South Africa and Germany strengthen ties in science, technology and innovation

EDWIN NAIDU

THE Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, met with German Minister of Research and Education, Bettina Stark-Watzinger, during her recent two-day visit to South Africa.

The Ministers signed a declaration to establish a joint Research Chair on Just Energy Transition.

Ahead of the signing, which took place in Cape Town last week, the German Minister visited the Hydrogen Catalysis (HYSA catalysis) Centre of Competence at the University of Cape Town.

Both Ministers addressed the Research Networks for Health Innovation in Sub- Saharan Africa (RHISSA) conference, which took place at the Vineyard Hotel in Newlands Cape Town.

The German Minister’s visit is aimed at, among others, strengthening bilateral relations and celebrating the success of the German-funded Research Networks for Health Innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa (RHISSA) programme.

The RHISSA has seen an investment of 50 million Euros over five years.

The programme is in its second phase.

Minister Stark-Watzinger also visited the Square Kilometre Array site in the Northern Cape in anticipation of full German membership of SKAO.

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