Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a South African scientific research and development (R&D) organisation. It was established by an act of parliament in 1945 and is situated on its campus in Pretoria. It is Africa's largest research and development organisation and accounts for about 10% of the entire African R&D budget. It has a staff of approximately 3,000 technical and scientific researchers.

Overview
The CSIR contract R&D portfolio aims to address national and industrial needs effectively; it leverages public, private, and international partnerships to advance science, engineering, and technology (SET). The organisation works with national safety and security establishments, local and international development structures, public enterprises and institutions, donor and funding agencies, and maintains strong roots in various communities. The CSIR collaborates closely with tertiary education institutions.

The CSIR also aims to contribute to the national development programme, perform relevant research, transfer technology and skilled human capital, and strengthen the science and technology base. The research, development, and innovation (RDI) chain at the CSIR draws inspiration from principles outlined in the Frascati Manual and encompasses types A, B, and C research: The CSIR operates with two kinds of R&D income:
 * Type A – directed basic or applied research exploring the underlying nature of a system
 * Type B – experimental development that typically results in a new prototype, which captures new knowledge and transforms it into a product, service, or policy
 * Type C – technology transfer, facilitating knowledge application


 * Parliamentary Grant – used to strengthen the CSIR science and technology base: knowledge, people, and infrastructure
 * Contract R&D income – derived from performing contract research on specific programmes, initiatives, and projects for clients in the public and private sectors, locally and abroad

All R&D work contributes to the national innovation system (NIS).

SERA
In 1999, a strategic alliance, the Southern Education and Research Alliance (SERA), was formed between the University of Pretoria and the CSIR. SERA collaborates locally and internationally with universities, NGOs, companies, and multinational bodies in various research areas.

Aircraft

 * CSIR Sara II

Allegations of political interference
In July 2016, the amaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism published an article that alleges that South Africa's Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor and Director-General Phil Mjwara were attempting to put undue pressure on the CSIR, at the behest of the African National Congress (ANC) treasurer-general Zweli Mkhize, to favour the Chinese multinational Huawei Technologies in the purchase of a new 116million South African rand (US$8million) supercomputer for the institute. This followed the publication of the council's long-time CEO, Sibusiso Sibisi's, open letter of resignation stating that irregularities and political pressure on the awarding of contracts to suppliers were of great concern.

Biopiracy case
In a case of biopiracy, bioprospectors from CSIR became interested in the Hoodia plant as an appetite suppressant for weight loss after a marketing campaign falsely claimed its efficacy. They patented it without recognising the San people's traditional claims to knowledge of the plant and its uses. The patent was later sold to Unilever, which marketed Hoodia products as diet supplements. In 2003, the South African San Council made an agreement with CSIR in which they would receive from 6 to 8% of the sales revenue of Hoodia gordonii products, money that would be deposited in a fund to purchase land for the San people who had been dispossessed of their lands by migrating tribes.