the national research foundation is proud to present its which … · 2013. 10. 7. · wayo wanga...
TRANSCRIPT
annualreport20092009kpireport
annualreport20092009impactreport
The National Research Foundation
is proud to present its
Annual Report for 2008/09,
which encapsulates the impact
that scientific research has on our
communities and demonstrates its
performance in developing people
who can transform South Africa
into a knowledge economy.
The National Research Foundation
is proud to present its
Annual Report for 2008/09,
which encapsulates the impact
that scientific research has on our
communities and demonstrates its
performance in developing people
who can transform South Africa
into a knowledge economy.
Isi-Zulu – I-National Research Foundation iyaziqhenya ngokwethula Umbiko Wonyaka ka- 2008/2009, ofinqga umthelela wocwaningo lwesayensi emiphakathini yethu futhi ukhombisa nokusebenza kwalo ekuthuthukiseni abantu abangaguqula iNingizimu Afrika ibe wumcebo wolwazi.
IsiXhosa – I-National Research Foundation ineqhayiya ngokuthi thaca iNgxelo yayo yoNyaka ka- 2008/2009, exela imiba okanye izimvo ezingundoqo nempembelelo zophando lwenzululwazi ezinalo kuluntu lwethu, kwaye ibonisa ukusebenza kwayo ekuphuhliseni abantu abanokuwutshintsha uMzantsi Afrika ube nolwazi loqoqosho.
TshiVenda – National Research Foundation i di hudza u kumedza Muvhigo wayo wa nwaha wa 2008/2009 une wa bvisela khagala zwine thodisiso ya saintsi ya bveledza kha zwitshavha zwashu na u sumbedza kushumele kwayo kha u bveledza vhathu vhane vha nga shandukisa Afurika Tshipembe ya vha ekonomi ya ndivho.
XiTsonga – Va National Research Foundation va tinyungubyisa hi ku nyikela Xiviko xa Lembe ra 2008/2009, lexi nyikaka nkomiso wa ku nghenelela ka vulavisisi bya xisayinthifiki eka vaaki va hina na ku kombisa matirhelo ya vona eka ku hluvukisa vanhu lava cincaka Afrika Dzonga yi va ikhonomi leyi nga na vutivi.
IsiSwati – I-National Research Foundation iyajabula kwetfula uMbiko weMnyaka wayo wanga 2008/2009, lofinyeta umtselela werisetji lokhona kumiphakatsi yetfu futsi ukhombisa kusebenta kwayo ekutfutfukiseni bantfu labagucula iNingizimu Afrika yibe ngumnotfo lonelwati.
NRF introduction 2008/09
annualreport20092009impactreport
NRF impact report 2008/09
impact!
Space science and technology is one of the Department of
Science & Technology’s (DST’s) “Grand Challenges”, a commitment
that has been underscored by the establishment of the
South African National Space Agency (SANSA).
Lofty ideals for an emerging economy?
Should reaching for the stars really take precedence over more
grassroots development needs?
Yes, says the research. For South Africa, the path
to a knowledge society leads through the stars.
In this Impact Report we highlight a sample of
National Research Foundation (NRF)-funded research projects,
many of which are astronomy-based. All, though, have
their feet firmly on South African soil, with the needs
of her people guiding every step they take ...
aHeading to go in here
NRF KPI report 2008/09
2009kpireport
The NRF’s Vision 2015 underscores the need for excellence as a mind-set, inspiring whatever we do. The barometer of this collective
attitude is the Key Performance Indicator (KPI Report) in which we measure our actions against previous years’ and use current
performance as a springboard for greater excellence.
09kpireport
1
IntroductIon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Use of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and the Balanced Scorecard by the NRF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Comparison of KPIs across the National System of Innovation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Performance measures: work in progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Performance rePort: Stakeholder
PerSPectIve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Key result area: Support for and implementation of strategies within the NSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Key result area: Fulfilling the mandate of the NRF . . . . . . . . . . 5
Key result area: Performance against strategic goals 6 Promoting internationally competitive research as
basis for a knowledge economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
RISA supported research outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Research outputs from contract funding
programmes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Research outputs from the National Research
Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Support for scarce skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
International collaboration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Growing a representative science and technology
workforce in South Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Science advancement through SAASTA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Science advancement through the National
Research Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
RISA student support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Student support through the National Research
Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
RISA support for researchers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
National Research Facility staff capacity building 13
Providing cutting-edge research, technology and
innovation platforms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
The National Research Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Research information infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Equipment funding programmes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Operating world-class evaluation and grant-
making systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Evaluation system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Grant-making system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Contributing to a vibrant national innovation
system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Key result area: Quality of decision-making . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Key result area: Compliance to standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Performance rePort: fInancIal
PerSPectIve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Key result area: Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Key result area: Expenditure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Key result area: Efficiency indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Performance rePort: organISatIonal
PerSPectIve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Key result area: Best practice – Business processes and procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Key result area: Customer service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Performance rePort: organISatIonal
learnIng and growth PerSPectIve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Key result area: Suitably qualified staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Key result area: Proportion of researchers to total number of staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Performance rePort: human reSourceS
and tranSformatIon PerSPectIve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
lISt of acronymS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
contents
3
key result area: Support for and
implementation of strategies
within the nSI
Position of the nrf in the nSI
The NRF is mandated to fulfill a dual role in the National System of
Innovation (NSI). Figure 1 below illustrates the system by depicting
key role players distributed across four separate tiers.
The NRF not only fulfills the role of an agency that implements
policy, adding as much value as possible (through the RISA and
SAASTA functions), but it also performs research and provides
research infrastructure through the National Research Facilities.
Both functions are aligned with key national policies and
imperatives that shape the NSI. Two examples are described below.
TheKnowledge
System
TheInnovation
System
ResearchKnowledgeleading toinnovation
A better lifefor all
NationalResearch
Foundation
NRF
NRF
HSRC
TIA/BRICS
SANBI
MCM
WeatherService
BusinessEnterprises
MRC WRCSANERI
SEDA
DC
DST DoE the dti DME NDA DoH DWAF DEAT TreasuryR&D TaxOffset
OtherDepartments
Level 2: Ministry
Level 1: High-level policy
DoL
The role played by the NRF as a Level 3Agency, with some responsibility asresearch performer in the National Facilitiesat Level 4 (OECD, 2007).
Level 3: Agency
Level 4: Research and Innovation Performers
HEIs SABS Mintek ARC MRCCouncil
Geoscience
Government Advisory: CHE, NACI, ASSAI
Potential collaboration
Existing collaboration
CSIR
AISA
NECSA
Figure 1: The South African Science landscape
Stakeholder Perspective
2Introduction
This Key Performance Indicator (KPI) report gives a high-level
summary of the performance of the National Research Foundation
(NRF) during the 2008/09 financial year. The report is structured
according to the requirements of the Department of Science and
Technology (DST) as set out in the Review of the 2001/2002
Indicator Reports. The structure includes the five perspectives of the
Balanced Scorecard as adapted by the DST in May 2003.
use of key Performance Indicators (kPIs) and Balanced Scorecard by the nrf
Of the five Balanced Scorecard perspectives, four are regarded as
internal NRF performance areas that support the ability of the NRF
to achieve its strategic goals. These four perspectives include the: l Financial/investment perspective; l Organisational perspective;l Organisational learning and growth perspective; and the l Human resources and transformation perspective.
The fifth perspective – the stakeholder perspective – is used
to measure the performance of the NRF within the context of its
mandate provided by the National Research Foundation Act,
Act No. 23 of 1998. This unique mandate requires the NRF to
provide three main functions:l Science and technology advancement: The South African
Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA)
carries the responsibility to advance science in South Africa; l Research and innovation support: The Research and
Innovation Support and Advancement (RISA) business unit
promotes research in a variety of ways; and l Research and research infrastructure provision: The
National Research Facilities undertake research and encourage
the use of the facilities by other researchers in South Africa.
To create synergy between the respective business units of the
NRF, a common set of corporate strategic goals has been set. Not
all business units or programmes contribute equally to the strategic
goals, as each business unit obviously has its own focus and
purpose.
comparison of kPIs across the national System of Innovation
The performance of the NRF is not directly comparable to that
of other Science Councils that undertake research in a specific
science domain or knowledge area. In the case of RISA, for
example, the outcomes and impact of its activities – such as the
disbursement of funds – are only achieved through the success of
third parties: the research and innovation community. In the case of
the National Research Facilities, research is conducted in-house but
the facilities are also mandated to encourage other researchers to
use the facilities to further independent research objectives.
Therefore, many of the performance indicators in this report
focus on the performance of the NRF stakeholder community that
acts as a proxy of the effectiveness of the NRF.
Performance measures: work in progress
The KPI Report for 2008/09 is the last to follow the current format.
The indicators in this format arose from the 2008/09 Business
Plan and Shareholder Compact. As from 2009/10 the NRF
Business Plan and Shareholder Compact provided a different set of
indicators and related targets that speak more fluently to the NRF
Vision 2015.
NRF KPI report 2008/09
4 5NRF KPI report 2008/09
Table 1: Patent development stages (RISA funded programmes, excluding all contract funding programmes)
Performance indicators 2008/09
Complete patent application (including PCT application) 11
Provisional patent application 55
Granted 14
Grand Challenges
The DST has identified five critical areas, called Grand Challenges,
which offer the potential to steer the “developmental state” towards
a knowledge-based economy. The NRF investment into these
Grand Challenges is illustrated in Figure 3.
key result area: fulfilling the
mandate of the nrfmandate of the nrf
According to Section 3 of the National Research Foundation Act,
Act No. 23 of 1998, the object of the NRF is to promote and
support research through funding, developing human resources
and providing the necessary facilities. The main aim is to facilitate
the creation of knowledge, innovation and development in all fields
of science and technology, including indigenous knowledge, and
thereby to contribute to improving the quality of life of all the people
of the Republic.
the nrf response to the mandate
The mandate of the NRF, as provided by the NRF Act, has been
interpreted and translated into the NRF Vision, Mission and
Strategic Plan: NRF Vision 2015.
Vision
The NRF has a vision of ensuring research excellence in a
transformed society and within a sustainable environment.
Mission statement
The mission of the NRF is to contribute to the knowledge economy
in South Africa by attaining at least 1% of global R&D output by
2015.
The NRF Strategic Plan, Vision 2015
In the strategic plan, five strategic goals are identified:l Promoting internationally competitive research as basis for a
knowledge economy; l Growing a representative science and technology workforce in
South Africa;l Providing cutting-edge research, technology and innovation
platforms; l Operating world-class evaluation and grant-making systems; andl Contributing to a vibrant national innovation system.
the nrf mandate, resources and investments
The NRF receives income from Vote 31 of Parliament. This income
is used at its own discretion to fulfill its mandate and vision. The
NRF also receives contributions that are ring-fenced for specific
purposes. Finally, the NRF manages a number of grant-funding
programmes on behalf of a variety of government departments.
These funding programmes are managed via contracts and in line
with the mandate of the NRF.
Strategic investment areas
The NRF uses its discretionary budget to boost areas of investment
(identified in the NRF Strategic Plan: Vision 2015) that are not
adequately supported by contract funding. Figure 4 lists the seven
broad strategic investment areas and indicates the split between
contract and discretionary funding in each. The low level of funding
invested in community engagement research does not indicate
its lack of importance. On the contrary, by recognising community
engagement research as a separate investment area for research
funding the importance of understanding how best to engage the
community is highlighted.
NRF investment into the strategic goals
Within the greater context of the national policies and imperatives
described above, the NRF invests its discretionary budget along the
lines of its five strategic goals (see Figure 5 overleaf).
Support for the national research and development (r&d) Strategy
This strategy recognises the strengths and weaknesses inherent in
the NSI. Much attention is paid to the ageing cohort of researchers
and the innovation chasm between a good research base and
economic development.
Centres of Excellence
The R&D strategy plans to maximise strengths and minimise
weaknesses through a variety of initiatives, such as the creation
of “centres and networks of excellence” that will raise the bar on
existing excellence. In support of this, the NRF manages the DST/
NRF Centres of Excellence (CoE) programme, which disburses
almost R50 million per annum into seven Centres (see also page 11).
After five years of operation these Centres are receiving outstanding
reviews by independent peers, confirming that the investment has
realised the objective of promoting excellent research outputs.
Areas of geographic advantage
The R&D strategy also identified a number of research areas where
South Africa has a geographic advantage that are to be exploited
by the country’s researchers. Figure 2 below presents the NRF’s
support levels in the five prioritised research areas.
Support for the 10-year Innovation Plan
The DST’s 10-year Innovation Plan, entitled “Towards a Knowledge-
based Economy”, is based on the notion that a country’s economic
growth is driven by innovation, specifically technology innovation.
This notion is supported by a recent publication1 which indicates
that jobs requiring high skill levels will grow, on average, 10% faster
than jobs that can be simply learnt on the job. To address the social
and economic challenges it faces, South Africa needs to advance
its resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy. This
will require South Africa to generate new knowledge using high-end
human capital supported by a sophisticated knowledge infrastructure.
Intellectual property
The protection and exploitation of intellectual capital are key
elements of this strategy. The funding programmes directly
managed by the NRF support the protection of knowledge through
patenting. Table 1 (opposite) indicates the stage and number of
protections that were registered during the 2008/09 period by
researchers funded through RISA discretionary funds (excluding all
contract funding programmes).
Ast
rono
my
Hum
anpa
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ntol
ogy
Bio
dive
rsity
Indi
geno
uskn
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dge
Ant
arct
icre
sear
ch
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20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
68%
3% 4% 3%
22%
From
far
mer
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harm
alif
e sc
ienc
es a
nd h
ealth
Exp
andi
ng th
e lim
its o
fsp
ace
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nce
and
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gy
Sci
ence
and
tech
nolo
gy in
resp
onse
to g
loba
l cha
nge
Hum
an c
apita
lde
velo
pmen
t
Hum
an a
ndso
cial
dyn
amic
s
25%
0%
10%
20%
35%
40%
50%
15%
5%
3%
4%
22%
45%
30%
3%
11%
11%
46%
In s
earc
h of
ener
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ecur
ity
Inst
itutio
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Figure 3: Alignment of NRF funding with the Grand Challenges (from Grant Budget)
Figure 2: NRF support for the five geographical advantage research areas (from Grant Budget)
1. US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment Outlook,
1996-2006: A Summary of BLS Projections, (February 1998), Table 9, p. 80
b NRF annual report 2008/09
annualreport2009
The accomplishments and promise of African astronomy and the unique African skies have drawn global attention.
In 2009 we celebrate the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) as well as the National Research Foundation’s (NRF) 10th birthday. It is also
the year in which the SA Space Science Policy was launched.
These events provide a spectacular opportunity for us to, quite literally, “reach for the stars”.
Africa’s history in astronomical achievements is impressive and our accomplishments in this field rank with the best in the world.
The acronyms SALT, SKA, and MeerKAT bear further testimony to the significant physical advantage and mental prowess
that our continent holds.
The 2009 NRF Annual Report invites each of us to treasure this uniqueness, celebrate our achievements
and be motivated by the promise of unexplored territories.
09annualreport
1HIGHLIGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
BOARD REPORT: CORPORATE OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Governance functions of the NRF Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Committees of the Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Meetings of the Board and its committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Procurement Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Governance structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Governance support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Pertinent governance issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
NRF Board members as at 31 March 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
NRF Executive Directors as at 31 March 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Remuneration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Corporate finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Expenditure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Corporate human resources and transformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Staff recruitment, turnover and succession planning . . . . . . . . . 9
Training and development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
NRF staff profile and employment equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Labour relations climate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Employee assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Health and safety policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
BOARD REPORT: OVERVIEW OF BUSINESS UNITS . . . . . . . . . . .13
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Mandate of the NRF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
The NRF values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Composition of the NRF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Research and Innovation Support and Advancement
(RISA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Purpose and scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
RISA services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Sources of funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Leveraging discretionary funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Investment policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
RISA structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
RISA programmes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
South African Agency for Science and Technology
Advancement (SAASTA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Purpose and scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Main challenges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
National Research Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Purpose and scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
National Research Facilities services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Main challenges generic to National Research Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Hermanus Magnetic Observatory (HMO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
South African Environmental Observation Network
(SAEON) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
National Zoological Gardens of South Africa (NZG) . 36
iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based Sciences
(iThemba LABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Corporate Support Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) . . . 38
Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Main challenges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
New Business Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Corporate Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
FINANCIAL REPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Statement of responsibility by the
Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Report of the Audit Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Report of the Auditor-General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Statement of financial performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Statement of financial position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Statement of changes in net assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Cash flow statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Accounting policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Notes to the Annual Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
ACRONYMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
contentsNRF Annual Report 2008/09
ISBN 978-1-86868-067-2
PO Box 2600, Pretoria 0001
Tel: +27 12 481-4000 Fax: +27 12 349-1179 E-mail: info@nrf .ac .za www .nrf .ac .za
NRF annual report 2008/09 3
boardreportcorporate overview
2 NRF annual report 2008/09
highlightsIn 2008/09 the NRF could record significant achievements in striving towards its strategic goals . Here is a selection of highlights .
Promote internationally competitive research as basis for a knowledge economyl 180 referred articles published by staff of the National Research Facilitiesl 5 354 peer-reviewed articles published through researchers sponsored by RISA
discretionary fundingl 14 patents granted to research sponsored by RISAl 254 international projects funded
Grow a representative science and technology workforce in South Africal 260 389 participants involved in science festivals under the SAASTA umbrella
·l 118 delegates from 16 countries attended the 2nd African Science Communication
Conference (ASCC) organised by SAASTAl 328 546 learners and 10 536 educators reached through the activities of SAASTAl 7 351 students supported by RISA (56% black and 47% women)l 1 971 students supported through THRIPl 420 Master’s and doctoral students supported through the DoL National Skills Fundl 2 031 doctoral students (52% black) supported through all RISA programmesl 26 postdoctoral Fellows were supported through the DST Innovation Post-Doctoral
Fellowship Programme
Provide cutting-edge research, technology and innovation platformsl R92,3m invested in research equipment at HEIs, of which R13,6m went to equipment for
Nanosciencel R36,5m invested in research infrastructure (excluding SKA) at the National Research
Facilities
Operate world-class evaluation and grant-making systemsl 2 650 grants to the amount of R321m made to researchersl number of rated researchers in South Africa increased from 1 653 in 2007/08 to 1 922
in 2008/09
Contribute to a vibrant national innovation systeml The Thuthuka and Research Niche Area Programmes that are geared towards researcher
development in previously disadvantaged groups have supported the training and
development of 1 375 students, including 779 Master’s-level students, 330 doctoral
candidates and 45 postdoctoral researchers through grantholder-linked bursaries and
fellowshipsl Eighty (80) Research Chairs are in operation and 380 students were supported through
the Chairs initiative during 2008/09; 58% were black and 43% womenl The NRF manages the DST/NRF Centres of Excellence programme, which disburses
almost R50 million per annum into seven Centres. Since inception (in 2005) this
initiative has trained more than 390 postgraduate students and has produced more than
570 journal articles.
4 5NRF annual report 2008/09
n Absent with apology n In attendance Not a member of standing committee
Table 1: Meetings of the outgoing NRF Board and its committees: 1 April 2008 – 30 June 2008
NR
F B
oar
d
NRF BoardAudit and Risk
Committee
Remuneration and Human
Resources Committee
27/06/2008 12/06/2008 06/06/2008
Chairman Prof . BD Reddy n
Audit and Risk
Committee
Dr C Olver n
Mr NG Hendricks
[Transferred abroad]n n
Ms L Abrahams n n
Mr TS Gcabashe n n
Mr MM Nxumalo n n
Dr FW Petersen
[Chairman as of 10/2007]n n
Remuneration
and Human
Resources
Committee
Prof . CC Mokadi (Chairman) n n
Prof . B Bozzoli n n
Prof . PE Ngoepe n n
Prof . T Nyokong n n
Dr GR Wesso n n
Prof . MP Mangaliso n n n
Table 2: Meetings of the incoming NRF Board and its Committees: 1 July 2008 – 31 March 2009
NR
F B
oar
d
NRF BoardAudit and Risk
Committee
Remuneration and
Human Resources
Committee
18/08
2008
17/09
2008
07/11
2008
30/01
2009
23/10
2008
24/03
2009
30/10
2008
13/03
2009
Chairperson Prof . B Bozzoli n n n n
Audit and Risk
Committee
Prof . P Pillay n n n n
Prof . JW Fedderke n n n n n n
Mr TS Gcabashe n n n n n n
Prof . V Pillay n n n n n n
Ms NZ Yokwana n n n n n n
Dr IR May
(Chairman: Audit & Risk)
(Chairman: Remuneration &
Human Resources)
n n n n n n n n
Remuneration
and Human
Resources
Committee
Dr NM Magau n n n n n n
Mr TM Netsianda n n n n n n
Prof . T Nyokong n n n n n n
Prof . MP Mangaliso n n n
Dr AS van Jaarsveld n n n n n n n
corporateoverviewGovernance function of the NRF Board
The three-year term of office of the NRF Board, which was
appointed in July 2005, ended on 30 June 2008 . A new Board was
appointed for the next term as from 1 July 2008 .
Committees of the Board
The Board appointed two standing committees – the Audit and
Risk Committee, and the Remuneration and Human Resources
Committee – to deal with relevant issues on a regular basis . During
2008/09, these committees comprised:
From 1 April 2008 – 30 June 2008
Audit and Risk CommitteeRemuneration and Human
Resources Committee
Dr FW Petersen (Chairman) Prof . CC Mokadi (Chairman)
Ms L Abrahams Prof . B Bozzoli
Mr TS Gcabashe Prof . PE Ngoepe
Mr MM Nxumalo Prof . T Nyokong
Prof . MP Mangaliso (ex officio) Dr GR Wesso
Prof . BD Reddy (ex officio) Prof . MP Mangaliso (ex officio)*
Prof . BD Reddy (ex officio)
From 1 July 2008 – 31 March 2009
Audit and Risk CommitteeRemuneration and Human
Resources Committee
Dr IR May (Chairman) Dr IR May (Chairman)
Mr TS Gcabashe Dr NM Magau
Prof . JW Fedderke Prof . T Nyokong
Prof . V Pillay Mr TM Netsianda
Ms NZ Yokwana Prof . MP Mangaliso (ex officio)
Prof . MP Mangaliso (ex officio)* Prof . B Bozzoli (ex officio)
Prof . B Bozzoli (ex officio)
* Prof. Mangaliso resigned from the NRF effective 30 November 2008. His position was temporarily
filled by Dr AS Van Jaarsveld.
Meetings of the Board and its committees
The NRF Board met four times during the 2008/09 financial year .
Over the same period, the Audit and Risk Committee as well as
the Remuneration and Human Resources Committee held three
meetings each . The dates of the meetings and the attendance of
Board members are shown in Table 1 (for the outgoing Board) and
Table 2 (for the incoming Board) .