NRF Annual Report 2018

Chain Management (SCM) policy with the PFMA and National
Treasury Guidelines/Instruction notes, greater emphasis will
be placed on staff training and focus in the areas of SCM and
contract management.
Plans for the future to address financial
challenges
Next year (2019) marks 25 years of democracy for South Africa.
The NRF is taking stock and preparing for the development of the
new strategy for the five years beyond 2020. The organisation
will initiate conversations with stakeholders on the future research
agenda, as well as measures to accelerate transformation.
Conversations will be informed in part by the National Development
Plan Vision 2030, the anticipated new white paper on Science
and Technology, and the ongoing foresight exercise led by the
National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI).
Following the significant acquisition of land, for the MeerKAT and
SKA projects, the NRF through SARAO has initiated discussions
with SANParks with the intention of this land being declared a
National Park. The NRF looks forward to the engagement with
SANParks, who will act as the Land Management Authority and
will be responsible for implementing the Park Management plan.
Internally, the organisation continues to work on a policy proposal
for the appropriate resourcing of the NRF mandate. The NRF
has also identified the need for an Enterprise Resource Planning
(ERP) system that will integrate the core business systems
and provide enhanced data collection, and integrated reporting
capabilities.
Acknowledgements and Appreciation
I would like to express my gratitude to the Board and the Chairman
Prof Loyiso Nongxa for providing stewardship over the last year.
I also wish to express our deep appreciation for the support and
leadership of the former Minister of Science and Technology, the
Honourable Mrs GNM Pandor who served until February 2018.
I also acknowledge the oversight role of Parliamentary Portfolio
Committee for Science and Technology under the leadership of
the Honourable Mrs L. Maseko.
The NRF welcomes our new Minister, the Honourable Ms M
Kubayi-Ngubane and thanks her for her leadership since her
appointment.
I would also like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to Prof
Errol Tyobeka, who served on the NRF Board from 2011 until his
passing in June 2018, during the preparation of this report. His
uncompromising commitment to excellence, diligence, courage
and tenacity and commitment to the development of the country
have all contributed to the respect that the NRF enjoys in the NSI.
Prof Tyobeka, will be missed but celebrated and remembered with
pride as one of our own.
A special word of appreciation is due to the management and
staff of the NRF, who have continued to strive towards meeting
the mandate of the organisation. Similarly, I wish to express my
sincere gratitude to our partners and particularly to the academic
community which we serve and who continue to contribute so
generously to the support of the NRF.
Events after the reporting date
There were no significant matters after the reporting date.
Economic Viability
The NRF remaining a strong and financially viable organisation is
a going concern.
Dr Molapo Qhobela
Chief Executive Officer
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NRF Annual Report 2017/18