Vision 2030 driving SA’s agenda
driving SA's agenda
The National Development Plan is in its fifth year and achieving much success
With the National Development Plan (NDP) now in its fifth year, government is placing greater emphasis on aligning the country's budget to the targets set out in the plan as it strives to make them a reality.
The NDP was drafted by the National Planning Commission – a team of experts from different sectors – and adopted on 12 September 2012.
Speaking at an event marking the fifth anniversary of the adoption of the NDP, President Jacob Zuma said the budget would be used to pursue the goal of inclusive economic growth.
“Cabinet has directed the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation to work with the Economic Cluster of government departments to ensure that there is alignment between the priorities in the NDP and the budget.
“This is an important step because the NDP will remain an empty promise as long as its noble goals are not matched with budget commitments,” he added.
Vision 2030
The NDP covers a wide variety of areas, from the economy to security, from strengthening the capacity of the state to reducing the high levels of crime and corruption.
“The NDP tells us and the world where our country should be in 2030,” said the President.
“Our vision as contained in the NDP is for a South
Africa in which those who seek employment will be employed. It should be a country in which the youth will have access to quality education.
“We are striving for a society in which citizens will live healthy, long lives, a place where there is no fear of criminals and where all live safely and securely. We are building a country with a capable state that supports citizens to fulfil their dreams and freely express their talents.”
It also envisages a growing economy that is responsive to the demands of a fast-changing world – an economy that does not only benefit the few.
The President noted that government was also taking concrete steps to implement the NDP.
“Through the implementation of Operation Phakisa, our Big Fast Results programme, we have developed very specific interventions in the oceans economy, health, education, mining and agriculture sectors.
“Operation Phakisa programmes in the oceans economy, for example, have since 2014 unlocked R7 billion in investments and created more than 6 000 jobs.”
Working together to do more
Government is also implementing incentives and support services for investors through the Special Economic Zones programme.
Six Industrial Development Zones, established between 2002 and 2014, have attracted 59 investors on site with an investment value of more than R10 billion.
“These achievements demonstrate that working together we can indeed do more. It is the same collective effort which made it possible for all of us to build a new nation from the ashes of apartheid.
“It is by working together that our gross domestic product grew in real terms from R1.6 trillion in 1994 to just over R3 trillion in 2015.
Employment has also grown from 9.5 million people in 1994 to 16 million people at the end of 2015.
“Access to housing and basic services have improved through the construction of four million new houses since 1994, increasing connections to electricity to 95 percent of the households and piped water to 85 percent of households.
“It is by working together that we can build on the 2.5 percent economic growth that was recorded in the last quarter to a sustainable growth path that can create jobs for the millions who are unemployed.
“Each one of us will have to play a role if we are to bring about a South Africa which is envisaged in the NDP,” said President Zuma.
Progress made so far
Progress has been made in implementing the NDP, which has been mainstreamed as government's programme of action through the Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF), he added.
The MTSF 2014-2019 has 14 outcomes, which include education, health, safety and security, inclusive economic growth, job creation, infrastructure development, nation building and social cohesion, among others.
“Since we started implementing the NDP, we have marked progress in a number of areas.
“More people live longer than before, life expectancy has improved. A lot more children are at school getting the education whose quality is gradually improving.
However, progress is not being recorded across all sectors.
“The reach of the basic services has not fully reached all citizens, especially those who live in the rural areas. Government thus continues to work daily to expand the reach of water, electricity, roads housing and other services to the people.”
Inclusive economy needed
The President added that the economy had not fully recovered from the effects of apartheid.
“We have created a relatively large black middle class which is actively involved in the economic life of our nation. However, this achievement has not fundamentally transformed the structure and ownership patterns of the economy.
“Too many people who need jobs to support
themselves and their families are still unemployed.”
The fruits of the economic growth since 1994 have been enjoyed by a few, he noted.
“The fundamental challenge we face, which is the principal goal that is identified in the NDP, is to grow the economy in a manner that is inclusive.
“We need to fundamentally change the structure, systems, institutions and patterns of ownership, management and control of the economy in favour of all South Africans, especially the poor, the majority of whom are African and female.”
Given that approximately 75 percent of the economy is in the hands of the private sector, President Zuma said it would take commitment from both government and business to effect fundamental change.
Effective communication key
Minister in The Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Jeff Radebe, who is also the Chairperson of the National Planning Commission, said high-level leadership meetings are being held regularly between government and business, government and labour, and government and civil society.
These provide a route for focused dialogues to discuss the contribution of each sector to the implementation of the NDP, identify blockages and develop a common understanding of how obstacles will be overcome.
“The NDP has got tangible programmes that are currently being implemented in various sectors including infrastructure development, oceans economy, education, information and communications technology, agriculture and many others.
“We may disagree in some of the finer details like the priority areas, approaches and perspectives, but this should not prevent us from getting together to craft a way forward,” he said.
Minister Radebe added that the nation was invited to engage in constructive dialogue, so that together “we can work towards a common growth path”.