One in 12 people are admitted to hospital in South Africa not because of the disease they have, but because of the adverse reactions from the drugs they take. Much of this is due to the diverse genetics inherent in the African population.

The fourth industrial revolution has ushered in an era in which predictions and modelling will add even more value to data. CSIR statisticians and data scientists are using data to create prediction tools that assist stakeholders in their decision-making.

CSIR experts in advanced agriculture and food research have partnered with the United Nations Development Programme to create a solution that maximises the value of waste created at fresh fruit markets across the country.

Hearing about the work of Karen Steenkamp, Dr Nobuhle Majozi and Dr Cecilia Masemola and how they, by relying on data gleaned from way up there, are able to help farmers and other decision-makers way down here, makes one wonder if Big Brother knows that the sisters are stealing the show.

Phatheka Ndzotoyi, Vivey Phasha and Dr Sreejarani Pillai join their skills as part of the CSIR’s agroprocessing team to not only grow the agri-entrepreneur sector, but also develop advanced and regulatory-compliant products focusing on skin, body and hair care.