The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande officially opened the Science Forum South Africa (SFSA) 2025. The dynamic Science Forum South Africa 2025 commenced on Monday, 24 November 2025 and is set to end on Friday, 28 November 2025 at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research International Convention Centre (CSIR ICC) in Tshwane, Gauteng. The event is co-hosted by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) together with the CSIR through the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA).
The forum aims to promote international science, technology and innovation partnerships; creating an interactive platform for key science, technology and innovation actors, including senior government leaders, academics, scientists, industry, civil society, and students to interact.
The much-anticipated official welcome message was delivered on day two of the Science Forum South Africa 2025 on 25 November 2025 by Minister Nzimande.
He said: “The Science Forum South Africa 2025 has become the foremost platform for strategic science forum dialogue. This year is particularly special as this forum celebrates 10 years of insightful dialogue. This year Science Forum South Africa 2025 is held under theme: Placing Science, Technology and Innovation at the Centre of Government, Education, Industry and Society. This theme is our department’s recently adopted mantra and a potent national call to ensure that all aspects of our national development driven plan inspired by science, technology and innovation must consistently raise the publics levels of awareness on the value of science.”
He shared that the SFSA 2025 brings together over 6000 participants including scientists, decision-makers, youth innovators, entrepreneurs and civil society representatives. Minister Nzimande relayed that delegates can expect to participate in 91 high level panel discussions on topics such as science diplomacy, inclusive innovation and disruptive technologies, and science journalism.
An exciting highlight of the Science Forum South Africa 2025 is the highly sought-after exhibition, in which Durban University of Technology (DUT) is participating in alongside partners from the National System of Innovation as well as international exhibitors.
DUT’s exhibition stand bears testament to showcasing cutting-edge products and innovative ideas to a vibrant audience of industry leaders, investors and research partners.
Winiswa Mavutha, a lecturer in the Department of Textile Science and Apparel Technology at DUT, is part of theSFSA 2025.
“Participation in the Science Forum South Africa 2025 provides a strategically valuable platform for advancing the commercialisation agenda of the apparel technology programme. The conference environment is characterised by interdisciplinary dialogue, innovation-orientated sessions, and engagement with policymakers and industry stakeholders,” she said.
Mavutha is leading a bold initiative that is reshaping the future of apparel education. With her academic grounding in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, paired with hands-on retail and e-commerce experience at the Mr Price Group, she brings a rare and powerful blend of theory, practice and industry insight into her work. Her idea is to commercialise the Apparel Technology Programme which was sparked by a desire to bring learning closer to real-world industry demands. By merging teaching, industry practice and enterprise, she is helping shape a generation of students who are equipped not only to participate in the world of work but to transform it.
Sharing on her participation in the Science Forum South Africa 2025 was Dr Vimla Paul, who is showcasing her innovative project, the biodegradable sanitary pad, at the forum. Seeing how banana farming generates large amounts of fibre waste, Dr Paul saw an opportunity to turn this agricultural byproduct into something meaningful and sustainable.
“The DUT stand attracted significant engagement from academic and research delegates, who actively explored the university’s latest research outputs and technology solutions. Numerous attendees expressed keen interest in collaborative opportunities and exchanged contact details for future partnerships. the Science Forum South Africa 2025 proves to be an excellent platform to showcase our work and connect with potential partners,” she commented.
In addition to being part of the Science Forum South Africa 2025 exhibition, DUT also hosted a panel session at the forum on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, showcasing the University’s contribution to this important national platform. The session is titled: Breaking Silos: Cultivating Entrepreneurial Thinking Through Design, Collaboration and Real- World Learning SFSA 2025.
This session sought to address these gaps by presenting an integrated pedagogical framework that dismantles silos, fosters entrepreneurial thinking, and embeds real-world learning into curricula. It advocates for a shift from isolated instruction to collaborative, challenge-driven education, where design thinking, problem-based learning, and stakeholder collaboration become the foundation for transformative teaching and learning that is directly linked to employability, innovation, and inclusive growth.
DUT will continue to showcase its exhibition until Friday, 28 November 2025.
Pictured: Professor Blade Nzimande officially opens the Science Forum South Africa (SFSA) 2025.
Waheeda Peters
