2023 Ukhozi Award Winner

Dr Philemon Mjwara – Director-General: Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)

For his significant contribution to the South African National System of Innovation and for the role he played in building strong relations between the DSI (as DST and later as DSI) and the NSTF.

• His major contribution to South Africa’s National System of Innovation over the years

• The role he played in building strong relations between the DSI (as DST and later as DSI) and the NSTF
• His facilitation of funding and support that enabled NSTF to continue fulfilling its mandate and its non-profit activities
• The key role he continues to play in government through his astute leadership, and in substantially contributing to the government’s agenda for research, innovation and the generation of high level skills, for the sake of South Africa’s future.

• The inspiration he brings as a role model for the youth

About Dr Mjwara: Dr Philemon Mjwara holds a BSc, MSc and PhD from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). His academic career includes serving as professor of science and technology policy at the University of Pretoria, and physics lectureships at the universities of Wits, South Africa and Fort Hare. Dr Mjwara has published and presented numerous papers on physics, technology analysis and technology foresight processes. His professional experience includes working as a director in the former DACST, serving on the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI), and Group Executive for Research and Development and Strategic Human Capital Development at the CSIR.

As part of his many contributions, Dr Mjwara led a team that conducted the South African Technology Foresight project. The outputs of the project were presented to President Thabo Mbeki in 2000, as well as to a NSTF Plenary meeting at the time. His project approach led to a number of institutions from other parts of the world inviting the core team members to share their knowledge at conferences in Japan, Austria and Hungary. He was also asked to participate in the development of scenarios for South Africa for the years 2004 to 2014. This was run from the office of the President.

Dr Mjwara currently serves as the longstanding DG of the DSI, a position he has held since April 2006. His responsibilities include the development and implementation of South Africa’s STI policy. He also serves on various advisory councils and review boards, including the Board of the World of Platinum of South Africa and the SKA organisation.

About Dr Mjwara’s involvement with the NSTF: Dr Mjwara has been involved with the NSTF since as early as 2000 as a director at DACST, but increasingly so since his appointment as DG of the DSI in 2006. He has ensured that the NSTF has a sustainable and stable collaboration with the DSI in promoting SET and innovation in South Africa. Dr Mjwara serves on the NSTF Exco as the main representative for the DSI representing government.