National Planning Commission
The national planning commission (NPC) has released the draft national development plan.
The draft plan was handed over to president Zuma at a function in Pretoria on Friday by the chairperson of the NPC, minister Trevor Manuel.
The plan, together with the vision statement, charts a new way forward for South Africa until 2030.
26 commissioners participated in the plan’s formulation process.
In July, the NPC released a diagnostic report setting out South Africa’s most pressing problems.
Some of the identified problems include:
• High unemployment
• Low standard of education for black pupils
• Insufficient infrastructure to foster higher levels of growth
• Spatial patterns prejudicing the poor
• Resource intensive economy
• Failing public health system
A primary objective of the plan is to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality.
A number of public engagements have been held throughout this year with stakeholders designed to thrash out key issues facing South Africa in its quest to attain higher levels of development.
The NPC was set up in May last year to devise a long-term approach to economic growth and development for the country.
During his budget vote speech in Parliament in 2009, minister Manuel described the NPC as a “nerve centre” located within the presidency.
The idea is to establish links with key research bodies and think tanks to provide expert opinion on key issues.
At the handing over ceremony, president Zuma declared that the draft plan is “not a plan for government but a plan for the people of South Africa”.
According to a statement released by the NPC, the plan “breaks the five-year electoral cycle to allow for long-term planning”.
It will also allow for the mobilisation of society to work towards long-term goals drawn up by consensus.
The existence of long-term goals will also help to foster better coordination within government.
The plan will also facilitate the making of trade-offs between business and society.
The plan aims to:
• Create employment
• Expand infrastructure
• Introduce shift to low carbon economy
• Transform urban and rural spaces
• Improve education and training
• Facilitate the provision of quality health care
• Enhance the performance of the state
• Fight corruption and strengthen accountability
• Transform society and promote nation-building
The president encouraged all leaders at different levels within society to facilitate dialogue that seeks to find solutions to the challenges in society.
The plan also calls for a move away from the notion of entitlement to a situation where people play an active role in their own development. Part of this envisaged response includes government working more efficiently to develop people’s capabilities.
Partnership is a key component of the proposed strategy.
“South Africa has the means, the goodwill, the people and the resources to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality but it will require leadership from all sectors of society, a capable state and a social pact”.
The department now plans to hold a further four months of engagement with the public before a refined plan is presented to the cabinet for approval.
The plan is available at www.npconline.co.za.
Sabinet Cape Town Office
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