The history of scientific research in South Africa, starting with the post-World War II boom in science and its circuitous and sometimes surprising route through political and global challenges, as well as the consequences which shaped today’s local scientific research and its course, are recognised in a book, The State of Science in South Africa, that has been published by ASSAf.

The book was prepared to mark the occasion of the hosting of the Academy of Sci­ences for the Developing World (TWAS) conference by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and is edited by Roseanne Diab and Wieland Gevers.

The State of Science in South Africa takes a retro­spective view of science and its develop­ment in South Africa. In most of the disci­plinary chapters, an historical context is provided and emphasis is given to past ma­jor scientific achievements. The book concludes with views of some of the younger scientists in the country, many of whom are destined to become the future leaders of South Africa.

In the preface Diab and Gevers state that they “hope to reflect on the state of science in South Africa; to consider the historical context and the key features that have shaped scientific research in the country and are determining its current trajectories; to highlight some of the future challenges and opportunities; and to celebrate some of the achievements of South African scientists.”

“Our view is that the hosting of the prestigious TWAS conference presented an opportunity to reflect on the status of South African science and that this collection should be viewed as a work in progress, and one that will hopefully have a further life after the hosting of the TWAS conference, perhaps in future editions.”

In a foreword the Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, says that South Africa has set itself ambitious and in­spirational goals to become competitive in the global knowledge economy. “This book highlights South Africa’s achievements in the past and indicates the challenges we still hope to overcome in the future.”

Click here to read the book.

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