Science, Technology and Innovation Department’s performance affected by geopolitical uncertainty and funding cuts [SOUND]

# Deputy minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Nomalungelo Gina, says the department’s 2026/2027 annual performance is against the backdrop of a number of strategic challenges. These include a highly uncertain geopolitical and economic environment, a constrained national fiscal environment, a decline in expenditure on research and development, and the withdrawal of funding by the US of critical joint science projects. The department’s spokesperson, Veronica Mohapeloa, says the annual performance plan will help address the challenges: