THIS new weekly section in the Mail & Guardian will highlight the scientists, technicians, researchers and engineers whose work will decide whether South Africa forever lags behind the global economy, or can move to the cutting edge.
Statistics released by the Foundation for Research Development (FRD) this month show that South Africans score badly in knowledge of science and technology.
The FRD’s research also shows many South Africans, especially those who did not benefit from technology in the past, are suspicious of reseach and development. They don’t see science as bringing them any advantages.
But all the research shows a strong science and technology sector is crucial to a country’s competitiveness in world markets. That, in turn, leads to increased income for a country and more wealth for its citizens.
Technology can also have its drawbacks, if not properly applied. South Africans need to understand the issues so they can be involved in the debate about the role science and technology should play in the future development of the country.
Several generations have missed out on proper education about science, because of previous policies. But the FRD’s Science and Technology Indicators shows that debate in the media can inform people who are quick to grasp the issues.
South Africans, for example, are more knowledgeable about economics and political science than about many other topics, not because of education, but because these subjects are actively debated in the media.
The same is not true for science. With the exception of the environment and personal computing, technical subjects are rarely written about.
A lack of interest in the media does not reflect stagnation in the scientific community. For the first time, the country has a Cabinet minister and a department assigned to this area. Much work, planning, talking and thinking has been going into planning a new role for science and technology. And many researchers in industry, higher education and institutes are working on exciting and relevant projects that could change our lives.
This is why we will give two pages of the newspaper to them and their work each week. Lesley Cowling will be the new science and technology editor of the M&G. She can be contacted at (011) 403-7111, or e-mail [email protected]