Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande has warned that global knowledge production remains skewed against Africa, urging historically disadvantaged universities to move beyond being consumers of knowledge and instead shape their own research agendas.
Speaking at the 3rd International Conference on Earth and Environmental Sciences at the Durban International Convention Centre on Monday, Nzimande said the imbalance in the global system of knowledge production has deep implications.
The conference, hosted by the University of Zululand in partnership with China’s Chang’an University, drew scientists, academics, policymakers, industry leaders, civil society, and students from across the globe.
The four-day gathering aims to promote research collaboration, advance climate-resilient technologies, and ensure Africa’s universities contribute directly to the global knowledge system.
“One of the fundamental challenges facing the scientific community today is the imbalance in the world system of knowledge production, with all the implications thereof in terms of the biases of the current knowledge production,” he said.
Africa must lead, not follow
He stressed that Africa must not only participate but also lead in shaping scientific narratives: “We do not want our historically disadvantaged universities to be comfortable with simply being consumers of the knowledge that others produce. Universities on the African continent must make their own distinct contribution to the global knowledge project.”
The minister emphasised that a sovereign research and development agenda for Africa was critical, with historically black universities expected to play a central role.
Nzimande also highlighted environmental challenges confronting the continent, citing the World Meteorological Organisation’s State of the Climate in Africa Report 2023, which found that African countries are losing up to 5% of their GDP due to climate extremes. He noted that climate change is hitting the low income earners hardest, with an estimated 118 million people projected to face drought, floods and extreme heat by 2030 if adaptation measures lag.
South Africa, he said, was already feeling the strain through rising temperatures, water scarcity and more frequent storms, threatening food sovereignty and rural livelihoods.
Flagship initiatives
In response, his department has developed science missions focusing on global change, biodiversity and climate resilience. Flagship initiatives include the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) and the Alliance for Collaboration on Climate and Earth Systems Science (ACCESS).
He said these initiatives, together with international collaborations such as the University of Zululand’s partnership with China’s Chang’an University, would help Africa develop knowledge on its own terms.
Nzimande added that the upcoming Global Change National Conference, hosted with the University of Mpumalanga in December, would further strengthen South Africa’s scientific capacity to tackle climate challenges.
“We see this conference as having the potential to contribute to the production of new research, data and modelling tools, and the development of new climate resilient technologies that will prevent environmental calamities and save lives,” he said.
The minister concluded by affirming the role of science, technology and innovation in advancing Africa’s future.
“A better understanding of our ecological and life-supporting systems is crucial for inclusive economic development. We must continue to advocate for governments in Africa and the developing world to increasingly embrace science-based decision-making.”
