Deputy Speaker, my T-shirt is on for Caster, and we support her.
Informing the visit was Vision 2030 of the National Development Plan, NDP, that seeks to transform the South African economy and the livelihoods of all citizens. The NDP assessed that science, technology and innovation, STI, are crucial for development, since countries that have efficiently alleviated poverty by growing their economies have done so by investing in and developing strong STI environments and capabilities.
Against this background, the committee chose the countries of South Korea and Japan as countries which could provide beneficial learning experience for the South African scenario. Both South Korea and Japan have, in a relatively short period of time, transformed their economies and the wealth of their nations by integrating science, technology, and innovation into every aspect of their development.