Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
26 July 2024 | 09:00 CAT
2 min read

Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) Minister Blade Nzimande has announced a new initiative to enhance cooperation in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) between South Africa and Palestine.

According to Minister Nzimande, the initiative aligns with South Africa’s strategic objective of using science diplomacy to promote human solidarity and social justice.

In an interview with Radio Islam, Nzimande highlighted South Africa’s longstanding relationship with Palestine in higher education. He emphasised that the current focus is on science, technology, and innovation, specifically aimed at contributing to the safeguarding, rebuilding, and development of Palestine’s research and innovation capacities and infrastructure.

Nzimande stated that these concrete acts of solidarity are crucial and bolster South Africa’s case in the International Court of Justice.

“Enemies of the Palestinian people, particularly the Israeli Apartheid government, may want to find all ways to undermine this, but we will not back down; we will do all we can,” he said.

The programme will involve encouraging joint research projects between South African and Palestinian researchers and providing seed funding for developing South African-Palestinian knowledge networks. Nzimande stressed one of the concerns is that when people experience genocide of this nature, their existence, civilization, culture, and history are all in danger; hence, these knowledge networks are crucial as they solidify our relations and help preserve and promote their heritage and progress.

Additionally, they plan to host Palestinian scholars and students in exchange programmes.

Despite budget cuts, the program aims to support Palestine’s research and innovation capacities. Nzimande pointed out that funding will come from the department’s “existing relatively modest” budget for International Cooperation.

“The budget cuts are going to have some negative impact; we are not underestimating that, but even with minimal resources, an act of solidarity of this nature will make a significant contribution to the Palestinian people. There will never be enough money; we cannot say because of money, we can’t do this. We are strongly guided by what our own former President Nelson Mandela said – Our own freedom and democracy will be incomplete for as long as the Palestinian people are not free,” he said.

Nzimande expressed optimism about acquiring assistance from partner countries interested in supporting the initiative to aid in the Palestinian struggle.

“We consider Palestine very important. We hope others supportive of the Palestinian struggle will be able to join in, so we can multiply resources with countries that have a relationship with us; without committing them, one of our initiatives involves approaching countries like Ireland and Spain, who have recently recognised Palestine, to see if they will join in such a programme,” he said.

Nzimande stated that he has no doubt the Israeli government will attempt to dissuade and potentially threaten those involved in these projects in an effort to undermine the initiative.

“We are unfazed by this; there is nothing more noble than to support a struggle against genocide and struggle for people to preserve their research systems. In Gaza, all the university systems are completely wiped out. All the universities have been bombed, and last I heard, more than 100 professors have been killed/murdered,” he said.

The DSI hopes to contribute towards preserving the academic knowledge, research and systems of the Palestinian people.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Habib Bobat and DSA Minister, Professor Blade Nzimande, here