2 - Developing Mechanisms to Promote South-South Research in Science and Technology: the Case of the Southern African Development Community

Abstract

The African continent has struggled ta develop an indigenous agenda for science and technology
research and development. Despite efforts since the 1960s, the results have been less than
satisfactory. In the southern region, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has
attempted to play a coordinating rote for science and technology, but is widely regarded ta have
been unsuccessjul in this venture. Although many countries in the SADC region have elevated the
science and tech­ nology (S&T) function to Ministerial level, the linkages between S&T, government,
industry and higher education are tenuous atbest. There has
been much talk of policy driven development, but little in the way of
action. This paper will sketch the history of S&T development in the SADC region and in particular
the interplay between the local agenda and that of the advanced industrial countries. lt will
highlight the difficul­ ties ofconducting research against imbalances in resources and exper­ tise
by considering an initiative of the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology that seeks
to foster research cooperation between South Africa and the SADC region. The paper will explore the
relations between and among state research institutions, higher educa­ tion and industry in SADC
and considers possibilitiesfor local research co-operation.