A. ASSAf Consensus Study Reports
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In order for ASSAf to fulfil its science advisory role regarding key challenges facing the nation, a variety of consensus and assessment studies are undertaken. Activities are aligned closely with government’s strategic goals. The in-depth Consensus Study Reports are either commissioned by an external funder or generated by a Standing Committee on a specific topic. ASSAf has Standing Committees on Health; Scholarly Publishing in South Africa; Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education; Biosafety and Biosecurity; Humanities; and Science for the Reduction of Poverty and Inequality.
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Item A Review of Research, Development and Innovation of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Technologies in South Africa(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2023) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)This report supports the high-level agreement between South Africa (through the DMRE) and the IAEA by providing a solid foundation upon which a national strategic framework on peaceful uses of nuclear technologies in South Africa can be built. The objectives of the study were to review relevant current and historical national policies, plans and strategies; review the national landscape of existing and emerging RDI role players and activities in the country; develop baseline information around the nuclear technology landscape to assist with targets and indicators for monitoring and evaluation; review the Country Programme Framework (CPF) between South Africa and the IAEA and make recommendations on how the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme could be leveraged to strengthen the nuclear technology sector in South Africa; and make proposals on how to define a South African nuclear technology RDI flagship programme. Characterisation of the needs and gaps contains the following elements: • a brief explanation of the need setting out the context in terms of the severity and relevance. • a strategic objective to be achieved; and • an indicator, or indicators, for the proposed objective. The study was divided into six broad areas, namely: • agriculture and food security, • human health, • radiation protection, • water and environment, • energy and industry, • nuclear safety, security and safeguards.Item Evaluation of Alternative Telecommunication Technologies for the Karoo Central Astronomy Advantage Area(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2021) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); South African Academy of Engineering (SAAE)The National Research Foundation (NRF) requested the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), on behalf of South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) and the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), to undertake an independent and objective evaluation of potential alternative telecommunication technologies for the areas of the Karoo Central Astronomy Advantage Areas (KCAAA). The study encompasses regulatory, public sphere, and technical dimensions to explore options for maintaining the functionality of the telescope while, at the same time, delivering appropriate connectivity solutions for local communities.Item Second Biennial Report on the State of Climate Science and Technology in South Africa(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2019) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)This is the second biennial report on the State of Climate Science and Technology in South Africa, commissioned by the Departments of Science and Innovation (DSI) and Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, and compiled by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). The first biennial report, completed at the end of 2016, covered the period 2005 – 2015. This second report covered the period of 2016 – 2017.Item Reconceptualising Health Professions Education in South Africa(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2018) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)This consensus study was initiated by ASSAf as a response to the ongoing challenge of shortages of healthcare professionals. The study was conceptualised following an ASSAf workshop on the Lancet report titled Health professionals for a new century: transforming education to strengthen health systems in an interdependent world. The study aims to address the full value chain in health sciences education from student selection, through pedagogical developments, unpacking of the current bottlenecks in the system and looking at how the future health sciences education system can be financed and regulated. Objectives of the study are to provide evidence-based information and recommendations to policymakers and relevant stakeholders on how health professional education might be transformed to improve the health of the nation. This includes the various professions in health. Some of the key findings of the study include: barriers in student section; inadequate production and retention of skilled health professionals; urban-rural maldistribution of graduates; core competencies’ challenges; internship and community-service obligations and transition; and shortcomings in financing of health sciences education. Recommendations on how to address the challenges are very practical. It is envisaged that policymakers and relevant stakeholders will implement these for the revitalisation of health professions education in order to improve health of South Africans.Item The state of research, development and innovation of electrical energy efficiency technologies in South Africa(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2018) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)The focus of this report is on electrical energy efficiency, but it also provides some guidance on how an enhanced focus on tribology may contribute to energy efficiency. Since electricity production consists of a value chain (generation, transmission, distribution and end use), energy efficiency technologies and methods may be applied at each point, resulting in cumulative improvement in the efficiency of the energy system, with subsequently reduced losses and associated financial gains. An overview of the current capabilities, and current and planned energy efficiency technology development and strategies in place in South Africa, enables effective coordination of efforts and improves progress toward mainstreaming energy efficiency in South Africa, whilst simultaneously avoiding duplication of efforts and maximising the use of limited resources. The study aims to inform the Department of Science and Technology (DST) of opportunities for further development in terms of human capital development, intellectual property output and technology development and innovation, in order to promote the adoption of energy efficiency technologies in South Africa.Item First Biennial Report to Cabinet on the State of Climate Change : Science and Technology in South Africa(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2017) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)This report aligns with the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) of the government of South Africa, which in turn stems from the work of the National Planning Commission and its National Development Plan (NDP). Outcome 10 of the MTSF calls for a report on the state of climate change science and technology in South Africa to be provided to Cabinet by the DST and the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) every two years. This is the first such report. The report aims to: • provide a critical assessment and comparative overview of climate change scientific research and related technological innovations; • identify any gaps or barriers in research and technology development value chains; • suggest ways to improve the current situation and maximise opportunities for South Africa.Item The State of Biosafety and Biosecurity in South Africa(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2015) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)This consensus study report presents the findings of a systematic assessment of the state of biosafety and biosecurity in South Africa, including an evaluation of legislation, regulations and practices at both national and institutional levels. The findings report on strengths, weaknesses and gaps in the laws and in their implementation, and the practices relating to biosafety and biosecurity at laboratory level. Recommendations are made to address the weaknesses and gaps identified. Research and development in the life sciences are important elements of South African growth and development and are essential to address the needs of the country. It was thus imperative that ASSAf contributes towards ensuring that life science research in South Africa is conducted safely, securely and ethically. This is in the interests of all South Africans and in the interests of the life science community. With this broad objective, ASSAf constituted a Biosafety and Biosecurity panel of experts to assess and comment on the relationship between science and security in South Africa. While it is deemed important to extend an assessment of biosafety and biosecurity to the greater southern African region, this was not possible in the timeframe permitted for the study, but remains an important objective in the long term. The research conducted for this consensus study included: 1. An investigation into the applicability and balance of relevant ethical principles through a review of literature in order to establish a context for biosafety and biosecurity considerations. 2. An assessment of existing, relevant legislation and regulations in relation to biosafety and biosecurity in order to identify strengths, weaknesses and gaps in laws and in their implementation. 3. A critical overview of the implementation of biosafety and biosecurity measures in laboratories in South Africa and an assessment of the extent to which laboratory practices address safety and security concerns. 4. An evaluation of existing measures and capacity to detect, identify, control and prevent the natural, accidental or deliberate spread of infectious agents. The panel used a variety of methods to conduct the research, including but not limited to: 1. Convening a series of panel discussions on biosafety and biosecurity. 2. Assessing existing legislation and regulations in relation to biosafety and biosecurity to identify strengths, weaknesses and gaps in laws and in their implementation. 3. Conducting a survey of life scientists’ experience and perceptions of biosafety and biosecurity measures in laboratories in South Africa. 4. Evaluating existing measures and capacity to detect, identify, control, and prevent the natural, accidental, or deliberate spread of infectious agents. 5. Consultation with experts from a variety of disciplines (including experts with proven biosecurity expertise). Ultimately, the goal of the study was to: 1. Make sustainable and evidence-based recommendations to the South African government and the scientific community to address the identified weaknesses in: existing legislation; the implementation of biosafety and biosecurity in laboratories; existing measures and capacity to detect and control spread of infectious diseases; and to raise awareness about existing measures (including practices and legislation) to reduce the risks associated with dual-use research and to engage the life science community in a dialogue about biosafety and biosecurity. 2. Make recommendations to remove weaknesses and gaps in existing legislation and in the implementation of such legislation.Item Preventing a Tobacco Epidemic in Africa(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2014) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)In April 2013, the Network of African Science Academies convened a committee of experts to discuss the evidence, obstacles, and opportunities for implementing and enforcing tobacco use prevention and control policies in Africa. The committee, consisting of 16 experts drawn from 8 countries in Africa, met for 3 days in Kampala, Uganda, with funding administered by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. Each distinguished committee member was selected for his or her in-depth tobacco-specific knowledge in areas including agriculture, policy, economics, social science, health, and the environment. The committee reviewed and assessed the evidence on the state of tobacco use and tobacco production and their detrimental health, economic, and environmental effects in Africa. The committee also reviewed efforts currently under way to prevent and control tobacco use, including the status of adoption and ratification of the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Based on this evidence, the committee reached consensus on actions that African leaders and other stakeholders should take to combat this growing threat. This report presents the committee’s evidence-based recommendations for tobacco control in Africa. It outlines strategies that should place tobacco control policy on the African leadership agenda, and also calls upon other groups, such as civil society organizations, to share in the responsibility of protecting those most vulnerable to misleading and deceitful messaging by the tobacco industry.Item Improved Nutritional Assessment of Micronutrients(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2013) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)The purpose of this consensus study on improved nutritional assessment of micronutrients was to optimise our approach to the assessment of nutritional status of individuals, specific groups of people and the population in all settings. Information on nutritional status is necessary for recommendations to be used in the design and implementation of research and interventions that will address malnutrition in order to improve human well-being and performance. The study selected the six micronutrients, viz. vitamins A, D, and folate; and the inorganic elements or minerals, selenium, iron and zinc that have been shown in a previous consensus study1 by ASSAf to have a potential impact on the major epidemics of malnutrition, HIV/AIDS and TB in South Africa. Because the bowel microflora are currently under intense scrutiny as co-determinants of the whole-body physiology and pathophysiology of micronutrients, a further chapter on this topic is included. It is, however, acknowledged that other micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent in South Africa, and that these should also be addressed.Item HIV/AIDS, TB and Nutrition: Scientific Inquiry into the Nutritional Influences on Human Immunity with Special Reference to HIV Infection and Active TB in South Africa(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2007) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)The availability of highly effective drugs to control HIV/AIDS and cure tuberculosis has tended to downplay the potential benefits that may accompany appropriate supportive measures, designed to complement or precede pharmacotherapy, to arrest progression from infection to disease (TB), or to delay the rate of progression of the earlier phases of the illness, before specific medicinal interventions are indicated (HIV). Nutritional support is one such potentially valuable measure. Clearly the clinical efficacy of nutritional intervention is likely to be dependent on the extent to which individual infected subjects suffer from functionally significant nutritional deficiencies prior to nutritional intervention. The same argument is generally pertinent to interventions at population level – populations of infected subjects with a high prevalence of nutritional deficiency, such as those in developing countries, are more likely to benefit from health policies aimed at eradicating or diminishing nutritional deficiencies than are populations in developed countries, from where much of the reported research has emanated. It is important to bear in mind that the pre-antibiotic phase of dealing with TB was characterized by intense concentration on strengthening the immune defenses of infected subjects with diets, improved and altered environmental conditions and every other conceivably helpful measure. After the discovery of effective drugs, this aspect of TB therapy quickly became secondary and largely uncontroversial. Because HIV infection cannot be cured but only controlled, with drugs being applied at particular, serious stages of progressive disease (according to current guidelines, at least) the emphasis in the management of infected people during the phases prior to drug administration is still on general, non-pharmacological support, especially as for many reasons it is highly desirable to postpone the introduction of specific antiretroviral therapy for as long as possible. This background has motivated the current study, which has analyzed the relevant scientific literature, concentrating on regionally relevant studies, with a view to providing the best possible, evidence-based advice for South African policymakers. The over-arching conclusion from this analysis is that there is a lamentable paucity of relevant, solid data on which to base sound policies for this country. Recognizing the dire need to deal optimally, right now, with an existing health crisis, this study has evaluated the current nutritional guidelines from the World Health Organization, the national Department of Health, and the Southern African HIV/AIDS Clinicians Society, in the light of what scientific evidence is available. Broadly, these guidelines are endorsed in the current analysis as being generally close to the best possible in the prevailing circumstances. The study, having identified serious gaps in our knowledge, has compiled a set of critical research questions, guided by evolving understanding of the relevant basic science. The panel urges that the answering of these questions should be given high priority by research policy makers in the hope that the insights thereby gained will provide the kind of solid evidence on which refined policies for the practice of healthcare can safely and effectively be based in future.