South Africa
Dr. Mamoeletsi Mosia
Managing Director, South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (NRF-SAASTA) | The National Research Foundation (NRF)
“We need to get to a point where society can have conversations about science. This is the core of why science engagement is so important- not just for researchers to communicate their work, but for the public to understand the impact it has on their lives.”
Key points:
- NRF-SAASTA's key role as part of the National Research Foundation (NRF) is to coordinate and promote science engagement initiatives across South Africa, moving away from directly delivering programs to empowering a wide range of stakeholders.
- Science engagement is crucial for developing a scientifically literate society, connecting research to tangible societal benefits like job creation, poverty reduction and environmental sustainability
- NRF-SAASTA is working to bridge the gap between researchers and communities, fostering more participatory, interdisciplinary approaches to problem-solving.
- The organization is investing in science communication training, regrowing the pool of science journalists, and leveraging platforms like the annual National Science Week to raise public awareness.
As the coordinator of science engagement initiatives for South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF), the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (NRF-SAASTA) plays a vital role in bridging the gap between the country’s world-class research and public understanding. In this interview, NRF-SAASTA Managing Director Dr. Mamoeletsi Mosia discusses the organization’s evolving approach to elevating science’s reach and impact across all segments of society.
AfricaLive: Can you start by describing what makes up the ‘DNA’ of NRF-SAASTA as an organization, and what are the key objectives you work towards?
Dr. Mosia: NRF-SAASTA is part of the National Research Foundation (NRF), which has four core functions – supporting, promoting and advancing research and human capital development, providing national research facilities, advancing science engagement and supporting government priorities.
As the coordinator of that third pillar, our goal is to contribute towards the development of a scientifically literate South African society that is able to form its own independent opinions about science and related issues.. This is crucial because much of the research funded by taxpayers is not always visible or appreciated by the public.
We’ve moved away from directly delivering science engagement programs ourselves, and instead focus on empowering a wide range of partners – from universities and science councils to professional bodies and community organizations – to bring science to the people. Our role is to facilitate, coordinate and amplify these efforts.
AfricaLive: How has NRF-SAASTA’s approach to science engagement evolved over the years?
Dr. Mosia: In the past, we would directly deploy our own staff to schools and communities to run science engagement activities. But we’ve realized this model has limitations – our employees may not always have the right skills or lived experience to effectively communicate science at a grassroots level.
So now, we’re focused on building databases of researchers, engineers, technicians and other STEM professionals who can serve as ambassadors and role models, going out to engage directly with learners and the public. We’re also leveraging our network of grant recipients to get them more involved in science communication as a condition of their funding.
Additionally, we’re investing in initiatives like science journalism internships and a postgraduate diploma in science communication. The goal is to build a cadre of skilled communicators who can translate complex research into accessible, relevant narratives for diverse audiences.
AfricaLive: Why is public science engagement so crucial for South Africa’s development?
Dr. Mosia: There are a few key reasons. Firstly, the public has a right to understand how their tax money is being invested in research that can improve their lives. We need to do a better job of demonstrating the direct links between science and addressing challenges like poverty, inequality and unemployment.
Secondly, nurturing a scientifically literate society is vital for cultivating the next generation of innovators. When young people, especially in marginalized communities, see role models who look like them succeeding in STEM fields, it can spark their own curiosity and ambition.
Finally, greater public engagement enables more participatory, interdisciplinary research. We want to encourage scientists to move beyond working in siloes and truly collaborate with communities to co-create solutions. This helps ensure the technologies and innovations emerging from research are fit-for-purpose and sustainable.
AfricaLive: Do you believe there is still a significant gap between public perception and the actual scientific capabilities and achievements within South Africa?
Dr. Mosia: Absolutely – it’s a massive gap that we’ve barely begun to bridge. The public is largely unaware of the excellence of South African science, from our groundbreaking work on HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 variants to the world-class facilities like the Square Kilometer Array.
We’ve done a poor job of profiling and celebrating these achievements, and of connecting them to tangible societal impact. Part of the challenge is that scientists are trained to communicate within their own disciplinary silos, not to the general public.
So we need to do two things: first, equip researchers with the skills to translate their work for lay audiences. And second, partner with communications professionals who can craft compelling narratives that make the relevance of science clear to ordinary South Africans.
This is not just about promoting science for science’s sake – it’s about inspiring people, especially the youth, to see the real-world potential of STEM careers. And it’s about building public trust and buy-in for continued investment in research and innovation.
AfricaLive: Can you share some specific examples of NRF-SAASTA’s science engagement programs and partnerships that are making an impact?
Dr. Mosia: One of our flagship initiatives is the annual National Science Week, which has been running for over 20 years. It’s a nationwide platform to showcase South African science, technology and innovation in engaging ways.
We also have long-standing partnerships with organizations like the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, the South African Mathematics Foundation, and ISTE at the University of South Africa, which run various science competitions and fairs for learners.
More recently, we’ve established two South African Research Chair initiatives focused specifically on science communication – one at Stellenbosch University and one at Rhodes University. And we’ve launched a postgraduate diploma in science communication to help build a dedicated profession in this field.
In terms of reaching the broader public, we’re exploring new avenues like science cafes, science book launches, and even leveraging presidential events to bring researchers face-to-face with communities. The goal is to make science accessible, relevant and inspiring for all South Africans.
AfricaLive: When you engage with stakeholders, what aspects of South Africa’s scientific ecosystem tend to surprise people the most?
Dr. Mosia: I would say the most surprising and inspiring thing is seeing successful Black scientists and engineers, especially women, who can serve as role models for young people. The fact that someone like myself – a Black female chemist who is now a managing director – is still relatively rare, highlights how much more work we have to do.
So when we deploy these professionals to interact with learners, especially in disadvantaged communities, the impact is palpable. Students suddenly realize that a career in science or technology is an achievable aspiration for them too.
Beyond that, I think the public is often unaware of the sheer scale and impact of South Africa’s scientific research and technological innovations. From developing lifesaving HIV/AIDS treatments to the groundbreaking work on COVID-19 variants – these are achievements that South Africans should be immensely proud of, but we’ve done a poor job showcasing.
AfricaLive: Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future potential of science engagement in South Africa?
Dr. Mosia: I’m really excited about the prospect of building much stronger bridges between researchers, entrepreneurs and communities. We have so much incredible science and technology being developed, but it often gets trapped in academic silos.
If we can find effective ways to translate that into practical solutions and business opportunities, it could be truly transformative for tackling issues like unemployment, poverty and environmental sustainability. But it requires a much more participatory, interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving.
I’m also enthusiastic about expanding platforms like National Science Week and our science journalism initiatives. The more we can amplify the voices of scientists, engineers and innovators – and make their work accessible and inspiring for the general public – the better we’ll be able to cultivate that scientifically literate society we’re aiming for.
Overall, I believe science engagement is key to unlocking South Africa’s full potential. It’s about positioning research and innovation as national assets that belong to and benefit all citizens. With the right strategies and partnerships, we can achieve that vision..
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