(NSI) and working together I have no doubt that we are - Mintek

4 th DST/MINTEK ANNUAL NIC WORKSHOP
"UNLOCKING THE FUTURE WITH NANOTECHNOLOGY"
CONFERENCE CENTRE, MINTEK, RANDBURG, JOHANNESBURG
Welcoming Address by Mr Abe Mngomezulu
(President and CEO of Mintek)
Date: 2011-11-22
Time: 08H20
Page 1 of 6

Programme director Dr Makhapa Makhafola Honourable
Deputy Minister of the Department of Science and
Technology – Dr Derek Hanekom, Professor Adam Habib –
the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of
Johannesburg, Professor Ramesh Bharuthram – the Deputy
Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Western Cape, Dr
Peter Clayton - the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Rhodes
University and colleagues good morning. As it has become an
NIC trend for the host to welcome guests to these conferences,
and this year being the fourth of such conferences I will also
do the honours as I have been patiently awaiting my turn.
You will agree that at Mintek we did it in a special way as you
were greeted by a host of people at the gate who have decided
that they will not be coming to work as they felt that salary
increases linked to performance is not a thing for them. I
hope you will agree with us that in this era those who work
hard and smart have to be incentives through decent salary
increases compared to those who do not give much effort.
Being the first person on the podium, after the program
director, I hope I won’t be tempted to abuse the podium
speaking beyond my time limit. Please programme director
stop me immediately when I do so - not career limiting...
However allow me to say a few words; hopefully what would
Page 2 of 6

e saying won’t be issues that the next speakers wanted to
highlight in their speeches.
Being part of the NIC community for the past few years, it
becomes clearer to me that indeed the structure and alignment
of the DST/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre could
drive the development and implementation of the national
system of innovation (NSI) and working together I have no
doubt that we are ‘UNLOCKING THE FUTURE WITH
NANOTECHNOLOGY” in line with the theme for this year’s
workshop.
In my speech of the 26 th November 2007, during the launch of
the Nanotechnology centres at the CSIR I indicated that “we
would want this center to conduct relevant research that will
have a positive impact that could be felt in our communities and
are of national importance. We do not want to do research for
the sake of research.” I am therefore happy to announce that in
these four years on health, we have been able to develop rapid
diagnostic test kits for detection of infectious diseases such as
malaria and TB. On water, we have developed membranes
systems to detect and remove pollutants and pathogens. I have
to stress that we are at the testing phase and we still have to pilot
though very shortly. We are starting to see the results of our
hard work. Of importance also is that we have filed two
Page 3 of 6

Provisional Patents, and we currently have 54 registered PhD
students. We are not yet there as this is not just a sprint but a
marathon that we all have to endure for the benefit of all South
Africans especially those in the far flunked corners of our
country who lack the basic needs on what we are trying to solve.
I think it is important for all of us gathered here today to realise
that we are part of the larger NIC community that is committed
to drive the national nanotechnology strategy to address some
of the major five grand challenges identified in the national
R&D strategy.
As I welcome you to Mintek, I would also like to encourage
students and the entire NIC community to use these two days to
meet the objectives of this workshop which are:
- To exchange information, network, share experiences
and solve particular scientific and technological
problems of the current work in the areas of health and
water;
- To promote and encourage interaction between
students, researchers, stakeholders and the entire NIC
community; and more importantly,
- To strengthen the NIC position and future strategies.
Page 4 of 6

You will agree with me that, NIC is growing, as you can see
around here that the number of participants has almost
doubled and we can confidently say that the DST/Mintek NIC
is one of the largest R&D consortia in the country.
Deputy Minister Hanekom, I would like to take this
opportunity to acknowledge the Department of Science and
Technology (DST) for the establishment of South Africa’s
National Nanotechnology Strategy about five years ago and
their continued support and active involvement in the NIC
activities.
On behalf of Mintek, I would like to sincerely thank the
outgoing chairperson of NIC - Dr Molefi Motuku. Dr Motuku
who is currently the CEO of National Metrology Institute of
South Africa (NMISA), who is the product of the NIC and
Mintek. It is through Molefi’s wisdom that the consortium is
where it is today and I am happy that he is here to pass the
baton to Makhapa from whom a lot is expected. When one
day we are asked what type of ancestor we are, Molefi will be
one of the products we will proudly point as one of our best.
To the NIC students and researchers I would like to
encourage you to continue to believe in your dreams. I am
sure that in nanoscience and nanotechnology, you have
chosen the right career path and I urge you all to continue
Page 5 of 6

doing the good work that tomorrow could certainly improve
the quality of life of every South African. I am sure some of
you will share with us some of the promising success stories
that you are actively involved in.
I just want to conclude by saying that, Ladies and
Gentlemen, feel welcome at Mintek. Together let us
continue to drive the objectives of NIC towards improving
the quality of life of all
ALL WELCOME
I thank you.
Page 6 of 6