from schools in and around Pretoria on mathematics and science content. Each learner received a copy of Quest.
21- Open Access Week ASSAf put together a high impact Mrs Ina Smith 27/10/2019 programme as part of its participation in (SPP) Open Access Week, celebrated Mrs Susan Veldsman globally from 21 to 27 October 2019, addressing the theme “Open for Profiling ASSAf Members each day of the Whom? Equity in Open Knowledge”. week on their experiences of #openaccess. The ASSAf Members who participated are Lee Berger, Caroline Hamilton, Salim Abdool Karim, Mamokgethi Phakeng and Mary Scholes. The profiles were shared via the SAJS social media; they received 445 clicks and reached a potential audience of 6825 on Facebook and had 5600 Impressions on Twitter.
22/10/19 Open Access Week The webinar on a South African Dr Lara Skelly, managing editor of the South Journal’s Move to Open Access. African Journal of Business Management. (SPP)
23/10/19 Open Access Week A webinar entitled Future of Open Access Ms Christina Emery, Marketing Manager: Books and Springer Open Access Portfolio. Palgrave Macmillan / Springer Open Access Books programs (SPP) 25/10/19 Open Access Week A webinar entitled Getting the Best out Alkim Ozaygen (Curtin University, Perth) of Data for Open Access Monograph (SPP) Presses. 10-15/11/19 SPP (Quest) The 21st South African Association of Mr Tsepo Majake Science and Technology Centres (SAASTEC) conference, in George. A paper on the State of Science and Education in South Africa was delivered. 141 Annual Report for 2019/20 Financial Year Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
28/11/19 SPP (Quest) ASSAf was invited to a strategic Mr Tsepo Majake planning session at Sedaven High School and a consortium of educational institutes, Midrand. A presention on Science education as an enabler of development was made. A staff complement of approximately 45 people attended. Each member of staff then received a copy of Quest.
25-29/02/20 SPP (Quest) & Science Festival, Kuruman, organised by the Mr Tsepo Majake ASSAf staff Science Beyond Borders Organisation; 1300 copies of Quest were sponsored 14/03/20 SPP (SAJS) International Day of Mathematics. SAJS Associate Editor Prof Amanda SAJS Associate Editor for Weltman & Prof Jeff Murugan Mathematics, Physics & Astronomy, Amanda Weltman, co-authored a popular article with Jeff Murugan entitled ‘Viral spreading in a small world’. Promotion of women and gender in science 03-18/05/19 GenderInSITE Research and Development on Ms Elzarie Swanepoel Gender Mainstreaming, Monitoring and Evaluation Tool, training in the United Kingdom on a fellowship from and visited four institutions. 17-20/06/19 SADC SADC Women in Science, Mrs Phyllis Kalele Engineering and Technology (WISET) meeting in Namibia. 18-19/07/19 GenderInSITE The Pathways to Success report was Mrs Phyllis Kalele presented at the Global Forum on Women in Scientific Research (GoFoWiSeR), Dakar, Senegal
14/08/19 LP Girls STEM Seminar: Dr Tebogo Mabotha (Speaker)
The Vaal University of Technology (VUT) hosted the 3rd Annual Girls in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Seminar at the Desmond Tutu Great Hall, Vanderbijlpark campus. Young girls from several high schools between the ages of 13 to 18 years and several females in undergraduate studies at VUT, were in attendance. The aim of the annual event was to invite exceptional women who have excelled in their careers in the STEM fields to interact and serve as role models for the young girls and women.
28-29/08/19 GenderInSITE Enhancing the Value of Research and Mr Stanley Maphosa Innovation.Singapore under the theme Diversity and Gender in Science. Presentation “Science Academies as a Nexus for Gendered Research and Innovation Policy Agendas”. 28-29/10/19 GenderInSITE Gender Session at Annual Young Mrs Phyllis Kalele Scientists’ Conference held at the Future Africa Campus, University of Pretoria.
13/03/20 SAYAS Women in Science and STEM: Dr Tebogo Mabotha
LP ASSAf and SAYAS organised a Women in Science and STEM event titled Women in Science connecting for
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science and STEM uptake; in celebration of the International Day of Women, Girls in Science Day (February 11) and International Women’s Day (March 8) at the Mae Jemison US Science Reading Room. Dr Tebogo Mabotha represented ASSAf as a guest speaker to share her science story with the young learners in Mamelodi.
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