Nzimande confirms waste innovation roadmap was 'severely underfunded'
An evaluation found that South Africa’s Waste RDI Roadmap received only 3.2% of its targeted R3.9 billion budget between 2015 and 2024, according to Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande has revealed that the waste research, development and innovation (Waste RDI) initiative was severely underfunded, receiving only 3.2% of its original R3.9 billion budget over ten years. The setback impacted the program's scale rather than eliminating activities. Despite the challenges, the Waste RDI Roadmap managed to secure additional resources worth over R102 million.
Minister Nzimande explained that the ambitious R3.9 billion budget was aspirational, and the underfunding primarily affected the program's scope. The initiative has significantly improved infrastructure and capabilities within South Africa's National System of Innovation, supporting research across 17 institutions. It addressed various waste management challenges through nine strategic grant calls, resulting in over 50 research projects covering areas such as electronic waste and marine plastic debris.
Innovative solutions from the program include systems for collecting disposable diapers in low-income regions and biogas systems in rural schools. The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation has allocated R46 million over the past two financial years to implement the Circular Economy Science Technology and Innovation Strategy, which is expected to respond to global, regional, and local shifts in the field.
The department aims to allocate at least R26 million per annum for its implementation, with the funding model envisioned to evolve towards a blended and joint funding approach with key strategic partners.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
