Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande has hosted Iranian Ambassador to South Africa, Mansour Shakib Mehr, who paid a courtesy visit to the minister.
Image: Supplied
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande has hosted Iranian Ambassador to South Africa, Mansour Shakib Mehr, who paid a courtesy visit to the minister.
Spokesperson for the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Veli Mbele, said South Africa and the Islamic Republic of Iran enjoy warm and cordial relations.
He said the purpose of Ambassador Mehr's visit was to strengthen science, technology and innovation cooperation between South Africa and Iran.
“Science, technology and innovation cooperation between South Africa and Iran goes back as far as May 2000, when the two countries signed a formal science and technology cooperation agreement. South Africa’s science, technology and innovation cooperation with Iran also involves our public science entities such as the National Research Foundation (NRF), the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and the South African National Space Agency (SANSA),” said Mbele.
Officials joined Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande as he hosted Iranian Ambassador to South Africa, Mansour Shakib Mehr, who paid a courtesy visit to the minister.
Image: Supplied
The areas of cooperation between the two countries include basic research, space science and aerospace, materials and energy, biotechnology and nanotechnology.
In addition to the May 2000 science, technology and innovation agreement, South Africa's National Research Foundation and the Iranian Ministry of Science, Research and Technology signed an executive framework for the management of the calls for joint research proposals.
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“Previously, there has also been several high-level meetings between South Africa and Iran, which included a visit to Iran by former Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Naledi Pandor in 2017. During her visit, she held discussions with the Iranian minister of science, research and technology, the minister of health and the vice president for science and technology, aimed at deepening relations between the two countries,” said Mbele.
Dr Naledi Pandor
Image: File
In December 2018, the former minister of science and innovation, Mmamoloko Kubayi hosted the Iranian Vice President for Science and Technology, Dr Sattari, for a weeklong visit to various South African science institutions with the aim to identify possible cooperation links.
“More recently, in December 2022, the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation received a delegation from Iran during the World Science Forum, comprising two deputy ministers. During their visit, the two deputy ministers met with the then DSTI deputy minister, Mr Buti Manamela to discuss the bilateral relations between the two countries,” he said.
In August 2022, South Africa and Iran also hosted a webinar on stem cell research cooperation. In May 2024, South African start-ups participated in Iran's 2024 INOTEX Exhibition, which was hosted in Iran.
“South Africa and Iran are currently in the process of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on innovation. The purpose of the MoU is to enhance relations between the two countries in the field of innovation and to promote the growth of startups and innovators,” said Mbele.
“South Africa looks forward to concluding the MoU on innovation with Iran, which Minister Nzimande believes will assist in providing support and development for the South African start-up ecosystem.”
Mbele said the MoU presents a great opportunity for South Africa to collaborate with like-minded institutions, such as Pardis Technology Park, through the Technology Innovation Agency to fulfil this important mandate.
Both Minister Nzimande and Ambassador Mehr expressed their commitment to ensuring that this memorandum of understanding is signed.
“The meeting was cordial and productive and reflective of the mutually beneficial relationship between South Africa and Islamic Republic of Iran,” said Mbele.
ANC’s first deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane with Ambassador Mansour Shakib Mehr.
Image: Nomvula Mokonyane/X
Last week, the African National Congress (ANC) hosted the Iranian ambassador in a move which some political analysts said flies in the face of Pretoria’s ongoing efforts to mend fences with the United States, amid a flurry of unilateral sanctions unleashed by US President Donald Trump.
Following the meeting with Ambassador Mansour Shakib Mehr, ANC’s first deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane reportedly said the former liberation movement, which has strong historical ties with Iran, would not hide its friends.
South Africa and Iran enjoy an historical and fraternal relationship, with both countries interacting regularly, notably through the Joint Commission of Cooperation (JCC), which was established in 1995. Last year, the Department of International relations and Cooperation said this is the longest running and one of the most active structured bilateral mechanisms South Africa has with any country in the Middle East region.
Over the years, bilateral relations between South Africa and Iran have broadened significantly, resulting in the creation of several sub-committees based on the areas of cooperation and the signing of several agreements.
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