SOUTH Africa is still largely perceived as an adopter rather than innovator of technology, Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande said yesterday.
Despite its relatively small economy, SA had over the years achieved global recognition for contributions to technological innovation, he said in a speech prepared for delivery at a technology conference in the Vaal.
Many of these achievements, however, were made in other countries. SA was ranked 39th out of 162 countries in terms of technological achievement. "It is clear that we are still largely perceived as an adopter rather than innovator of technology.
"To retain our global player status, we must do more to augment the imported and implanted technologies with technologies developed in SA," Nzimande said.
SA still an 'adopter'
SOUTH Africa is still largely perceived as an adopter rather than innovator of technology, Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande said yesterday.
Despite its relatively small economy, SA had over the years achieved global recognition for contributions to technological innovation, he said in a speech prepared for delivery at a technology conference in the Vaal.
Many of these achievements, however, were made in other countries. SA was ranked 39th out of 162 countries in terms of technological achievement. "It is clear that we are still largely perceived as an adopter rather than innovator of technology.
"To retain our global player status, we must do more to augment the imported and implanted technologies with technologies developed in SA," Nzimande said.