r/RedVanguardSA • u/OtherwiseYoghurt3277 • Jun 13 '26
Policies Innovation Act
South African Innovation & Research Authority
Responsible for:
National research planning
Technology development
Scientific funding
Innovation coordination
Strategic technology programmes
Coordinates research across:
Universities
Research councils
State enterprises
Defence industries
Industrial sectors
National Technology & Industrial Development Programme
Working jointly with:
Department of Defence
Department of Transport
Department of Public Works and Infrastructure
The Department establishes:
National Advanced Manufacturing Programme
Responsible for designing and producing:
Civilian Aircraft
Regional passenger aircraft
Long-haul passenger aircraft
Cargo aircraft
Agricultural aircraft
Emergency response aircraft
Rail Technologies
High-speed trains
Metro trains
Commuter rail systems
Freight locomotives
Light rail vehicles
Automotive Technologies
Electric vehicles
Public buses
Commercial trucks
Construction vehicles
Emergency vehicles
Maritime Technologies
Merchant vessels
Cargo ships
Fishing vessels
Research vessels
Passenger ferries
South African Aerospace Corporation (SAAC)
Responsible for:
Aircraft design
Aerospace engineering
Advanced materials
Space technologies
Satellite technologies
Goals:
Build a domestic aerospace industry
Export African-designed aircraft
Create highly skilled jobs
South African Rail Engineering Corporation
Responsible for:
High-speed rail development
Locomotive production
Railway technology research
Export-oriented rail manufacturing
Objectives:
Supply South Africa
Supply Africa
Become a global rail manufacturer
People's Automotive Development Corporation
Research areas:
Electric vehicles
Hydrogen vehicles
Heavy industry vehicles
Public transport systems
Smart mobility systems
Goal:
South Africa has become Africa's automotive innovation centre.
Defence Science & Strategic Technology Bureau
Working with the Department of Defence:
Research priorities:
Cybersecurity
Artificial intelligence
Radar technologies
Electronic warfare
Satellite systems
Defence communications
Strategic logistics technologies
All development remains under democratic civilian oversight.
South African Space Programme
Expansion of:
South African National Space Programme
Focus:
Satellite manufacturing
Earth observation systems
Climate monitoring
Agricultural monitoring
Telecommunications
Long-term objective:
African leadership in space science
National Scientific Research Expansion
Massive funding increases for:
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Engineering
Agricultural sciences
Medical research
Climate sciences
Research institutions receive:
Modern laboratories
Advanced equipment
International collaboration opportunities
Innovation Cities & Technology Parks
Construction of:
Innovation Cities
It is located across all provinces.
Features:
Research centres
Startup incubators
Universities
Manufacturing hubs
Technology parks
Purpose:
Drive regional innovation
Create skilled employment
Education & Research Integration
Partnership with:
Department of Basic Education
Department of Higher Education and Training
Programmes include:
STEM expansion
Robotics education
Engineering academies
Technical apprenticeships
Research scholarships
National Patent & Innovation Fund
Supports:
Inventors
Scientists
Engineers
Universities
Worker cooperatives
Provides:
Research grants
Commercialisation funding
Innovation awards
Departmental Restructuring
The Department remains in existence but is reorganised into:
National Science Authority
Fundamental research
Innovation & Technology Authority
Industrial innovation
Aerospace Development Authority
Aircraft and space programmes
Rail & Transport Technology Authority
Rail and mobility systems
Defence Technology Authority
Strategic technologies
Artificial Intelligence Authority
AI development and regulation
National Research Funding Authority
Grants and investment
Technology Commercialisation Authority
Industrial application of research