Skip to main content
Log in

Science and scientific collaboration in South Africa: apartheid and after

  • Published:
Scientometrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Scientific collaboration is growing in its importance; more so in Asian and African countries. This paper examines the scenario of science and scientific collaboration in South Africa which had passed through the colonial and apartheid regimes before it became a democracy in 1994. South African science under distinct political periods moved through some difficult periods but it did not badly affect the progress and direction of South African science. Science and scientific collaboration continued to grow under its major political phases amidst serious challenges. Despite internal conflict and boycott by the international scientific community, South Africa could move onto a stable and steady path of growth in science and collaboration under apartheid which is being carried on in the new South Africa. Collaborative research is encouraged at various levels of knowledge production and in science. The importance science and scientific development is gaining in today’s South Africa is remarkable.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • A first for tuberculosis research in South Africa (2005). South African Journal of Science, 101, 393–394.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ben-David, J. (1960). Scientific productivity and academic organization in nineteenth-century medicine. American Sociological Review, 25, 828–843.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blankley, W., & Kahn, M. (2004). South African research and development: Preliminary results and indicators from the latest survey. South African Journal of Science, 100, 9–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, K. (2005). Tropical medicine and animal diseases: Onderstepoort and the development of veterinary science in South Africa 1908–1950. Journal of South African Studies, 31, 513–529.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burns, M., Audouin, M., & Weaver, A. (2006). Advancing sustainability science in South Africa. South African Journal of Science, 102, 379–384.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Science and Technology. (2002). South Africa’s national research and development strategy. Department of Science and Technology: Pretoria. Accessed August 31, 2007 from http://www.dst.gov.za/publications/reports.php.

  • Department of Science and Technology. (2006). National survey of research and experimental development (R&D), 2004–05. Pretoria: Department of Science and Technology & HSRC.

  • Ellis, G. F. R. (1994). Science research policy in South Africa. Pretoria: Royal Society, University of Cape Town.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, D. S., van Zinderen Bakker, E. M., Sr., & Greenwald, L. (1972). The question of South Africa. Science (New Series), 175, 705.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gevers, W. (2001). The academy of science of South Africa is now a statutory organization. South African Journal of Science, 97(11 & 12), 447–448.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gillette, R. (1975). Uranium enrichment: With help, South Africa is progressing. Science (New Series), 188, 1090–1092.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gould, C., & Folb, P. (2002). The role of professionals in the South African chemical and biological warfare programme. Minerva, 40, 77–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Government of South Africa. (2006). Science and Technology. Accessed April 30, 2007 from http://www.info.gov.za/aboutsa/science.htm#mine_saf_res.

  • Greenberg, D. S. (1970a). South Africa: (I): Booming nations research and industry benefit from close ties with the United States. Science (New Series), 169, 157–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg, D. S. (1970b). South Africa: (II): University system follows apartheid pattern; government enforces limits on academic dissenters. Science (New Series), 169, 260–264, 266–267.

  • Gultig, J. (2000). The university in post-apartheid South Africa: New ethos and new divisions. South African Journal of Higher Education, 14, 37–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Habib, A., & Morrow, S. (2006). Research, research productivity and the state in South Africa. Transformation, 62, 9–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, V., Hatang, S., & Liberman, P. (2004). Unveiling South Africa’s nuclear past. Journal of Southern African Studies, 30, 457–475.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman, J., & Cox, T. (1971). Relations with South Africa. Science (New Series), 173(4000), 868.

    Google Scholar 

  • IDRC. (1993). Towards a science and technology policy for a democratic South Africa: Mission report. Johannesburg: The International Development Research Centre.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingwersen, P., & Jacobs, D. (2004). South African research in selected scientific areas: Status 1981–2000. Scientometrics, 59, 405–423.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs, D., & Ingwersen, P. (2000). A bibliometric study of the publication patterns in the sciences of South African scholars 1981–96. Scientometrics, 47, 75–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Joubert, D. M. (1977). Agricultural research in South Africa: An historical overview. In A. C. Brown (Ed.). A history of scientific endeavour in South Africa (pp. 265–282). Cape: Royal Society of South Africa.

  • Kahn, M. (2007). Internationalization of R&D: Where does South Africa stand? South African Journal of Science, 103, 7–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, D. (2004). South Africa’s national research and development strategy: A review. Science, Technology and Society, 9, 273–294.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, D. E. (1999). On the literature of the economics of technological change: Science and technology policy in South Africa. The South African Journal of Economics, 67, 473–490.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keay, R. (1976). Scientific cooperation in Africa. African Affairs, 75, 86–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khumalo, G. (2001). An investigation and identification of indigenous science understandings among Zulu community elders and the impact of these understandings on the Zulu secondary school learners, Masters Dissertation. University of Durban-Westville, Durban.

  • King, D. A. (2004). The scientific impact of nations. Nature, 430, 311–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Langer, E. (1967). Science in South Africa: The effects of apartheid. Science (New Series), 155, 1387–1389.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marais, H. C. (2000). Perspectives on science policy in South Africa. Pretoria: Network Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • May, R. M. (1997). The scientific wealth of nations. Science, 275, 793–796.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merton, R. K. (1938 [1970]). Science, technology and society in seventeenth century England. New York: Howard Fertig Press.

  • Naudé, S. M., & Brown, A. C. (1977). The growth of scientific institutions in South Africa. In A. C. Brown (Ed.). A history of scientific endeavour in South Africa (pp. 60–85). Cape: Royal Society of South Africa.

  • Nordkvelle, Y. (1990). The academic boycott of South Africa debate: Science and social practice. Studies in Higher Education, 15, 253–275.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Omond, R. (1985). The apartheid handbook. A guide to South Africa’s everyday racial policies. Harmondsworth: Penguin.

  • Plug, C. (2003). Southern African science in the year 1903–100n. South African Journal of Science, 99, 59–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pouris, A. (1992). Economic sanctions and R&D. Scientometrics, 25, 415–424.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pouris, A. (2003). South Africa’s research publication record: The last ten years. South African Journal of Science, 99, 425–428.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pouris, A. (2006). Assessing scientific strengths of academic institutions: The example of the University of Pretoria. South African Journal of Science, 102, 23–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pouris, A., & Pouris, A. (2009). The state of science and technology in Africa (2000–2004): A scientometric assessment. Scientometrics, 79, 297–309.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Price, D. J. D. (1963). Little science, big science. Columbia University Press, New York.

  • Reed, S., & Aston, A. (2006). What the U.S. can learn from SASOL. BusinessWeek, 27 February, p. 46.

  • Shepherd, N. (2003). State of the discipline: Science, culture and identity in South African Archaeology, 1870–2003. Journal of South African Studies, 29, 823–844.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sooryamoorthy, R. (2009). Collaboration and publication: How collaborative are scientists in South Africa? Scientometrics, 80, 419–439.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steyn, A. G. W. (2002). State funding of universities and technikons, 1993 to 2001. South African Journal of Education, 22, 253–269.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steyn, A. G. W., & Vermeulen, P. J. (1997). Perspektiewe op die finansiering van Suid-Afrikaanse universiteite. Tydskrif vir Geesteswetenskappe, 37, 248–263.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tijssen, R. J. W. (2007). Africa’s contribution to the worldwide research literature: New analytical perspectives, trends, and performance indicators. Scientometrics, 71, 303–327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Wyk, M. S. (2007). Ally or critic? The United States’ response to South African nuclear development, 1949–1980. Cold War History, 7, 195–225.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vaughan, C. L., Reddy, B. D., Noakes, T. D., & Moran, V. C. (2007). A commentary on the intellectual health of the nation. South African Journal of Science, 103, 22–26.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Radhamany Sooryamoorthy.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sooryamoorthy, R. Science and scientific collaboration in South Africa: apartheid and after. Scientometrics 84, 373–390 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-009-0106-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-009-0106-y

Keywords

Navigation