CSIR 🇿🇦

Official X account of the CSIR. 80 years of research, development and innovation in RSA. Follow us for news, events, media and more. RTs not endorsements.

[CSIR 🇿🇦 @CSIR]

Entries for the 33rd CSIR Road Race, powered by @BestmedScheme, are now open! 

📆 Saturday, 17 October 2026
⏰ Start time: 06:00
📍 CSIR Main Campus, Meiring Naude Road, Brummeria, Pretoria
🏃‍♂️‍➡️ Run and Walk: 21.1 km, 10 km and 5 km  

Visit https://t.co/fiSxU6YfAF for more info and to register, and join #TeamCSIR for our EPIC #CSIRRace2026. 

Conquer the trail, own the hills. See you there!

#Race #Runner #runnerslife #Pretoria #PretoriaEvents
@dstigovza

[CSIR 🇿🇦 @CSIR]

2 DAYS TO GO ⏰

Two days remain until the official launch of the CSIR FuturePharma Facility.

FuturePharma is an open-access pharmaceutical innovation and manufacturing facility that will support the development and production of active pharmaceutical ingredients and other technologies, while strengthening South Africa’s pharmaceutical value chain.

📅 7 October 2026 | 10:00–12:00
📍 CSIR Pretoria Campus
#CSIRFuturePharma #GovZAUpdates

[CSIR 🇿🇦 @CSIR]

On Friday, 18 September 2026, twenty African participants completed training in the “Upstream Production of Recombinant Proteins in Prokaryotic Expression Systems” course, as part of the Southern African Biomanufacturing Training Hub (SABTH) at the CSIR Scientia campus in Pretoria.

SABTH is hosted at the CSIR; it is aimed at strengthening biomanufacturing capabilities in Southern Africa, with support from KfW Development Bank.

Frances O’Brien, a CSIR senior engineer who facilitated this course, says, “This course covered the upstream production workflow, including microorganism screening and selection, preservation techniques, inoculum train development and bioreactor cultivation, with practical exposure at 30-litre scale.”

As Africa works towards strengthening regional biomanufacturing resilience, initiatives such as the Southern African Biomanufacturing Training Hub help develop human capital, technical expertise and practical competencies required to support a sustainable and locally anchored biomanufacturing ecosystem.

https://t.co/7w2GaU1b3D

[CSIR 🇿🇦 @CSIR]

Today, 5 October 2026, we mark the 81st anniversary of #TeamCSIR. 81 years of curiosity, courage, and commitment. Eighty-one years of South Africans rising to every challenge with the power of science, technology and innovation.

As we celebrate and step confidently into our 82nd year, we do so with a profound sense of optimism and purpose. The best of the CSIR is not behind us — it is ahead of us.

Happy Birthday, CSIR!

[CSIR 🇿🇦 @CSIR]

Meet a #CSIRRace2026 pacer, Glen, from the Watermelon Gang Run Alex AC.
“You will never know your limits until you push yourself to them."

Join us at the EPIC #TeamCSIR Road Race, powered by @BestmedScheme.

📆 Saturday, 17 October 2026
⏰ Start time: 06:00
📍 CSIR Main Campus, Meiring Naude Road, Brummeria, Pretoria
🏃‍♂️‍➡️ Run and Walk: 21.1 km, 10 km and 5 km

Visit https://t.co/fiSxU6YfAF for more info and https://t.co/2v95KgdOP5 to register.
Conquer the trail, own the hills. See you there!

#Race #Runner #runnerslife #Pretoria #PretoriaEvents
@dstigovza

[CSIR 🇿🇦 @CSIR]

📢 Call for applications

#TeamCSIR-hosted Southern African Biomanufacturing Training Hub is pleased to announce the commencement of a course titled: High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) in Biomanufacturing: Fundamentals and Practical Applications, scheduled to start on 2 November 2026 at the CSIR Pretoria campus and 23 November 2026 at the CSIR Durban campus.

CSIR Pretoria Campus:
📆 Deadline for applications: 12 October 2026
📆 Duration: Two weeks
📍 One-week online training and one-week hands-on training at the CSIR in Pretoria
🔗 Apply: https://t.co/VR51DQ79Yy

CSIR Durban Campus:
📆 Deadline for applications: 26 October 2026
📆 Duration: Two weeks
📍 One-week online training and one-week hands-on training at the CSIR in Durban
🔗 Apply: https://t.co/qvj3MbbFsL

ℹ️ More info: https://t.co/ocAoTzp1p5

The course aims to provide participants with solid theoretical and practical understanding of HPLC and its application in biomanufacturing.

[CSIR 🇿🇦 @CSIR]

📢 Call for applications

#TeamCSIR-hosted Southern African Biomanufacturing Training Hub is pleased to announce the commencement of a course titled: A process chemists toolkit: Modern approaches to pharmaceutical production, scheduled to start on Monday, 9 November 2026.

📆 Deadline for applications: 12 October 2026
📆 Duration: Two weeks
📍 One-week online training and one-week hands-on training at the CSIR in Pretoria campus

This course will provide foundational training in continuous manufacturing for drug substance production, focusing on small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients.

ℹ️ More info: https://t.co/kUFvZy6e1e

🔗 Apply: https://t.co/ySK1HvKwFr

[CSIR 🇿🇦 @CSIR]

Driving smarter, evidence-based decision-making through data and innovation

The City of Tshwane and #TeamCSIR launched the Enterprise Data and Analytics Platform on Tuesday, 26 September 2026.

The platform serves as a digital intelligence hub for service delivery, bringing the City’s data together in one portal to enable real-time tracking of service delivery requests, identify emerging issues and quickly diagnose where resources are needed most.

From potholes and billing queries to water leaks and broken streetlights, every request can be tracked by its age, owner and location, helping the City to better understand service delivery needs and respond more effectively.

The launch forms part of a Project Collaboration Agreement between the CSIR and the City of Tshwane, with data from more than 15 City departments brought together on the platform.

#CityOfTshwane #DataAnalytics #DigitalTransformation #SmartCity #Innovation

[CSIR 🇿🇦 @CSIR]

From Monday, 21 to Wednesday, 23 September 2026, #TeamCSIR joined industry leaders, government stakeholders and technology innovators at the SITA GovTech Conference #GovTech2026, contributing to conversations on the role of technology and innovation in transforming South Africa’s public sector.

The conference provided a valuable platform to showcase our digital transformation technologies and innovations that support the development of a capable, digitally enabled state. The CSIR also contributed to panel discussions, shared insights and connected with stakeholders exploring practical solutions to strengthen digital transformation and improve service delivery.

Beyond the technologies themselves, the discussions reinforced the importance of collaboration, knowledge sharing and innovation in addressing real-world challenges and creating meaningful impact for society.

Through our research, technological innovation and partnerships, the CSIR remains committed to supporting the development and adoption of solutions that help build a more digitally enabled and innovative South Africa.

For more information about our work, visit: https://t.co/23cm7ffzc3 and https://t.co/kaTj3vmUHH

#DigitalTransformation #GovTech #TechnologyForImpact #DigitalInnovation

[CSIR 🇿🇦 @CSIR]

Media accreditation: #TeamCSIR #FuturePharma launch

Members of the media are invited to apply for accreditation to cover the official launch of the CSIR FuturePharma facility on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, at the CSIR in Pretoria.

FuturePharma is an open-access pharmaceutical innovation and manufacturing facility aimed at strengthening South Africa’s pharmaceutical capabilities and supporting the development, scale-up and commercialisation of pharmaceutical technologies.

More information and link to application: https://t.co/0ee0jqCoD7

[CSIR 🇿🇦 @CSIR]

#Oceandrone braves the Southern Ocean as #TeamCSIR, @NOAA, @CSIRO, @Columbia and @UW collaborate on an Antarctic winter mission.

The voyage will generate valuable ocean data that scientists will analyse as part of work supporting the Global Carbon Budget, contributing to our understanding of the ocean and its role in the #globalcarboncycle. From the icy waters of Antarctica to global #climatescience, this collaboration demonstrates the power of international scientific partnerships.

https://t.co/4Pgr1sURoy
#ScienceCollaboration

[CSIR 🇿🇦 @CSIR]

Advancing Africa’s hydrogen economy through innovation and collaboration

From 14–16 September 2026, the #TeamCSIR Hydrogen South Africa and Carbon Capture Utilisation (HySA and CCU) research group showcased its pioneering methane-cracking research at the #AfricaGreenHydrogenSummit2026 in Century City, Cape Town.

Methane cracking offers a promising pathway to produce turquoise, low-carbon hydrogen alongside solid carbon—a valuable co-product with applications across a range of industries.

Ashton Swartbooi, CSIR Research Group Leader for HySA and CCU, participated in a panel on developing Africa’s green hydrogen port workforce and moderated a discussion on the regulations, certification, safety requirements, codes and standards needed to unlock domestic and international demand for hydrogen and its derivatives.

The summit strengthened collaboration among industry leaders, government representatives, researchers and technology developers committed to advancing Africa’s hydrogen economy. Building on this momentum, the CSIR is exploring opportunities to produce turquoise hydrogen at various municipal wastewater treatment plants. 

#AGHS2026 #HySA #CCU #HydrogenInnovation #CleanEnergy #JustEnergyTransition

[CSIR 🇿🇦 @CSIR]

@Enterprise93831 Kindly register as users at https://t.co/poiQflPs3x

[CSIR 🇿🇦 @CSIR]

With South African municipalities thirsting for modern technologies to improve service delivery, #TeamCSIR calls on inventors and technology companies to list unconventional or alternative solutions on a new matchmaking platform called Technology for Service Delivery. The platform, which is managed by CSIR experts in the built environment, links municipalities with novel and unconventional technologies for #water, #sanitation, #energy, #construction, #waste, #connectivity and other services.

https://t.co/NRgRGXp56R

@dstigovza

[CSIR 🇿🇦 @CSIR]

The Aerospace Industry Support Initiative (AISI) helps small, medium and micro enterprises #SMMEs de-risk their technologies and products.

Companies receive support for product and technology development as well as the development of standards and accreditations. This support has resulted in the development and production of small gas turbines, stabilised cameras, hyperspectral cameras for low-earth observation, advanced antennas, unmanned aerial vehicles and composite-based products.

This year, AISI celebrates 20 years of working with SMMEs in aerospace and defence, having been established in 2006 as a strategic initiative of @the_dtic to strengthen the competitiveness, sustainability and growth of South Africa’s aerospace and defence industry. AISI is hosted and managed by the CSIR.

[CSIR 🇿🇦 @CSIR]

Call for Proposals: African Laser Centre - Research Collaboration Programme

The African Laser Centre, a NEPAD initiative funded by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and hosted by the CSIR, invites proposals for the 2027/28 Research Collaboration Programme, fostering research partnerships between South African and African researchers.

Closing date for applications: 23 October 2026
https://t.co/ZRXIlyoXK6

[CSIR 🇿🇦 @CSIR]

📻 Tune in: #TeamCSIR capacity development specialist Nokwanda Ngcobo will be on Ukhozi FM (90.1–107.4 FM) today, 23 September 2026, from 21:30 to 22:00 to discuss #STEM education for girls. Don’t miss it!

[CSIR 🇿🇦 @CSIR]

Calling all South African Foundation Phase educators!

Are you a Foundation Phase teacher in South Africa? We would love you to participate in our study!

Lucky draw: As a token of appreciation, one participant from each of South Africa’s nine provinces will be randomly selected to win a R500 Takealot voucher! Participation is completely voluntary and will not affect your participation in the study.

To enter:
- Complete the survey
- Provide your name and email address in the relevant section

Participation details:
- Survey closes: 31 October 2026
- Winners will be contacted by: 30 November 2026
- Winners: Nine, one from each province
- Prize: R500 Takealot voucher per winner

To participate, visit https://t.co/GEADjSM2Dl

Please share this with other South African Foundation Phase educators who may be interested.

#TeamCSIR #FoundationPhase #SouthAfricanTeachers #EducationResearch #LuckyDraw