South32 sponsors science and technology awards

Rewarding excellence in science, engineering and technology is important for our future, so South32 was pleased to be a co-branding sponsor of the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) - South32 Awards, which were held in June 2017.

The glittering night at the Emperors Palace in Johannesburg, South Africa was attended by the Minister of Science and Technology, Honourable Naledi Pandor, government officials, and private sector representatives.   

 The NSTF is the largest national non-profit science, engineering and technology (SET) and innovation organisation in South Africa, and it has been promoting excellence in these areas since 1995. The flagship project of the NSTF in showcasing organisations and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to SET and innovation, the awards cover:

• Scientific research
• Capacity building
• Research leading to innovation
• Environment sustainability
• Water Management
• Management of SET and innovation
• Science communication
• Technology transfer, and education and training
• Data sets for research
• A special annual theme award this year supporting sustainable tourism for development

Every year the awards get bigger and more popular, with more categories and more people attending. The theme for this year was based on the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development as declared by the United Nations. The UN has identified creating employment and reducing poverty as a key to promoting sustainable tourism. 

Speaking at the ceremony, South32 Africa's President and COO, Mike Fraser said, “As a company, we do this by improving the quality of life in the communities surrounding our operations. Our presence in the community goes beyond just creating local jobs, as our strategy for community development focuses on three core areas education and skills development , health and wellbeing and poverty alleviation and infrastructure. We truly believe that this approach will assist in transforming communities and our economy – whether it is through building schools in regional areas, offering grants for further education, or through initiatives like the NSTF.”