Activity Report

September 2004 – March 2007

Science and Technology Office,

South African Embassy in Japan
Contents

Contact Information .......................................................................................................3

THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OFFICE .........................................................4
1. Mission and Objectives ........................................................................................5
2. Management .........................................................................................................5
3. Responsibilities ....................................................................................................6
ACTIVITIES..................................................................................................................7
1. Supporting international cooperation programmes and building partnerships
in the development of high technologies, science-intensive products and
services. ...............................................................................................................7
2. Supporting the alignment of South African science and technology policies
and programmes through active participation in international science. ............10
3. Supporting through international cooperation programmes South Africa’s
skills and human resource development imperatives. .......................................16
4. Attracting foreign investment to support the national and regional science
and technology and innovation systems. ...........................................................21
5. Promoting a strong South African input into the international science and
technology for sustainable development discourse as well as NEPAD and
international science and technology policy formulation..................................28
CONCLUSION............................................................................................................30

03/2007, Science and Technology Office 2

Contact Information

Vuyani Lingela
Department of Science and Technology
Private Bag X 894, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
Email: Vuyani.Lingela@dst.gov.za
http://www.dst.gov.za (Department of Science and Technology in South Africa)
http://www.rsatk.com (South African Embassy in Japan)

03/2007, Science and Technology Office 3

THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OFFICE

The South African and Japanese government concluded the first ever agreement on
science and technology cooperation between Japan and an African country on 28
August 2003 based on the principle of equality and mutual benefit. This agreement
constitutes a framework for scientific and technological collaboration between
Japanese and South African institutions. The two governments share the view that the
conclusion of the first ever agreement on science and technology cooperation between
Japan and an African country is of great significance.

The South African Government appointed Mr. Vuyani Lingela as the Counsellor for
Science and Technology at the South African Embassy in Japan with effect from 1
September 2004. As the first South African Science and Technology Representative
to Japan, his role included establishing the Science and Technology Office at the
South African Embassy to promote, facilitate and manage cooperation in all areas of
science and technology between Japanese and South African universities, research
institutes, companies and government.

Vuyani Lingela, Former Prime Minister Koizumi, Ambassador Ben Ngubane

03/2007, Science and Technology Office 4

1. Mission and Objectives

The mission of the Science and Technology Office (STO) is to facilitate partnership in
science and technology between South Africa and Japan.

The objective of the STO is to increase flows of scientific knowledge and resources to
South Africa through participation in joint programmes with Japan, as well as
facilitating the participation of South Africa as a significant player in the international
science and technology arena.

2. Management

Mr. Lingela, Counsellor: Science and Technology reports to Dr. Ben Ngubane,
Ambassador of South Africa to Japan and has been reporting to Mr. Dhesigen Naidoo,
Deputy Director-General, Dr. Chris Scheffer, Chief Director, Dr. Neville Arendse,
Chief Director and Dr. Mogege Mosimege, Director in the Department of Science and
Technology as his supervisors on the activities of the STO.

The STO continuously alerts supervisors of any emerging factors that could preclude
the achievement of any key responsibility areas, including the contingency measures
that he or they propose to take to ensure the impact of such deviation from the original
agreement is minimised.

Vuyani Lingela and Dr. Chris Scheffer

03/2007, Science and Technology Office 5

The STO establishes and maintains appropriate internal controls and reporting
systems in order to meet the performance expectations. The STO discusses with
supervisors any revision of targets as well as progress made towards the achievements
of the performance agreement measures.

Dr. Ben Ngubane,

Ambassador of South Africa

Mr. Vuyani Lingela,

Counsellor: Science and Technology

Ms. Yumi Tominaga

Ms. Tomoko Inamasu Secretary: Science and Technology
Researcher: Science and Technology

Key Customers
• South African and Japanese Universities
• South African and Japanese Research Institutes
• South African and Japanese Companies
• South African and Japanese Government

Figure 1. Management Structure of the Science and Technology Office

The Supervisors create an enabling environment to facilitate effective performance of

the STO. They provide access to skills development and capacity building
opportunities. They also work collaboratively to solve problems and generate
solutions to common problems that may be impacting on the performance of the STO.

3. Responsibilities

The key responsibility areas of the STO include:

 Supporting international cooperation programmes and building partnerships in

the development of high technologies, science-intensive products and services.
 Supporting the alignment of South African science and technology policies and
programmes through active participation in international science.
 Supporting through international cooperation programmes South Africa’s skills
and human resource development imperatives.
 Attracting foreign investment to support the national and regional science and
technology and innovation systems.
 Promoting a strong South African input into the international science and
technology for sustainable development discourse as well as NEPAD and
international science and technology policy formulation.

03/2007, Science and Technology Office 6

ACTIVITIES

1. Supporting international cooperation programmes and building partnerships

in the development of high technologies, science-intensive products and
services.

1.1 Initiated a meetings with the representatives of the University of Fort Hare in
Bisho, South Africa in July 2006, where opportunities where identified: to
promote research partnership with Japanese universities, research institutions
and companies; to promote partnership with the Japanese universities, research
institutions, companies or government; and to promote exchange of technicians
and university students (undergraduate and postgraduate) as well as university
researchers.

1.2 Facilitated meetings for Prof. Njabulo Ndebele, Principal and Vice-Chancellor
of the University of Cape Town in April 2006 and Prof. Derrick Swartz,
Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Fort Hare in August 2006 to
discus opportunities for research and academic exchange with representatives of
the representatives of universities.

Vuyani Lingela and Prof. Njabulo Ndebele

1.3 Facilitated the establishment of the Memorandum of Understanding between the

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) and the National Research

03/2007, Science and Technology Office 7

 Foundation of South Africa (NRF) which made South Africa the first country in
Africa to conclude a formal bilateral exchange agreement with JSPS.

The NRF and JSPS are currently supporting four research projects implemented
joint by South African and Japanese researchers in the areas of biotechnology,
infectious diseases, ICTs and food sciences involving the following Japanese
universities and research institutes: Nagoya City University, Tohoku University,
Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute and Chiba University
together with the following South African institutions: University of the
Witwatersrand, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, University of
Stellenbosch and the CSIR.

1.4 Facilitated the establishment of the Memorandum of Understanding between the

African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP) and Fukushima Marine
Science Museum of Japan to promote collaboration in marine sciences. The
Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Ms Rejoice
Mabudafhasi, participated in the signing ceremony of the MoU.

Environmental Affairs and Tourism Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi, Dr.

Tony Ribbink, Ms. Anati Canca and Director Yoshitaka Abe

1.5 Initiated the establishment of a network of science and technology researchers

including 28 South African and Japanese universities and research institutions
involved in joint research collaboration. Prepared and distributed information to
South African researchers on available scholarships and training opportunities in
Japanese universities and research institutions.

03/2007, Science and Technology Office 8

 Science and Technology Minister Mangena and Ambassador Ben Ngubane

1.6 Initiated the establishment of the “South Africa-Japan Science and Technology.”
The S&T Network consists of government representatives, researchers and
research managers in South African universities, science councils and other
research institutions interested in promoting partnership with Japanese
institutions. The objective of the S&T Network is to disseminate relevant
information timely to South African institutions on Japanese academic and
research institutions to promote cooperation with relevant South African
institutions and researchers as well as students. As a result of this initiative,
Japanese counterparts were identified by South African researchers and
subsequently exchanged visits to discuss and implement plans for research
collaboration.

1.7 Initiated meetings with university Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Deans of Science

and Engineering faculties, Heads of International Exchange divisions and
university researchers in Japan to discuss opportunities for research
collaboration with South African universities and research institutions. As a
result of these visits and the reports to South African researchers, Japanese
researchers have invited South African researchers to their laboratories in Japan.
In other cases the Japanese researchers visited relevant South African
researchers.

1.8 Prepared a bilingual (English and Japanese) report titled: “South Africa and
Japan: 10 Years of Science and Technology Relations” for distribution to South
African and Japanese Government institutions, universities, research institutions
and companies in South Africa and Japan. This report describes inter-
governmental, inter-institutional and inter-university relationships that

03/2007, Science and Technology Office 9

 contributed to the implementation of the co-operation agreement on science and
technology between South Africa and Japan. Further, the report presents
modalities for future cooperation in science and technology between South
Africa and Japan.

1.9 Initiated and managed a bilingual (English and Japanese) website to meet the
following objectives (http://www.science-technology.jp): to promote research
collaboration in priority fields, including; biotechnology, information and
communication technologies, material sciences, infectious diseases, technology
for development, and science and technology policy studies; to communicate
opportunities for joint commercialisation of technologies; and market South
Africa’s research and development expertise and science and technology
facilities.

Vuyani Lingela, Prof. Hasuck Kim, Prof. Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan and Ms.
Azeza Fredericks

2. Supporting the alignment of South African science and technology policies

and programmes through active participation in international science.

2.1 Initiated and managed a workshop in Japan in June 2006 to discuss the
Fundamental Concept of the Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum
and the Participation of the South African delegation in the Third Annual
Meeting of the STS Forum in September 2006. In this workshop Mr. Koji Omi,
now Minister of Finance, Member of the House of Representatives of Japan,
Chairman of the STS Forum met with members of the South African delegation

03/2007, Science and Technology Office 10

 consisting of representatives of the CSIR; Department of Science and
Technology; Innovation Fund, PlantBio Trust; Sasol Chemicals Pacific Ltd.;
Sasol Ltd.; and University of Limpopo.

Ambassador Ben Ngubane, Finance Minister Koji Omi and Vuyani Lingela

2.2 Presented a paper titled: Towards Sustainable Consumption and Production:

The Role of South African Actors at the Ministerial Conference on the 3R
Initiative: 3Rs and Sustainable Consumption and Production in Japan, April 30,
2005.

The focus on cleaner production towards sustainable industrial development and

competitiveness received significant support from the 2002 World Summit on
Sustainable Development held in South Africa. It is now widely accepted that a
preventive approach would offer a long-term and sustainable solution to global
environmental protection strategies. Integrating cleaner production and
sustainable consumption promises to offer a clean environment and sustainable
development for current and future generations. It is for these reasons that the
South African government endeavours to develop and promote a clean industry
with efficient use of energy and raw materials with limited generation of waste
and pollution.

Cleaner production is the continuous application of an integrated preventive

environmental strategy to processes, products and services to increase eco-
efficiency and reduce risks to humans and the environment. This concept
includes the emphasis on continuous improvement of environmental

03/2007, Science and Technology Office 11

 performance, through an elaborate procedure of review and innovation built into
the assessment process. Technology improvements may be accomplished
through the redesigning of existing products and services; modification or
upgrading of existing equipment and processes; acquisition of new equipment,
processes and product lines and adoption of the best available techniques.

Vuyani Lingela and Former Environment Minister Yuriko Koike

2.3 Planned and managed the Science and Technology Month in Japan which
formed part of South Africa’s participation in the Aichi World Expo 2005, under
the theme, Rhythm of Life, showing the technological advances and
competencies, the biodiversity, our sustainable development initiatives and
related aspects of our S&T system.. The Science and Technology Month was
launched by Minister Mosibudi Mangena, Minister of Science and Technology
at the South African Pavillion in the Aichi World Expo 2005, June 2005. It
included an event to commemorate the growing partnership in Science and
technology between South Africa and Japan.

The South African delegation led by the Department of Science and Technology
participated in the inaugural Science and Technology (STP) Forum held at the
Tokyo Institute of Technology in Japan. Science and technology policy is a key
to develop these and other initiatives. In this context, the STP Forum is
organised in order to increase understanding, to share the experience in the best
practices and to establish a platform for future possible collaboration in this area
between South Africa and Japan. Prepared a report titled: Proceedings of the
Science and Technology Policy Forum, June, 2005 for distribution to

03/2007, Science and Technology Office 12

 government institutions, universities, research institutions and companies in
South Africa and Japan.

Vuyani Lingela, Ms. Buhle Khumalo and Mr. Nhlanhla Nyide

One of the distinguished South African marine biologist Dr. Tony Ribbink
presented lectures on the African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP) at
the Aichi World Expo 2005. Over the years the ACEP has become a regional
flagship programme that includes South Africa, Comoros Islands, Kenya,
Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles and Tanzania. Doctor Ribbink
presented lectures here in Nagoya at the South African Pavilion and at
Fukushima Marine Science Museum. The distinguished South African scholar,
Professor Gideon Smith, captivated people at the South African Pavilion in the
Aichi World Expo with his presentation on South Africa’s rich floral heritage
with special emphasis on the unique succulent flora of the southern tip of Africa.
This is one of the mega diverse regions of the world, where about 10% of the
world plant species are found in less than 2.5% of the global land surface.

Prof. Emeritus Philip Tobias, the world authority on human evolution and the
analysis of early hominid fossils. In his lectures at the University of Tokyo,
Kyoto University and here in Nagoya, he explained that eighty years ago a
momentous fossil discovery was made at Taung in South Africa. Prof Tobias
indicated that this was the oldest hominid skeleton, with skull, ever discovered.
It was because of the great wealth of hominid remains in certain individual
caves, most notably Sterkfontein, and also because of the concentration of
fossil-bearing cave sites within a restricted area, that the South African
Government initiated the proclamation of the area as a World Heritage Site in

03/2007, Science and Technology Office 13

 the 1990s. The listing the South African paleontological sites the World
Heritage site became effective from 2nd December 1999.

Deputy Minister Derek Hanekom, Prof. Gideon Smith and Vuyani Lingela

Prof. Emeritus Philip Tobias in Japan

03/2007, Science and Technology Office 14

2.4 Facilitated the participation the Deputy Minister of Science and Technology,
Mr. Derek Hanekom to the STS Forum in Kyoto, Japan in September 2005.
Deputy Minister was accompanied by Dr Adi Paterson, Group Executive:
Science and Technology Expert Services, Ms Nurunessa Moolla, Director:
Office of the Deputy Minister, Ambassador Dr Ben Ngubane and Mr Vuyani
Lingela, Counsellor: Science and Technology, South African Embassy.

Ambassador Ngubane, Science and Technology Deputy Minister Derek

Hanekom, Ms Nurunessa Moolla, Dr. Adi Paterson and Vuyani Lingela

Facilitated the participation of Dr. Nqaba Ngcobo, Chairperson of the Portfolio

Committee for Science and Technology, Parliament of South Africa and the
Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Mosibudi Mangena, as well as officials
of the South African government, researchers and company representatives in
the 3rd Annual Meeting of the STS Forum in September 2006.

2.5 Represented the Department of Science and Technology in the 7th South Africa-
Japan Partnership Forum meeting held in Tokyo on 30 September to 1 October
2004 and presented a paper on Future Cooperation in Science and Technology
between South Africa and Japan. The South African Delegation was led by
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Aziz Pahad. Several issues were
discussed in the fields of science and technology, education, agriculture, health,
economy, arts and culture, safety and security as well as regional and
multilateral issues. Prepared a Pogramme of Action for the 7th South Africa-
Japan Partnership Forum meeting for distribution to the South African
Government.

03/2007, Science and Technology Office 15

3. Supporting through international cooperation programmes South Africa’s
skills and human resource development imperatives.

3.1 Initiated the placement of South African young technicians and engineers for
training in Japanese universities and companies for up to 2 years per candidate
staring in June 2007. The Independent Development Trust (IDT) serves as a
contracting party for the placement of candidates in Japanese universities and
companies on behalf of the Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition
(JIPSA), Chaired by the Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka of South Africa.

Ms. Thembi Nwedamutswu, CEO of the Independent Development Trust led the
South African delegation to Japan in Mach 2007 where she co-signed the
Memorandum of Agreement Tohoku University on 23 March 2007. Following
this Agreement, Tohoku University will accept 13 young South African
technicians and engineers for academic and research training as well as
internship in participating Japanese companies starting in June 2007.

3.2 Initiated and managed the Breakfast Meeting where Deputy President Phumzile
Mlambo-Ngcuka of South Africa and Presidents of Japanese Universities
discussed opportunities for cooperation between Japanese and South African
universities in April 2006 in Japan. The Breakfast Meeting included
Ambassador of South Africa; Minister of Minerals and Energy; Deputy Minister
of Environment and Tourism; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Deputy
Minister of Finance; and Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry of South Africa.

Ms. Pontsho Maruping and Prof. Naoharu Fujita

03/2007, Science and Technology Office 16

 Prof. Naoharu Fujita, Vice-President, Meiji University supported the visit of
Prof. Ignatious Ncube, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, University of
Limpopo and holder of the UNESCO Chair in Biotechnology to Meiji
University in Japan. Prof. Ncube spent a month promoting research
collaboration and exchange of students with Prof. Shigeru Kuwata, School of
Agriculture, Meiji University in February 2006.

Prof. Shoji, Vice-President, Tohoku University facilitated the establishment of a

research fund of 10 million Yen to promote joint research programme with the
University of South Africa, University of Venda and University of Pretoria. This
programme will focus on “Virological and immunological activities of South
African Medicinal Plants against HIV and mycobacterium tuberculosis.”

3.3 Initiated and managed the Workshop with Hokkaido Prefectural (Provincial)
Government, universities, research institution and industry on Partnership for
Priority Skills Development in South Africa held in Japan in June 2006.

The purpose of this workshop was to investigate opportunities for cooperation

between universities in Hokkaido and South African universities in research
priority areas adopted by the Government of Japan and the Government of South
Africa during the 1st Japan-South Africa Science and Technology Joint
Committee Meeting held in South Africa in May 2004. These priority areas
include biotechnology; information and communication technology; advanced
and new materials; nanotechnology; infectious diseases; and S&T policy studies.

South African delegation in Hokkaido

03/2007, Science and Technology Office 17

 South Africa’s Joint Initiative on Priority Skills Acquisition (JIPSA) launched in
March 2006 acknowledges that the single greatest impediment to Governments
public infrastructure programmes - as well as private investment programmes -
is the country's shortage of professional skills such as those provided by
engineers and scientists, financial, personnel and project managers and skilled
technical employees such as artisans and information technology technicians are
critically needed as the economy moves into higher gear.

One of the fundamental pillars of the JIPSA is the contribution of the

Department of Foreign Affairs and embassies in sourcing and attracting scarce
skills from the international community to assist Government to train people in
foreign academic institutions and for international placements where South
Africa can train people through placements in foreign private companies and
governments as well as government related institutions. It is expected that
cooperation between South African universities and universities in Hokkaido
will help facilitate partnership in education, research and training between
universities in South Africa and Japan.

3.4 Initiated and managed the establishment of the South Africa-Japan University
Forum (SAJU Forum) as an annual Forum between South African and Japanese
universities. The Inaugural SAJU Forum will be held at Hiroshima University,
Japan on 14-15 May 2007, where Vice-Presidents of Japanese universities and
Deputy Vice-Chancellors of South African universities will be participating.

Prof. Njabulo Ndebele, Prof. Masuo Aizawa, Deputy President Mlambo-

Ngcuka, Ambassador Ben Ngubane and Minister Lindiwe Hendricks

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 The objectives of the SAJU Forum were introduced by Deputy President
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka of South Africa to Presidents of Japanese
Universities in Japan in April 2006, as follows: To increase flows of scientific
knowledge and resources between South Africa and Japan through participation
in joint education, research and training programmes; To share the best practice
in education, research and training through exchange of students, researchers
and managers; and to facilitate the participation of South Africa and Japan as
significant players in the international science and technology arena.

3.5 Facilitated the participation of the two students of the University of Venda in a
training programme presented by Tohoku University to learn laboratory
techniques for testing anti-viral effect of plant extracts starting in August to
October 2006. The international travel costs were provided by the National
Research Foundation of the Department of Science and Technology; Tohoku
University will met all the transport and accommodation costs in Japan.

Mr. Mokgapi Maleka, Mr. Steven Ratsatsi, Ms. Girlsy Makoetjie, Ms. Nkuli
Shinga, Dr. Bethuel Sehlapelo, Mr. Simon Mpele, Vuyani Lingela, Mr.
Yoshinari Skeno and Mr. Cecile Masoka

3.6 Initiated and managed the Africa-Japan Essay and Speech Competition (A-
JESC). Theme: Making Science and Technology a Foundation for Partnership
between Africa and Japan. The A-JESC was launched at the University of
Tokyo, Japan to inspire a new generation of African and Japanese students to
contribute in promoting partnership between Africa and Japan for mutual
benefit. The A-JESC attracted 127 essays submitted by junior high school,
senior high school and university students from Japan, South Africa and

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 Zambia. Nine students presented their winning essays at the Science Council of
Japan on 21 July 2006 proposing new areas for future cooperation in science and
technology between Africa and Japan with emphasis on challenges or
opportunities and solutions.

South African and Zambian winners - Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Japan

Japanese winners – CSIR, South Africa

03/2007, Science and Technology Office 20

 In July, the three Japanese winners were awarded an eight-day travel package to
South Africa and Zambia and the six South Africa and Zambian winners were
awarded an eight-day travel package to Japan. The A-JESC was supported by
Japanese and South African organizations, including the Japanese Ministry of
Foreign Affairs; Science Council of Japan; South African Ministry of Science
and Technology; South African Embassy in Japan; South African Agency for
Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA); Zambian Embassy in Japan;
and Canon Inc.

4. Attracting foreign investment to support the national and regional science

and technology and innovation systems.

4.1 Initiated and managed the SASTeC and Africa Workshop with the Japanese
Government, Industry and Universities on Partnership for Energy Security in
Africa in June 2006. As a result of this workshop, Tohoku University faciliated
the establishment of a research fund of 10 million Yen to promote joint research
programme with South Africa’s Human Sciences Research Council for two
years. This programme will focus on “Energy access improvement and its socio-
economic impacts in rural areas of South Africa and India.” This workshop was
sponsored by Mitsubishi Corporation; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.; and
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.

Ambassador Ben Ngubane and Ambassador Atsushi Hatakenaka

There are many energy producing countries and many energy-rich countries in
Africa. At the same time there are many countries in Africa, like in Japan, that
do not have energy resources such as oil. Given this situation, energy security is
crucial to active sustainable development in view of the very high oil prices that

03/2007, Science and Technology Office 21

 we are witnessing today. Unfortunately, this trend is not expected to reverse in
the near future. The Government of Japan intends to propose several energy
efficiency and saving initiatives at the July 15-17 2006 G8 Summit in St.
Petersburg. A wide range of issues pertaining to global energy security have
been put at the top of the summit agenda at Russia’s initiative. The G8 Summit
website indicates that Japan is the absolute leader in the G8 in terms of energy
saving and efficiency. It is nearly ten times more energy efficient than China and
India, and almost 20 times more efficient than Russia.

Ms. Anati Canca, Ambassador Ben Ngubane, Vuyani Lingela, Mr. Senzo
Ncube, Dr. Olive Chisane, Mr. Marjo Louw and Prof. Tetsuo Shoji

Many countries are heavily dependent on import of energy resources including

oil. Facing this situation, the improvement of energy efficiency as well as
introduction and the development of the energy saving and alternative energy
resources should be promoted. Science and technology has a vital role to play In
this regard. Regarding environmental policy, there are various aspects of
environment policy including the policy to tackle global warming and forest
protection. But in general, environmental policy should be carried out in a very
harmonious manner with overall policy objectives of government which would
include economic policy and energy policy. In other words, we should see to it
that economic growth, energy security, and environment protection should be
designed and implemented in a compatible manner. It is difficult to obtain these
three objectives at once as they sometimes hinder each other, especially the
attainment of economic growth and environment protection.

Japan adopted the "The Three E's" (Energy Security, Environmental Protection
and Economic Growth) as guiding principles to find a breakthrough for the
achievement of these three objectives. It is in this context that this workshop on

03/2007, Science and Technology Office 22

 Partnership for Energy Security in Africa was held with African and Japanese
stakeholders.

Following the workshop above, Prof. Prof. Tetsuo Shoji, Vice-President,

Tohoku University facilitated the establishment of 10 million yen research fund
to initiate and support research collaboration on “energy access improvement
and its socio-economic impacts in rural areas of South Africa and India”
between the Human Sciences Research Council of South Africa and Tohoku
University in 2007-2009.

4.2 Initiated and developed a proposal for the Research and Training Programme for
Agricultural Biosecurity on behalf of Ms. Njabulo Nduli, Deputy Director-
General: Biosecurity & Disaster Management, Department of Agriculture. Dr.
Shadrack Moephuli, CEO of the Agricultural Research Council of South Africa
will lead a South Africa delegation to Japan in April 2007 to conclude the
cooperation agreement with Japanese universities, research institutions and
industry for the implementation of this Programme.

Prof. Ben-Erik van Wyk, Dr. Mareshige Kojoma, Dr. Toshiya Muranaka, Dr.
Blessed Okole, Dr. Shigeo Yoshida and Vuyani Lingela

The objective of this Programme is to create opportunities for joint research and
training between South African and Japanese universities, research institutions,
industry and government in the following areas: Training of entomologists in
integrated pest management for food production; Training of veterinary or
animal scientist in animal health for livestock production; Management of plant

03/2007, Science and Technology Office 23

 and animal health for biosecure international trade; Training of young scientists
and engineers for the JIPSA Programme.

4.3 Initiated and managed the proposal for the establishment of the Institute for
Intellectual Property Management in Africa (IIPMA) in South Africa based on
financial and technical support from various institutions in Japan and South
Africa. Following this proposal, the Japan International Cooperation Agency
(JICA) initiated a new training programme on Intellectual Property Rights for
African Countries in Japan in November-December 2006. JICA invited three
government officials from the South African Department of Science and
Technology and the Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office
(CIPRO) to participate in the training programme.

The objective of the IIPMA is to implement the “Third Country Training” on

IPR management in Africa. This means, IPR management training supported by
the Japanese institution (e.g. Japan International Cooperation Agency, Japan
Patent Office, etc.) aimed at enabling the South African based IIPMA to transfer
the skills it has acquired with the support of the Japanese institution to other
countries in Africa. If Japan is considered as the “first country”, then South
Africa the host country of the IIPMA is the “second country” and the African
country receiving training from the IIPMA is the “third country” as detailed in
section 7.1 of the IIPMA proposal.

Ambassador Yoichi Otabe and Mr. Dhesigen Naidoo

Following the strategy adopted by the Government of Japan when implementing

IPR measures, the IIPMA will not only approach IPR management training in
Africa from a legal perspective but also from various other perspectives

03/2007, Science and Technology Office 24

 including the promotion of science and technology as well as culture and art,
economic growth, and the impact on corporate activities, so as to implement
comprehensive measures.

This proposal has already been discussed with the Japanese Ministry of Foreign
Affairs; Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); South African
Department of Science and Technology (DST); Japan Patent Office (JPO);
Japanese Intellectual Property Policy Headquarters; South African Companies
and Intellectual Property Registration Office (CIPRO) as well as representatives
of the South African research institutions and industry.

4.4 Initiated and managed the Southern African Science and Technology
Community (SASTeC) and Africa Workshop with Japanese Government and
Industry on Partnership in Intellectual Property Management in Africa in June
2006. This workshop was sponsored by Sasol Ltd. (Japan). The purpose of this
workshop was to explore mechanisms for the establishment of the Institute for
Intellectual Property Management in Africa (IIPMA) in South Africa based on
financial and technical support from various institutions in Japan and South
Africa.

Vuyani Lingela and Dr. Kiyoshi Kurokawa

The IIPMA can focus on African governments, universities, research institutes

and companies to provide training on intellectual property rights (IPR)
management and standardization. It is envisaged that the establishment of a
robust IPR management regime in Africa, following international standards, can

03/2007, Science and Technology Office 25

 promote international investor confidence to consider Africa as a destination for
investment in new technologies thus promoting technology transfer. New
investment in Africa can create new markets for international companies to
accelerate and share global economic growth. In Africa this can generate
tremendous job opportunities to bridge the growing economic divide to help
Africa achieve the Millennium Development Goals and play a significant role in
the global knowledge economy.

South Africa on the other hand can host the IIPMA using the available physical
and institutional infrastructure within South African companies, universities,
research institutes and government. Examples of this infrastructure include the
Intellectual Property Management Office (IPMO) of the Innovation Fund,
Ministry of Science and Technology; Intellectual Property and
Commercialization Office (IPCO) of the CSIR, Department of Science and
Technology; Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (CIPRO)
of the Ministry of Trade and Industry; and the South African Bureau of
Standards (SABS) of the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

4.5 Supported the South African Embassy in Thailand in the Conference of

Interested Parties in Modernizing Thailand where HE Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra,
Prime Minister of Thailand presented the Kingdom of Thailand Modernization
Framework to seek the participation of the private and public sector world-wide
to accelerate the development of Thailand into a modern, competitive and
knowledge-based economy.

Mr. Maurice Bromley, Vuyani. Lingela, Ms. Feziwe Madikizela, Mr. Mono
Mashaba, and Col. Hilton Smith

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4.6 Prepared and presented a paper titled: The Contribution of Innovation Actors to
Economic Performance in Japanese and South African Regions: Northern Cape,
Gauteng, Tokyo and Hokkaido at the Southern African Research & Innovation
Management Association (SARIMA) Conference on Managing Research and
Innovation for Development in South Africa, May 5-6, 2005.

This paper compares the economic performance between regions in South

Africa and Japan: Northern Cape, Gauteng, Tokyo and Hokkaido respectively.
Tokyo and Gauteng show a similar trend in that they are both highest
contributors to national economy. Although Hokkaido and Northern Cape
occupy the largest areas of land, their contribution to national economy is small.
Primary production is an important contributor to the economy of Hokkaido and
Northern Cape. Northern Cape is marked by severe unemployment rate and
Hokkaido has the highest unemployment rate of all regions in Japan.

With this background, this paper introduces a concept of innovation system

which calls for new development strategies with co-ordination across a wide set
of policies including social policy, labour market policy, education policy,
industrial policy, energy policy, environmental policy and science and
technology policy. Integrating various perspectives on innovation system, the
paper introduces a new framework for regional innovation system accounting
for the contribution of the regional innovation actors to economic performance
in their region. Following this introduction, the paper applies this framework to
show relationships between innovation activities and to account for factors
influencing Hokkaido regional economic performance.

Mr. Yasuhiro Koba, Vuyani Lingela and Dr. Tateo Shimozawa

03/2007, Science and Technology Office 27

 The paper describes the roles and functions of innovation actors in the Hokkaido
regional innovation system while explaining measures undertaken to transform
Hokkaido’s economy from its high dependency on public investment to a
private sector driven economy. The role of innovation actors in the innovation
system is further indicated by the contribution of Hokkaido University in CRIS,
a comprehensive alliance with industry, government, research institutions and
financial institution. The general lesson drawn from this paper is that regional
economic performance is linked to the availability of actors in the innovation
system and to the extent of their contribution to human resource development,
research and development, and business development activities.

5. Promoting a strong South African input into the international science and
technology for sustainable development discourse as well as NEPAD and
international science and technology policy formulation.

5.1 Facilitated and managed the presentation of the Coelacanth Painting by

President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa to His Imperial Majesty, Emperor
Akihito of Japan in April 2006 through the Imperial Household Agency of Japan
to acknowledge the bonds between Japan and South Africa.

Ms. Anati Canca, Mr. Takeshi Tanabe and Vuyani Lingela

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5.2 Initiated and managed the SASTeC Workshop on International Partnership in
Science and Technology for Economic Development: Africa and Japan which
was held in Tokyo, Japan on 28 February 2006. There is no question that science
and technology is essential for sustainable development, for growth, and for
poverty reduction. It is, therefore, imperative that SASTeC do a lot more to
strengthen cooperation between Africa and Japan in the area of science and
technology. This highlights the importance of the theme of this workshop:
International Partnership in Science and Technology for Economic
Development: Africa and Japan.

5.3 Initiated and managed the establishment of the Southern African Science and
Technology Community (SASTeC) and the SASTeC Secretariat. Recalling the
commitment of the Government of Japan, expressed by Prime Minister
Junichiro Koizumi where he said, on 14 May 2003: “Now that NEPAD is in
place, Japan's basic policy on cooperation with Africa will be to support
NEPAD through the TICAD process, and to expand partnership for that
purpose.” SASTeC is composed of representatives of the Embassies of the
Southern African Development Community (SADC) member countries in
Japan. The Member States include Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of
Congo, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland,
United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Representatives of Japanese and African Governments

The SADC Committee of Ambassadors in Japan established the Southern

African Science and Technology Community (SASTeC) on 31 January 2006 to
fulfil the following objectives: To increase flows of scientific knowledge and
resources to Africa through participation in joint programmes with Japan; To
facilitate the participation of Africa as a significant player in the international

03/2007, Science and Technology Office 29

 science and technology arena; and to facilitate partnership in science and
technology between African countries and Japan.

The Science and Technology Office, South African Embassy will serve as the
SASTeC Secretariat and assume the following responsibilities in consultation
with the SADC Committee of Senior Officials and the SADC Committee of
Ambassadors. Organise events to enhance Africa’s S&T network in Japan. Draft
and distribute papers to members and stakeholders for meetings in Japan.
Conduct research and distribute results to members and stakeholders to advance
the Africa’s Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action in Japan.

CONCLUSION

Following his promotion to the position of the Executive Director of the National
Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) in South Africa, Mr. Lingela will return to
South Africa to assume this new position with effect on 1 April 2007. His successor
will assume duties in the Science and Technology Office in May 2007.

We are grateful to all the people and institutions that have supported the activities of
the Science and Technology Office, South African Embassy in promoting science and
technology partnership between Japan and South Africa as well as Africa. We
appreciate your continued cooperation in this regard, to increase flows of scientific
knowledge and resources to South Africa and Africa through participation in joint
programmes with Japanese institutions, as well as facilitating the participation of
Africa as a significant player in the international science and technology arena.

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