Ahead of World Quantum Day on April 14, the National Science and Technology Forum says South Africa is at the forefront of quantum science, exploring groundbreaking innovations that promise to transform communication, medicine, and energy solutions.
Image: AndSus/Adobe Stock]
As the world gears up to celebrate World Quantum Day on April 14, the spotlight is increasingly focused on the burgeoning field of quantum science and technology. South Africa, a key player on the global stage, revealed its strategic commitment during a two-day forum hosted by the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) in November 2025. Supported by the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) 2025 declared by the United Nations, this forum brought together the country's foremost scientists and researchers to explore the transformative potential of quantum innovations.
The session was held in partnership with the South African Quantum Technology Initiative (SA QuTi), a research network led by Professor Andrew Forbes, a recipient of the NSTF-South32 Awards Special Annual Theme Award 2025. The forum highlighted that a century after the inception of quantum mechanics — culminating from the groundbreaking work of pioneers like Heisenberg and Schrödinger — today’s advancements promise to revolutionise not only electronic communications but entire industries.
The forum said the era of quantum information has arrived, blending disciplines to exploit quantum mechanics for processing, transmission, and storage. What was once deemed unimaginable — a time when each office relied on fax machines sending data over terrestrial lines — is now a reality, replaced by satellites that facilitate near-instant communication globally. Quantum technology is poised to supercharge this evolution with enhanced speed and hyper-security for data transmission, setting a new standard for what is possible, says the NSTF.
Illustrating its potential, South Africa’s Quantum Technology Initiative, launched in 2022 with collaboration from universities including Wits, UKZN, and Stellenbosch, has created multiple nodes of expertise. Researchers at Wits University have pioneered astonishing feats, including high-dimensional teleportation, quantum secret sharing, and a first-of-its-kind quantum camera capable of capturing images in near-darkness.
Not confined to the realms of physics and computing, the implications of quantum research ripple out into various fields, including medicine, the forum said. For instance, recent advancements have led to a microscopically guided missile system specifically designed to target prostate cancer cells, signalling a new frontier in cancer treatment efficacy. Meanwhile, at the University of Pretoria, researchers are investigating how diatoms manipulate light and energy at a quantum level to enhance photosynthesis efficiency, potentially revolutionising solar technologies.
Exciting findings continue to emerge from different institutions. Researchers at the UKZN have managed to "teleport" images across networks without sending physical data, a feat that echoes science fiction. Meanwhile, at UniZulu, explorations into Quantum Dots herald potential breakthroughs in materials science, while Wits is advancing on a diamond-based hybrid qubit system, further establishing South Africa as a melting pot for quantum innovation.
Recognising the urgent need for practical applications, IBM is developing a quantum environment aiming to transcend classical computing limitations. Since 2016, the tech giant has unveiled 60 quantum devices and produced 25 adaptable quantum computers, significantly enhancing computational capabilities. This “quantum advantage” is crucial as the race for technological supremacy continues globally.
However, there are pressing concerns as well. The rapid advancements in quantum technology threaten established cryptographic methods that banks depend on to secure online transactions. The forum says South African cybersecurity firms are challenged to develop solutions that will withstand the anticipated power of quantum computing.
The foundation laid by quantum computing is essential for the future of science, innovation, and economic growth, the NSTF says. Countries that master this technology will lead the charge; those who lag behind will simply follow. As quantum research flourishes on South African soil, making strides across a spectrum of applications from finance to healthcare, the nation stands poised to take the global lead in quantum technology, ensuring its place at the forefront of the next scientific revolution.
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