As South Africa commemorates Youth Month 2025, the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) proudly marked a decade of collaboration with the Green Youth Indaba. The milestone was celebrated at the annual Green Youth Career Expo, which drew large numbers to the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Westville Campus on 17 June 2025.

Visionary young leaders, policy architects, grassroots changemakers and private sector partners convened at this year's summit, which was held under the theme "Skills for a Changing World – Embracing Youth for Meaningful Economic Participation."

The expo was followed by high-level engagements at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on 19 June 2025, at which Dr Mmboneni Muofhe, the DSTI's Deputy Director-General: Socio-Economic Innovation Partnerships, spoke of "an enduring partnership aimed at empowering young leaders across Africa to thrive in the green economy."

Muofhe spoke of the DSTI's commitment to green innovation and entrepreneurship, referring to the Circular Economy Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy and the Circular Economy Demonstration Fund as pivotal tools for youth-driven innovation.

"We are intentionally positioning the youth at the forefront of the circular economy. From smart retail concepts to sustainable construction using recycled materials, innovation is not just a concept – it is already transforming communities," he said.

The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, echoed Muofhe's sentiments, highlighting the importance of hosting the gathering during Youth Month.

"This indaba is more than an event; it is a platform for transformation – for placing young people at the heart of South Africa's green economy," Minister Nkabane stated.

She outlined government-led initiatives designed to bridge skills gaps and accelerate youth participation in the green transition, including the Just Energy Transition (JET) Skills Desk, green hydrogen value chain training programmes, and skills development zones aligned with national decarbonisation goals.

"The green economy is not just about emissions; it is about inclusion, dignity and creating meaningful opportunities for millions of young people ready to rise," she said.

Nkabane further reaffirmed government commitment to an approach that saw young people not merely as beneficiaries of green policy, but as co-creators of the just energy transition.

"This is a generational undertaking. You are not passengers in this transition – you are pilots," said the Minister.

The indaba also showcased inspiring examples of homegrown innovations, including Electri-Coal Technologies, an innovative renewable energy and smart utilities enterprise.

This youth-led green technology startup has grown significantly since its early days. With the support of the DSTI and its entity the Technology Innovation Agency, Mr Mfanelo Ndlela, founder of the start-up, said that his entrepreneurial journey had taken him beyond the borders of South Africa.

"Today, we stand with international memoranda of understanding, commercial agreements and patented technologies," he said.

Ndlela's Smart Water Management System, now integrated with utilities like Umgeni Water, monitors water quality and flow in real time to ensure that national potable standards are met. The system is a testament to how youth innovators are addressing pressing climate and infrastructure challenges.

Among other things, the 10th Green Youth Indaba programme featured entrepreneur empowerment hubs, designed to equip young entrepreneurs with the tools, mentorship and networks needed to turn green ideas into scalable, sustainable enterprises.

The 10 year celebration also served as a powerful call to action, solidarity and the co-creation of a sustainable, inclusive and economically vibrant South Africa led by those who will inherit the planet.

Issued by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation.

For more information, please contact Mr Pontsho Mantlhakga at 072 346 5219 or Pontsho.Mantlhakga@dsti.gov.za.

The Director-General of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), Dr Mlungisi Cele, and the CEO of the CSIR, Dr Thulani Dlamini, will lead discussions with the German delegation during Ms Reem Alabali-Radovan's official visit to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on 23 July 2025.

Germany and South Africa have a strategic partnership to strengthen biomanufacturing skills and expand local vaccine production to address the health insecurity revealed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

South Africa's Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Decadal Plan (2022-2032), which includes a focus on health innovation and the development of a sustainable pharmaceutical sector, is central to this partnership, as are key initiatives such as the CSIR's African Biomanufacturing Workforce Training and Skills Development Programme, which is designed to train 400 professionals in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) annually.

Support from partners like BMZ (the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development), GIZ (the German agency for international cooperation), KfW (a development bank owned by the German government) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is crucial for advancing local health innovation and biomanufacturing, and to meet the African Union's goal for local vaccine production – that 60% of local needs be met locally by 2040.

Dr Cele will share South Africa's vision for advancing local health technologies, fostering South-South partnerships and leveraging German cooperation to accelerate the continent's journey toward self-reliance in vaccine manufacturing. Opportunities for German-South African cooperation will be discussed.

Representatives of South African startups, established companies, research institutions, and CSIR training programmes will be present to showcase the impressive breadth of expertise and teamwork in this vital sector.

A tour of the CSIR's GMP training facilities is also planned, with representatives from Biovac, Afrigen, CapeBio, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority and graduates of DSTI-supported biomanufacturing programmes providing more information on their respective fields of action and the impact of supported interventions.



Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 23 July 2025

Time: 12:30 to 14:00

Venue: CSIR Pretoria Campus, Building 18B

For enquiries and to RSVP, contact Zama Mthethwa at zama.mthethwa@dsti.gov.za or 082 808 3956.

The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, will this week launch a new service to reduce the turnaround times on Home Affairs services like passports and Smart IDs from over 12 months to just five weeks.

This service, which was already successfully piloted in the United Kingdom, will be launched by the Minister in Australia this week, with more locations to be announced in due course.

The new facilities in Australia will first be launched in Sydney on 16 July 2025 at 10:00 (Australian time) and in Melbourne on 18 July 2025 at 13:00 (Australian time).

The locations of these launches are as follows:

Sydney: Level 6, 88 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW, Australia 2000
Melbourne: Level 5, 332 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Australia 3004
All media are invited to join these events.



For media enquiries, please contact:

Duwayne Esau, Cell number: 077 606 9702

As South Africa celebrates Youth Month 2025 under the theme "Skills for the changing world: Empowering youth for meaningful economic participation", a powerful story combining scientific innovation and cultural heritage is emerging. At the heart of this narrative is Dr Taskeen Docrat, a young researcher whose groundbreaking work is exploring the potential of rooibos tea in combating Alzheimers disease.

A natural solution to a global challenge
Alzheimers disease remains one of the most pressing health challenges globally, affecting millions and placing immense emotional and financial strain on families. Current treatments offer limited relief and often come with significant side effects. This has led scientists to explore alternative, natural therapies and rooibos tea, a proudly South African product, is showing promising potential.

Rooibos, derived from the Aspalathus linearis plant, is already celebrated for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Traditionally used to aid digestion, reduce stress, and support heart health, rooibos is now being studied for its neuroprotective effects.

The science behind the brew
Dr Docrats research, supported by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the South African Rooibos Council (SARC), examines how rooibos extracts interact with amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides – the proteins that clump together in the brains of Alzheimers patients, forming plaques that impair cognitive function.

"We are investigating whether rooibos can help protect against these damaging effects," says Dr. Docrat. "This is exciting given the pressing need for effective prevention strategies for Alzheimers."

Her research also highlights rooiboss ability to combat oxidative stress, a major contributor to brain cell damage. By neutralising harmful free radicals and supporting mitochondrial health, rooibos may help preserve brain function. Additionally, early findings suggest that rooibos could influence genes linked to neurodegenerative diseases, potentially slowing their progression.

The power of youth, innovation and indigenous knowledge
This research is more than a scientific breakthrough – its a celebration of youth-led innovation and the power of indigenous knowledge systems. Rooibos, a product deeply rooted in South African culture, is being elevated through cutting-edge science to address a global health crisis.

As South Africa commemorates Youth Month, Dr Docrats work stands as a testament to what young minds can achieve when supported by robust scientific infrastructure and a commitment to innovation. Her research not only advances our understanding of Alzheimers but also showcases how local resources can have a global impact. Last year, Dr Docrat was awarded the Distinguished Young Women Researcher: Natural and Engineering Sciences Award at the South African Women in Science Awards.

Looking ahead
With continued support from institutions like DSTI and SARC, rooibos could become a key player in the development of natural, accessible therapies for Alzheimers disease. As young scientists like Dr Docrat lead the charge, South Africa is poised to make significant contributions to global health, one cup of homegrown tea at a time.