NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL ON INNOVATION
Who We Are
NACI was officially established under the National Advisory Council on Innovation Act No. 55 of 1997. Its core mandate was to serve as an advisory body to the Minister of Science and Innovation, with the goal of promoting innovation and the effective use of science and technology to achieve national development goals.
To provide evidence-based advice to the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation and, through the minister, Inter-ministerial Committee (IMC) and Presidential Plenary for ST&I, and the Cabinet, on ST&I matters, through research expertise and stakeholder engagement.
To establish a national advisory council on innovation; to determine its composition and objects and functions; to regulate financial and staff matters; and to
provide for matters connected therewith.
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Latest News & Events
The meeting brought together NACI Chairperson Tilson Manyoni, Acting CEO Dr Ntsiki Tshayingca and Benny Nhlapo, along with the General Manager Prof. Dr. Attila Dikbas, members of the ITU ARI Teknokent management team, and Prof. Dr. Cengizhan Ozturk, Chairman of the Board of the Istanbul Health Industry Cluster (ISEK). As part of the science and innovation park model planned to be developed in South Africa, we shared insights into ITU ARI Teknokent’s structure, technology and innovation ecosystem, entrepreneurship mechanisms, and global expansion activities.
Dr. Ntsiki Tshayingca appointed as the new NACI Acting CEO
Dr. Ntsiki Tshayingca is a qualified health professional, both an academic and a prominent public sector senior executive. She holds a PhD and is the author of the book entitled “Self-Leadership in Research: One Step at a Time”. She has extensive experience in academia, public sector policy, strategy , research, implementation technology & governance, as well as monitoring and evaluation. Dr Ntsiki has a strong standing within the health, research and innovation ecosystem, with deep experience in policy-informed research, research translation, and partnership-driven impact. She has held senior leadership roles across national and provincial government with her last government position as the Deputy Director-General ( DDG) in the Presidency. Her strong background in Policy, strategy governance, technology, research, innovation and stakeholder engagement positions her well.
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Chairperson of the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI), Mr. Tilson Manyoni, addressed the opening session of the Policy Dialogue on Industrialisation through Innovation.
