The number of research scientists working in government, academia, industry and the non-profit sector in South Africa fell slightly between 2008 and 2009, after half-a-decade of increases, according to a 9 September report from the South African government. The drop echoes a decline in the total number of science, maths, engineering and technology researchers. Tommy Makhode, spokesman for the South Africa Department of Science and Technology, says the government is committed to increasing the number of South African researchers and has created research chairs and specialized research centres to encourage scientists to remain in or come to South Africa. The government hopes to boost the number of trainees entering the workforce, as well as to draw scientists from elsewhere using initiatives such as the exchange of researchers between South Africa and the European Union.