More power for presidency

The ANC wants a propped-up presidency that would “drive a developmental state” as a strategic centre of power. The ANC legislature and governance subcommittee’s Obed Bapela said the proposal was part of a reconfiguration of government discussed at last week’s policy conference.

“We looked at the presidency as a strategic centre of power and central driver of a developmental state. We agreed on core functions that should be included in the presidency,” said Bapela.

He said the functions to be included in a reconfigured presidency included state macro policy and planning, budget and resource allocation and performance monitoring.

Another committee member, Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor, pictured, said that the proposals on strengthening the presidency were meant to determine priorities.

When asked whether the presidency would take up budget functions, Pandor said that role would continue to be vested in Treasury.

“Treasury is a core institution in determining the budget, and parliament adopts that budget… that’s what exists in every democracy. Any notion that there would be a different approach is unintended,” she said.

“There will be more debates on this stronger role [at the presidency], but there is a strong feeling that we need to have agreement on priorities to guide process prior to Treasury finalising budget… but there’s no way in which a presidency would have capacity that Treasury has to design and present budget… let’s have the debate and then finalise in December.”

Bapela said the commission proposed a presidential commission to review the powers, functions and number of provinces that could be established.

The commission would help harmonise local government functioning, from provinces to municipalities. “This commission ... has to be announced with clear time frames so it is clear what needs to be done before the December conference.” – ANA