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Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) senior researcher Dr Lorren Haywood shared impressive insights into the organisation’s innovative approaches to sustainable waste management, resource efficiency and environmental resilience while serving as a panellist at this year’s The Future of Sustainability Conference 2025.
CSIR researchers are developing the antibody-based biotechnology behind the rapid tests in partnership with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), starting with tomato spotted wilt virus, pepper ringspot virus and banana bunchy top virus, respectively. Click here to read this story.
Navigating a course towards blue economies and making positive changes in ports was the core concern at this year’s African Harbour Masters’ Conference. Held from 2 to 4 April 2025 in Cape Town, the CSIR participated in high-level discussions, exhibitions and networking opportunities to foster collaboration and drive sustainable growth within the port and maritime sector. Joining 150 conference delegates, #TeamCSIR showcased its advanced capabilities to provide smart and innovative solutions for sustainable port operations in Africa and beyond. Click here to read this story.
The President’s visit featured a curated exhibition and a tour of several world-class CSIR facilities. These engagements showcased CSIR’s commitment to innovation-driven research that advances industry, supports a capable state and improves lives.
President Ramaphosa was accompanied by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof Blade Nzimande, as well as other government dignitaries. He was warmly received by CSIR CEO, Dr Thulani Dlamini, who guided the delegation and highlighted our organisation’s strategic contributions to national development.
South Africa’s estuaries are home to a unique mix of plant and animal life and provide vital ecosystems services. However, a new study by CSIR researchers has revealed that some nuisance water plants are throwing these delicate ecosystems off balance - literally.
New research shows that invasive plants in South Africa’s estuaries cause extreme swings in water pH from day to night, potentially creating stressful conditions for fish and other aquatic life. Click here to read this story.
Artificial intelligence (AI) researchers in South Africa and the United Kingdom (UK) have developed a prototype tool that will help government and farmers solve one of South Africa’s biggest conundrums: we produce enough food, yet many of us go hungry every day.
“Official reports show that as a country we are food secure at the national level, but at the household level we are food insecure – this is a major challenge,” says Dr Essa Suleman, a food system and animal health expert at the CSIR. Click here to read this story.
On Friday 11 April, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), an entity of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), in collaboration with USE-IT and Key Bricks, will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a low-cost RDP demonstration house constructed using an innovative prototype brick made from 70% recycled materials (glass and construction and demolition waste).
Honourable President, on behalf of South Africa’s public system science system, I wish to thank you once again for accepting our invitation to visit one of the South Africa’s most premier public science and technology institutions - the CSIR.
Mr. President, as you know, the core mandate of the Ministry, and Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), is to promote and support South Africa’s national development agenda, as expressed in the National Development Plan (NDP) and the strategic policy priorities set by the 7th Administration. Click here for the full speech.
On 8 April 2025, #TeamCSIR was honoured to host President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Pretoria Campus. The visit aimed to showcase the organisation’s key research areas, which support a capable state and the country’s socio-economic development agenda. President Ramaphosa was accompanied by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande and the Deputy Minister, Ms Nomalungelo Gina. Click here for the full speech and watch the video.