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    Technological and economic catch up in the biotechnology sectoral innovation system in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Moonsamy, Ghaneshree; Soumonni, Ogundiran
    Based on the global drive to move towards knowledge-based economies, several countries have identified biotechnology as a sector of interest for economic development. South Africa too, has identified this sector as a means to stimulate economic growth, bridge the inequality gap and reduce unemployment. Despite significant efforts to date, the impact and performance of the biotechnology sector on the socio-economic status of South Africa has been uninspiring. This study aims to evaluate the existing biotech-based sectoral system of innovation and assess potential pathways that may be undertaken to achieve technological and eventual economic catch-up by the country. Windows of opportunity that may entail technological, demand and institutional/public policies were also evaluated. This study used a mixed method approach, which firstly assessed the performance of the South African biotech sectoral system of innovation (SSI) in comparison to five other countries of interest. Thereafter, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 participants involved in the biotech triple helix system of innovation. Key findings indicated that South Africa performed poorly in comparison to other countries evaluated, which included the USA, Germany, Mexico, India and Singapore. Regardless of having pockets of excellence and enabling mechanisms such as supporting policies and available infrastructure, organisational capabilities and a highly fragmented national system of innovation are major limitations of the sector. These findings present a key message in that further, significant efforts are required to build on existing capabilities such that the country is able to increase its global standing in terms of biotech-based innovation. As a developing, upper middle income county, South Africa is unfortunately way of the mark in terms of economic catch up, however pathways of catch-up, specifically technology, demand and policy windows of opportunity do exist and need to be harnessed.
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    Indigenous knowledge and science, technology, and innovation-driven systems for the healthcare industry in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Moloto, Kagiso Christopher; Ramoroka, Kgabo
    The National Innovation System (NIS) of South Africa, which is predominantly driven by Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) is entrusted to help elevate the developmental challenges faced by many South Africans. The integration of Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) into the STI-driven NIS particularly for the healthcare sector could potentially provide solutions to eradicate the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequality. There is, therefore, a need for a robust institutional support system for a sustainable integration of STI and IKS which could ultimately help increase grassroots innovations. It is worth noting that there is a general agreement between and amongst policymakers, scholars, and industry role payers that the performance of a country’s economy, in a globalising knowledge economy depends to a large degree, on innovation and knowledge. In order to transform and enhance the responsiveness of the STI-driven NIS of South Africa, there is a need to explore additional mechanisms on how to incorporate Indigenous Knowledge (IK) and IKS into the formal STI knowledge systems. With proper policy formulation around this incorporation, South Africa can set itself on a path of development, driven by grassroots innovation for effective medicinal products that can be of benefit for the healthcare sector and South African citizens at large. This research study aims to explore the extent to which IK, which is the main ingredient of African traditional medicines Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) is integrated in the South African STI-led NIS for the healthcare system as part of addressing the socio-economic challenges faced by South Africans. The study also explores some of the challenges that that hinder the integration of IKS in the NIS of South Africa, particularly around African traditional medicine. By the use of document analysis and semi-structured interviews, the study suggests that, although there is room for improvement, there is to some extent integration of IKS in the NIS of South Africa from a policy point of view. Numerous challenges that hinder full integration of the IKS in the NIS are also discussed. The study recommends that in order for South Africa to speed track the integration of IKS in the NIS particularly for the healthcare sector, the National 3 Indigenous Knowledge System Office (NIKSO) could perhaps be upgraded into a full, independent institute or science council that primarily focusses on IKS