By:
Kanto Kai Okanta
The
Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) has joined the Minister of Science,
Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande, at the pre-launch media
briefing for South Africa’s inaugural National Science Month (NSM), a landmark
initiative designed to broaden public participation in science, technology, and
innovation.
Set
to officially launch on 4 July 2026 at the Vaal University of Technology,
National Science Month represents a major expansion of the country’s science
engagement agenda, evolving from National Science Week into a month-long
national programme.
The
initiative aims to make science more accessible across all sectors of society,
including business, academia, government, and civil society, while encouraging
stakeholders to drive thematic initiatives that promote STEM careers,
innovation literacy, and public understanding of science.
TIA
Board Chairperson Loyiso Tyira attended the briefing alongside TIA CEO Dr
Zwanani Titus Mathe, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to building a
science-literate society and strengthening South Africa’s National System of
Innovation.
The
programme will feature participation from key national science and innovation
institutions, including the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
(CSIR), the National Research Foundation (NRF), the South African National
Space Agency (SANSA), the Academy of Science of South Africa, and the South
African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP). These entities
will host exhibitions and engagement activities throughout the month.
National
Science Month is structured around 14 thematic areas, covering fields such as
technology and innovation, human health, climate change, science diplomacy,
journalism, human rights, and the decolonisation of knowledge systems.
According
to organisers, the expanded programme is intended to strengthen public science
awareness, inspire innovation-driven thinking, and support inclusive
participation in South Africa’s evolving science and technology landscape.
