Minister Addresses the 5th Edition Seminar on Strengthening Research Capacities and Capabilities for Attainment of the Global Agenda 2030 and African Union Agenda 2063
Minister Addresses the 5th Edition Seminar on
Strengthening Research Capacities and Capabilities for Attainment of the Global
Agenda 2030 and African Union Agenda 2063
By Dr.MataywaBusieka
Minister Senzo
Mchunu officially opened the 5th Edition Seminar Series on Human
Resources yesterday, 26 August 2020. The Seminar series, a collaboration of
among; the African Association for Public Administration and
Management (AAPAM), the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA),
the School of Public Management and Administration (SPMA) – University of
Pretoria and the University of the Western Cape was held under the theme: “Strengthening
Research Capacities and Capabilities for Attainment of the Global Agenda 2030
and African Union Agenda 2063”.
In his keynote address,
the Minister challenged delegates to think differently in finding solutions to
the myriad challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about. He identified
digitalization as a frontier that is presenting far greater opportunities for
African countries to leverage in the quest to achieve the objectives of Agenda
2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals. The Minister decried the incidents
of corruption that had permeated the COVID-19 procurement for essential health
provision. The Minister assured South Africans that, the President has made a
firm undertaking to identify transgressors and bring them to justice.
The Minister outlined some
of the Key Priorities South Africa has set for its stewardship of the Africa
Peer Review Mechanism and invited researchers to partner with government to
improve the governance climate in Africa.
Earlier, while inviting
Minister to present the keynote address, the Deputy Minister Ms Sindisiwe
Chikunga encouraged delegates to develop convincing proposals and approaches to
unlock government resources to fund research. She lamented the fact that all of South America and Africa combined are responsible
for less than 5% of the total global R&D spent while these countries have
more than 20% of the world’s population. The Deputy Minister expressed delight
in the fact that the 5th seminar had identified research
capacity as a critical component to the implementation of Agenda 2063 and the
2030 SDGs noting that Agenda 2063 is an African vision that has reignited the
hope that Africa can and should extricate its people from the devastation of
underdevelopment to a prosperous, peaceful and environmentally sound habitat.
Other dignitaries that addressed the Seminar were:
1. Dr. George Scott- AAPAMSecretary General
2. Dr. John-Mary Kauzya -Chief of the Public Service Innovation Branch UNDESA
3. Professor Kupe - Vice-Chancellor. University of Pretoria
4. Professor Tyrone Pretorius- Rector and Vice-Chancellor – University of the Western Cape
5. Professor Zwelinzima Ndlovu- Director: School of Public Leadership – Stellenbosch University
6. Ms Naledi Mosalakatane -AAPAM Vice President; Southern Africa
7. Mr ThulaneTshefuta- The NGC Chairperson, South Africa
The Seminar will continue today and
closes on Friday, 28 August 2020.