2. The South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions
Professional Registration of Scientists
Women in Nuclear Conference
23 August 2018
Dr Gerda Botha Pr. Sci. Nat.
Chairperson

3. Contents Legislative Mandate of SACNASP Council Objectives
Background to the Fields of Practice and the VA’s
SACNASP Pillars (Regulator, Enabler, Advisor)
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Registration

4. South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions
A statutory body established under the Natural Scientific Professions Act 2003 (Act no. 27 of 2003)
Registering scientist in three categories –
Professional Natural Scientist
Certificated Natural Scientist
Candidate Natural Scientist
The Council is mandated as the Accounting Authority to implement the provisions of the Act, under the oversight of the Minister of Science and Technology.

5. Purpose of the Act
To provide for a credible professional registration and regulatory body for natural scientists to establish, direct, sustain and ensure a high level of professionalism and ethical conscience in the natural scientific professions sector.
To improve standards of services rendered by professionals, maintain their integrity, enhance their status and manage liabilities attendant to the practice of natural science professions.

6. SACNASP Mission and Vision
To be the leading Council for registration, development and advancement of the Natural Scientific Professions in South Africa.
Mission
To provide an efficient statutory Council for the recruitment, registration and development of Natural Scientific Professionals to ensure high quality services for social benefit and economic growth.

7. Ministerial Directive
The Hon Mrs. Naledi Pandor, MP, Minister of Science and Technology at the inauguration of the new Council of SACNASP on the 25th June 2015 was clear about what she required of SACNASP.
“SACNASP should not be considered merely as a regulatory and registration body. It should also help DST to enhance South Africa’s standing insofar as the natural scientific professions are concerned”

8. SACNASP Strategic Objectives (2017 -2022)
To proactively advise Government and relevant stakeholders on the contributions and role of the Natural Scientific Professions in South Africa
To register and regulate natural science professionals
To promote SACNASP and the natural science professions in South Africa
To promote the professional development and transformation of the natural science sector of South Africa.
To foster a culture of good corporate governance in relation to the Council.

9. Fields of Practice - examples of industry application areas
Relating to Agriculture & Food Security:
Agricultural Science
Animal Science
Extension Science
Water Resource Science
Food Science
Microbiological Science
Soil Science
Toxicological Science
Relating to Mining/Environmental/Conservation
Atmospheric Science
Geological Science
Geospatial Science
Environmental Science
Ecological Science
Aquatic Science
Conservation Science
Earth Science
Relating to the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), Energy, and Commercial Sector:
Chemical Science
Physical Science
Mathematical Science
Specified Science
Statistical Science
Relating to other areas of the Bio/Green Economy and Indigenous Knowledge:
Biological Science
Botanical Science
Material Science
Zoological Science

10. Voluntary Associations (VA)
Academy of Science of South Africa
Anatomic Society of Southern Africa
The Institute of Information Technology Professional South Africa
Entomological Society of Southern Africa
Grassland Society of Southern Africa
Operations Research Society of Southern Africa (ORSSA)
Soil Science Society of South Africa
South African Mathematical Society
South African Society for Agricultural Extension
South African Society of Crop Production
South African Statistical Association
South African Wildlife Management Association
Southern African Genetics Society
Southern African Geophysical Association
Southern African Society for Plant Pathology
Southern African Society of Aquatic Scientists
Southern African Weed Science Society
The Geological Society of South Africa (GSSA)
The Physiology Society of Southern Africa
The South African Association of Physicists in Medicine and Biology
The South African Association for Food Science and Technology (SAAFoST)
The South African Association of Botanists
The South African Chemical Institute (SACI)
The South African Institute of Ecologists & Environmental Scientists (SAIEES)
the South African Institute of Engineering & Environmental Geologists (SAIEG)
The South African Institute of Physics (SAIP)
The South African Society for Animal Science (SASAS)
The South African Society for Enology and Viticulture (SASEV)
The South African Society for Horticultural Science
The South African Society for Microbiology
The South African Society of Atmospheric Sciences
The South African Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
The Southern African Institute of Forestry
The Toxicology Society of South Africa
Water Institute of South Africa (WISA)
Zoological Society of South Africa (ZSSA)
National Institute for Explosives Technology
South African Wetland Society
National Association for Clean Air
Institute of Certificated and Chartered Statisticians of South Africa (ICCSSA)
Society of South African Geographers
Institute of Environmental and Recreation Management
Parasitological Society of Southern Africa (PARSA)

11. Current SACNASP Membership
Database of registered scientists
45 Voluntary Associations Aligned to SACNASP
Aligned to the NSI network
Creating opportunities to contribute to national agenda
Building platforms for networking

12. Year on year registration by gender

13. SACNASP Pillars Regulator Enabler Adviser Quality and Safety
Continuing Professional Development
Candidate Mentoring Phase
Adviser
To Government
To Voluntary Associations

14. Regulation

15. SONA 2018
“We urge professional bodies and regulatory authorities to take action against members who are found to have acted improperly and unethically.”
(Quotes from His Excellency Mr Cyril Ramaphosa President of the Republic of South Africa at SONA 2018)

16. WHY SHOULD REGISTRATION BE NECESSARY?
Natural Scientists provide a service to the public. The public has a right to be protected. The Profession has a right to be protected

17. Practice of Professional Science
The practice of professional science is the performing of any activity that requires application of the principles of the sciences,
and that concerns the safeguarding of
Public welfare
Life
Health
Property
Economic interest
The environment

18. Practice of Professional Science
This may include:
Investigations
Interpretations
Evaluations
Consultations
Management of discovery and development

19. NATURAL SCIENTIFIC PROFESSIONS ACT OF 2003
Section 18 (2) A person may not practise in any of the fields of practice listed in Schedule I unless he or she is registered …….
Section 20 (1) Only a registered person may practise in a consulting capacity.

20. Benefits of registration
Peer recognition
Public confidence
Relationship with the voluntarily associations
International recognition
Marketability
Personal Development
Networking – link with Government
National voice for the Scientists

21. Code of Conduct
Speaks to the professional behaviour of the Registered Scientist
“Conduct themselves in such a way as to uphold the dignity, standing and reputation of the natural science professions”
Compiled in conjunction with the VAs
Enforceable by the NSP Act

22. Enabling

23. The Competent Scientist
Appropriate Training at the right level
Adequate and Relevant work Experience
Well developed Communication Skills
Strategic and Management Skills
Ethical Behaviour and aware of Legislation
High attention to detail and Quality of Work
These are some of the key attributes SACNASP believes are important to be recognised as a competent scientist

24. COMPETENCIES (CPD skills)
Appropriate scientific skills
Exposure to field of practice
Communication (written and verbal)
Legal/Ethical training
Management
Interpersonal Skills
Knowledge of Technology

25. CPD/Networking Sessions
Continuing Professional Development/Networking Session at Koeberg Nuclear Power Station (20 September 2017) and at the Tsogo Sun, Elangeni Maharani, (12 December 2017).

26. Engagement at SFSA 2017
Topic 1: Role of a professional registering body and its constituent voluntary associations in the National Systems of Innovation (NSI).
Topic 2: Determining competency of professional natural scientists.

27. Outcomes of SFSA 2107 Engagement
Greater interaction between SACNASP, SAQA and CHE on qualifications
VAs need to be more involved in CPD for QA
Changing trends in the job market need to be monitored
Greater support is needed for human capacity development of scientists and especially school educators. Focus on QA, Technology, Engineering and mathematics education.
Professional registration needs to be emphasized at an early stage in science careers
The NSP Act needs to be substantially revised to regulate non-registered scientists.

28. Student Empowerment -Free Enrolment of students at HEIs
This was crucial to encourage students to access networks within SACNASP and assist in their careers
This is for a defined period to assist students access professional networks
Creates a pipeline for the Candidate Mentoring Programme (CMP)
Marketing company (HDI Youth Marketeers) appointed and roll-out has begun with two institutions targeted a year.

29. Free Student Enrolment Universities
Date
University
Number of students enrolled
5 - 6 February 2018
University of Johannesburg
215
February 2018
Tshwane University of Technology
525
February 2018
University of Pretoria
221
February 2018
University of Free State
223
February 2018
Central University of Technology 56

30. Science Festivals at Schools
4th Annual Rural Festival that was held at Tivumbeni Multipurpose Centre, Nkowankowa, Limpopo Province from September 2017.
P-STEM Foundation hosted the first Science Festival in Rustenburg, North West Province on 14 – 15 October 2017.

31. Advising

32. MINISTERIAL DIRECTIVE
“the practice of science, technology and innovation is a growing area of work for South Africa. In this regard, the SA Government is determined to make significant investment in this sector as it is believed that it is a driver for growth in the future.”
“DST would expect from SACNASP greater knowledge of the basic sciences and advice from time to time as to what the DST needs to do to enhance the natural scientific professions in South Africa”

33. SACNASP VA Report
Voluntary Associations accredited to SACNASP were requested to submit a report to the SACNASP Council
Some of the areas covered include:
Training, work experience etc.
Employment of the members of the Association.
Key highlights and challenges the field is experiencing that SACNASP and DST should focus on.
Areas in the field that government can assist with.
The Report was launched and handed to the Minister on 14 June 2018.
It will be published with the HSRC to ensure greater accessibility

34. Women on the SACNASP Council
Dr Gerda Botha
Prof Jacky Galpin
Prof Igle Gledhill
Dr Phillia Vukea
Dr Wendy Ngoma
Dr Juanita van Heerden
Prof Mary Gulumian
Ms Thulisile Mashanda
Ms Matuloe Masemola
(until recent Dr Phethiwe Matutu)

35. Recognision for Women in Science
DST’s Women in Science Awards:
Awards for Distinguished Woman Researchers
Natural (Life and Physical) and Engineering Sciences
Humanities and Social Sciences
Awards for Distinguished Young Woman Researchers
Awards for Research and Innovation
Distinguished Woman Researcher
Distinguished Young Woman Researcher
DST Fellowships
Four current master's students: 2 in natural and engineering sciences, 1 in human and social sciences (HSS), and 1 in indigenous knowledge systems (IKS).
Four current doctoral students: 2 in natural sciences, 1 in HSS, and 1 in IKS.
TATA Africa Scholarships for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology
Three master's students in disciplines where the participation of women is low.
Three doctoral students in disciplines where the participation of women is low.

36. African Women in Science Science Forum South Africa – 7-8 December 2017 (Gender Sensitive Research – A Global Imperative) Photo – Mail and Guardian

37. Continuing Professional Development

38. Continuing Professional Development
The CPD Programme was launched on 1 April 2017
In order to comply with SACNASP’s CPD policy, registered scientists need to accumulate 25 CPD points over a five-year period in order to be eligible for re-registration.
These points can be gained through a number of activities including attending conferences, belonging to a Voluntary Association, assisting SACNASP as a referee or as a member of a committee.
Substantial effort has been put into explaining to VAs how the system works. SACNASP is also hosting workshops around South Africa to address the concerns of registered natural scientists.  

39. CPD System Requirements
Category 1 – Compulsory Category
Developmental Activities
Validated CPD training programmes
1 CPD credit per year (10 hrs = 1 CPD credit)
Category 2
Work based Activities 400 hrs = 1 CPD Credit
Mentoring 50 hrs = 1 CPD Credit

40. System Requirements A total of 25 points over 5 years Category 3
Individual Activities
Membership of a recognised Voluntary
Association 1 CPD credit per year
Other Activities for example research, further studies, meetings
1 CPD credit (10 hours)
A total of 25 points over 5 years

41. Registration

42. REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION
Pr.Sci.Nat.
Recognised 4 YEAR DEGREE OR EQUIVALENT plus three years experience. (80% Natural Science Content)
RPL (10 years work experience)
Cert.Sci.Nat.
Recognised 2 or 3 YEAR DEGREE OR DIPLOMA OR EQUIVALENT and between one to five years experience. (50% Natural Science Content)
Cand.Sci.Nat.
Recognised 4 YEAR DEGREE OR 2 or 3 year DIPLOMA OR EQUIVALENT with no work experience

43. HOW DO I APPLY?

44. Enkosi Ha khensa Dankie Re a leboga Ro livhuwa Siyathokoza Siyabonga Thank you