INCORPORATION OF AISA TO THE HSRC Presentation to the Select Committee on Education and Recreation : 31 July 2013

PRESENTATION OUTLINE Background. AISA mandate vs. DST mandate. AISA mandate vs. HSRC mandate. Incorporation process. Consultation and legislative process.

BACKGROUND Prior to 1994 the Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA) was intended to serve the previous government as a portal to the continent, providing policy advice and access to those in other African countries willing to associate with apartheid South Africa. Since then, attempts have been made to reconceptualise AISA as an instrument and a mirror of post-apartheid South Africa – an organisation whose research outputs and evidence-based policy briefs would inform South African policy on the continent (Africa).

BACKGROUND When the Department of Science and Technology was established in 2004, the responsibility for the administration of the AISA Act was assigned to the Minister of Science and Technology because AISA was now regarded as a research institute. Informed by the 2010 institutional review of AISA, the Department identified a fundamental strategic mismatch in the role and functions of AISA vis-à-vis the Department’s core mandate.

AISA MANDATE VS DST MANDATE There is a historical continuity from pre-1994 with respect to the vision of AISA, as an active contributor to South Africa’s engagement with the continent. Although this vision manifests itself in a different form in post-apartheid South Africa, it continues to inform the operations and structure of AISA. The 2010 review had recommended a substantive structural reorganisation to give more effect to the research (core) business of AISA.

AISA MANDATE vs. DST MANDATE As a research council we anticipated that AISA would not focus on the establishment of research networks in Africa and the dissemination of information as ends in themselves, rather than as means to an end (of research output), which has resulted in a dilution of effort and investment in research capacity; There is a concern on the imbalance in the mission of the organisation between the roles of generating research output as compared to the generation of policy interventions; Whilst within AISA there is a historically-entrenched focus and internal bias on topics in the areas of diplomacy, politics, foreign relations, peace and security, and continental development policy an emphasis on recent developments on the continent is also required.

AISA MANDATE vs. HSRC MANDATE Significant overlaps between the respective mandates and operational activities of both AISA and the HSRC were also identified, which the Department believes have the potential to cause unnecessary duplication, resulting in inefficient deployment of resources and unhelpful competition between these two institutions. The HSRC Act of 2008 expanded the mandate of the HSRC to include a strong focus on public purpose research, and stressed effective engagement with Africa and the rest of the world.

AISA MANDATE vs. HSRC MANDATE In view of these overlaps the Department considered it advisable to merge the two institutions, however due to the relative sizes of the respective institutions it was considered prudent to incorporate AISA into HSRC, rather than to pursue a traditional merger of equals approach. The Department believes the incorporation will reduce competition, strengthen research capacity and enhance synergies in the research focuses and activities of the two institutions. In order to retain the AISA brand, the institute will incorporated into the HSRC as an in-house research institute.

INCORPORATION PROCESS Operational management and oversight relating to the incorporation is managed by a team comprising members of the senior management of the Department, AISA and the HSRC. All employees of AISA will be transferred to the HSRC in accordance with section 197 of the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act No. 66 of 1995), on the same terms and conditions of employment, including remuneration and other benefits.

CONSULTATION PROCESS The Minister met with the AISA Council on 3 June 2012 to discuss the decision to incorporate AISA to HSRC. The Minister sent detailed correspondence to AISA and HSRC regarding the incorporation proposal on 6 June 2012. The AISA management and staff met with the Minister on10 July 2012 to discuss the incorporation issue. The HSRC chairperson and CEO were consulted by the Minister. The draft Repeal Bill was published in a gazette for public comments (30 day period) on 24 August 2012.

LEGISLATIVE PROCESS Cabinet approved the draft Repeal Bill on 27 Feb 2013. Bill certified by State Law Advisors on 8 March 2013. Bill introduced to Parliament on 15 March 2013. The Repeal Bill was approved by the Portfolio Committee in June 2013. The Repeal Bill will now be presented to the Select Committee (clause by clause)

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