National Science Month launches a new era for science engagement in South Africa

The inaugural National Science Month (NSM) launch, which took place on 4 July 2026 at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Gauteng Science and Technology Park, ushered in a new chapter in public science engagement.

Hosted by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) in partnership with the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (NRF-SAASTA), a business unit of the National Research Foundation (NRF), VUT and the Gauteng Provincial government, the launch marked the transition from National Science Week to a month-long national celebration of Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I).

Convened under the commemoration month theme Science, Technology and Innovation Are for Everyone, the launch brought together government leaders, researchers, academics, science councils, science centres, learners, educators, innovators and community groups in a shared commitment to place science at the centre of society.

Officiating the launch event, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina, described National Science Month as a significant expansion of the country’s long-running National Science Week programme.

Dr Gina told the audience of nearly 3000 people that the National Science Month was established to create a more inclusive and accessible platform for engagement between scientists and society. “This gives us the opportunity to significantly raise public awareness of the value of science in everyday life, while elevating science, technology and innovation as key drivers of South Africa’s socio-economic development,” she said.

Throughout July, National Science Month activities are taking place across all provinces through exhibitions, science festivals, community dialogues, public lectures, webinars, school outreach programmes, astronomy events, innovation showcases and digital engagement initiatives. The initiative aims to not only to improve public understanding of science but also to build trust in scientific institutions, strengthen evidence-based decision-making and create opportunities for more South Africans to participate in the country’s innovation economy.

The launch event featured one of the country’s largest public science exhibitions, with more than 100 exhibitors showcasing their work across 132 exhibition stands. The exhibitions showcased cutting-edge research, technological innovations and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Universities from across the country participated in the exhibition alongside private sector organisations and DSTI entities, including the NRF, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the Technology Innovation Agency, the South African National Space Agency, the Academy of Science of South Africa and the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions.

For learners attending the launch, the message was clear: science careers are attainable, with South Africa offers world-class opportunities for future researchers and innovators. Encouraging them to pursue their ambitions with confidence, Dr Gina said: “Your dreams are valid, and you must never allow anyone to tell you that you cannot become a scientist.”

The launch also demonstrated the growing role of universities as anchors of regional innovation ecosystems. Through the Southern Gauteng Science and Technology Park, VUT continues to strengthen partnerships between academia, government, industry and communities while supporting entrepreneurship and technology development in the region.

At the end of the launch event’s formal programme, VUT handed over the baton for the hosting of the NSM 2027 launch to North West University.