1. Introduction On 13 March 2013, the Director-General, Dr Phil Mjwara briefed the Committee on the annual performance plan and budget of the Department of Science and Technology (hereafter, the Department). A number of briefings by the entities reporting to the Department followed. These entities were the National Research Foundation, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Human Sciences Research Council, Technology Innovation Agency, South African National Space Agency, Academy of Science of South Africa and the Africa Institute of South Africa.